vw jetta cranking too long with warm engine

vwjetta96 · #1 03-12-2005, 12:15 AM

Could you please give me advice?I have a problem with my '96 VW Jetta Gl (4cyl,2.0 manual). Just a couple of weeks ago I had a complete tune-up and timing belt change done on my car. Since then I experienced a problem that happens more often now. In the morning it starts without a problem no matter how bad the weather is. Then after driving it for a while and I turn it off, its almost impossible to turn it back on without letting it rest for a longer time. The engine cranks but its cranking for a long time before fires up and even when it does fire up it has almost no power.I have to push the gas for it to "wake up" so it won't just stop after starting. If I let it rest for a while then its easier to start it but when it starts the rpm shoots up like I started to car with my foot left on the gas, up to like 3000rpm. When I start it in the morning after a long night of rest then I have absolutely no problem with it. I feel like it has to do something with the recent tune up, maybe the ignition timing is retarded.
Thank you very much

ohiobenz · #2 03-27-2005, 08:40 PM

sounds like a vapor lock issue.
have you checked your fuel pump relay?

veedubmechanic · #3 03-28-2005, 07:19 PM

If the ignition was retarded the check light would come on.

Did you have the fuel filter replaced?

Coil packs were a problem on these alot and can cause extended crank.

vwjetta96 · #4 04-01-2005, 09:35 PM

Thank you both for the advices. I didn't check the relay yet and also I didn't check anything fuel related on my car yet. I thought that the problem mite have to do with something either the tune-up or belt. I need to get it scanned now

the problem is much worse now. The check engine light is on for a long time but it had to do with the cat. converter and whatever caused damages in it. So I need to get that cleared too.

Unfortunately i have no other options but to get it in a shop. But your advices helped a lot thank you very much!!!

vwjetta96 · #5 04-02-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veedubmechanic

If the ignition was retarded the check light would come on.

Did you have the fuel filter replaced?

Coil packs were a problem on these alot and can cause extended crank.

The air filter was replaced. Can you please tell me more about the fuel filter? Could this be the problem?

I drove on the highway today and after 10 min the car was pulling back at times then letting go again. It was like i push the gas pedal fast and then release it fast. It was a bumpy, jerky ride, and i couldn't accelerate the way i wanted to. This is a new problem, and the old one is still not fixed. I think its related, maybe the engine wasn't getting proper amount of gas. Do you think ill be fine to drive two more days? The diagnosis with the computer will be done on tuesday
Thank you very much

ohiobenz · #6 04-02-2005, 08:15 PM

You may want to replace the O2 sensor. After 10 min of running is about when the engine reaches temp and goes from warm-up open loop mode into closed loop. At that point the O2 sensor signal determines the fuel mixture indirectly. We had similar post warm-up problems with a 90's Digi-2 Jetta and a new O2 fixed it.

If it is a 3 wire o2, then a Universal or 94 Ford Escort sensor is a direct replacement at a significant savings!

vwjetta96 · #7 04-03-2005, 09:54 PM

Its a great idea and the tip (escort O2 sensor) is going to help me in a big way! Ill look into it when i take it to the shop to get the diagnosis done and ill look into the fuel related problems too

thank you very much

vwjetta96 · #8 04-05-2005, 11:37 PM

I just got my car to the shop today and they couldn't connect it to the scanner tool as they had no plug for my car:S. However, 2 of their technician looked at my car and they said the problem is the FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR and its vacuum hose. That little hose was replaced in a sec but didn't do anything however the technician said that its the regulator that causes the real problem the hose was no big deal. Thats a pretty expensive part, $600CAD so I'm just worried if thats the problem or not. (the guy seems honest he even told me not to get that expensive part try to look for maybe a used one or if he gets one in cheap he'd call).

Do you think it sounds something that could be the problem? Should I go ahead and get that changed?
Thank you!

ohiobenz · #9 04-06-2005, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwjetta96

the technician said that its the regulator that causes the real problem the hose was no big deal. Thats a pretty expensive part, $600CAD so I'm just worried if thats the problem or not. (the guy seems honest he even told me not to get that expensive part try to look for maybe a used one or if he gets one in cheap he'd call).

I might have one from a 94 2.0 here. If you can't find a cheap used one let me know I can send this to you to see if that solves the problem

boschmann · #10 04-10-2005, 04:23 PM

Did they put a fuel pressure gauge on it?

vwjetta96 · #11 04-10-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohiobenz

I might have one from a 94 2.0 here. If you can't find a cheap used one let me know I can send this to you to see if that solves the problem

Thank you very much for your help I found a new one for only $85 I think he made a mistake with the pricing somehow:S. I didn't buy it yet though because I want to be sure that this is the problem.

vwjetta96 · #12 04-10-2005, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boschmann

Did they put a fuel pressure gauge on it?

They did not put the gauge on it. The vaccuum hose (I belive) was visibly gone (had a whole on it) and I guess its the fuel pressure gauge since the hose was conected to it. They fixed the hose which did not do anyhing. During the visual ispection they did not find anything else except that the spark plugs were not installed by a professional and its area wasn't clean. (but my problem happened before that so its not the spark plug)

He said its not the timing, the belt was installed properly and he checked the timing which was not retarded. He said its not the fuel pump or fuel pump relay because the car wouldn't work at all if it was that. Now Im really confused as the car was not scanned by a diagnostic tool.

Do you think its the fuel pressure regulator as they assumed? Im so scared to get it fixed because I feel something is not right.
Thank you very much

veedubmechanic · #13 04-11-2005, 08:43 PM

If there is no fuel coming out of the vacuum line portion then the regulator shouldnt be bad. The diag connector is under the radio on the right side of the center console. There is a little cap that comes off.

vwjetta96 · #14 04-11-2005, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veedubmechanic

If there is no fuel coming out of the vacuum line portion then the regulator shouldnt be bad. The diag connector is under the radio on the right side of the center console. There is a little cap that comes off.

Thank you for your reply. When I looked at the hose I saw no fuel at the moment. They said it was the regulator:S. I know where the connector on the car is but they couldn't find that tip that fits on the scanner tool itself(that looks like a printer's plug).

I never ever waited this long to get my car fixed but with this problem Im so confused. My guesses were a retarded timing or fuel pump and it seems im way off. I don't want them to try to put extra unnecceseary expenses on me (plus its extremely expensive right now).

boschmann · #15 04-12-2005, 10:15 PM

It (prolonged cranking wen hot) could be caused by the fuel pressure regulator if it's not holding pressure after shutdown, but that needs to be determined with a pressure gauge. The car can be scanned with any standard OBD-II tool, Autozone & Advance Auto Parts even do it for free. It sounds like the shop you go to is doing alot of guessing & doesn't have the proper equipment to do the work correctly....

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