I have a 99 vw passat v6 with 110000mi. about 6 months to a year ago (as I look back) I started to have an occasional problem starting the vehicle and had to grind the starter for 15 to 30 seconds for it to start. As I became more and more aware of this only occasional problem I realized it only happened right after I filled my car with gas...no other time ever.
What happens is I fill the car and when I try to start it the car starts for about a quarter of a second and stops. I then have to grind the starter to get the vehicle started. It appears not to be getting gas immediately and I do not press the gas at all (maybe I should try that?).
My mechanic said that the pump in the gas pan may be getting hot if I let the gas go very low and that it may be having an issue with cooler gas being put on it. He suggested I try filling up with only a quarter of a tank down. I did that and the problem still occurs. I have tried just stopping and opening the tank and not putting in any gas but the problen does not occur.
Any clue what is going on here?
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Answers by: Hurricane
It could be crude in your fuel tank, when you put fuel in it after it gets low the crude floats up and clogs the filter screen on your fuel pump, starving the engine of gas until it sits and the crude drops off the screen back into the bottom of your tank.
It may happen less if you don't let the tank get below half full before putting more in.
You may end up having to have your fuel tank cleaned out.
BTW, stay away from junky gas, with recent gas prices I have seen many people screw filters and stuff up by scrapping up lawnmower gas and rotten gas out of junk cars and putting it in their cars. Its not worth the repairs to save a couple of bucks by trying to burn garbage in a car.