Vag com 409.1 from ebay and 1998 new beetle

[gta18]

Has anyone tried the 15$ vag com 409.1 from ebay with vcds to tune the IP of the 1998 new beetle tdi?
Coz i just changed my timing belt. Everything is running fine but i just want to optimize timing.
Thanks!

[chittychittybangbang]

It will work with VCDS's trialware version.

[gta18]

Chitty,
So the $15 cable would be enough for timing and IP adjustment? and can it also disable the egr for my 1998 new beetle tdi 1.9?

Thanks!

[chittychittybangbang]

yes, yes, no. EGR is advanced function and even if you turned it down, car will adapt though MAF = lower mpg. It'll also set a CEL which in socal = no emissions pass. My suggestion: leave it alone, VW tuned it for low smoke, emissions, and mpg.

[gta18]

I was also thinking of just disconnecting and blocking off the vacuum line going to the EGR valve to minimize the soot buildup. I think it would be essentially be like having block off valves right?

Have you tried that or is it going to build up soot in the egr cooler you think?

actually I just passed smog here in Socal for the beetle. They just did a visual and scanned for codes. The tech said it was his first diesel! LOL. my injection pump was even leaking. I told him It was just leftover diesel from me cleaning the engine....

[chittychittybangbang]

make sure to get the pump leaks fixed, bad for all the rubber in the engine bay, bad for asphalt, and of course, fuel in the hot engine compartment is always bad. Diesel won't flash like gas but still not good.

blocking off the line will do same thing as block off plate but again, you'll get CEL since car knows something isn't right. You must have ECU flash to remove the EGR w/o any CEL. If you put a piece of tape over it you'll still see some light and bad habit since you want to know right away if something else trips the CEL.

[gta18]

who do you recommend getting the ecu flash from?

[Seatman]

Malone, rocket chip, kerma tdi etc, try them.