After stripping and servicing the K-Jet and WUR - still no joy - so went back to the start.
Swapped the relays so that the pumps ran constantly, and there was nothing from the lift pump! OK, one new Pierburg and some straight pipe instead of the 'silencer for vibration', a little bit of cranking later, fuel from the filter! Ah yes, forgot to tighten that up during investigation phase
I could have sworn I had heard it before, the rear seat has been off for the whole investigation, and I know I tested for power. Hmmm, not sure. Well, all good learning!
I did pop my endoscope into the tank, as well as a good bright light to have a poke about, not much in the way of rust there or flakes, but will find a good strong magnet to collect the odd bit of metal-rich rust that might still be attracted
It fires, ran nicely, very smooth, got up to temperature, and still started when hot and allowed to cool - not taking anything for granted, so will check again when I am back in my barn next weekend.
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A huge thank you for the contributions to this thread, and for the learning opportunity I got from stripping down the k-jet system.
So, what's next? Cambelt time! Gates kit ordered, new Gates Aux belt, full service (will try and find some Quantum oil as there's no VW dealer near me), near rear brake flexis and then for an MOT.
This 88,000 mile car has had 3 cambelts already, I have done 2 of them, but I have also done fewer than 800 miles since the last one in 2015 - something I need to remedy!
Ah yes, pop a VW Gamma radio/cassette player in to replace the Panasonic CD player I put in around '06; all for that authentic
look - assuming it works!