VR6 running problems- water leak, overfuelling, not starting

[hodaz 0]

Hi Guys,

Just bought my 1994 VR6 a couple of weeks ago and having a few running problems. I've had a look through the search function, and can't really find anything thats a solid answer.

The problems with the car are;

-Water leak (will try and trace this at the weekend) Also tends to kick a bit of white smoke out the back when starting from cold

-Hesitant starting (intermitent, doesnt seem to matter if hot or cold)

-Suspect overfuelling? Car runs lumpy at low revs.

 

The strange thing is though is that it runs fine once its going, and still goes like a rocket at higher revs. The fuel pump relay and fuel pump have just been replaced. Also been told by previous owner that it has a Neuspeed thermostat and fan switch if that makes any odds.

 

Obviously the first things to do are find the water leak (hopefully something simple) and I'm going to change the ignition switch to see if this has any effect on the starting problems. Could this be why its struggling to start? The car definately seems like it overfuelling, and I noticed that in the service history for the car that it has been superchipped at some point in its life, could this cause the overfuelling since the mixture etc is controlled from the ECU? Can i just remove the Superchip easily enough, or will it need to go back to a specialist to be setup again?

 

To be honest the engine is running too nice to suspect that anything major is wrong with it, the oil is still nice and clean, and no mayo etc. But the next thing I'll do is replace all the plugs (anc check condition of old ones to see if it has any clues on fuelling issues), fuel filter, oil, oil filter, and obviously replace all the coolant with genuine VW G12 once I've sourced the leak. Would it be worth doing a compression test aswell just to make sure everything is as it should be? Any other pointers?

[hodaz 0]

Leak was the Aux Recirc Pump, so going to fit new pump and put new G12 coolant in ASAP, any advice about the Superchip fuelling issue?

[Adz The Rat 0]

Its always had the hesitant starting ever since I bought it, but like you say it always starts first time. I just got used to it. The starter motor looked pretty new when I bought it so probably not that.

 

Are you enjoying the car??

My mrs really misses it, she hates my new Golf haha

[Walesy 0]

Could the over-fuelling be down to the low temp stat and switch? Personally i'd remove them and replace them with OE parts ASAP regardless

[hodaz 0]

I have been really enjoying it Adz, the fuel pump has just been replaced, and the hesitant starting was just the ignition switch. The car seems to be running much better since I took the cone filter off and replaced it with the standard airbox with a K+N panel filter. I think it was so far back in the engine bay it just sucking in hot air and making it run "lumpy" at low revs. I dont think the car is overfuelling TBH. Its nearly running mint now, once I get the recirc pump done it should be sorted.

 

In response to above if the car is overfuelling I might try and chnage the fan switch/thermostat back to OE items if its not sorted.

[Adz The Rat 0]

Yea I had that problem when I had my Astra GSI, the cone sucked in too much hot air

[hodaz 0]

Yeah its running so much better now. Cost about £300 worth of parts (fuel pump, fuel filter, ignition switch, airbox/filter, both water pumps, drive belt, coolant flush filled back up with geuine G12, oil and oil filter, spark plugs, temp. sender, heater selextor and resistor) and a few weekends labour its very nearly back to its best. The engine with the Miltek exhaust on sounds absolutely gorgeous too now the cone filter is gone :D

My girlfriend has been using it as her daily driver and absolutely loving it.