Questions and Answers

Volkswagen Jetta Hard Starting Q. My daughter has a 1986 Volkswagen Jetta. It has about 230,000 kilometers (142,915 miles). In the mornings only or when sitting idle for periods of time, it seems that the car is very difficult to start. I was thinking that perhaps it wasn't getting the fuel needed. I tried a single or half pump but that seemed to flood it. (I could smell gas) Have you any expert advice you can share with me that might alleviate this problem? Please advise! Gord

A. It sounds to me like the fuel pump check valve is not sealing and allowing some of the fuel pressure to bleed out. It's a very high pressure system. 75 - 81 psi so even if it drops a little bit, it would make it hard to start. Pumping the gas pedal on a fuel injected car to help it start has no effect. All you do is move a metal plate back and forth.

Try this one morning. Turn the key to the ON position and leave it there until you hear the fuel pumps shut off. Do this four or five times then start it. If it starts right up, then it is the check valve.

Leaving a fuel pressure gauge on it over night would confirm this.