GTI 16v cutting out intermittently...

[Pete Taylor]

If the timing was out it would give you the crank sensor fault. If the timing was out it would still (if not at the right time) add fuel via the injectors. Have you checked out the fuel pressure reulator? Definately get the timing checked though. Have you recently had the cambelt done?

[jamesd0015 aka jimgti]

Have you recently had the cambelt done?

Bet your tired of asking that question, ay Pete? 

[Pete Taylor]

Indeed, It's going to be the same problem as yours

[bunter]

haha youl be an expert on diagnosing cut-out syndrome on mk3`s!! could be a profitable business judging by how many are affected by it

the cambelt hasnt been done recently, more like 4k ago if my memory serves me correct. as for the fuel pressure regulator, i havent checked this yet but il get out the haynes manual tonight and have a look through for it as i have no idea where it is or how to test that

thanks for all the replies btw!!

[Pete Taylor]

It's the round shiny thing below the second ignition lead. There's a small 4mm vac hose coming from the left of the inlet manifold next to the throttle body going to it. It's held in with a big U clip. Has the car been running this bad since the cambelt was done 4k ago? It sounds like the car has got worse and just died? If it's only just stopped cranking over i'd double check that vac hose from the back of the inlet manifold to the ECU again

[bunter]

the car was fine for ages after the cambelt was done, its only recently its got bad and now its at the point where it wont start. i replaced the ecu vac hose the other day with the red stuff from ebay so it should be perfect. il defo check into the fuel pressure regulator though, sounds promising

[Pete Taylor]

You didn't use any clips did you? You don't need to use any, if you do it can tear through when you tighten them. You should have enough red vac hose left over to do the bit from the inlet manifold to the fuel pressure regulator.

Just a quick one.. pull down the back seats and take the boot carpet out, switch the ignition on (but not start the engine) and see if you can hear the fuel pump prime for a few seconds

[Pete Taylor]

Dunno whether this pic helps you but it shows all 3 vac hoses. Number one is from the ECU to the inlet manifold. The pic shows the shortened route you can use (theres a bung you can take out to the left of the coil which it can go through). If you used the original route then cut it down to the shortened route and use the bit you chopped off to replace number two which is the small vac hose from the inlet manifold to the fuel pressure regulator (the green circle on pic). You should then have enough red vac line left over to replace the third vac hose (number three) which goes to the PCV valve (positive crankcase ventilation valve)