81 diesel

[ah21368]

I have an 81 diesel rabbit that has a problem with starting. It has a problem starting. I have replace the fuel filter, air filter, and put new diesel fuel in the tank. I replaced the fuel line from the fuel filter to the injector pump with a clear line so I could see if fuel was getting to the injector pump. My first problem was no fuel getting to the injector pump, but now that problem has been resolved. The car will start after about 15mins of running for 1-2minutes and then stalling 10-15 times. It will only stay running once I can rev the engine up and it doesn't stall. Once I get it past this point it runs great for the rest of the day and starts up on 1st crank, until I it sits again for more than 5 hours. Another quick question does this car have a fuel pump? Please any advice on this would be great.

[boschmann]

You want to make sure the fuel line is not leaking, it will actually suck in air as the injector pump is the only pump & the fuel line is under suction. How is the glow plug system?

[barretire]

Originally Posted by ah21368

I have an 81 diesel rabbit that has a problem with starting. It has a problem starting. I have replace the fuel filter, air filter, and put new diesel fuel in the tank. I replaced the fuel line from the fuel filter to the injector pump with a clear line so I could see if fuel was getting to the injector pump. My first problem was no fuel getting to the injector pump, but now that problem has been resolved. The car will start after about 15mins of running for 1-2minutes and then stalling 10-15 times. It will only stay running once I can rev the engine up and it doesn't stall. Once I get it past this point it runs great for the rest of the day and starts up on 1st crank, until I it sits again for more than 5 hours. Another quick question does this car have a fuel pump? Please any advice on this would be great.

on the firewall you will see a block. take the cover off and there is a piece of metal, this is a fuse, replace it cleaning all contacts...

[zagrot]

i agree with the slow air leak theory. yes your vw diesel has a fuel pump, it is the thing beside the alternator. if you are asking whether or not it has an electric fuel pump then the anwser is no. the diesel fuel injection pump contains the only fuel pump that you car has and it is not servicible by mere mortals. check to make sure that you have copper washers on both sides of all of your banjo bolts (the metal fuel fittings) of better yet, go ahead and replace all of them as they are inexpensive anyway. or remove the copper washers and heat them to a dull red and let them cool and reinstall them. the heating process makes them soft again so they will crush to form a good seal. look carefuly for any fuel leaks particularly in the hoses that go to the inlet side of the fuel pump. an easy was to acomplish this is to get some uv fuel dye and a black light. put some of the dye in the tank and inspect the fuel lines for florecent spots after a day of driving (look carefully because there is no pressure to force massive ammounts of fuel out of the fuel line). if you find leaks repair them. oh, another suspect is the screw on top of the fuel filter base (the thing on the passenger strut tower). go ahead and replace the o-ring on this screw, or use a plastic or copper washer (good luck finding one small enough). hope this helps