Power failure

[MickyS]

Hi, i was out in my 1990 GTII yesterday and had driven about 200 miles without a single problem with the car, then, on the way home, typically, the car just started to randomly lose power. there seemed to be no set of circumstances that caused the problem. i would get a shudder of power when the peddle was half in, but nothing if it was further in and dropping gears had all the same problems, once or twice i could coast it a bit then it would recover and drive fine for a while, other times i would stop, wait a minute, start up fine and carry on, i drove 20 miles home without a problem, but it happened maybe 4 or 5 times before this all at different intervals, some just a few minutes, others after quite a while, its a puzzle. the only thing i think may relate is my battery light coming on, i do however have another instrument above my radio that tells me the voltage in the battery and this readout is fine, 12v battery being fed 14 by the alternator, i dont know if this is just a wiring thing....? please help!

[Boumsong]

There could be an issue with the fueling? Did the engine go silent? Would it rev if the clutch was dipped?

[MickyS]

i think it may have just been dirty petrol, or me not being used to the manual choke, i just got the car on sunday and i dont think it has been run that far in one ride for a long time, took it out today and it seemed ok, fingers crossed!

[mark1gls]

If you just got the car it might be worth a look at the fuel filler neck, under the drivers side rear wheel arch and look for rust inside the pipe.
If the pipe has a hole in it, all the dirt and water throw up from the wheel goes into your petrol.


Welcome to the Scircco Register.

[the edmundator]

Broken record time...

if you don't find any crud in your fuel filter it's unlikely you've got a significant problem with dirty fuel. The manner in which the problem manifests itself is similar to a failing ignition amplifier. A new one (make sure you get the right one - there are different versions available and they're not interchangeable) will cost you around £30-£40. You might find someone with a good 2nd hand one you could try.