92 Golf GL wont Fire-up w/out starter fluid

[winkleboy]

My 1992 Golf GL ran kinda rough one day, and after i got it home i could not get it started.
I've used starter fluid to get it running, and it runs great.
But once i stop it, i cant get it started again w/out starter fluid..
It'll turn over just fine, but it wont fire up.

I thought it might be the Air Mass Meter, which i replaced after finding
one at a junkyard.
That was not the answer.

Could it be the Idle Stabilizer Valve?
(which seems to have an odd 'buzz' to it when attempting to start--not sure if that is normal...)
Any thoughts.

Its been this way for about a week now.
-Stumped.

[veedubmechanic]

IS it getting fuel to the fuel rail.

[winkleboy]

Originally Posted by veedubmechanic

IS it getting fuel to the fuel rail.

My gut is 'yes'.
But i'm not certain.
Is there a quick way to determine if it isn't?

[austin[rock]]

id say its a gas issue
see if your getting fuel
could be one of the fuel pumps there are two of them

[winkleboy]

Originally Posted by austin[rock]

id say its a gas issue
see if your getting fuel
could be one of the fuel pumps there are two of them

That would be great if that was all that it was.
Would that explain not only the difficulty in starting it, but
also the roughness of it when it does run?

[boschmann]

Another thing is how old is the fuel filter?

[winkleboy]

Originally Posted by boschmann

Another thing is how old is the fuel filter?

I replaced the fuel filter about 5 months ago.
Also replaced a fuel injector around the same time.

Its always ran a little rough at first, but when it got
going it ran great.
I love the car.
Its just so frustrating not knowing where to go next.

[boschmann]

Checking the fuel pressure is fairly easy with a simple gauge. There is a 7mm plug in the end of the fuel rail, remove & slip gauge hose over the nipple end. Pressure should be 40-45 psi running & should not drop below 25 psi within 15 minutes after shutdown.