Not running right. Bad Gas??

[shane436]

Hey guys, here is my story, car was running great, pulled into the gas station to get some fuel because I let the tank get really empty ( usually I try to never let it get really empty) put some 94 in it and fired it back up, almost instantly it was running like shit, like it is running on 3 cylinders, under hard acceleration it seems fine but when I drive normal it sputters and lags,  any one got any ideas? I had it into the mechanic (George and bernnys VW shop on W10th in Vancouver) he did a tune up, and it did SFA to fix the problem.   

Also I forgot to mention, when i pulled into the gas station it bottomed out and smacked the exhaust, If it pulls out a exhuast gasket is it possible that it will run like this? guess I will have to pull the exhaust off to have a peek.

Thanks!
SHane.

   

[thecarguy]

Hey Shane.I ran my Beetle out of gas after it had been sitting for the winter.I think that I had some crud in the tank . I spent three days trying to get it to run properly. I took the carb of and took it apart and cleaned it and it still ran like poo. I put a new inline fuel filter on and still poo . Finally I took off my gas cap , went back to the engine, disconnected the fuel line that comes from the tank to the pump,(at the pump),and I blew into it until my eyes nearly popped out. All of a sudden I heard gurgling from the fuel filler and the blowing got easier.I hooked everything back up and the car has been running like a dream ever since.I believe that I had a blockage either in the fuel line or blocking where the fuel enters the line from the tank . Give it a try , it worked for me.

Cory

[egspot]

check the cone shape filter from fuel tank to fuel line. There may be some deposits from the bottom of the tank blocking it.

[silas]

what was involved in the "tune-up" and if it did sfa, i hope you didnt get charged alot for it?

better check that exhaust. without pulling the exhaust off the car, if it's been smacked, you might be able to see a black/grey-ish soot (exhaust) around the area where the pipes un-seated from eachother, the head, or the muffler. look for where the pavement met the exhaust and examine the area for damage. with the car running, feel around all the exhaust pipes (carefull, it'll get hot) and see if you can feel hot exhaust gases leaking out anywhere.

how big is the motor and does it warrant you running 94? it might be overkill and it might be fouling the plugs.

[silas]

oh...and i agree with the other guys aswell.....crud from the bottom of the gas tank could be stuck in your fuel filter, lines or in a jet in your carb/s.

[shane436]

Hey again, thanks for all the replys.  They changed out the fuel filter during the "tune up"  which also consisted of new plugs, cap and rotor, and a grease job, somehow I cant help but feel shafted. I am by no means mechanically inept, but figured I would be willing to pay to just get it done, anyway its going back for the third time now, and if its not running right then no more Mr. nice guy!...and ill be fixing it myself.  You live you learn as they say... 

The motor is a 1776, typically I run mohwaks 94 octane... im gonna go out and take a look at the exhaust....

thanks again,
Shane.

[silas]

check for fuel delivery at the carb/s (volume & pressure). check for plugged jets in the carb/s. double check that each plug wire is going where it is supposed to.

good luck & keep us posted!!

[egspot]

Hey again, thanks for all the replys.  They changed out the fuel filter during the "tune up"  which also consisted of new plugs, cap and rotor, and a grease job, somehow I cant help but feel shafted. I am by no means mechanically inept, but figured I would be willing to pay to just get it done, anyway its going back for the third time now, and if its not running right then no more Mr. nice guy!...and ill be fixing it myself.  You live you learn as they say... 

The motor is a 1776, typically I run mohwaks 94 octane... im gonna go out and take a look at the exhaust....

thanks again,
Shane.

Not to point out tha ovious,

Is there gas in the fuel filter close to the carbs?

[shane436]

yes there is egspot, I can say I am stupmed... and frustrated as all hell... "Mechanic" called me again today told me the car was ready and was running "fine"  so I picked it up, its running WORSE!!!  feels like its running on 2 cylinders, has no power....  I am ever more angry at the fact that this guy calls himself a tradesperson....I am a sheet metal worker and I would be not be able to sleep at night knowing that I basically took a guy for a 300$ oil change...? can anyone suggest a real VW mechanic...

Im not the type to drag a guy through the mud.... but please dont visit "George and Bernys' VW repairs in Vancouver"  bad experience....

[egspot]

Where do you live?

Do you have a gage(points) and a timing light?

some extra ignition cables?

Did that MECHANIC adjusted your valves?

I am not a mechanic nor an expert but, could help you over the phone.

pm me your phone number.

[RoadRunner]

can anyone suggest a real VW mechanic...

Duanes German Autohaus in Langley 604-533-4502 I work on the same block as this other place and have often wondered about this shop.  :-\But my car likes Duane so much I have never tried them.

good luck!

[egspot]

can anyone suggest a real VW mechanic...

Duanes German Autohaus in Langley 604-533-4502 I work on the same block as this other place and have often wondered about this shop.  :-\But my car likes Duane so much I have never tried them.

good luck!

There you go, give him a call and your problem will be history.

[shane436]

Hey guys, thanks, I appreciate it... I will give duane a call. Please let me know if you have any sheet metal worries!...

Shane.

[hugecalves170]

I called his shop last week and he is on holidays until July 17th, if you have been calling.

[RoadRunner]

Did you ever get this resolved?

[shane436]

Hey, somewhat.  Im still working on it.   I got it running fine again but im still having carb problems (solex's), the idle slowly creeps up as it warms up and slowly starts to rev really high....  I also found out that my #2 cylinder has low compression (less then 120ish apparently its supposed to be 130+) and with some research has led me to think that I may have a crack in my head....?? im at a loss, still baffled as to how these mechanics get certified..... still pluggin away, ill get it sorted out.

with that being said can anyone let me know how to size heads so I can look for a replacement?

Thanks
Shane.