mk2 8v starts but wont run??

[kombibob]

Hi Guys,
Was driving the Mk2 today it was running fine but after grabbing a feed we jumped back in and found it would no longer run??
Engine turns over starts runs for a few seconds and dies, both pumps seem to be working and seems to be getting plenty of fuel to the rail.
after i got it towed home it did the same thing and after a few attempts i had it running and revving fine for a few minuets but ended up stalling and going bad again.
We have had a couple of weeks of wet weather so starting to think elec gremlins.
Any ideas????
Cheers,
Bob

[straight_fresh]

Check the idle stabilisation valve, mine was doing similar things and one of the wires had come off but would make contact with the vibrations of the car etc and let it run intermittently

[kombibob]

well came home to work on the bloody thing but in true Volkswagen fashion the problem seems to have gone??
Started and ran straight away so i took it for a run and it didnt miss a beat. but i did notice a dirty fuel kind of smell from the exhaust while idling just after the first start up.
So now thinking water in fuel??

[ryana89]

but i did notice a dirty fuel kind of smell from the exhaust while idling just after the first start up.

Haha, I think they run rich and reek all the time (mine certainly does)

Did the engine cut out at idle or when at any RPM?
Was there any clue of it about to cut out? (missing, spluttering, very low idle)

If it does it again, wiggle a few sensor/wire's around in the engine bay (this method has worked well for me)

[Jmac]

Please have a squizz in the ECU anyway as per convo today mate, we have had a glut of water up here , well worth a look. Grab a bottle and remove the return line and put it in a bottle, check the sample, thatll show you if you have water, make sure your bottle is dry though!!! Certainly wouldnt run good or rev up well with water in it, same as fule that goes off, its like napalm

Cheers
Jmac

[kombibob]

Thanks Jimmy, will do