Hello, I've got a 1998 Beetle with 131,000 miles on it. It's the diesel engine. It's always been pretty dependable until approx. two weeks ago. It will die every so often now. It completly loses power and the motor dies. I'll pull over to the side of the road, and it will turn over and try to start just fine, but won't fire. I have to sit for 1-5 minutes, and then it will start back up. I can then drive on until it does it again, sometimes 1 mile down the road, sometimes 50 miles. I always have to wait a short time before it will start again. The only thing I've done to it was to change the fuel filter. I'm hoping someone out there has some miracle cure to help me out so I do NOT have to see the dealer. I'd rather have teeth pulled than deal with those people. But, I'm about ready to take it to them to have them put it on the analyzer. Any suggestions. Thanks alot. I need my bug back. I'm driving a one ton truck to work every day 75 miles. I'd rather use the 50 mile per gallon beetle.

 

Sounds like the fuel filter. I would replace it again and
make sure it's the correct filter for diesels and installed
in the correct position. Also make SURE it is not sucking
air at the line connections. I think it's sucking air at times
and causing the problem, I had a diesel tractor that did the
same thing and it turned out to be a bad (new) fuel filter
that wouldn't seal. Also you may want to try a redo of the
filter just to be sure you got it sealed.