Here's my VCDS readout:

Tuesday,20,August,2024,06:29:02:04902
VCDS Version: Release 24.7.0 (x64) Running on Windows 11 x64
www.Ross-Tech.com

Address 01: Engine Labels: 059-907-401-V2.clb
Control Module Part Number: 7P0 907 401 K HW: 7P0 907 401 K
Component and/or Version: 3.0TDI FSA X21 0013
Software Coding: 292A4012233600050000
Work Shop Code: WSC 00000 000 00000
ASAM Dataset: EV_ECM30TDI0117P0907401K 001014 (VW52)
ROD: EV_ECM30TDI0117P0907401K.rod
VCID: 372B2093CFCCB6D2AE9-8062
1 Fault Found:

5211 - Fuel Rail/System Pressure
P0087 00 [11101100] - Too Low
MIL ON - Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 3
Mileage: 266371 km
Date: 2024.08.18
Time: 17:27:01

Engine RPM: 2551.50 /min
Normed load value: 89.4 %
Vehicle speed: 106 km/h
Coolant temperature: 85 °C
Intake air temperature: 28 °C
Ambient air pressure: 970 mbar
Voltage terminal 30: 14.380 V
Unlearning counter according OBD: 40
Fuel temperature: 30.1 °C
Mean injection quantity: 74.25 mg/stroke
Rail pressure regulation: status-Bits 0-7: 5
Fuel high-pressure: actual value: 1703600 hPa
High fuel pressure: specified value: 2089300 hPa
Pressure control valve adaptation factor: 1.0609
Fuel level: 46.00 l


Readiness: 1 1 0 1 X

 

You got the code and THEN changed the filter? No change after filter replaced? What did the old filter look like specifically

 

VW4L, that's correct. Code came back after changing the filter as well. I have owned the car about 15k miles and that was my first fuel filter change. Filter was pretty uniformly dark in color and there was some particulate junk that came out into the container I put the filter in, but nothing I remember looking like metal shavings. I of course wish I had paid better attention to the filter now, taken pictures, run a magnet through the container, etc. I did pull the new filter out yesterday after running it for a week or so and it looks good with no particulate.

 

Other general info that may be pertinent: the car has a louder clicking sound on startup than before this started last week; car is generally more sluggish even when it isn't throwing the code and going into limp mode.

 

And that's the only single code it's showing?? It sure sounds like hpfp but there should be more codes in most cases

Can you run logs of rail pressure requested vs actual?

 

So let's see.... plenty of mileage.... unknown service history.... tuna involved..... requested fuel pressure not being met at high demand = potentially shot injectors
Please show injector deviations at full operating temp, at idle.

 

 

flashing glow plug light and limp mode activated at that point where actual fell below specified. Let me know if i need to figure out how to submit with actual pressures.

 

looking under the hood, i do notice the right valve cover looks a bit wet toward the rear. Leaky injector seal? Lines look dry.

 

#3 is an issue.... #4 might also be one.....
look at the injector setpoints now.... you should see the values (especially the 3rd) on those two be outta whack compared to the rest
Leaky seals are very possible at that age\mileage, and your best (hope) scenario.... injectors aren't cheap, but tuna is involved and EGTs combined with cylinder pressures could've mushroomed them...
You can usually hear leaky seals, but you should also see signs of black death.... look closely.

 

Would leaky injector seals cause low fuel rail pressure? I do see some black death on the right, although hard to tell where it came from.

 

Nope... But seals would throw off deviations so knowing they are good helps the diagnostic process progress down the correct path instead of using the parts cannon

 

Injector #3 had a big leak. I found the hold-down bolt was loose, and the lower seal was completely gone. I went ahead and replaced the injector and everything seems to be back to tip top shape, no codes under load or loss of power.

 

Thanks for posting back on what fixed it. I was following this thread to learn more about the symptom(s).

 

Good things happen when logic is used.