First breakdown....Well sort of!

[DJ8226]

Gentlemen of the forum your thoughts on my glitch today...read on please

Lovely day so fancied a run round in the S. Went to local Tesco to fill up, as I knew she was low on fuel, low was a bit of an understatments as when I pulled in it stuttered a little which it never does so I dipped the clutch and coasted to the pumps. Filled up with super unleaded and went to start her up it fired and ticked over but wouldn't rev, feathered the throttle but as soon as the clutch was raised it started to faulter. Let it free wheel away from the pumps and kept feathering but it would not go above 1000rpm and was a bit spluttery with a bit of popping too, it eventually died. Went to restart her and it just span over, put my foot hard down but nothing. Assumed it had ran out of petrol and I needed to get some fresh fuel to the explosive end. Remembered what Norman said about the schraeder valve under the bonnet on the fuel rail. Thought I will check that to see if fuel pump is pressuring the system. Fuel pumps is new and was whirring so was sure it was fuel starvation from running out. Remembered the rag to cover the valve to stop fuel going all over but alas couldn't find the valve so that was the end of that. Do S3's have one ? Anyway couldn't find it so sat for a few minutes to ponder Thought its got to be fuel starvation so went back to trying to start her, after about ten attempts some with throttle some without and the concern of the battery running flat due to all the starter action it eventually fired but still the same as before very spluttery!!! but as least it was running. Feathered the throttle and got the revs up to 2000rpm then a little higher and a lttle higher then at 3000rpm finally it roared into life Took it back home and all seemed fine so went for a run for the next 40 mins and it ran like a dream.

Your thoughts please - did it simply run out of fuel and needed to purge itself of air ?

Does it have a shraeder valve and if so where is it located ?


One things for sure wont be letting it get that low again

The fuel Gauge does work but does have flippy moments so don' trust it.

As always all advice / comments appreciated.

Damon

[pie2k1]

Sorry to hear you're having trouble with the S Damon. At a guess, and from the symptoms you describe, (and the fact that the car is back up and running as normal) I'd agree that it was probably due to a lack of fuel at the engine end. Hopefully something that simple anyway!

My S3 does have a bleed/purge valve on the fuel rail, although it was sticking when I tried to de-pressurise the system recently:


LH side of the engine nearest the camera, valve just above the injector to the right of image.

And with the engine in one piece (valve circled):

[Barkychoc]

[steve j]

Barkychoc said:

A classic scene

[Donnysoutherner]

I'd say you just picked up some dirty fuel out of the bottom of a very old tank. Never good to get really low on fuel but we've all done it! If it's running well now best leave well alone!

[Gerald-TVR]

[DJ8226]

Thanks guys will go and have a look, I must need my eyes testing not to have seen it. As for the classic scene your on the money with the that one. That made me smile

[Barkychoc]

It was probably a combination of dirt and lack of fuel - if it doesn't resurface I'd leave it alone and enjoy

[DJ8226]

Hi all found the schraeder valve. Not going to tamper with it but how does it work as it appears to have a flat on the end of it and then a valve cap behind it as in the pictures you all kindly posted. Access when I looked wasn't great as car is in the garage. Does it just pull off or does it twist off ? TIA Damon.

[pie2k1]

The cap just unscrews like a normal valve cap, although you're right - it does have a flat moulded on the end. Once off, it's just a normal brass coloured valve underneath.

[Gerald-TVR]

Just unscrew the cap and depress the valve nbelow BUT cover the valve with rag as petrol WILL spray everywhere

[phillpot]

A select few cars had the de-luxe cap

[DJ8226]

Cheers guys looks like the flat is get your pliers on if its tight. Phillpot the cap on yours thats a nice touch!!
Forgot to say once I sorted it out and went for my run out as its been the first good drive in a while, I got her up to high revs and boy was I grinning like a daft kid, did think to myself if this is the V6 what on earth is the V8 like!! Love the car and although its not the fastest car I have ever owned or driven boy does it have character and style and the noise is soooooooooooooooo addictive