16v loss of power / weird engine noise when hot

[Skiing]

Hi all,

On my way back into London this evening and car started to hesitate on hard throttle - got worse and worse (having to have a lighter and lighter right foot) and the engine was sounding funny - sort of flat exhaust note - power got worse and worse....

I stopped and let her cool for about 20 minutes (oil temp from 104 down to 90) and water temp down towards half way and she was much better - but started to play up again (started to hesitate etc) on te way home...

I dont think it is a fuel thing as she was fine on low fuel all weekend when blasting around - it seems to be only after a long journey and when she is hottest...

Any ideas? am going to try temp sensors / check all vacuum pipes etc.. but anything else?

[Diamond Hell]

Did you replace the fuel filter/lift pump like you were talking about in the other thread?

[Skiing]

I did the lift pump but not the filter... this might be my problem - but surely if it was a fuelling issue it would happen whenever I was low on fuel, but on the weekend the car was running really well right into the red on the fuel gauge....

Also, I had the same symptoms - hesitancy, misfiring / popping / no power on the way out of London - I stopped for about ten minutes and tightened the fuel hose clips going into the intank pump and also just generally tightened any jubilee clips / checked hoses  in the engine bay (NB got a small electric shock from the end of the dizzie) and that sorted it out - great power and acceleration all the way home.

So am not sure what it is...

[jezza16v]

Your 'shock' from the dizzy may be a clue. If you've got voltage leaking from there then this will give a weaker spark at the plugs, you may have a hairline crack in the cap or a lead breaking down. You need a good strong spark when running at wide throttle & higher rpm. If your fuel filter is clogged it will restrict the fuel flow you need at higher revs regardless of how full the tank is.

[Skiing]

Thanks all, I will spend the weekend checking every connection, replacing the fuel filter etc... but any other ideas?

[rubjonny]

as said shouldnt have got a shock, get all the ign bits replaced before you mess about any further

[Skiing]

will check electrical bits, but has had new VAG leads, sparks, dizzie cap recently... but will check earths etc and all connections...

[Ben Lessani]

the weekend the car was running really well right into the red on the fuel gauge....

 

[Conker]

will check electrical bits, but has had new VAG leads, sparks, dizzie cap recently... but will check earths etc and all connections...

Just a quickie... Don't ignore new items when fault testing. I bought brand new leads that turned out to be faulty, which led to two months of frustrating problem solving, all because I assumed the leads were fine.