More VR6 Dilemmas

[filthyimmigrant]

Hey everyone,

My Mk3 VR6 (manual) has been conking out/stalling by itself as of late.
It drives normally, no odd noises, and once it stalls it struggles to start up again, just continuously cranks over with the oil and battery warnings flashing.

Currently I'm thinking its the fuel pump/ filter but (and it might be coincidence) when I push the key into the ignition forcefully and turn, it starts up without a problem.

ps. Is there anyway I'm able to check the fuel pump?

If anyone could help it'll be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Andrew

[filthyimmigrant]

Below is a picture of my current setup.
Not sure if it's good or not however i'd like to get some opinions.
This could be a reason as to why it's not running as it should.
Let me know what you all think.

[stefcio007]

Everything in that photo looks fine but (if I'm not mistaken) the brake fluid level is low? That's the purple stick on the bottom left right? Mine's much higher than that. I know not engine related, just wanted to point it out.
Otherwise, intake and PCV look ok.

Have you scanned it? Might give you more info.

[KI11Z]

Everything in that photo looks fine but (if I'm not mistaken) the brake fluid level is low? That's the purple stick on the bottom left right? Mine's much higher than that. I know not engine related, just wanted to point it out.
Otherwise, intake and PCV look ok.

Have you scanned it? Might give you more info.

haha, well spotted :p there is suppose to be a little rubber cap on the top to stop contaminants getting in and to stop that level stick from sticking out.....

can't help with the engine issue though

[stefcio007]

haha, well spotted :p there is suppose to be a little rubber cap on the top to stop contaminants getting in and to stop that level stick from sticking out.....

can't help with the engine issue though

oh, so mine's either missing the rubber but or it's just sitting out all the time? the more you know.

Does it stall at a specific rev? All I can think is that if it is the fuel pump like you said, it can probably keep up with supplying fuel at the low end of the scale but when anything gets higher it doesn't have enough to use?

When you say "when I push the key into the ignition forcefully and turn, it starts up without a problem" sounds like the 12V rail that powers everything when your key is in might be loose and forcing it in initially creates a better contact.
It could be coming loose temporarily while driving and causing the car stall that way?

No idea, so just throwing around ideas man.

[KI11Z]

yeh, potentially a new ignition barrel could solve your issue there. they're known to be an issue, although i've never had one fail on me. I have a spare that i'd offer you but I have it for my own sake :p

[Bug_racer]

You dont have to run the breather valve coming off the rocker cover . We dont have OBD in Australia so its a blank plug

[filthyimmigrant]

Thanks heaps everyone.
I'll take a look at the ignition section tomorrow afternoon.
Makes sense about the fuel pump, that's easily eliminated.

From my understanding the ignition section is easily accessible underneath the steering wheel. Hopefully it's as easy as it looks.

[SpeciP3]

Hey mate, two things a top of the fuel pump I would consider given it's taking so long to start again would be crank angle sensor and even try cleaning your isv if you haven't already.
A bit of reading sounds more like the sensor. Have you had fuel pressure gauge on it?

[filthyimmigrant]

You dont have to run the breather valve coming off the rocker cover . We dont have OBD in Australia so its a blank plug

Will it affect anything if I just block it off?
Do you run/have you run a Mk3 VR6 without one before?

[Bug_racer]

Will it affect anything if I just block it off?
Do you run/have you run a Mk3 VR6 without one before?

Dont block it off , just attach the filter straight off the rocker cover . I ran mine into a catch can .

[filthyimmigrant]

Update.

First of all i'd like to thank everyone for their input, I appreciate it.
Fortunately enough, it was the crank angle sensor that was mangled.
It has been replaced and the little vr6 is running well.

Cheers!