[Vwdiesel] was: insulating your fuel filter ...

[Scott Kair]

>
>   The A2 bodies have a water seperator where the gasser's fuel pump
is,
> near the RR wheel.  Even the dealer didn't know it existed on mine.
They
> kept trying to sell me a fuel filter when I went in for a new cap
for the
> water
> seperator.  Took about a half hour and a patient parts man to
finally find
> it.
> They were getting REALLY testy with me up until then.  Mine had at
least
> a quart of water in it.
>      Loren


    The separator is located strategically so as to get coated with as
much ice and slush as possible.  Also, the cap works well until you
use it.  Then, having turned brittle, it cracks when you turn it and
all your fuel starts dribbling out.
    I'd have to agree with Loren, that there's probably an ice cube
somewhere.  Since the separator is something of a classified device,
I'd check it first, especially if it's never been drained.  Warm it up
and clean it as thoroughly as possible first.  (Ceramic heater on the
garage floor?)  Check around your trunk.  If you're very lucky, you
might find a tube and plastic sack that looks like a colostomy bag-
that's the OE kit for draining the separator cleanly.  Naturally, any
ice cubes have to be thawed to drain.
    Finally, I've never had to try it, but Power Kleen makes a product
called "Diesel 911," in a red quart jug.  It's advertised as an
instant melt for gelled fuel.  I suspect that it's mostly alcohol,
which isn't great for your engine, but it claims that it will get you
home.
    Dicey fuel will make an engine run funny and rob power, but
shouldn't kill it completely unless it's mostly water.  Have you ruled
out cracks in fuel lines letting air in?
    HTH,
    Scott Kair