Stumped!! - Help Appreciated

1

Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.

I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.

We tested a few things.

Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.

Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.

About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.

We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.

Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.

What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?

Peter from Port

2

Had a similar problem, my AFM was on the way out.Managed to sorce a 2nd hand unit and all is well.

On 19/06/2015 4:19 PM, "peter@coeconsult.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia]" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.

I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.

We tested a few things.

Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.

Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.

About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.

We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.

Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.

What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?

Peter from Port

3
Hi Peter,
Your stop/start experience is the same as mine ... years ago while driving locally one day.
To limp home, rather than grind to a halt each time the engine stalls and risk disrupting the traffic flow, I figured out you could just flick the ignition key off/on as you roll along and then clutch start it ..... engine restarts and gets you further along the road until engine stalls again and then repeat the same restart process till you make it home.

Alternatively try the temporary fix .... find the large green oxygen sensor wire located low down at the rear left-side of the engine bay. It has an inline connect/disconnect there. Just disconnect it and leave it disconnected. Engine should now run but run rich, should not stall again and get you home.

To remedy the problem, as occurred in my case, the AFM needed service as per Peter Kestel's directions that are in the Forum files. Or else find someone who knows where to get it serviced or buy a 2nd hand AFM and hope it works and/or service it and then have a working spare once they both are serviced/working again. Also for good measure if you don't already have it, install the Vanagon Syndrome add-on part to the wiring of the AFM.

Meanwhile if you can borrow locally a known working AFM, install to see if it eliminates the stalling problem, then decide which way to jump. Also remember ALL your ground wires (there are lots of them) may need checking/cleaning, dirty ones can cause engine havoc.
Good luck. Cheers.
Ken 



To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 01:18:59 -0700
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Stumped!! - Help Appreciated

 

Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.
I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.
We tested a few things.
Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.
Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.
About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.
We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.
Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.
What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?
Peter from Port

4
Thanks heaps Ken. Much appreciated. What is the "forum" for the AFM information.? Or do you mean in the files section.
Peter
5
Sorry Ken. I just found it., Peter
6
Thanks Philippe & Ken,
Will do the AFM tomorrow have done mine once should be ok. What puzzled us is the fact that
There is very little fuel coming out of the check screw at the fuel line T. When you prime the line by switching on the ignition and wait til the pump stops, fuel should be squirting out that check point. If one is quick in opening the screw, yes , there is fuel coming out. However if you wait say 20 secs the pressure is lost. So I'm more or less convinced that the new Bosch made in Mex fuel pump has come up with an internal problem. Anyway , tomorrow is another day where
Volkswagen is trying to make mechanics out of us. Wish us luck.
Hart
Sent from my iPad

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:01 pm, Ken Garratt unclekenz@hotmail.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Hi Peter,
Your stop/start experience is the same as mine ... years ago while driving locally one day.
To limp home, rather than grind to a halt each time the engine stalls and risk disrupting the traffic flow, I figured out you could just flick the ignition key off/on as you roll along and then clutch start it ..... engine restarts and gets you further along the road until engine stalls again and then repeat the same restart process till you make it home.

Alternatively try the temporary fix .... find the large green oxygen sensor wire located low down at the rear left-side of the engine bay. It has an inline connect/disconnect there. Just disconnect it and leave it disconnected. Engine should now run but run rich, should not stall again and get you home.

To remedy the problem, as occurred in my case, the AFM needed service as per Peter Kestel's directions that are in the Forum files. Or else find someone who knows where to get it serviced or buy a 2nd hand AFM and hope it works and/or service it and then have a working spare once they both are serviced/working again. Also for good measure if you don't already have it, install the Vanagon Syndrome add-on part to the wiring of the AFM.

Meanwhile if you can borrow locally a known working AFM, install to see if it eliminates the stalling problem, then decide which way to jump. Also remember ALL your ground wires (there are lots of them) may need checking/cleaning, dirty ones can cause engine havoc.
Good luck. Cheers.
Ken 



To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 01:18:59 -0700
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Stumped!! - Help Appreciated

 

Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.
I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.
We tested a few things.
Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.
Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.
About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.
We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.
Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.
What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?
Peter from Port

7
This is pretty normal Hart. The residual pressure is low after the pump stops running. If you want to test the pump bridge it and do a delivery test as per the book. Does it feel like it is stalling or turning off. Do the gauges drop like the key is off? 

