extreme loss of power/stalling/running like sh*t

[skribblz]

hey guys........here goes...
i am having problems with my vr v8 man which i converted from vr v6 auto. all has been great for past 6
months. until... have been giving it a thrashing lately then all of a sudden i was driving and noticed i little flat
spot in acceleration, later that day i went for a fang and was running like crap. it was like a lead had come
off so i checked everthing and all good, so i continued and noticed a little loss of power. got to my destination
and started to burn a bit of rubber (in controlled conditions) and whenever i got the car sideways it lost all
power and almost stalled. drove home, it got worse. whenever i put my foot down hard it died in the arse.
so had to baby it home, near home was backfiring and popping from engine too. now whenever i turn sharp
right it stalls and is still running like crap.
i have changed fuel pump, fuel filter, leads, plugs,coil, checked cat, checked error code and got 31 (theft
detterant missing) but dont think that has anything to do with it. mechanics have had look over too, we think
it might be electrical, any help would be grately appreciated

[hako]

The fuel return line to the fuel pump swirl pot can become detached due to mishandling when replacing FP or maybe even excess G forces when cornering. If this happen, you will lose power on corners due to no fuel in swirl pot. Maybe also the fuel filter is full of crap. Also check all vacuum lines under the bonnet especially around the throttle body. Finally try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes - if nothing else it should remove the 31 code.
Good Luck.

[skribblz]

i have had a new fuel pump installed by a good mechanic so i think he would of noticedif the return line was detached. fuel filter is new also. i will check over vacuum lines and remove the code. thanks hako

[Vee-ard]

i have had a new fuel pump installed by a good mechanic so i think he would of noticedif the return line was detached. fuel filter is new also. i will check over vacuum lines and remove the code. thanks hako

some mechanics would just get the apprentice to do this job... dont write his suggestion off so quickly, because this is what the problem sounds like to me.

[Vee-ard]

I'll refer you to this thread:

VS Berlina cutting out under power (only when Turning right)

[RX25SE]

The fuel return line to the fuel pump swirl pot can become detached due to mishandling when replacing FP or maybe even excess G forces when cornering. If this happen, you will lose power on corners due to no fuel in swirl pot. Maybe also the fuel filter is full of crap. Also check all vacuum lines under the bonnet especially around the throttle body. Finally try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes - if nothing else it should remove the 31 code.
Good Luck.

i have had a new fuel pump installed by a good mechanic so i think he would of noticedif the return line was detached. fuel filter is new also. i will check over vacuum lines and remove the code. thanks hako

some mechanics would just get the apprentice to do this job... dont write his suggestion off so quickly, because this is what the problem sounds like to me.

I agree. I replaced my fuel pump (I've done plenty) and upset the return line to the swirl pot. Had to replace the tank.

Have a read of the post Vee-ard suggested.

[VrWagz1]

Sounds like you got an elctrical problem, the only thing i cant see on your list is the dizzy. I would be going for that.

[Big Dazza91]

Yep probebly the fuel. deffinatley check swirl pot and filter again. mite have got some crap fuel or something.
cheers dayle

[skribblz]

i have just removed the tank to get a real good look in it and return line is fine. there is a fair bit of dirty fuel/water so im guessing thats what the problem will be. when the car is sideways the water and dirty fuel gets picked up causing the stalling and running like sh*t. would yous all agree? i will be changing the fuel filter again is there anything else i should change due to water in the fuel system? thanks for all the help, hopefully this is the problem

[greenacc]

just clean out the tank and change the filter and fingers crossed it will go like a new one. If your really unlucky and crap got past the filter you could have a few blocked injectors but i doubt it. As for water it will just get flushed out with the fuel and should not cause any trouble. You could throw a bottle of injector cleaner into your next tank too.

[skribblz]

well i drained the tank over night, changed filter, put the tank back on (filler hose bit was a bit frustrating), filled her up with some injector cleaner and its like new again just as you said greenacc. thanks heaps for all the input, if it wasnt for yous and this website i would of been shagged. cheers