HELP! Speed Buggy won't idle or run - he's mad at me!

[silverspeedbuggy]

Hey all-
I can't get my car to run (98 2.0L). I don't have a VAG com, but I'm just wondering if anyone here has a quick idea what's wrong.

The car starts, but as soon as I release the key, it stalls out. It starts everytime, but won't idle. There is a strong smell of gas in the garage.

My car has been sitting in the garage since last October/November. The battery was replaced in October of 2006, but it is dead. I tried jump starting the car, and it turned and started, but it wouldn't idle or run. I returned the battery (under warranty) and they swapped it out for a new one after testing it. I installed the new battery, added some fresh gas, and it still won't run.
I have disconnected the battery and I'm going to let it sit for 24+ hours to see if the computer needs to reset itself.
Any ideas?

Oh yeah, the gas pedal goes comletely limp too. ???

[bugsy98nb]

EEp! Poor SPeedy Hope its something simple, Get ahold of Tom (fowvay) I believe he has a Vagcom. * lilo sends a big hug for her buddy speedy

[silverspeedbuggy]

One of my buddy's has one too, but before I bugged anyone I thought I'd consult the Org first.

I was sooooo looking forward to taking him for a short drive.

[bugsy98nb]

Originally Posted by silverspeedbuggy

One of my buddy's has one too, but before I bugged anyone I thought I'd consult the Org first.

I was sooooo looking forward to taking him for a short drive.

Gas pedal becomes limp??? You do know its a cable right ? Maybe it came loose

[silverspeedbuggy]

It goes limp after the car turns over. I think it's the computer stopping the car from damaging itself.

I did trace the throttle cable around to the back of the engine, but it felt like it was working fine. ???

It's almost acting like the engine is flooded. Is this possible on a computer controlled fuel injected engine?

[gilligan]

did mice build a nest in the muffler or airbox?

[Fowvay]

Time to check for a few things. After sitting that long your injector seals could be leaking, the air box (you have the ABD) could be filled with a rat nest, same with the exhaust.

It's time to go thru the engine with a fine tooth comb and a vag-com.

I am available most days and could be there to help you anytime.

[silverspeedbuggy]

Originally Posted by gilligan

did mice build a nest in the muffler or airbox?

No airbox - ABD big bore intake.

Muffler, huh? Hmmmmmm, didn't think of that.

[silverspeedbuggy]

Originally Posted by Fowvay

Time to check for a few things. After sitting that long your injector seals could be leaking

How could I check that? I'll break out the Bentley today.

Originally Posted by Fowvay

the air box (you have the ABD) could be filled with a rat nest

I don't think it is, but I will pop the filter off to see what's up.

Originally Posted by Fowvay

same with the exhaust.

Could I stick the shop vac on the muffler to see if I could suck a potential nest out?

Originally Posted by Fowvay

It's time to go thru the engine with a fine tooth comb and a vag-com.

Yep, will do. A college buddy of mine has one too and he lives about 20 minutes away from us.

Originally Posted by Fowvay

I am available most days and could be there to help you anytime.

I may take you up on the offer Tom!

[silverspeedbuggy]

So I just poked around a little more.

- There's no debris by the exhaust. Since I tried to start the car yesterday about 20 times, I would think there would be some debris under the muffler tip.

- There's no gas near the fuel injectors. Once again, I am no expert, but I would think there would be some fuel puddled around the base of the injectors or in various crevices in theat area if the seals were leaking.

- Checked the intake: everythings fine there.

???

I'm not going to try and start the car until after 6 tonight. This will give the computer 24 hours to reset itself (if that is not a rumor) and maybe things will be better. I'm hoping it was the old gas that caused the problem. I'm also going to have Nick start it so I can poke around under the hood.

[silverspeedbuggy]

I heard back from my buddy Dave and he felt pretty certain I had bad gas (well, not me, but Speed Buggy). So I threw some Sta-bil in the tank AND Chevron injector cleaner. I then added even more fresh gas and we tried starting the Buge all evening (on and off from 6pm on). Finally at about 9pm, when I was just about to give up, he sputtered to life. After wheezing, backfiring, and lots of surging of the RPMs (without my help), he just idled smoothly.

I took him around the block and he kept loosing power and just as the engine was about to conk out, it would surge, then sputter. Got him back in the garage, and being the glutton for punishment that I am, I thought "No, he needs to get this out of his system." I got him down my street about two blocks, and he died and WOULDN'T START! I called Nick and he came down and we pushed Speed back. We didn't get enough momentum and he didn't make it up into the garage. Of course, sensing he was back home at his trusty cocoon, he started right up and went puttered into the garage.

I bought a fuel filter, but didn't install it. I am at 3/4 of a tank of gas, so I'm going to buy more and fill him up. I'll try all this again tomorrow night.

I also managed to get gas EVERYWHERE! My hands reak and my eyes are tearing up as I type due to the fumes.

Side note: Nick and I did get the garage cleaned and somewhat organized today.

[Toad]

Poor speed buggy. If the new fuel filter doesnt work, sounds like you needa add some octane booster or some dry gas or something to hellp remedy the "bad gas" (maybe, i dunno how the stuff works)

[silverspeedbuggy]

I'll try more fresh gas tomorrow and maybe I'll tackle the fuel filter on Tuesday.


God I stink.

[bugsy98nb]

Well its a start maybe hes just mad cus you havent been driving him and the bad gas of course hehe . Hopefully he will straighten er.... Behave himself now ...


* me hands chris some soap

[silverspeedbuggy]

Well I was getting him ready for his new clutch. If he's going to be a pouty stubborn little car, then he'll just have to wait!

While he was sputtering away in the garage I told Nick he was acting like Herbie when he was drunk on Irish Coffee.

[bugsy98nb]

Originally Posted by silverspeedbuggy

Well I was getting him ready for his new clutch. If he's going to be a pouty stubborn little car, then he'll just have to wait!

While he was sputtering away in the garage I told Hick he was acting like Herbie when he was drunk on Irish Coffee.

HEHE I remember that one the Love Bug !

[silverspeedbuggy]

I'm going to scrub myself down.

[bugsy98nb]

Originally Posted by silverspeedbuggy

I'm going to scrub myself down.

me waits till chris is in the shower then flushes the toilet


Just kidding ,

[silverspeedbuggy]

Originally Posted by bugsy98nb

HEHE I remember that one the Love Bug !

I don't think Speed is running a temperature though.

HA! But he did get gas all over me much like when Herbie leaked oil on the bad guys' shoes. Well, actually, I got gass all over myself, but it's more fun to compare it to a scene in a movie.

[silverspeedbuggy]

Originally Posted by bugsy98nb

me waits till chris is in the shower then flushes the toilet


Just kidding ,

LOL! For some reason, our house doesn't do that. ???