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Update On Mystery Power Loss

Posted: 11 Oct 2006, 20:00
by BrokenSlider
Just to recap...

We were having a power loss problem where the van (2l Aircooled) dropped to 30-40mph for no reason and wouldn't speed up again. To rectify this we have...

New air filter
New fuel filter
Changed plugs and leads etc
New oil filter
Full oil change

Still no better so before going on holiday we took a trip to the garage and they fitted an electronic fuel pump. This cured the problem for the week then on the way home (about 1500 miles later) it started again. It was fine all week on the Scottish windy hilly roads then as soon as we got going on the A1 it just lost the will to live :(

Can anyone help before we spend another shedload of cash?

P.S. We also have a slight oil leak and have been advised to change rocker cover gaskets.

Kayleigh & Katie

Help,,,,,,,

Posted: 11 Oct 2006, 23:36
by Fritz
You'll have to give us a bit more to go on rather than,,,,,,,,, it just lost the will to live.

To help solve your problem we could do with some information as what was going on just before the fault showed up ?

I mean once your van slowed to 30-40 what did you do to help things along, did you just sit there in the hope it was going to sort its self out ? or did you stop /have a brew /had a think about things like have I left the hand brake on ,,,, :shock:

What I'm trying to say is, something stupid like over adjustment of the rear brakes /handbrake in the recent past can cause the brake fluid to heat up and cause the front brakes to bind ::::::::hence the poor performance.
OK you say it was fine while in the hills of Scotland, But once on the A1 it was shyte..........

Give us a clue, and we'll see what we can do.

Regards

Fritz,,,,,,,,,,, :D

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 05:59
by Mocki
sounds like "pooh" in the fuel to me.......
have you changed the fuel filter?
There should only be one, under the driverside sill just behind the tank.

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 06:42
by geordie skydiver
Mocki wrote:sounds like "pooh" in the fuel to me.......
have you changed the fuel filter?
There should only be one, under the driverside sill just behind the tank.

I agree, "pooh" in the carbs.

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 07:48
by tonytech
Crap in the tank partialy blocking the outlet?
Winding roads move the crap around, straight roads allow it to settle.

Just a thought.

T

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 07:55
by BaaaadSlider
To give ya a bit more info yes it has had a new fuel pump and filter and new fuel pipes too.
The van runs fine for so long then all of a sudden it will start to slow down and gitter and struggle to get above anywhere bewteen 30-50 .
Yes we have stopped to think what to do but not having much knowledge about vans just let it rest a bit then start again, but no difference.

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 07:59
by Mocki
so is the filter staying clean?
it could still be a tank outlet blockage, have you run out of fuel recently,and what was the state of thefilter that was removed?

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 08:07
by BaaaadSlider
Mocki wrote:so is the filter staying clean?
it could still be a tank outlet blockage, have you run out of fuel recently,and what was the state of thefilter that was removed?


Havent run out of fuel recerntly. the fuel filter that we took off wasnt in the best state had all bits floating in it. Will check the new one when i get home.
Dont suppose you'd be able to pop over at some point to take a peek Mocki pretty please?? :D

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 09:58
by Mocki
i may well be able to , but i'm without transport atm, and getting behind a tad, but keep me posted.......

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 12:17
by ghost123uk
Scirocco's and Golfs often do this, usual cause on them is the fuel strainer gauze, inside the tank, being blocked with crud.

The temp solution, and one that helps identify the cause is to blow back into the tank ( with you mouth on the pipe from the tank ) if it works OK then you have blown the crud off the gauze, back into the tank, but only works for a bit, until it collects again on the gauze.

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 12:48
by kevtherev
water in the tank too that would be in the filter bowl

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 14:40
by RedSquirrel
I'd check the rubber fuel filler neck inside the wheel arch. There was a thread about it by Simon Baxter, but I can't find it. These rot and all sorts of stuff gets thrown down into the tank. My was non existant.

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 19:45
by BrokenSlider
Thanks will get some checking and blowing done over the weekend :D

Posted: 12 Oct 2006, 20:43
by "WEAZLECHIN"
does it do it hot or cold, those air cooler thermostats are, erm GREAT, so they say.

Posted: 16 Oct 2006, 20:22
by Beach Bum
I had exactly the same problem some time ago and people laughed when I said that I was loosing power going round left hand bends ( I know it sounds mad, but it did). I too was advised to fit electric fuel pump new filters and fuel lines. In the end I had to have the fuel tank dropped cleaned and put back, problem solved. It also had traces of water in the system. Hope this helps.