Sent from Greg's iPhone

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:23 pm, Hartmut Kiehn hartis@live.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Thanks Philippe & Ken,
Will do the AFM tomorrow have done mine once should be ok. What puzzled us is the fact that
There is very little fuel coming out of the check screw at the fuel line T. When you prime the line by switching on the ignition and wait til the pump stops, fuel should be squirting out that check point. If one is quick in opening the screw, yes , there is fuel coming out. However if you wait say 20 secs the pressure is lost. So I'm more or less convinced that the new Bosch made in Mex fuel pump has come up with an internal problem. Anyway , tomorrow is another day where
Volkswagen is trying to make mechanics out of us. Wish us luck.
Hart
Sent from my iPad

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:01 pm, Ken Garratt unclekenz@hotmail.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Hi Peter,
Your stop/start experience is the same as mine ... years ago while driving locally one day.
To limp home, rather than grind to a halt each time the engine stalls and risk disrupting the traffic flow, I figured out you could just flick the ignition key off/on as you roll along and then clutch start it ..... engine restarts and gets you further along the road until engine stalls again and then repeat the same restart process till you make it home.

Alternatively try the temporary fix .... find the large green oxygen sensor wire located low down at the rear left-side of the engine bay. It has an inline connect/disconnect there. Just disconnect it and leave it disconnected. Engine should now run but run rich, should not stall again and get you home.

To remedy the problem, as occurred in my case, the AFM needed service as per Peter Kestel's directions that are in the Forum files. Or else find someone who knows where to get it serviced or buy a 2nd hand AFM and hope it works and/or service it and then have a working spare once they both are serviced/working again. Also for good measure if you don't already have it, install the Vanagon Syndrome add-on part to the wiring of the AFM.

Meanwhile if you can borrow locally a known working AFM, install to see if it eliminates the stalling problem, then decide which way to jump. Also remember ALL your ground wires (there are lots of them) may need checking/cleaning, dirty ones can cause engine havoc.
Good luck. Cheers.
Ken 



To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 01:18:59 -0700
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Stumped!! - Help Appreciated

 

Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.
I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.
We tested a few things.
Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.
Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.
About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.
We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.
Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.
What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?
Peter from Port

8
Thanks Greg, didn't check the gauges, will do on Sunday. The engine is stalling to a halt.
ha.

Sent from my iPad

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:41 pm, gregespo73@yahoo.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

This is pretty normal Hart. The residual pressure is low after the pump stops running. If you want to test the pump bridge it and do a delivery test as per the book. Does it feel like it is stalling or turning off. Do the gauges drop like the key is off? 

Sent from Greg's iPhone

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:23 pm, Hartmut Kiehn hartis@live.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Thanks Philippe & Ken,
Will do the AFM tomorrow have done mine once should be ok. What puzzled us is the fact that
There is very little fuel coming out of the check screw at the fuel line T. When you prime the line by switching on the ignition and wait til the pump stops, fuel should be squirting out that check point. If one is quick in opening the screw, yes , there is fuel coming out. However if you wait say 20 secs the pressure is lost. So I'm more or less convinced that the new Bosch made in Mex fuel pump has come up with an internal problem. Anyway , tomorrow is another day where
Volkswagen is trying to make mechanics out of us. Wish us luck.
Hart
Sent from my iPad

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:01 pm, Ken Garratt unclekenz@hotmail.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Hi Peter,
Your stop/start experience is the same as mine ... years ago while driving locally one day.
To limp home, rather than grind to a halt each time the engine stalls and risk disrupting the traffic flow, I figured out you could just flick the ignition key off/on as you roll along and then clutch start it ..... engine restarts and gets you further along the road until engine stalls again and then repeat the same restart process till you make it home.

Alternatively try the temporary fix .... find the large green oxygen sensor wire located low down at the rear left-side of the engine bay. It has an inline connect/disconnect there. Just disconnect it and leave it disconnected. Engine should now run but run rich, should not stall again and get you home.

