81 Rabbit crawls and then sputters to a stop

[tkisling]

Hi guys, i was driving my 81 Rabbit 1.6 diesel today and it sputtered to a stop when I puled into a store. When i left, it went a ways down the road and kept going real slow and then dying. Well I got it home and am puzzled on where to start. I'm pretty sure its a fuel system problem. The guy I bought it from said it had back feeding issues with the fuel pump (I told him I didn't think diesels like this had a separate fuel pump besides the injector pump) so he attached a boat motor primer container to the line going to the fuel filter. Could this be an issue of back feeding? The car also seemed to idle a a faster speed than my other 81 rabbit 1.6.

Where should I start?

[theman53]

fuel filter would be my 1st priority. my 81 did the same thing. I went through about 1 a week for 4 to 5 weeks before it sorted itself out.

[tkisling]

In fact I was just going to get a fuel filter at Oreilly today. I think I will try that.  It had sat for 3 years with fuel in it.

[tkisling]

I replaced the fuel filter and got the car to run. But the car idles rough then smooths out and then roughens and dies. Same thing happens when I drive the car, It'll accelerate then slowly lose power and die. What should i do next?

[burn_your_money]

Check the intank pre-screen. Do you have a vacuum gauge you can hook up to the fuel supply just before the pump?

[tkisling]

where is the intake where  can check the pre screen.

[tkisling]

Oops were you you saying the pre screen in the fuel tank.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

" the pre screen in the fuel tank "

Yep.

On a Rabbit - you can remove the lower back seat - and there is an access plate (i think its round). Remove the plate, and you are right on top of the fuel sender gizmos.

Clean that area good, and then remove the sender carefully from the tank. Then you'll see what needs what.
Would get that old fuel out of it too.

[tkisling]

How do I remove the lowerback seat?

[burn_your_money]

On a rabbit you just unhook the seat and fold it forwards I think. It's been too long

[Baron VonZeppelin]

I'm shooting from the hip too ......
last one i did was a few years ago in a boneyard.

Can't remember for sure really if the access plate is under the bottom of the seat or in the hatch area behind the seat ...
but its a small car and you'll find it sooner than later.

Try this on the lower cushion of the rear seat - if you don't find the access plate in the hatch area under some carpet. Its about 4" round plate. Hellll it might square ... lol
but it comes off the sheetmetal flooring with a few screws.

Move the front seats to full forward for extra work room.
At the bottom portion of the rear seat cushion - where the seat meets the carpet - push in on the bottom (like you were going to push it to the tailites) - then tug it upwards.

There are J-hooks under the front section (1 on each side) that hold it secured. So push back - pull up. One side - then the other.
You'll be able to tell when each side is unhooked.
Don't try to "Just MAKE IT COME OUT By Dang" or you'll twist/bend the seat frame crooked.

[Baron VonZeppelin]

Or it might have hinges you can see at the front bottom of the seat. If it does - Then it unhooks in the crack somewhere and you fold it forward. lol

Do you have 2 of these cars now ?
Or is this the same one you did the brakes on ?

[tkisling]

alright i GOT THE SEAT OFF AND HAVE THE COVER FOR THE SENDER OFF. i HAVE UNPLUGGED THE harness for the sender. So I am am assuming the screen is under the sender.

[tkisling]

I am at the stage of removing the sender. How do i accomplish this?

here's a pix

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6181/img0974n.jpg

[theman53]

Nope, you are at the stage of cleaning. Clean it and when you are done you can take a screwdriver and use it to turn the metal tags like a nut counter clockwise I believe. It is threaded and the only one I did was a gasser and you only have a little bit with them until the O ring that seals that connection swells. After it swells you will have a hard time using it without cutting it. Diesel maybe different though. Once the ring is off you should be able to pull the sender with the gauge and all up and out.