Fuel starvation?

When stuck in traffic jam - my GTI Cab 1.8 would rev then nearly stall a couple of times then cut out. Last week wifey ran the car out of petrol. Now when it gets hot and bothered in a jam the tick-over is still erratic - but now you can't keep your foot on throtle to keep revs up and it dies. Worse when you restart to pull away it cuts out as you accelerate. There is also a "noise" that I never had before like a pump / fan - could this be the fuel pump? Where do I start to get this sorted?? Help…

location?

Sounds like debris in the fuel lines or fuel pump.

First thing to do is check the filler neck - if that is rusting, the bits will drop into the fuel tank and then eventually get sucked through the fuel system (especially when the car is run on empty).  Secondly, lift up the back seat and you'll find a black cap (depending on age of car).  Unscrew that, disconnect the fuel pipes and remove the brass plate (if its stiff don't hit it with anything metal - sparks and petrol don't mix!).  Now you'll be able to see into the fuel tank.  Fix a magnet onto a piece of string and lower into the tank and see what it comes back up.  If its full of debris (bits of rust/sludge) the tank will need to be cleaned out.

Basically, the problems you have sounds like crap in the fuel system (the technical term).  The 'noise' you can hear maybe a blockage in the fuel pump.  As you look at the car from the rear, the pump is in front of the right rear wheel.

To solve this you can either replace the filler neck, fuel lines, fuel pump and fuel filter or flush out the whole system (and still replace the filler neck if rusty).



Danny

dannyboyblue said

Sounds like debris in the fuel lines or fuel pump.

First thing to do is check the filler neck - if that is rusting, the bits will drop into the fuel tank and then eventually get sucked through the fuel system (especially when the car is run on empty).  Secondly, lift up the back seat and you'll find a black cap (depending on age of car).  Unscrew that, disconnect the fuel pipes and remove the brass plate (if its stiff don't hit it with anything metal - sparks and petrol don't mix!).  Now you'll be able to see into the fuel tank.  Fix a magnet onto a piece of string and lower into the tank and see what it comes back up.  If its full of debris (bits of rust/sludge) the tank will need to be cleaned out.

Basically, the problems you have sounds like crap in the fuel system (the technical term).  The 'noise' you can hear maybe a blockage in the fuel pump.  As you look at the car from the rear, the pump is in front of the right rear wheel.

To solve this you can either replace the filler neck, fuel lines, fuel pump and fuel filter or flush out the whole system (and still replace the filler neck if rusty).



Danny

Looks like a busy weekend for me…….

Thanks for info.

Andrew.