MK2 gti intermittent power loss

[benough]

Well it dies but only in splutters, but it does stall sometimes.

It's off to VW Village this morning (brother's in town) so I'll try to arm him with all this knowledge.

[Depone]

Was about to start my own thread about this a while ago...However I thought the issue had been resolved, but it has started up again.

My car is 85 GL 1.8L

The problem starts when the car is under or around half a tank. It splutters/loses power then eventually stalls, usually on the most convenient spots like Punt Rd

After banging the fuel tank and turning it over, the car starts fine then I fill it up with fuel and it will be ok again.

I have had my car at very well known VW mechanics in Melbourne twice now with this and they can't seem to find the issue with it, as it usually runs fine ( especially at there )

They say they have tested all the electrics, relays and fuses and apparently taken the fuel pump out of the tank and checked it. ( looking back now after learning there is a entry point in the boot, I can't see how they took the lift pump out because you have to move sub/amp and I would of known )

I have been told by them that as it seems the lift pump in the tank is in working order, it is the outer "main" pump that could be the issue....BUT that they are no longer made/very hard to get costing $700+.

It had been a while since the car has had this issue since it's last trip to the shop ( $1400 later )....So I had left it at that.

Now after it playing up this weekend I decided to put more effort into finding out more about these "rare" main fuel pumps and try to purchase a new lift pump.

Can anyone help me out with part numbers here?

I have found these...Am I right in saying the "in line" pumps are outside of the tank?

1985-1986, 1988-1992 Volkswagen Golf Electric Fuel Pump - 152-0772 Beck Arnley - Fuel Delivery 85-86, 88-92 Golf Electric Fuel Pump - PartsGeek.com

152-0811 Fuel Pump Volkswagon Jetta Golf GL1.8L 1780CC GAS in line New Old Stock | eBay

There is also a bunch on here...In tank & in line.

Fuel Pump - Auto Parts Warehouse

Any help would be much appreciated.

[h100vw]

Give us some more information on your car mate. I am not aware of an injected GL so my first instinct is to call BS on the fuel pump scenario. Unless you can state the car has Kjet injection.

Gavin

Was about to start my own thread about this a while ago...However I thought the issue had been resolved, but it has started up again.

My car is 85 GL 1.8L

The problem starts when the car is under or around half a tank. It splutters/loses power then eventually stalls, usually on the most convenient spots like Punt Rd

After banging the fuel tank and turning it over, the car starts fine then I fill it up with fuel and it will be ok again.

I have had my car at very well known VW mechanics in Melbourne twice now with this and they can't seem to find the issue with it, as it usually runs fine ( especially at there )

They say they have tested all the electrics, relays and fuses and apparently taken the fuel pump out of the tank and checked it. ( looking back now after learning there is a entry point in the boot, I can't see how they took the lift pump out because you have to move sub/amp and I would of known )

I have been told by them that as it seems the lift pump in the tank is in working order, it is the outer "main" pump that could be the issue....BUT that they are no longer made/very hard to get costing $700+.

It had been a while since the car has had this issue since it's last trip to the shop ( $1400 later )....So I had left it at that.

Now after it playing up this weekend I decided to put more effort into finding out more about these "rare" main fuel pumps and try to purchase a new lift pump.

Can anyone help me out with part numbers here?

I have found these...Am I right in saying the "in line" pumps are outside of the tank?

1985-1986, 1988-1992 Volkswagen Golf Electric Fuel Pump - 152-0772 Beck Arnley - Fuel Delivery 85-86, 88-92 Golf Electric Fuel Pump - PartsGeek.com

152-0811 Fuel Pump Volkswagon Jetta Golf GL1.8L 1780CC GAS in line New Old Stock | eBay

There is also a bunch on here...In tank & in line.

Fuel Pump - Auto Parts Warehouse

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Depone]

Give us some more information on your car mate. I am not aware of an injected GL so my first instinct is to call BS on the fuel pump scenario. Unless you can state the car has Kjet injection.

Gavin

Sorry it's a South African import 85 GL 1.8, it is a K-Jet engine.

