1.9 Gti Running Woes

[Fadeel 0]

Finally took the plunge and bought a totally standard 1.9 GTi as a bit of a weekend toy.

 

After getting it home to my dismay it decided to die on me and now will not run. It will start after some persuasion however it will not idle for more than 5 seconds and will just die immediately unless the revs are kept above 2k. It also smells massively of fuel!

 

So far i can confirm:

 

It will run briefly on brake cleaner if squirted into the intake

I have spark

fuel is getting up to the rail

 

I have so far:

 

Replaced AFM

checked for air leaks in usual spots

about to try a new ECU temp sensor

 

Is there anything else I need to try? Is anyone aware of any specialists in the Dartford Kent area?

 

Many thanks in adavnce

 

[jackherer 543]

One thing to check is the pins/terminals in the AFM plug, they can get pushed back in the housing so they don't actually make contact. Same with the ECU temp sensor plug.

 

Have you got a multimeter? If so you can test the ECU temp sensor rather than just replacing it blindly.

[m_john_m 4]

Mine wouldn't run for ages, we got it up on a ramp and there was a breather underneath the inlet that was completely perished. Mine wouldn't idle, runs sweet now though

[Fadeel 0]

Will invest in a Multi meter this week and check. Judging my the insance fuel fumes I can help but think its a air/fueling issue

[Bobbafett 49 2 Cars]

I had this on my 1.9 when I first got it. Turned out to be a combination of a borked ECU temp sensor and borked Lambda sensor (mines a cat model).

[Weser 30]

+1 for checking the ECU Coolant Sensor. Mine would start from cold and run fine as soon as it warmed up it overfueled and cut out. Changed the ECU Temp Sensor and it was fine. Get a multimeter out and check the resistance values.

[Rob Thomson 6]

Is the fuel pump running? You can usually hear it prime when you turn the ignition on, or feel it running through the back seat.

 

It doesn't sound like an ignition problem, but if yours has the coil on the inlet manifold you might find that the HT connection has corroded. A spark isn't necessarily a strong enough spark.

[Rob Thomson 6]

Sorry, missed the line about fuel...

[Fadeel 0]

Thanks for the input guys the car is a 89 non cat model so got a Coolant temp sensor (BMW E30 part apparently) just got to get round to fitting it. Will update in due course!

[Fadeel 0]

Just an update for everyone as I hate finding unconclusive old threads!

 

Turns out it was the rubber grommet inside the fuel pump housing has perished and was not holding 3 bar. Unfortunately this was only found after buying a new fuel pump rather than a complete second hand unit

 

Drives really well however just need to sort out the rough idle and heavy steering!