Fuel Problem & Car cuts out when hot

Hi I've had a big problem with the golf and 1 thing has led to another.

It all started with a buzzing noise around the fuel pump, fuel accumulator. The car would bunny hop when accelerating and cut out when stuck in traffic for more than 15min.
I took it to the garage and they said the fuel pump is on its way out. So I had that replaced, they then showed me that the fuel filler neck was rusting from the inside and dropping rust into the tank which is going through the fuel system.

So I had the tank removed and cleaned out and a new fuel filler neck. This did not resolve the problem.
The return fuel line was badly rusted so this has been replaced along with all other fuel lines except for the main one from the pump to the engine.

The garage then thought the problem is the fuel accumulator just next to the pump, so last week I had that replaced.
& the problem is still there and the fuel accumulator is still making a loud buzzing noize.

The only thing that has not been replaced is the sending fuel line to the engine.
Has anyone got any ideas? my car is a 88 GTI Cab Thanks H

i've got exactly the same symptoms/problem/pain in the bloody arse issue that you have quoted. I've had everything cleaned or replaced and the fuel pump still buzzes like crazy and car still backs off complete power when driving and then bunny hops back to life (really embarrasing when your in traffic and people are looking at your car!). I give up
It would be very helpful if anyone can give any advice for this…..
 

Anyone have any idea?

I'll give crazy quiffs a call today and ask them

does yours have a lift pump in the tank ? , sometimes the filter  on the end of the pump gets clogged …..??

mk1jim said

does yours have a lift pump in the tank ? , sometimes the filter  on the end of the pump gets clogged …..??

I'll have a look on Sat, I saw a thread from a few months back that mentions the lift pump, so I'll check that.

BTW…Sorry for Hijacking your thread 88gticab !

I'll keep watching to see if you get any developments as i'm just fed up with mine now…..

Sorry again…. :redfaced:

88 cab has a lift pump,so that would be a good plan for replacement. also theres a plastic fuel reservoir under the car, that should be cleaned out too as i expect it may be full o crud. once rust gets into the fuel system it might net as far forward as the metering head, and if that happens you need a new one

Had this problem on an 85 cab. the lift pump was the cause. The fuel line from the main pump gets so hot the fuel vaporises.

Just  had exactly the same thing myself - long, noisy and embarrassing journey home! I'll subscribe to this thread!

I had a new lifter pump fitted last Saturday and it has solved the problem, no noise coming from the fuel pump or accumulator, it accelerates like it used to and it no longer stalls when hot.

So that's what should solve anyone else's issues as well. I wish I had the lifter pump replaced first and then maybe I would not have needed a new accumulator or fuel  pump.

rdv said

Had this problem on an 85 cab. the lift pump was the cause. The fuel line from the main pump gets so hot the fuel vaporises.

That sounds right, the car was fine when cold but when hot the noise from the accumulator sounded like it was not getting fuel, which was what was happening and when i was accelerating the engine was not getting enough fuel. & then when stood in traffic fuel starvation caused the engine to stall

I'm going the same expensive route - the garage were adamant it was the fuel pump which is now replaced. Tomorrow they're fitting a new accumulator. Trouble is, I don't seem to have a lift pump - any ideas where to look and what it looks like? Mine's a 1990 GTi Cab

I've just changed the lift pump in my daughters 1990 cab. so you should have one. Car was running fine but pump had become noisey. Take out the back seat and its under the round panel thats secured with 3 self tappers.

Paprika said

I'm going the same expensive route - the garage were adamant it was the fuel pump which is now replaced. Tomorrow they're fitting a new accumulator. Trouble is, I don't seem to have a lift pump - any ideas where to look and what it looks like? Mine's a 1990 GTi Cab

Just as rdv says, it is a pump in the tank - I think mine was supplied as a vw part, otherwise I would try GSF

definitely 100% a 90 GTI cab will have a fuel pump in the tank.

unless its a carbed engine, but all GTIs obviously are injection. so unless car has had an engine swap or someone has put a gti badge on a lower spec model, it will have  a lift pump.

It's definitely a GTI, but I had to have a new tank last year after being smacked by a Volvo, I wonder if they missed something out when they put it back together? Presumably it should have wires, too? (sorry to sound really stupid!)

hmm, yes deffo worth a look.  the lift pump is accessible from under the reart seat, theres a round metal disc. take that out and you can see the level sender/lift pump assembly. if its got 2 pins its just a level sender, if it has 3 or 4 its lift pump unit.

if you don't have a lift pump then someone has been a bit of a muppet when your car was repaired!

Thanks for your help - I'll take a look. Muppetry is entirely possible!  :roll:

Update: Horray - it's fixed! New lift pump for 40 quid did the job.

Shame I had to shell out for a fuel pump and accumulator in the process!

Thanks for all the advice on this thread - the 'Master Technician' at my local main dealer hadn't come across this before, so you're all master technicians.  

Paprika said

Update: Horray - it's fixed! New lift pump for 40 quid did the job.

Shame I had to shell out for a fuel pump and accumulator in the process!

Thanks for all the advice on this thread - the 'Master Technician' at my local main dealer hadn't come across this before, so you're all master technicians.  

Great news,
Yes i wish that I didnt have to shell out for new fuel pump and accumulator too.