To remedy the problem, as occurred in my case, the AFM needed service as per Peter Kestel's directions that are in the Forum files. Or else find someone who knows where to get it serviced or buy a 2nd hand AFM and hope it works and/or service it and then have a working spare once they both are serviced/working again. Also for good measure if you don't already have it, install the Vanagon Syndrome add-on part to the wiring of the AFM.

Meanwhile if you can borrow locally a known working AFM, install to see if it eliminates the stalling problem, then decide which way to jump. Also remember ALL your ground wires (there are lots of them) may need checking/cleaning, dirty ones can cause engine havoc.
Good luck. Cheers.
Ken 



To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 01:18:59 -0700
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Stumped!! - Help Appreciated

 

Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.
I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.
We tested a few things.
Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.
Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.
About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.
We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.
Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.
What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?
Peter from Port

9
Hart,

Isn't the pump supposed to only run for a couple of seconds and then shut off? Without running the engine the pump should not come on again even if the fuel pressure drops. I found this when fault finding my T3 2wd which has a similar engine yet different tank set up.

I note that 2wd tank is metal and rusts causing fuel pump blockages as there is no fuel pre-filter.

Water in the fuel can cause these running issues too.

Maybe treat the tank to a cup full of metho - that will absorb water and get burned through the combustion chamber.

Worth a try as its an easy fix!

Best of luck.

Cheers,

Skot

On 19/06/2015 9:23 PM, Hartmut Kiehn hartis@live.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:
Thanks Philippe & Ken,
Will do the AFM tomorrow have done mine once should be ok. What puzzled us is the fact that
There is very little fuel coming out of the check screw at the fuel line T. When you prime the line by switching on the ignition and wait til the pump stops, fuel should be squirting out that check point. If one is quick in opening the screw, yes , there is fuel coming out. However if you wait say 20 secs the pressure is lost. So I'm more or less convinced that the new Bosch made in Mex fuel pump has come up with an internal problem. Anyway , tomorrow is another day where
Volkswagen is trying to make mechanics out of us. Wish us luck.
Hart
Sent from my iPad

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:01 pm, Ken Garratt unclekenz@hotmail.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Hi Peter,
Your stop/start experience is the same as mine ... years ago while driving locally one day.
To limp home, rather than grind to a halt each time the engine stalls and risk disrupting the traffic flow, I figured out you could just flick the ignition key off/on as you roll along and then clutch start it ..... engine restarts and gets you further along the road until engine stalls again and then repeat the same restart process till you make it home.

Alternatively try the temporary fix .... find the large green oxygen sensor wire located low down at the rear left-side of the engine bay. It has an inline connect/disconnect there. Just disconnect it and leave it disconnected. Engine should now run but run rich, should not stall again and get you home.

To remedy the problem, as occurred in my case, the AFM needed service as per Peter Kestel's directions that are in the Forum files. Or else find someone who knows where to get it serviced or buy a 2nd hand AFM and hope it works and/or service it and then have a working spare once they both are serviced/working again. Also for good measure if you don't already have it, install the Vanagon Syndrome add-on part to the wiring of the AFM.

Meanwhile if you can borrow locally a known working AFM, install to see if it eliminates the stalling problem, then decide which way to jump. Also remember ALL your ground wires (there are lots of them) may need checking/cleaning, dirty ones can cause engine havoc.
Good luck. Cheers.
Ken



To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 01:18:59 -0700
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Stumped!! - Help Appreciated


Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.
I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.
We tested a few things.
Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.
Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.
About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.
We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.
Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.
What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?
Peter from Port


10
Hi Peter, I had a similar problem on way to RATEX   1 month ago, tank full of 98  N/castle to Lithgow fine then engine sputters, it didn't stop , a few blips on accelerator alls good. After filling up at different servos, same octane rating fuel, engine was struggling to make 3000rpm other times it was fine, even past a Range Rover  (he was not happy )..think it was real 98. ..my mechanic has a 2wd and he reckons it's fuel octane variations 


Sent from my Samsung GALAXY S5 on the Telstra mobile network


-------- Original message --------
From: "peter@coeconsult.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia]" <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com>
Date:19/06/2015 6:18 PM (GMT+10:00)
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Cc:
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Stumped!! - Help Appreciated

 

Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.

I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.

We tested a few things.

Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.

Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.

About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.

We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.

Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.

What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?

Peter from Port

11
Skot,thanks for reminding me about the metho, when much younger we used it in refrigeration equipment when the expansion valve was icing up...
When going down to Sydney lately to load the doka into the container I filled up at Taree, got about 55 ltrs in and when leaving about 500 mtrs on it started to loose power. It wouldn't go past 2800rpm. This went on for about 100 ks . Suddenly all was normal again for the rest of the trip.
hart


Sent from my iPad

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:46 pm, Scott Pitcher spbconsulting@bigpond.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Hart,

Isn't the pump supposed to only run for a couple of seconds and then shut off? Without running the engine the pump should not come on again even if the fuel pressure drops. I found this when fault finding my T3 2wd which has a similar engine yet different tank set up.

I note that 2wd tank is metal and rusts causing fuel pump blockages as there is no fuel pre-filter.

Water in the fuel can cause these running issues too.

Maybe treat the tank to a cup full of metho - that will absorb water and get burned through the combustion chamber.

Worth a try as its an easy fix!

Best of luck.

Cheers,

Skot

On 19/06/2015 9:23 PM, Hartmut Kiehn hartis@live.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:
 
Thanks Philippe & Ken,
Will do the AFM tomorrow have done mine once should be ok. What puzzled us is the fact that
There is very little fuel coming out of the check screw at the fuel line T. When you prime the line by switching on the ignition and wait til the pump stops, fuel should be squirting out that check point. If one is quick in opening the screw, yes , there is fuel coming out. However if you wait say 20 secs the pressure is lost. So I'm more or less convinced that the new Bosch made in Mex fuel pump has come up with an internal problem. Anyway , tomorrow is another day where
Volkswagen is trying to make mechanics out of us. Wish us luck.
Hart
Sent from my iPad

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:01 pm, Ken Garratt unclekenz@hotmail.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Hi Peter,
Your stop/start experience is the same as mine ... years ago while driving locally one day.
To limp home, rather than grind to a halt each time the engine stalls and risk disrupting the traffic flow, I figured out you could just flick the ignition key off/on as you roll along and then clutch start it ..... engine restarts and gets you further along the road until engine stalls again and then repeat the same restart process till you make it home.

Alternatively try the temporary fix .... find the large green oxygen sensor wire located low down at the rear left-side of the engine bay. It has an inline connect/disconnect there. Just disconnect it and leave it disconnected. Engine should now run but run rich, should not stall again and get you home.

To remedy the problem, as occurred in my case, the AFM needed service as per Peter Kestel's directions that are in the Forum files. Or else find someone who knows where to get it serviced or buy a 2nd hand AFM and hope it works and/or service it and then have a working spare once they both are serviced/working again. Also for good measure if you don't already have it, install the Vanagon Syndrome add-on part to the wiring of the AFM.

Meanwhile if you can borrow locally a known working AFM, install to see if it eliminates the stalling problem, then decide which way to jump. Also remember ALL your ground wires (there are lots of them) may need checking/cleaning, dirty ones can cause engine havoc.
Good luck. Cheers.
Ken 



To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 01:18:59 -0700
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Stumped!! - Help Appreciated

 

Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.
I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.
We tested a few things.
Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.
Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.
About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.
We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.
Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.
What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?
Peter from Port


12
Hart,

Must be a batch of crappy fuel getting around the area.

I wouldn't be at all surprised.

Cheers,

Skot

On 20/06/2015 7:06 PM, Hartmut Kiehn hartis@live.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:
Skot,thanks for reminding me about the metho, when much younger we used it in refrigeration equipment when the expansion valve was icing up...
When going down to Sydney lately to load the doka into the container I filled up at Taree, got about 55 ltrs in and when leaving about 500 mtrs on it started to loose power. It wouldn't go past 2800rpm. This went on for about 100 ks . Suddenly all was normal again for the rest of the trip.
hart


Sent from my iPad

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:46 pm, Scott Pitcher spbconsulting@bigpond.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Hart,

Isn't the pump supposed to only run for a couple of seconds and then shut off? Without running the engine the pump should not come on again even if the fuel pressure drops. I found this when fault finding my T3 2wd which has a similar engine yet different tank set up.

