NOVICE NEEDS HELP

[warge]

Hi there..I need some help. Have recently purchased a 1989 2.1 petrol/injection microbus (water cooled). All has been well but has just started to cut out whilst driving. It starts o.k but within a mile from home the engine starts to cut out till eventually it just stops/dies. Leave approx 5 mins and it starts again and gets me the short distance home ...no cut outs.
Is this a fuel filter problem or ......?
Many thanks in advance for any advice ....warge

[Plasticman]

hi.welcome
mm

[jimpainter]

Hello, if you introduce yourself first you might find you will get a few more replies
It could be a fuel filter problem, try changing it and give the engine a service, start with the basics/cheap stuff first.

[Aidan]

if it's a DJ I'd be suspecting the TCI unit
you need to check the basics, fuel air spark in both working and failed situations

[mark]

hi and welcome

had a similar problem. (along wit a couple of others ).if its a dj. check your plugs to see if its over fueling. mine was cutting out at junctions etc and was over fueling because the coolant temp sensor was kaput. its located at the bottom of the thermostat housing, they are cheap under a tenner get the o ring seal and a new hairpin clip (50p from vw ) be ready for a bath in coolant as its a buggar to get it all the way home (well mine was anyway)

mark

[warge]

Hi there...many thanks for the replies and advice and apologies for not getting back to you all sooner...broadband not working !! Anyway I have changed the fuel filter today but alas no joy. It just cuts out when it gets hot and won't re-start till it's cooled down. Next step is to change the coolant sensor which hopefully I will be able to do soon...post permitting....after that (if it doesn't work)...well i'm sort of scratching my head. Maybe I should change all the plugs/H.T. leads or am I grasping at straws. Again...many thanks for your help and tips....warge

[R0B]

Was this the filter just after the fuel tank.Or one that someone has wrongly fitted in the engine bay.

I have changed the fuel filter today but alas no joy.

[warge]

It was the fuel filter underneath the van...just after the fuel tank.....

[California Dreamin]

Has it got a CAT? does it have a lambda probe N/S of exhaust? if so this could be the sensor breaking down.
Easily tested...just follow the harness from the sensor back to it's plug in the engine bay, disconnect it and see if the fault goes.

Martin

[warge]

O.K. still no joy. Have just replaced coolant sensor but it still cuts out after about 5 minutes...it's not over-heating...it ' dies' as it's warming up. Bother !!!..........warge

[niclau]

Hi everyone.
Im new to the forum. What a fab place for tips from like minded people.Ive got a 1991 Westy 1.6 td. I used to have a 1.9 petrol and had a similar problem. Plugs were Bosch changed them to NGK and did a thousand miles around South Coast with no problems. Hope this is a help. Owning a VW can be frustrating but also very rewarding as we found on a trip around Isle of Skye in April.

[warge]

Update from the sports desk....managed to get a tow and van is now being checked over by garage (he's a good mechanic and trustworthy) so I will let you know the outcome and hopefully what the problem was/is. Feel slightly deflated that I wasn't able to sort out problem myself but this was my first attempt at engine mechanics on a V.W and although I had no joy in sorting out the problem I've learnt quite a bit....Ithink.... in a short space of time.
Thanks for everyones help and in-put and I'll let you know the end result......warge

[Aidan]

£5 says it's the TCI still

[warge]

Replaced the t.c.i. unit....going like a good 'un......cheers Aidan...warge