Losing Acceleration after 1/2 tank of gas

20

Asked by 2016GTIGeorgia Feb 19, 2018 at 10:07 AM about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T SE 4-Door FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Just purchased a 2016 GTI 2months ago in Early December. A Tuner was
already installed on the vehicle. Car has never been under 1/2 tank of gas
since I bought it. Driving down the interstate, after going tick under a 1/2
tank, the car loses acceleration, the gas pedal does not work, and the car
slows down, until the gas pedal begins to work again when pressed and the
car takes off.  This ONLY HAPPENS when the car is under 1/2 tank of gas.  
It has happened on three separate occasions now. Right after the car goes
below a 1/2 tank this begins to happen intermittently. Stop and fill the vehicle
up passed the 1/2 tank mark and the car acts as if nothing has happened.
No EPC light. No Check engine. No Code.

7 Answers

20

It's under a limited warranty through the dealer that I got it from, but not under warranty by VW. We are taking it Thursday to see if they can diagnose the issue, just didn't know if there was something we could lead them towards. We figured it had *something* to do with the fuel pump, but it only has 20k miles on it and the previous owner states he had no issues with the vehicle.

2 people found this helpful.

Just a guess here but maybe there is a gas tank venting issue that is not throwing a code. If the pump is trying to draw fuel against a vacuum it could cause the problem you have. When you open the gas cap does it suck air in?

1 people found this helpful.
20

Im guessing this would be an audible thing? Not that I have noticed but maybe I need to pay more attention? It is just over a half a tank at the moment. Should the car be on or off when I listen for it?

Clearly the less noise the easier to hear air being sucked into the tank.

20

I am going to try it later when I get off of work. Theoretically speaking, what if I do or do not hear it?

If you hear a sucking sound when the tank is low on gas there is a venting problem. The next step would be to check out the EVAP system.

20

Took it to VW in Columbus, Georgia after the Autonation dealership we bought it (and the extended warranty) from said they wouldn't touch it because its a VW and not a jeep/dodge/Ram. After inspecting the car, they duplicated the issue with no problem. Apparently there is a molded piece within the fuel tank that has become warped and overheats the fuel pump after the tank hits a 1/2 full. They also observed that there were lines inside the tank and outside of the tank that had rubbed and become sheared and damaged. Solution: a whole new fuel tank with fuel pump. Covered under the warranty and honored by VW

Your Answer:

Golf GTI

Looking for a Used Golf GTI in your area?

CarGurus has 592 nationwide Golf GTI listings starting at $6,898.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    case
    Reputation
    2,590
  • #2
    sactocharlie56
    Reputation
    1,620
  • #3
    Nathan Brooks
    Reputation
    1,130
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Volkswagen Golf R
13 Great Deals out of 362 listings starting at $16,390
Used Volkswagen Golf
38 Great Deals out of 545 listings starting at $4,495
Used Volkswagen Jetta GLI
3 Great Deals out of 214 listings starting at $8,990
Used BMW 3 Series
63 Great Deals out of 1,233 listings starting at $3,995
Used Honda Civic
186 Great Deals out of 4,226 listings starting at $2,499
Used Ford Mustang
54 Great Deals out of 1,606 listings starting at $6,200
Used Subaru WRX
18 Great Deals out of 369 listings starting at $10,995
Used Mazda MAZDA3
89 Great Deals out of 1,278 listings starting at $2,966
Used Volkswagen Jetta
80 Great Deals out of 1,952 listings starting at $2,495
Used Audi S3
5 Great Deals out of 128 listings starting at $12,950
Used Honda Civic Type R
4 Great Deals out of 59 listings starting at $30,787
Used Honda Accord
53 Great Deals out of 1,019 listings starting at $2,995
Used BMW M3
3 Great Deals out of 81 listings starting at $15,850
Used Lexus IS
29 Great Deals out of 400 listings starting at $5,400
Used Ford Focus
19 Great Deals out of 547 listings starting at $2,499

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.