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[terry big timber]

Good Morning. I am a newbie and I have bought a 3.2 2002 ex police car on 140k miles.

I have 'kangaroo' petrol symptoms which are intermittent. At its best it is a little bit jerky at low revs and it feels fine at high revs. At worst, it is very very jerky.
I have changed the in line filter and this seems to have removed the worst symptoms but its still a bit lumpy.

Vauxhall dealer cant find anything because I have no lights reporting a fault.

Would appreciate advice as to what to attack next

[hotel21]

Not 100% but could be a sticking set of butterflys/throttle bodies on the intake system that need a good cleaning to get rid of built up crud.

Good that the fuel filter has made some difference, so its sounds like the fuel delivery side of things, less than electrical.

[Mr Skrunts]

If changeing the filter has made a big difference, then I would be tempted to run the tank down to as low as you dare in the red ad with the low fuel light on.  There should be nomore than 2 gallons left in.

I would then take the outlet pipe off the fuel filter aand add a length of pipe long enough to put in the petrol filler neck.

My theory would be to try and circulate the fuel whilst filtering it, check the filter before starting and during.  When done put annother new filter on and then go fill up at a different petrol staion with a gallon or 2 to see if there is a difference.

The problem of course could be something different, it could be a combination of things, maybe an air leak some where or a tiny pin hole in the fuel line some where.  Whats the economy like.

But as I say I picked up on the info regards your filter change.  my idea might be a bit extreme so maybe an option if other members feel you may have some craap in your tank.  

[feeutfo]

vx talking rubbish is you ask me, i had 3 codes in myn (missfires) and no lights on the dash. Try the pedal trick listed under paper clip test in maintenance section and see if that shows a code. It may not or you may get the phone book, but it is free and wont hurt. bare in mind tho that it does not record when the fault occured, so it would have been nice if vx had looked and then cleared any codes, then if it reoccurers you know its relates to a current fault, if any.

But as said, does sound fuel related to me, as you  suspect. Wonder 'how' it cuts out. Is it all or nothing like an on off switch or a drop in power for a  moment as if some fuel is getting through still ?
Does it have a full service history? Fuel filter should be changed accordingly obviously. Did any muc come out of the inlet on the old filter when tipped up? Have seen posts relating to fuel injection rail wiring shorts, may be worth a look at wiring.

[VXL V6]

Check the fuel pump cover plate hasn't corroded.

There is a guide on here.

EDIT, found it:- http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1186065848

[terry big timber]

Thanks for that advice. I will give it a go.

[Big_Roger]

Hi,
I would clean all the breather system, and take off the throttle butterfly unit and give that a good clean as well. I'll bet you find masses of crap around where the breathers feed into the pre throttle side of the butterfly valves.

When I did mine for the first time, I was surprised that the butterflies could move with all the buid up around them. took about 3 tins of Wynns carb cleaner and a lot of elbow grease.  Try not to let any cleaner get into the motor unit on the side of the butterfly spindle.

I would also check that the small vacuum hose from the bottom of the throttle assembly to the fuel pressure regulator on the injector feed pipe is in place and the rubber elbow is not split of perished.

Mine is the first DBW car I have driven, and to be honest, I don't think you get the same feeling as a throttle cable. You need to get used to it.
After a while it's no problem.

There is one particular stretch of roads I use frequently, and involves a wait at traffic lights, then a sharp left turn and accelerate up a hill.
I find after the accelerate round the bend then the ease off throttle when up to speed going up the hill gives a sort of kangaroo effect to me.

I am very happy with my ex plod. It may not have all the toys of the more prestigeous versions, but still great value for money, and that big white bonnet coming up behind them can still put the frighteners on a few errant characters!!!

Roger  

[terry big timber]

You've given me a bit of work there Roge. I will report back

[hotel21]

Terry - thanks for the PM.  Glad you got it sorted.....  

[Kevin Wood]

As said, VX are having a laugh. Computer says there's no problem so it's in your imagination I guess?

Do the engine management lights work (light with spanner and light with engine symbol) when ignition is first switched on?

If so, read the codes as described. Many faults don't cause the light to come on.

In addition to the checks mentioned, have a look in the spark plug wells just in case the cam covers have leaked.

If that's all to no avail, given the fuel filter made a difference, I wonder if it's worth getting the injectors cleaned and the flow pattern checked and also checking the fuel pressure. If contaminated fuel has been an issue, some may have got past the filter, especially if the filter has got badly clogged and ruptured.

Kevin

[hotel21]

Chap told me that things now appear fine, after cleaning the throttle bodies which were really manky and hard baked with crud...  

[Kevin Wood]

All's well that ends well.  

Kevin

[JamesV6CDX]

Chap told me that things now appear fine, after cleaning the throttle bodies which were really manky and hard baked with crud...  

A real reminder that I need to to mine properly