QuestionWell, during a test drive for a potential vehicle, I came across a problem (sometimes) when stopping at (some)intersections. The golf drives strong, but sometimes when coming into an intersection it wants to idle rough then die. Both fuel pumps have been replaced, is it possible that the distributor needs to be replaced? It sounds like its misfiring. It will do this for a while, then roar to life. Whats the deal? Any suggestions? Thanks a lot.
AnswerHi Austin;
It almost sounds like a clogged fuel filter. You say the fuel pumps have both been replaced, but there is no mention of the filter. It will be on the same fixture that the secondary, or high pressure pump is located on, underneath the car, and in the same immediate area as the rear axle beam. The pump, and filter are both secured to a fixture, or plate, that has some other holes in it where the fuel lines go through, and around. If not the fuel filter then it could be the idle air control. As you transition into idle from a cruise mode, the air that comes into the intake manifold does so through a small orifice that has a known, and calculated capacity. If it is dirty, or if the throttle itself it dirty there could be a mixture of idle air, and throttle air into the intake that the "ECM" just doesn't allow for. It's called "unmetered" air. I don't think the distributor is the culprit, especially if the engine runs at all other cruise conditions. It sounds like the "ECM" is trying to compensate for extra air with extra fuel, and maybe it just can't get enough all the time because the filter is dirty, or the throttle plate itself is dirty, or the intake air runners are dirty, or a combination of all 3. Hope this helps you get to the bottom of it, Austin. Good luck.
