2.0 GTi bad MPG

[Blazeman1995]

I put around 10 litres of petrol in and have only travelled about 6 miles. Baring in mind it is idling at about 1000rpm. And I was only going to third gear. I have no idea as to what the problem is. So does anyone know what might be the problem and how much it will cost to fix?

[itavaltalainen]

what's the engine code?

10 litres and 6 miles.... my guess would be a fuel leak... but then again the tank gauge is hardly a precision instrument, especially when near empty.

for idle issue engine code would be a bit more crucial

[VW BUSH]

It would be running absolutely awful if that was the case.
It's a leak or as our Austrian/Finish friend I forget which says, dodgy gauge giving you a bum steer.

[Blazeman1995]

I was told by a specialist that the engine problem was the sensor on the throttle body. I've had a brief check for a leak and there doesn't appear to be one. And there is no fuel on the floor beneath the car.

[boneybradley]

If it was a dodgy throttle body sensor, you would smell the fuel out the exhaust as the engine would add more fuel thinking it needs it due to the throttle position (b.t.w it will kill the catalyst)
I have a good throttle body (used) available and it's a 5 minute job to swap.

[Blazeman1995]

It doesn't have a smell of petrol out the exhaust. And I have just drove it another 20 miles and the fuel gauge is showing fuel. So I think the sender unit might be dodgy. I still think the throttle position sensor might be at fault as it used to cut out on start up but as soon as I ajusted the throttle cable it doesn't do it as much. This is the cause of the high idle but I need to figure out why it cuts out.

[Therusterman]

Have you had a diagnostics done to see if any fault codes are thrown?

[snozan]

Don't you have MFA? i know its far from precise, but pretty close (at least mine). All is depending how you drive. And never trust your fuel gauge.