Mk 2 GTI 8v Digifant fuel leak after 5 year hiatus

[GTI-VW]

My mk 2 8v GTI (Personal Import from UK) has been garaged on blocks and not started for just over 5 years while I've been overseas. On Saturday I put in a new battery and she fired up within a minute of cranking (though a little like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at first). As I (test) drove it down my friend's long driveway I noticed petrol beginning to leak from the black box near the RHS rear wheel. I believe this a plastic housing which is prone to splitting if the bolts rust (which may have happened (would appreciate any more info).

The car has a DIGIFANT fuel system. Unfortunately it's in Killara and, as it's unregistered, the RTA insist I take it to the nearest Blue Slip inspection station, which is Killara Garage. They do Swedish and some German cars but have probably not seen a Mk2 GTI.

I can get the parts on line if I know exactly what's needed but believe someone like Camden GTI could also help (I may have to have it towed there if RTA won't let me drive). Any advice on cause, best fix, best fixer or best source of parts is most welcome. I have already booked the car in for a trip to Tassie at Christmas so I need to make sure it's all fine asap.

Will try to post some pics of the offending leak ASAP.

Many thanks

[RedMk2Gti]

Fuel pump or fuel filter, there aren't many possibility in that area unless you have cracked fuel pipe.
If it leak that obviously it wouldn't be too hard to identify it.

[rutti]

I had that same drama recently with mine (assuming its the fuel pump accumulator/housing is cracked on yours as well) and after some research, cheapest was to order it from overseas e.g. GAP (GermanAutoParts.com) but shipping this alone wasn't worth it. So I bought an inline bosch fuel pump (2nd hand 984) and plumbed it w/o the accumulator (will add a photo when I can find time to take one) and it works. Only issue is MK2 fuel tank doesn't have good baffle, so if you corner too hard when your fuel is (below half), you may experience momentary fuel starvation. But I have ordered an aluminum surge tank from fleabay to add into my new setup to counter fuel starvation. This may end up costing more, but I know the housing will not crack again down the line.

P.S. - I tried patching up the cracks with fuel safe epoxy.. but it cracked again (another area) while refitting!

[benough]

Hi there.

Much closer to you (Galston) is a guy named Brian at GTI imports. He might even drop it off for you if you tell him what you need.

9653 1114

Telll him Ben with the red MK2 sent ya

[GTI-VW]

Thanks Ben, Brian said he would try to track down the bits but it turned out Camden GTI have the parts and easier than trying to talk VW speak to a Merc garage was to tow the car there and have them sort everything. Hopefully back on the road soon.

[GTI-VW]

I'm pleased to report a happy ending thanks to Matt at Camden GTI. Turned out it was just a bit gummed up with old fuel having not been used for 5 years. A few tanks of the good stuff, a service, a new set of selectors (didn't realise how bad they were) and a new fuel filter and 3 weeks later we drove it from Sydney to Tasmania and back with no problems. I now share Matt's belief in the self-healing properties of the Mk2 GTI. Not only did the car survive the 4WD roads across the Australian Alps from Jindabyne to Omeo but the shaking fixed a couple of loose electrical connections. Tassie roads are made for Golf GTIs with the road from Mole Creek to Cradle Mountain show-casing the incredible handling through the best twisty roads this country has to offer. My arms were aching after the drive (due to the lack of power steering) but the extra cornering feedback from the non-assisted setup is worth it. We returned around the coast road covering 7000 kms in all with kids and 3 bikes loaded to the boards and still averaged 7l/100km. Not bad for a 24 yr old car with 280000 kms. For reliability, fuel economy, load capacity, performance, comfort and sheer fun to drive, is there any better car than a Mk2 GTI ? Looks good too. A couple of pics i) Wild Dog Flat on the Limestone Rd (watch out for brumby poo) ii) Hot and dusty at Monaro Gap

[benough]

Story of the year!

[GTI-VW]

Thanks, but the year is young.

[rutti]

Makes me wanna drive mine across the Nullabor and back over the coming long weekend