[h100vw]

Sorry it's a South African import 85 GL 1.8, it is a K-Jet engine.

That's ok mate, needed that snippet to get further.

Hopefully, you are a bit handy diy on the car.

Best thing you can do is get yourself a MK2 Golf Haynes manual. In the fuel section it details how to check the pump flow/volume.

Essentially, you jumper the fuel pump relay and disconnect the return pipe and see how much fuel comes through in a set time. That should give you a good idea about the state of the pump.

If it is under performing there, then there's a case for getting a new pump.

Does the standard pump whine loudly? They can be quite noisy when OK but get bad before they quit altogether.

A lift pump would be worth fitting assuming the main pumps are hard to get. I doubt they are though, not with the internet and the massive number of Kjet VWs in America.

I'd want to do the volume check first though and a pressure test as well. The gauges are pretty checp to buy online too.

Gavin

[Depone]

That's ok mate, needed that snippet to get further.

Hopefully, you are a bit handy diy on the car.

Best thing you can do is get yourself a MK2 Golf Haynes manual. In the fuel section it details how to check the pump flow/volume.

Essentially, you jumper the fuel pump relay and disconnect the return pipe and see how much fuel comes through in a set time. That should give you a good idea about the state of the pump.

If it is under performing there, then there's a case for getting a new pump.

Does the standard pump whine loudly? They can be quite noisy when OK but get bad before they quit altogether.

A lift pump would be worth fitting assuming the main pumps are hard to get. I doubt they are though, not with the internet and the massive number of Kjet VWs in America.

I'd want to do the volume check first though and a pressure test as well. The gauges are pretty checp to buy online too.

Gavin

I called the mechanic and they apparently have tried these things.

My pump is pretty silent, can't hear it hardly but that could because of my exhaust.

Would I need a new sending unit as well?

[h100vw]

I called the mechanic and they apparently have tried these things.

My pump is pretty silent, can't hear it hardly but that could because of my exhaust.

Would I need a new sending unit as well?

Can you feel the main pump, even if you can't hear it. You can also jump the relay so it runs all the time, then the exhaust won't be a problem.

Best you get the Haynes manual.

The lift pump comes on it's own. less than an hour to change it. Getting the big nut off the top of the tank is usually the worst bit in my experience. Followed by wriggling the pump and sender out of the hole that's left.

Be careful taking the pipes off the sender unit, the one use crimps that hold them on can be tough. I cut them with some kick ass side cutters I have and replace them with jubilee clips.

Gavin

[ozgti]

Mine does this. I've narrowed it down to needing a new fuel filter, poor vacuum and a metering head that needs a serious refurb. It's all going to get done eventually. I can vouch for the fuel clips, i had to undo mine after a so called specialist had changed the pump ( and didn't).

If you can find a classic porche mechanic, they'll be able to diagnose the Kjet properly. Not many mechanics know much about kjet. Trust me, I've found 2 in Sydney and they're miles apart!

[Depone]

Can you feel the main pump, even if you can't hear it. You can also jump the relay so it runs all the time, then the exhaust won't be a problem.

Best you get the Haynes manual.

The lift pump comes on it's own. less than an hour to change it. Getting the big nut off the top of the tank is usually the worst bit in my experience. Followed by wriggling the pump and sender out of the hole that's left.

Be careful taking the pipes off the sender unit, the one use crimps that hold them on can be tough. I cut them with some kick ass side cutters I have and replace them with jubilee clips.

Gavin

Had a listen and I can hear the pump working...But the car is running fine right now, the danger is around half a tank and then it can fail ( but not all the time )

Having a look online now and I can find replacement fuel pumps easy, but should I be safe rather than soryy and get a new sending unit as well? Would hate to replace it and then it turns out the sending unit is the issue...

Sending units seem to be tricky to find but this looks to be the one

Dorman OE Replacement Fuel Sending Unit - JCWhitney

There are a few good tutorials online so going to give it a bash.

[velly_16v_cab]

i have the same problem with my digi 8v GTI mk2
1/2 a tank and then it seems to die.
I was going to replace the lift pump/sender (was going to try to get one from the uk)