Runs great 4 about 20 miles then starts 2 Stutter

[Danny]

I recently bought a 1984 Rabbit GTI. I changed the Fuel Filter, the spark plugs, and checked for quinked fuel lines, but I continue to have the same issue. I start the car just great, but after a couple of miles running it starts to hesitate and stutter. At first I suspected fuel Delivery problems, but now I have no clue. It usually occurs when I push the gas peddle to get some speed. Please help?

[Phil303]

Hi, welcome to the gang.

First thing to check for is a rusty fuel filler neck under the rear wing. It's a common problem that many here, myself included, have suffered from.

Rust will drop into the fuel tank and sneak past the filters and into carb, or in your case into the injectors. The only solution is to clean out your tank and replace the rusted parts. not incredibly cheap but corner cutting will not cure the problem long term.

If everything is fine and you don't have rust then it's something else (obviously) and unfortunately that's where my technical expertise falls apart!! Rusty fuel necks I'm okay on, everything mechanical is a black art as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure someone else may have a suggestion or two.

Over to you guys.... 

[gbmgbm1]

This sounds like exactly what mine is suffering from aswell

[mk1]

First thing to try is a new fuel pump relay, if that doesn't fix it the fuel pump may be on its way out.
Steve.

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

ONLY DO 19 MILE JOURNEYS .....THAT SHOULD CURE YOUR PROBLEM ! 

Seriously though PHIL is right it does sound like cr@p/fillerneck rust in the fuel lines  if it's a gti it should have a plastic strainer in the tank the trouble is that if you pull this out it can let more cr@p/rust through and in any case it can be a right bu66er cleaning the tank out .
However on thing to check , if it's a GTI, you may if you're lucky find a conical filter in the inlet side of the main fuel pump ( if it has 2 pumps) this can get clogged up .But it may already be too late for the injectors .
If its a carb version then its just a case of cleaning it out an blowing the lines through.
Obviously in both cases it will most likely need a new filler neck ..... There was a firm doing stainless steel ones maybe a good investment .

Anyone else like to add anything that I may have missed  ?

[gbmgbm1]

So basically not a very nice job!!!! However with that said, my filler neck appears to be newish and showing no signs of rust externally, what would ppl recommend in my case? Sorry to crash your thread Danny but i think we're in the same boat.

[gibby]

There was a firm doing stainless steel ones maybe a good investment .

VENTO, I've been trying to find someone who does a stainless steel one, who's the firm, do you know ?

[GTI EDITION (aka LTD)]

It was about 10 years ago at least and the customer supplied the filler neck I'll give him a call and ask if he remembers 

[gibby]

If you can find that would be great.  10 years ago though !  You can get OEM from GSF but they want £95 and they are not stainless. 

[gbmgbm1]

Is changing the filler neck as easy as it looks?