VW...doesn't that mean No Go in Spanish?

[madajb]

So, TheWife and I head out to the car to go for a little drive.
The GTI unfortunately had different plans. =)
It'll spin the starter motor quite strongly, no hesitation, it just doesn't catch.
Fuel is at about 1/4 tank.
I'm thinking fuel filter, since that's what it was last time this happened...So..
If anyone want to post the Bentley pages for checking the fuel filter and/or give me a brief run down of how to get to it, I'd be much obliged.
thanks,
-ajb

[EDM]

I think VW means Farfrommovin. :D

[ncttrnl]

Cant really check the fuel filter other than replace it. You can check fuel pressure or that fuel is even making it to the cylinders but I'm not sure of the best way to do it.

Its located just ahead of the passenger rear wheel under the car and is a can shaped thing with a hose attachment on either end. Its held in place by a clamp.

The hoses have little disconnects on them where you push the clip and they come free. Be carful not to break them or you have to replace the whole line and keep a rag handy as there is some pressure in the line and fuel will leak out.

[wrongbeach]

chevy NOVA no go. vw in spanish = keep spending money
last time my fuel filter was pulled, we looked through it to see if it was clogged, which it was, you should be able to see through it.

[madajb]

Cant really check the fuel filter other than replace it. You can check fuel pressure or that fuel is even making it to the cylinders but I'm not sure of the best way to do it.

Its located just ahead of the passenger rear wheel under the car and is a can shaped thing with a hose attachment on either end. Its held in place by a clamp.

Yeah, I figured I'd do as Craig said, and see if I can look through it. At least that way I'll know if I have to go buy another.
thanks.
-ajb

[mario]

eh...mebbe vw gave ya'll subpar crap filters...'cause the mighty 12v's 130k miles old and still on the same filter...

have you checked the flux capacitor or the energy filed multiplier?

[madajb]

eh...mebbe vw gave ya'll subpar crap filters...'cause the mighty 12v's 130k miles old and still on the same filter...

have you checked the flux capacitor or the energy filed multiplier?
I topped up Mr. Fusion but still no go.
I don't think it's the fuel filter so much as my penchant for buying gas from stations in the desert whose last fuel delivery was before they switched to unleaded...
=)
-ajb

[madajb]

Hmm..well, the situation has not improved.
Took a look at the fuel filter, but I couldn't get the line off.
Angle of car on VW jack + sloped driveway = Not much space to work with(my head doesn't fit, so I'm doing it all by feel).
So now, starter motor doesn't really turn over at all. Almost like a dead battery, but I stuck the voltmeter on there, and the battery has juice..so...I dunno.
=)
-ajb

[wrongbeach]

Hmm..well, the situation has not improved.
Took a look at the fuel filter, but I couldn't get the line off.
Angle of car on VW jack + sloped driveway = Not much space to work with(my head doesn't fit, so I'm doing it all by feel).
So now, starter motor doesn't really turn over at all. Almost like a dead battery, but I stuck the voltmeter on there, and the battery has juice..so...I dunno.
=)
-ajb

hmm sounds like a corrado.

[ncttrnl]

Hmm..well, the situation has not improved.
Took a look at the fuel filter, but I couldn't get the line off.
Angle of car on VW jack + sloped driveway = Not much space to work with(my head doesn't fit, so I'm doing it all by feel).
So now, starter motor doesn't really turn over at all. Almost like a dead battery, but I stuck the voltmeter on there, and the battery has juice..so...I dunno.
=)
-ajb


Sounds like the fuel filter is fine and you now have an engine filled with gasoline. I would not try to start it anymore. Pull the plugs and see if you smell gas down there.

You can effectively hydrolock an engine if it doesn't start and you keep spraying fuel in there.

You're issue may not be the fueling but may be the ignition system itself.

[EDM]

Sounds like a coil pack problem to me.

[ncttrnl]

Sounds more like a bad relay or fuse. A single coil out of six and that thing would have started up but run really rough.

[mario]

Sounds more like a bad relay or fuse. A single coil out of six and that thing would have started up but run really rough.


yeah, most likely not a coil...hadn't thought of a relay though....good thinking, sir :stupid:

[EDM]

Fuel pump relay. :tup:

[ncttrnl]

Fuel pump relay. :tup:

Not if his cylinders are flooded with fuel

[EDM]

Well if it is getting fuel then it isn't getting a spark. The VR6 coil pack is different then the 1.8T, it is one unit so if it goes bad then it won't start at all. They are known for cracking then once that happens it will get moisture in it.

http://www.rbeverly.net/~rbeverly/gti/beru_epoxy.jpg

[madajb]

Not if his cylinders are flooded with fuel
Well, it's a possibility I suppose.
Like I said, the starter turned over but it didn't catch.
I let it sit, jiggled the fuel filter, now the starter cranks, but does the "dead battery sound"(I'm sure you all know that sound).
-ajb

[ncttrnl]

It cranked before and didn't start though. I don't think its the fuel filter. Letting it sit and then having it crank where it didn't before just means that there wasn't enough juice to turn it over before and the battery was/is drained.

