OH SH!T!

[Harooshum]

On Sunday, I serviced my entire cooling system (full flush/reverse flush etc), and inlet parts (ISV & all pipes connected to it, inc airbox etc).  Then it wouldn't start.

It started first time after putting everyting back, but then wont stay alive.  I cheched the distributor, plugs, and I even took off one of the fuel pipes connected to the top of the airbox to check fuel pressure (alot of fuel came pissing out).  I got my bro to drive my GTI 8v and tow me along while I had my ignition on.  Then I engaged 2nd gear, so my engine was being forced to turn.  Even then the accelerator wouldn't make any difference.

Then I tried switching the ignition on and off (to keep activating the fuel pump) so that the fuel lines were fully pressurised, and it did start, but died straight after.

I still suspect a fuel prob, but what I dont understand is why it wont start when there definately IS fuel pressure in the system???

Could it be something to do with muddy old fuel stuck at the bottom of the fuel tank?

Any ideas will be much appreciated, coz I cant stand to see my baby sitting in front of my place doing nothing!!!

thanks, Harry

[golfvr6]

Have a close look at all the items that you disturbed, you might have just missed something.

[Fraiser]

i have got exactle the same problem-

i still cannot suus it out. tried almost everything- i even took it to another garage they reckon its the same thing faulty air flow meter- so i am gonna have to get the othe rone changed- had it running for thirty minutes yesterday and then it dies again- good luck and please keep me updated as to what is wrong with it.

[richandhazel]

If it was ruuning fine before you carried out the service then surely its got to be something you have done or disturbed? I agree (as I always seem to) with vr6, have a good look at what you disturbed, you may find you have missed a vacuum line off or something simple like that.

On Sunday, I serviced my entire cooling system (full flush/reverse flush etc), and inlet parts (ISV & all pipes connected to it, inc airbox etc).  Then it wouldn't start.

It started first time after putting everyting back, but then wont stay alive.  I cheched the distributor, plugs, and I even took off one of the fuel pipes connected to the top of the airbox to check fuel pressure (alot of fuel came pissing out).  I got my bro to drive my GTI 8v and tow me along while I had my ignition on.  Then I engaged 2nd gear, so my engine was being forced to turn.  Even then the accelerator wouldn't make any difference.

Then I tried switching the ignition on and off (to keep activating the fuel pump) so that the fuel lines were fully pressurised, and it did start, but died straight after.

I still suspect a fuel prob, but what I dont understand is why it wont start when there definately IS fuel pressure in the system???

Could it be something to do with muddy old fuel stuck at the bottom of the fuel tank?

Any ideas will be much appreciated, coz I cant stand to see my baby sitting in front of my place doing nothing!!!

thanks, Harry

[Harooshum]

Thanks guys, but I must stress that I checked, and double checked everything in the engine bay.  My uncle reckons the 'fuel lift' pump located inside the boot of the car isn't supplying enough fuel to the fuel pump.

Even though I have fuel pressure, the amount of pressure in the whole system might be very slightly under what the engine needs, which would explain why it starts after engaging the ignition on/off several times (innit?).

The first thing i'm going to do is change the fuel filter, and hope it works (about a tenner).  I'm sure some of u xpert MK2 mechanics have had probs similar to mine with the fuel system.

As for you Fraiser, it sounds to me like a fuel PUMP prob.  I discovered (from experience) that if there is a prob with it, and u hav the same symptoms as me, whacking it a few times may give you up to a couple of months of normal use, b4 it skrews up again.  Let's hope we both don't need new fuel pumps (nearly ?200) eh?

Harry

[Blue MK2]

Does you car have any spark from the leads?

Had that exact same problem and took 4 weeks to find. Apparently it was a starter motor relay so i was told?

Try the Starter motor relay because i was told if its 'nakkerd' it wont power the ecu but you get a spark from the leads.

dunno if its true but it dont harm to try?

[Harooshum]

Thanks blue, that was one of the first things I tried.  I pulled out one lead at a time, and plugged an old sparky into it while trying to start the engine, and there is definately spark on all 4.

How comes nobody else can see my problem as being fuel starvation?

Am I wrong?

Harry

[golfvr6]

What car is it? is it a digifant?

[moonraker]

It would be really worth while checking for certain that the lift pump in the tank is working, my f reg would not start the other week and I chased an entire flock of wild geese for several days until these wonderful peeps on this web site suggested the tank pump - ?33 quid from vw - I have to say I was not convinced as I was getting a spray of fuel from the pipes feeding the air flap unit, but I had to eat an entire humble pie when the motor fired up straight away.

Cheers Steve

[Harooshum]

cheers steve, I think I might do that aswell as the fuel filter.  No vr6, its a 16v k-jet in top nik.