stalling 5KS

[John Larson <jdlarson@ix.netcom.com>]

Good morning. IMHO, the term "Clogged (fill in the blank)" is a term too
often used by people who watch too many gasoline commercials on tv. Too
many mechanics use it as a catchall term when they can't figure out a
problem, and too many people call me and ask about the price of getting
their injectors cleaned. Generally speaking, only cars with unusual
problems need this kind of work, and most still run, albeit poorly. To
use a "clogged fuel distributor" as a description for a problem that it
is obviously not, is a sign that this wrench hasn't much of a clue to
the way this system works. A rapid (sudden) failure of power is much
more likely to be an electrical problem, either with the ignition system
or with the power for the fuel pump or the lambda system. As it is
CIS-E, I'd look to the fuse box, the relay, and all the connections for
the 2 systems, as well as the various ground points. I'd check the hall
unit, and the coolant temp sensor for bad connections and broken wires.
The tach going dead is a STRONG clue that the ignition system is the
source of the problem, but it makes sense to check everything. A fuel
problem is going to feel like running out of gas, not like you turned
the key off. We once had a coil with poor solder connections inside the
posts on the coil, did just this same thing. How do you find something
like this? luck, and patience, and perseverance. Why did the car go 120K
miles before the problem showed up? Who knows.
I've probably sold no more than half a dozen fuel distributors since
1973, when I started working on this system, and at least 2 of them were
cases of water contamination. It's just not a problem in the better
weather states, and regularly maintained cars that see a tech every 15K
miles, should never see this problem. BTW, IMPO, 2 years is twice as
long as that fuel filter should be in your car, especially in areas
where there is MTBE in the fuel. It really cleans the fuel system and
dumps all the crap into the filter. I suggest a good quality fuel system
cleaner once a year, something like BG Products 44K, and Chevron gas or
a bottle of techron once in a while. Don't run the plugs as if you're in
a longevity contest, and ensure that the cap, rotor, and wires are
serviceable. Semi-annual checking of the O2 sensor, and regular checks
for vacuum hose and injector seals are a good idea too.
Call around, find a GOOD VW or Audi tech, trust him with your business,
and you'll save money and inconvenience in the long run. Remember, VWs
of the same vintage used almost exactly the same fuel system, and a good
VW tech could work around the minor differences if he had too.
Good luck, and remember, we're not all ignorant, greedy, grease covered,
drooling apes, many of us are pretty knowledgeable people with a good
understanding of our customer's needs and of the cars we work on.
HTH, John