I note that 2wd tank is metal and rusts causing fuel pump blockages as there is no fuel pre-filter.

Water in the fuel can cause these running issues too.

Maybe treat the tank to a cup full of metho - that will absorb water and get burned through the combustion chamber.

Worth a try as its an easy fix!

Best of luck.

Cheers,

Skot

On 19/06/2015 9:23 PM, Hartmut Kiehn hartis@live.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:
Thanks Philippe & Ken,
Will do the AFM tomorrow have done mine once should be ok. What puzzled us is the fact that
There is very little fuel coming out of the check screw at the fuel line T. When you prime the line by switching on the ignition and wait til the pump stops, fuel should be squirting out that check point. If one is quick in opening the screw, yes , there is fuel coming out. However if you wait say 20 secs the pressure is lost. So I'm more or less convinced that the new Bosch made in Mex fuel pump has come up with an internal problem. Anyway , tomorrow is another day where
Volkswagen is trying to make mechanics out of us. Wish us luck.
Hart
Sent from my iPad

On 19 Jun 2015, at 9:01 pm, Ken Garratt unclekenz@hotmail.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Hi Peter,
Your stop/start experience is the same as mine ... years ago while driving locally one day.
To limp home, rather than grind to a halt each time the engine stalls and risk disrupting the traffic flow, I figured out you could just flick the ignition key off/on as you roll along and then clutch start it ..... engine restarts and gets you further along the road until engine stalls again and then repeat the same restart process till you make it home.

Alternatively try the temporary fix .... find the large green oxygen sensor wire located low down at the rear left-side of the engine bay. It has an inline connect/disconnect there. Just disconnect it and leave it disconnected. Engine should now run but run rich, should not stall again and get you home.

To remedy the problem, as occurred in my case, the AFM needed service as per Peter Kestel's directions that are in the Forum files. Or else find someone who knows where to get it serviced or buy a 2nd hand AFM and hope it works and/or service it and then have a working spare once they both are serviced/working again. Also for good measure if you don't already have it, install the Vanagon Syndrome add-on part to the wiring of the AFM.

Meanwhile if you can borrow locally a known working AFM, install to see if it eliminates the stalling problem, then decide which way to jump. Also remember ALL your ground wires (there are lots of them) may need checking/cleaning, dirty ones can cause engine havoc.
Good luck. Cheers.
Ken



To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2015 01:18:59 -0700
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Stumped!! - Help Appreciated


Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.
I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.
We tested a few things.
Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.
Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.
About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.
We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.
Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.
What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?
Peter from Port



13
Peter
Had a similar issue recently that I think was the earth strap to the gearbox but the starter would not work however it did try to. You would think the drive shafts and other strap in the engine would work but they did not.
. Removed strap gave it a clean back on and 100% improvement in starter and the rich running and splutter gone.
Probably not your issue but easy to check gearbox earth strap?
Cheers Peter SEQ

On Fri, Jun 19, 2015 at 6:18 PM, peter@coeconsult.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Syncro camper all packed for a weekend up at Crescent Head. Going out Hastings River drive the engine suddenly stops. Pull over. It starts we go another 200 metres and it stops again. Pull over and repeat the exercise, this time it goes a bit longer but stops again. Lucky we were not far from Hart's place so with repeated stops/start we got there. Investigations revealed nothing.

I had filled up with Shell vortex the previous afternoon but had driven around on Thursday and on Friday morning for say 25 km without a worry.

We tested a few things.

Let it idle and when it stopped checked the small bleed bolt at the junction of the T piece and there was no pressure. Then after a couple of minutes switched on the ignition and there was pressure. Repeated this and the same thing happened.

Then we drained some petrol into a glass bottle. It was fine, no water.

About 3 hours later we replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It started OKand ran for a good 10 minutes so we thought the problem was solved. About an hour later I drove from Hart's to my place, about 10 km. About 200 metres from home it died again. Stopped, it started again and ran for long enough to get it in my driveway.

We put in a new genuine parts fuel pump and filter about 2 months ago.

Camper is now unpacked and I am calming nerves with a beer.

What could it be? My first thought was petrol but it is fine. Any ideas from the experts out there?

Peter from Port