Mk2 16v fuel issue - advice required!

[Conker]

I had exactly these symptopms with a blocked fuel filter, cold it would fire on the button, would all be well for a while then itjust wouldnt start at all, fuel to metering head but gets no further.

Exactley the same for me when my ignition leads went. As the engine (and leads) warmed up they started miss-firing. If the fuel filter doesn't clear it, defo check your leads.

Also, could be possible temp sender issue on the side of the head - theres three of them. Search the forum - there loads on it. In a nutshell you can swap the leads around to see if it makes a difference as all 3 senders are the same.

[wil0]

when my lift pump went, it wouldent idle, as it feeds the main pump at low revs i think, it would hold high revs though. unless its the main pump, check you can hear it priming?

[Conker]

when my lift pump went, it wouldent idle, as it feeds the main pump at low revs i think, it would hold high revs though. unless its the main pump, check you can hear it priming?

No.  Unless I'm mistaken the lift pump works at a constant flow rate no matter what the revs.

It could definitely have an effect on your idle though as there might not be adequate pressure to fire the injectors smoothly at low revs, but when the engine is revved the metering head opens and allows more fuel to flow, raising the pressure enough for the engine to rev cleanly. Eventually though the main pump would die.