1988 VW Cabriolet, after engine hot will run rough and die when acclerating
Asked by spikethedog Jan 11, 2012 at 02:53 PM about the 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
When engine cold I can rev to 5000 rpm and upshift and the engine will kee pulling. When hot when I rev to 5000 rpm and shift the engine dies and after a few seconds will start to run again. If the car didn't have an electric fuel pump at the gas tank I would think it was vapor lock. Any ideas?
11 Answers
what kind of fuel injection do you have? it seems to me that you have a problem with the fuel pump maybe or the ignition system.
spikethedog answered 12 years ago
The fuel injection is the CIS type. The car seems to run fine at highway speeds, if I get in stop and go traffic or slow down on side roads the engine will buck and die. On restart with the acclerator depressed it will start hard and die when I release the accrelator. If the car sits for 15 minutes it will start and run fine at highway speeds. But die in traffic.
the first thing you need to check is the fuel pressure and fuel filter, if the pressure is below 5bar and the fuel filter is not clogged the fuel pump must be checked or replaced. in the cis system there is also a fuel pressure accumulator you need to check that too if the pressure is low before changing the pump. If the pressure is ok you will have to check the fuel distribuitor and the fuel injectors. you can check the injector pulling them out and look at their spray pattern.
spikethedog answered 12 years ago
Thank you hector. I won't be able to get to the car for a little while. What baffles me is that the problem is intermittent.
that is odd, but could be the regulator or the fuel pump maybe after is running for a little while, i have had those cases in rare occasions. Maybe it can be an electrical issue.
spikethedog answered 12 years ago
HI Hector, I finally figured out my '88 Cabriolet. The transfer fuel pump in the gasoline tank would give up after it had run awhile. Replaced it today and all seems fine. Thank you for your help. Spike
I have an 88 cabi EXACTLY SAME PROBLEM spent LOTS OF MONEY AND TIME. ANSWER REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP IN THE TANK. I GARENTEE $58.00 and all perfect 5 min. To replace
Sorry I was to late I just joined and saw UR prob. But glad to see u got it enjoy I do every day. 88 cabi AZUR model only 580 built for Norrh America
If it wasn't the fuel pump it would otherwise be the Coil as that has the exact same symptoms.
Hello guys I have a 88 also it was running great when I got the car and drove it home I stopped and put 20 in gas 93 octane and drove it for a little while it's started running rough like it was sucking air or starving for gas the guy I got it from replaced the fuel pump plugs and wires starter and batt. I got in the car the next day and it will idle great but when u push the gas it runs really rough u take ur foot off the gas and it idles back great any ideas?