Has it been having issues cold starting lately or has it been running a little rough particularly when it rains?

I would seriously check for fuel in the cylinders at least to rule out the fueling system. You may not be getting spark. If you're not getting spark, check the fuses and relays first as they are the cheapest to replace if you are wrong. Nothing is worse that thinking a 150 dollar part will fix it and then it doesn't. If they look okay then look at your coilpack.

Eric is right that when those things crack, water gets inside and shorts them out so they arc but don't give you spark.

Check on the tex because there is alot of posts on those packs. That one eric posted has been covered in expoxy to help fix a crack. Some people JB weld them.... one guy sprayed the whole unit with a dielectric coating.

With my car having ignition issues, I've been reading alot on the subject lately.

[SoCal_GLI]

if you want any tech info the 'Tex is the place to go. most of the people here don't work on thier cars (you should know that)

[madajb]

It cranked before and didn't start though. I don't think its the fuel filter. Letting it sit and then having it crank where it didn't before just means that there wasn't enough juice to turn it over before and the battery was/is drained.

Maybe, voltmeter says the battery has juice though.

Has it been having issues cold starting lately or has it been running a little rough particularly when it rains?

According to TheWife, yes, she just..forgot to tell me. =)

I would seriously check for fuel in the cylinders at least to rule out the fueling system. You may not be getting spark. If you're not getting spark, check the fuses and relays first as they are the cheapest to replace if you are wrong. Nothing is worse that thinking a 150 dollar part will fix it and then it doesn't. If they look okay then look at your coilpack.

Hmm..time to try and find where they packed the toolbox, I suppose.

Eric is right that when those things crack, water gets inside and shorts them out so they arc but don't give you spark.

Possible, but it's been dry as a bone here, no rain for at least a month.

-ajb

[madajb]

if you want any tech info the 'Tex is the place to go. most of the people here don't work on thier cars (you should know that)
Nor do I, I was just casting about for a quick fix since the shop doesn't open until tomorrow anyway.
-ajb

[paultakeda]

if you want any tech info the 'Tex is the place to go. most of the people here don't work on thier cars (you should know that)


Heh. I just spent the morning plunging a wider hole inside a non-fouler to try that trick for avoiding a CEL with 3" downpipes (and yes, this was from Vortex, and yes, using a mill is fun). The sad part is Gogo over at Renner over-torqued my O2 sensor, and I can't get enough leverage lying on my back with an 8"-long wrench to get it off to install the damn thing.

So I went and got a Maui at Islands instead. They let me in, even with the dirty shirt.

Later, the plastic cover under the engine dropped on one side and dragged all over the 405 till I got off and ripped it off in disgust.

Long day for the car.

As for Alan -- yeah, guess you'll find out tomorrow.

[madajb]

And Tommy(and partially Tony) is the winner with the correct diagnosis of a less than healthy battery.
After a short and vigorous[1] ride to Fred Meyer this morning, I got myself a battery charger with a "start" option[2]. Hooked it up, switched to "start", engine coughed a little (oops, flooded. heh), then turned right over.
So, the new question is, replacement battery suggestions? =)
-ajb
[1] vig·or·ous adj. cold
[2] 60amps.

[paultakeda]

Optima orange top?

[ncttrnl]

Optima orange top?

If you can find it!

You can also get a red top with the terminals reversed but thats hard to find too.

Sears has the diehard international that will fit your car and its pretty good all around. About 110 bucks. I think you need a 34R but they will know for certain at the store.

[mario]

http://www.absbattery.com/optimaorangetopnewproduct.htm

[EDM]

Glad you found the problem. :tup:

[paultakeda]

If you can find it!

You can also get a red top with the terminals reversed but thats hard to find too.

Sears has the diehard international that will fit your car and its pretty good all around. About 110 bucks. I think you need a 34R but they will know for certain at the store.

Our cars are Type 47.

Optimas are Type 34, with the Orange Top being 34R (reverse post). These are slightly taller and require a bit of effort to fit, but it's been done.

[EDM]

I had a yellow top in my GTI and it fit now problem.

[ncttrnl]

I should rephrase... I know where to get Optimas but when your battery is dead... you most likely want a place that has it in stock. Thats the only reason I didn't get an Optima... Couldn't find the one I needed in stock.

[paultakeda]

There's a shop on Sawtelle and Pico in West Los Angeles that sells the Orange Top in stock. I checked last year, when I thought my battery was dying.

My battery is fine.