8v Passat dangerous power problem!

Greetings!

I have recently bought a Passat 1.8 Estate.
Shes very clean with no leaks and a long MOT.
197k on the clock but going ok except for......

OK,I know shes heavy and only a 1.8,but maaan this is dangerous when overtaking,and embarrassing!

Its like theres a blockage or restriction of fuel or air.Perhaps a leak??
The hoses from the engine seem to be coolant hoses,no breathers.Is that correct?

Is this a common problem on this engine.
Also what would the engine code be.Shes a 1996,what looks like single point fuel injection.

Cheers
Steve

when was it last serviced?

is it definately injection or is it carbed?

This is not normal My 1.8 8v could cruise at 100 and do over 90 in third. There will be a sticker in the service book with engine code etc. and another under the boot carpet, think all passats after 92 were injection as they had a cat fitted best to go to someone who really knows the 8v engines normal problems are with isv and coolant sensors but it doesnt sould like thats the problem in your case. Im sure they will be able to work it out.

What sort of passat is?

Gotta be a B4 Mark pretty sure they never built an 8v b5

Didn't they do a 1.8t? Or it could be a b3 I suppose

Hi guys!

Cheers for your input there...

Shes a 96/N B4 Variant.
Engine code is ADZ.

SteveCat wrote:

Hi guys!

Cheers for your input there...

Shes a 96/N B4 Variant.Oddly,people keep expressing the preference to tell me to slam it
Nien Nien!


OK,the fuel gauge reads soooo far off the scale its round and touching the temp gauge.The temp gauge doesnt read high enough.Im told a £12 dash voltage regulator from VAG will sort this.
Also,its been suggested that the earth for the fuel sender isnt earthing.So,Ive pulled each wire off and grounded it,but it only makes the gauge go down a bit then it returns to its old ways after a day or two.
Anyway,thats not going to make the car like an asthmatic ant is it????Hmmm

You have been told right on the voltage reg fix that first see if the sender is still a problem
and errrrr NO
For what it costs i would fit a new fuel filter first ... its at the back by the tank see if that helps also check all the vacuum hoses they perish.

Ah thanks man!

Vacuum hoses....where are these???

I did suddenly realise something which turned out to be worth checking today.
On my Audi Coupe V6,I had a lack of power problem just the same.Except then,I had the money to change the parts first but it was still slow.
Anyway,I checked this same thing on my Passat,and yep...it was also miles out of adjustment.
Its called the ummmm......throttle cable..cough.
It was slacker than a hookers foo foo!

Still not running right but at least I can safely accelerate now.

Hey just wanted to thank you guys for your help.

I noticed that the dipstick guide was in several pieces.

Its not making a proper air tight seal.

Am I correct in thinking this would make the engine run very gutless??

I've ordered a new OEM one off ebay.Delivered £1.45 seemed worth it anyway!

Steve

Having a broken dipstick guide tube wont reduce power but it sometimes causes an uneven idle.

Make sure that when you fit the new guide tube that you push it all the way home so it 'clicks' on or you will pull it off first time you attempt to remove the dipstick.

A new fuel filter will certainly aid your lack of power issue, these are often overlooked in services and its surprising how much difference it will make.

When you remove the old filter empty the filter onto some clean kitchen roll
(empty it out of the end nearest to the pump) this is so you can inspect the contents.

if you see brassy looking slithers of metal then your pump is on its way to dying.
This would also explain your lack of power (no fuel pressure)

I hope this helps.

Cheers Guy!

I havent been under my car yet.

Are the fuel pumps bolted to the floor on these or in-tank??

My Audi 200 Turbo ones in tank and was a total arse to sort out!!

Steve

Its a canister inline filter in front of the tank not in it, dead easy to do....

Look just in front of the osr wheel arch, you'll see the filter and pump staring you in the face.

Brill cheers for your support.

Im fully "into" my Passat now,and back up to my usual speed.

Shouldnt be asking any more "could you wipe my ass for me" style questions anymore





My last car blew up shortly before I joined and it blew my mind,hence asking for all this extra help.

So,now I can bond with the car and learn it proper!

Cheers
Steve.

There are no stupid questions. There may be stupid answers though.

It costs nothing to ask, better to ask and feel a little silly than keep quiet and it cost you lots of cash.

Liking the Thema, alot !!

I've had a few Lancias over the years one monte carlo and one volumex. I even met the man who wrote the book on them, Guy Croft.

Hi Guy!

Ah yeah Guy isnt all that far away from us is he,in Lincoln.

Im on his forum too.

Urgh,this bloody fuel filter doesnt have normal unions/fittings.

Its flippin one-use jubilee clips on the hoses.
Got under it today,in the rain,still couldnt finish the job due to no jubilee clips in stock!

I just want to see if its that which is making her so lame!

Oh well,I shall report to Stalag 13 tomorrow once I've been under the Ship again!!

Good chance to detail my wheelarches I guess!