Car starts, sputters then dies instantly

[savethebluths.org]

Im having this problem now, the car starts gets up to 2krpm then sputters and turns off, I can give it gas but it hesitates and sputters while I give it gas, it also fights me to keep the car from turning off, and I might just be putting mor einto this but it seems to smell more like gasoline than normal? Could just be my imagination.

any suggestions are helpful the poor car is sitting at my offices parking lot.

I figure its a fuel problem and it is not throwing any CEL..yet..

[05yellowbeetle]

if you have a code reader or vag-com check it anyway, sometimes the code will show as pending before it turns the CEL on.

[savethebluths.org]

Originally Posted by 98silverbeetle

if you have a code reader or vag-com check it anyway, sometimes the code will show as pending before it turns the CEL on.

yeah I have one but its at home, Ill have to get it and try tomorrow when I get back to work.

[newbuggertwo]

My wife took our Beetle to work yesterday and the same thing happened when she tried to leave. Started up, ran a few seconds then conked out. The air intake came off on the engine side! It was no fun to put back on. Had to remove a few things and even then there is little room. But that was it. Ran fine after that. The whole air intake is so cramped I think a few years of it being fooled with for air filter replacement (also no fun) could have loosened mine and then it just came off. Weird since the hose clamp was still on. Hope yours is as easy as mine to remedy.

ET

[btb]

I would check for vacuum leak and probably change the fuel filter also.

[savethebluths.org]

So how does one go about checking for a vaccum leak?

I thought that might be the problem but havent had time to check on fixing it!

[pencilneck]

Based on what you describe, I'd check out the following:

Fuel pump - does is have good flow and pressure? The fuel pumps for the most part are pretty good across the board, but at the same time, I've replace a few here and there over the years.

Un-metered air (intake leak) - Not much as far as the intake goes on a 2.0L engine. The vacuum line from the intake to the fuel pressure regulator. The rubber hose from the oil cap housing to the intake tends to rot. Intake hose from filter box to throttle body coming loose.

MAF - I've seen a few cars that will idle like crap (or not at all) and you have to blip the throttle to keep it running. Replace the MAF and go for a scary test drive and the car gets better and back to normal after a couple of miles. I think you can remove the vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator and then the engine will idle (bumps the fuel pressure up).

As for the fuel filter, they are listed as "lifetime". Having said that, I think after 100,000 miles one would be wise to replace the fuel filter. I don't think I've ever seen a clogged fuel filter or one cause any problems.

[savethebluths.org]

Originally Posted by pencilneck

Based on what you describe, I'd check out the following:

Fuel pump - does is have good flow and pressure? The fuel pumps for the most part are pretty good across the board, but at the same time, I've replace a few here and there over the years.

Un-metered air (intake leak) - Not much as far as the intake goes on a 2.0L engine. The vacuum line from the intake to the fuel pressure regulator. The rubber hose from the oil cap housing to the intake tends to rot. Intake hose from filter box to throttle body coming loose.

MAF - I've seen a few cars that will idle like crap (or not at all) and you have to blip the throttle to keep it running. Replace the MAF and go for a scary test drive and the car gets better and back to normal after a couple of miles. I think you can remove the vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator and then the engine will idle (bumps the fuel pressure up).

As for the fuel filter, they are listed as "lifetime". Having said that, I think after 100,000 miles one would be wise to replace the fuel filter. I don't think I've ever seen a clogged fuel filter or one cause any problems.

Thanks that is alot of help, Ill be checking on those this weekend!

[zeusenergy]

Originally Posted by savethebluths.org

Thanks that is alot of help, Ill be checking on those this weekend!

If you check those and it's still messed up, it really sounds like a fuel starvation problem. This could be anything from a small leak to a bad filter, a bad pickup in the tank or bad pump, fuel pressure regulator (FPR), line damage, Etc.
The injectors are timed, and only open when the ECM tells them to. This means unlike the old CIS days the injectors for a time may be completely inactive. That period of time, or duration, gets shorter and the period of action increases, over a plot of the engine RPM. So if you don't have enough pressure in the system, it may run at lower rpms, but stumble and refuse to go anywhere fast at higher rpms because the engine requests more fuel duration at higher rpms and without the correct fuel pressure or delivery the injectors will not provide enough fuel to atomize or even fire at all. Hope this helps!
EDIT: Check the injector harness for damage too. Wiring on VWs is prone to insulation cracking.

[newbuggertwo]

the airbox intake hose came off the engine side


ET

[zeusenergy]

Originally Posted by newbuggertwo

the airbox intake hose came off the engine side


ET

You already said that... But here's hoping that's all it is for the OP! A simple fix that's easy to check.

[savethebluths.org]

Originally Posted by zeusenergy

You already said that... But here's hoping that's all it is for the OP! A simple fix that's easy to check.

Yeah I told him to post if he found his problem.

Unfortunately it isnt my answer, I just checked my tube today