my buddy gave me his jetta for parts, cause i had the same one . my wife sold mine while i was at sea. now my buddy says he threw a connecting rod. how can i ck this without damaging the motor. he said someone sprayed to much starting fluid in it. anyhelp is greatly appreciated.
john : )

It would have 0 psi compression on that cylinder. Pull the spark plugs & see if one has none.

Since it's a diesel, you'll need to remove the injectors to check the compression, or the glow plugs if you can find the right adapter. You have to use a pressure tester for diesel engines, you blow out a standard automotive tester. Pressure should be well over 400 psi and most gages only go to 300. You'll have to remove the injector tubing to remove the injectors. Use a tubing wrench, not a standard open end. Also disconect the ends and remove the tubing as an assembly, do not remove the brackets that hold the tubes together. They are a major pain to get realligned if you remove the brackets.

I have another approach since you may damage it while trying to do a compression test. Remove your glow plugs so that the engine can be rotated easily. Also remove your pulleys so that you can get a 17 mm (if memory serves me) 12 point socket on the end of the crankshaft. Get under the car and remove the oil pan and pump. You should have a good view of the crankshaft at this point. You will also be able to view the bottom of the pistons. SLOWLY rotate the crank and make sure all the pistons are moving. If you are lucky the broken rod will be broken near to the crank shaft and there won't be too much damage to the cylinder walls. PS Never use starting fluid (spray) on a diesel. Don't try the old trick of spraying it on a towel and putting it in front of the intake either, you'll suck it in and trash your pistons.

thanks boschmann but she's a diesel.
DougTatham thank you very much for your reply.iwill try this when i get home. do i need to jack the engine up(raise) to get the oil pan off? do you know if the gasket kits are very expensive? and is there a timing case cover that goes into the oil pan as in gas motors. if there is a broken rod should they all be replaced? thanks again for your help. it really is appreciated. john : )

well good news , it wasn't the rod, it was ether lock , i charged the battery and cranked it a few times and vrooooooom, thing of beauty. does anyone know how to put the code in to the radio to get it back on. my fuse was blown, and i replaced it and now it wants a code. i have the code and i put it in but how do you enter it?
john