CAR KEEPS DYING ON ME- LOSES ALL POWER THEN IT COMES BACK - DISTRIBUTOR? Help!

[ScottMk2Gti16v]

It seems I'm going through a phase of throwing wad after wad of cash at the car at the moment.

In the last 6 months it's had:
Complete new suspension system
New brake calipers
Spark plugs and leads
4 new tyres
Disributor cap and rotary arm
Cam belt
Power steering belt
Alternator belt
Not to mention various oil/filter changes
Oh and the power steering pump is faulty - got a new (2nd hand) one delivered today.

The bits in bold above have been done last week. since just before that time when I've had the car about once a day it will completely die on me. It will start fine and run fine until out of nowhere it would skip a beat and/or completely lost power and I'd have to roll to the side of the road of if I'm lucky be able to pull in somewhere.  The original thought was this it could be the distributor cap/rotary arm - so these were changed and the problem never happened for a few days now it's back 
I'd just be driving along and all the revs would die and the engine would switch off. The lights/electrics would remain working and the car would try and start no problem, it seems to be sparking and the engine attempting to turn when you turn the key - it makes all the right sounds until that point - it just wont start!

People have mentioned it might be some fueling issue - perhaps fuel is being blocked somewhere?  Or possibly an electrical fault but I can't think what?  Today I'm basically gonna stick the car to a garage to be looked at but I feel this is gonna be the sort of one where the car runs okay and they can't find a fault - because it's entirely possible for the car to run all day without doing this!  I just know it's always around the next corner possibly - I've now broke down 6 times and after about 30-60 mins sitting there cursing the car and trying to start it it has ALWAYS fired up in the end and I've continued driving.  I'm just not pushing my luck any further and can't live with the fear of breaking down in the middle of town on a busy roundabout or something!

Any help majorly appreciated! I've spent so much getting this car looking and running perfect that this is the last thing I need.

[ScottMk2Gti16v]

PS - I've also recently put in a K&N panel filter - but the problem was happening before this went in. Could a change in air intake have messed up the car?

Infact I actually think the K&N has increased performance very slightly!

[Uku]

im sure without a doubt thats a fuel issue , when it does it what sort of fuel level are you running ,  if you are definatly getting a spark (need to check this as theres no mention of your coil being checked , these break down and can show the symptoms your getting) id suggest the moment the fault happens check for spark by removing a plug and earthing it to the body whilst turning engine over (need two people) if theres a spark then the next thing to check is the inbound fuel line , ya need to remove it and place into a small tub or somin then turn over engine to see if fuel is making it through. these sort of faults are a process of elimination , i had a fault similar to this on my 205 , it ended up being the earth wire to the coil plate was lose and every so often it would lose contact causing the engine to cut. so check the earth wires too imo. i feel sorry for you as these kinda faults are a pain to find and if ya not careful you end up spending loads on stuff ya dont need. 

[ScottMk2Gti16v]

Yep, a fueling issue seems to be the most likely after I've discussed it with several mechanics, one of which shall be taking a proper look today/tomorrow.   I kind of understand everything your asking but I'm no mechanic and wouldn't attempt checking leads, etc when I'm stuck at the side of the road     It just seems a bit random, how when it conks out it sometimes starts immediately, other times it can take an hour.

Thanks for your advice, I'll suggest it all to my mechanic and hopefully between us all we'll find the fault!!  (without too much wasted £'sss I hope....)

Watch this space....

[rubjonny]

sounds very much like a dodgy ignition switch to me

[Mk2Kezza]

I had a very similar problem a few months ago and it turned out that the fuse relay to the fuel pump was a bit dodgy.
It would just die, i'd pull over, sit there for 1 min or 30 mins - totally random. Finally died completely one day and had an autoelectrician to look at it and he sorted it quick sharp - when it happens next, open the car door turn on the ignition and see if you can hear the fuel pump priming - if not could be the relay.

Good luck

[Agreeable Slick]

First two checks are to check all of the earthing leads.

Then have a check of the ignition switch, a similar thing happened on an ex's passat VR, would start and stop as it wished, changed the switch and everything was hunkey dorey. 

[ScottMk2Gti16v]

Cheers guys, all good advice - I'll check out all points mentioned. Fingers crossed it's quickly fixed

[GT3 Turbo]

yea sounds like an ignition feed problem, check the 12v ignition feed to the coil as well if its not a fueling problem. 

[ScottMk2Gti16v]

Mechanics had a look and he's almost certain it's the coil - new one on it's way today. Fingers crossed that's all it is.