BROKEN DOWN - 60mph engine died smoothly and now won't restart

Discussion in '8-valve' started by blu-tak, Sep 24, 2021.

  1. blu-tak Forum Member

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    Hi,

    I have a PB 90 GTi 3 door black.

    Regular commute back home, on the A6 at 60mph and my right foot loses power, I can tell i'm having no effect on the engine revs. Engine very smoothly dies, car rolls very nicely for 1/8th mile to a safe resting place.

    I tried to restart car both when rolling - lift clutch while in gear, and also with the starter motor when stationary.
    Engine will not run.

    Any help much appreciated.

    Car is in a safe place now, so can take time to sort it.

    Cheers
    Joe
     
  2. blu-tak Forum Member

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    Additional detail, about 1k ago car had:
    timing belt
    ht leads
    plugs
    rotor arm & cap
    air filter
    maf sensor (2nd hand good one)
    knock sensor (bosch)
    blue temp (genuine)
    It all ran nicely bar a little rough in cold weather.

    coil & hall sender are 10k old.

    Plus it had fuel pump as shown by my other thread.
    Fuel Pump Whining - Part No - Lift pump & Main pump - PB digifant engine | Club GTI

    I'm thinking fuel or spark issue of some sort.
    engine temps, coolant level, oil level are all great.
     
  3. Tristan

    Tristan Paid Member Paid Member

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    Is the fuel pump priming?
     
  4. blu-tak Forum Member

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    Sorry yes I meant to add that when I linked my fuel pump thread.

    All the normal noises and lights, just wont' start.

    It does have plenty of fuel.
    I'll have to follow some problem solving steps!
     
  5. PhilRyder

    PhilRyder Paid Member Paid Member

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    Id start with seeing if there is spark at the spark plugs. If there is then hall sender would be my next check.
     
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  6. costel1969

    costel1969 Paid Member Paid Member

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    Happened on my old 16V and it was the main pump - it got loud for a few weeks first and then literally gave up the ghost as I approached my house which was very sporting of it. You're either not getting fuel or not getting ignition/spark I would think. If it started running rough and began jumping/bucking first, I would say pump(s)/filter/possibly bad fuel / or gunk in the tank but it sounds like you've already took good care of that so I would be leaning towards ignition portion.
     
  7. blu-tak Forum Member

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    I checked for spark at main HT lead - Coil to cap = yes sparks

    We then tried to do the spark plugs/leads but the engine hydrolocked with fuel.
    That's that until it all dries over night.
    3 of 4 plugs were wet and their matching cylinders.
    No 3 was the dry cylinder (assuming no 1 is next to cambelt)

    I'm wondering if the car is overfueling...OR whether it just has lots of fuel in pistons from leaving the ignition on when towing it (old skool way with a toe rope)
     
  8. blu-tak Forum Member

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    On car hella blue temp measured 2.8 on the resistance (unsure on scale), and a known good VAG one measures 2.3 off the car
    So I think thats ok considering car coolant is different temp to air.
     
  9. blu-tak Forum Member

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    Pics of the rescue (a new toe rope is in order, any recommendations welcome)
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  10. blu-tak Forum Member

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    Some diagnosis findings:

    This cylinder (no2?) is getting crazy amounts of fuel in it. I'm pointing 1 finger at it
    [​IMG]

    Then this cylinder (no3?) is getting no fuel. I'm pointing 2 fingers at it.
    [​IMG]

    The other two cylinders seem to be getting a 'normal' amount of fuel in them.

    Otherwise spark plugs/leads seem fine - it's just a bit dangerous checking them with fuel spurting out of the block!

    Fairly certain I have a fueling issue...
     
  11. blu-tak Forum Member

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    This metal dome has a little gunk around it, you can see its shiny around the vacuum tube, is this the fuel pressure regulator?
    [​IMG]

    This is what the spark plugs look like - basically quite black, difficult to judge with flash on
    [​IMG]

    I have read this thread:
    GolfGTIforum.co.uk - An independent forum for Volkswagen Golf GTI enthusiasts.
    And saw this comment:
    'Is it a Digi if so yes blown ecu caused by a failed / broken earth strap.
    +1 Injectors stick open
    '

    I definitely think an injector is open. I can't see any broken earth straps...
     
  12. Tristan

    Tristan Paid Member Paid Member

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    It is the FPR. Injectors rarely fail...
     
  13. blu-tak Forum Member

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    What do you reckon is the next step on the old problem solving?

    Is there a way to test the ecu?
     
  14. Tristan

    Tristan Paid Member Paid Member

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    I don't honestly know. But you could swap injectors between cylinders and see if the problem stays in the cylinder or the injector. That will confirm or rule out electrical issues.
     
  15. H8V

    h8v Forum Member

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    You could usefully replace those very tired and oily vacuum pipes. It's the vacuum that controls the fuel pressure regulator.
     
  16. rubjonny

    rubjonny Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    pop the vac line off and crank it, if you see fuel coming out the fpr its dead. unplug the injector rail while you do this, the cylinders should stay dry. if not, you have a stuffed injector. can pull the rail off and drop each injector into an equal sized container. crank it over with rail unplugged to confirm no fuel gets injected, plug in and watch to see spray patterns and volume delivered across all 4
     
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  17. PhilRyder

    PhilRyder Paid Member Paid Member

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    Any progress? Following with interest, could happen to any of us.
     
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  18. blu-tak Forum Member

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  19. blu-tak Forum Member

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    Exactly this happened - what a genius comment :)


    See pic (injector rail unplugged, spark plugs our, fpr vac lines disconnected.)
    [​IMG]

    Super Soaker Time :)
     
  20. blu-tak Forum Member

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    Managed to unscrew FPR - not too tricky, just two screws + wiggle. Screw near engine block needs cam cover removing.

    [​IMG]

    I need a new fuel hose - any recommendations?
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2021

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