Re: sniff sniff

[Mike <mike@padd.press.net>]

On Tue, 1 Apr 1997, Phil Payne wrote:

> In message <Pine.SUN.3.91.970401094040.10626A-100000@marjoram.compnews.co.uk> Mike writes:
> 
> > engine. Does this rule out the fuse problem with the ECU?
> 
> If it will run at all, yes.
>  
> Have you tried spinning it on the starter for five seconds and then pulling the 
> codes (without turning the ignition off, natch)?

Might be a bit of a problem that one, a) I don't know how to pull the 
codes, and b) I doubt I have the equipment to do so :-(
  
> Lifting the plate provides mechanical fuel enrichment.  If it won't run from 
> cold without the plate lifted, there are a few ideas.  Favourite still has to 
> be a complete failure of the control pressure regulator (a.k.a. warm-up valve) 
> which is putting system pressure onto the top of the fuel distributor plunger.  

According to my friend (who has the car in his garage at the moment), the  
metal plate inside the Air Mass Density sensor is too stiff. In a book he 
has (I don't know which one), it says something about the plate being 
able to move up and down quite easily, which mine does not at the moment. 
Either "the plunger" has some dirt on it, or the distributor is, want for 
a better word, "shagged."
I now presume from what you say, that this 'resistance to movement` could 
be caused by the warm-up valve?
 
> I've got a dead one here that has failed in the _other_ direction - applying 
> too _little_ pressure - that you could swap in if you feel like trying.
  
Thanks, I'll see what develops later on today first

> I've forgotten how serious your manipulations were - how did all this start?
> 
The car was on my drive, with engine running, I'd just been to pick up my 
friend about 10 miles away. No problems. I needed a 30 Amp fuse for the 
Air Con/Fan Heater etc, because it had blown. Anyway as I left my house, 
it started to miss and loose power. It got gradually worse over the next 
mile, but I managed to get the car home. The engine was still running, 
but would not rev up.
It was turned off for about 2 hours, while I did a full wash and colour 
magic, and it never started again.

If it does turn out to be the fuel distributer, then I claim its been on 
its way out for some time. Ala: loosing power at random times, but worse 
of all, the engine used to fire up on the flick of the key first time 
every time, but then I had a fuel leak, which was fixed at the Audi/VW 
garage about 3 months ago. Ever since then, its always had to turn over 
about 5 times before it would run both hot and cold start.
Another interesting note, is that my average MPG has gone up from 24.x to 
26.x over the last 2/3 weeks. Now that might be down to the novelty of 
the car wearing off, but I doubt it :-)


Michael Burton
Systems Administrator, PA Data Design
===========================================================================
4 Wheels - Audi Quattro - 88 Model	UK Audi Quattro Owners Club
2 Wheels - Suzuki RG500 - 88 Model	Might be able to insure it one day
4 Legs   - Dexter			He's a funky kind of horse
2 Legs   - Shanks Pony                  Last resort
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