Low on gas, No boost???

[95EagleT]

Hello, I'm been a member here for awhile, just haven't posted a lot. I just picked up my 3rd DSM, first 5sd AWD. I'm definetly still a little green.

I've got a 95 TSi AWD, mostly stock. The fuel system is stock. So heres my concern. It has happened twice now and I'm not sure as to the cause. With it being a nice day I go out for a drive. My fuel gauge was reading between 1/4- 1/2, and I was at op temp. I tried to boost and the car bogged down, spittin and a sputterin. I let off and it drove perfect. While "trying" to boost the (cheap) a/f gauge was red, in the lean area, usually it's green. Not getting fuel?? I went and put $41 of 93,(filled it up) in it and half a mile later it boosts again. So I guess my question is, is it normal for these cars not to boost while low on gas?? I read in another thread, guys have had the fuel light on while at the track. I'm curious to see if what is happening is normal.

BTW, I look forward to sharing all my future problems with everyone, the few weeks I've had this car, as fun as it's been, I can forsee something always needing to be done.

 

[Dsmkauai]

It's deffinetly not normal bro. Do you get a cel light on when it happens? Sounds like it could be a fault fuel pressure regulator, but could be a few different things. Try running a can of seafoam thru the fuel system and also just to be on the safe side do a boost leak test.

 

[95GSXtilldeath]

check the fuel filter, take it off and pour clean fuel through it backwards into a proper recepticle. if it comes out anything but clean replace it. Also, now that they mix ethanol in with gas it is not a good idea to run down past 1/4 tank. ethonal tends to sink to the bottom of the tank is picks up more water and impurities than gas and can damage engines. This was a big problem with boats when they first started mixing it in with gas. It also makes less energy than gas to if your engine is getting more than the 10% it can cause it to bog. A clogged filter can also burn out your fuel pump.

 

[boostwut]

like any other car performance or not you should take care of the maintenance first like mentioned on the guidelines that means tune up and all filters changed just to start with... you probably have a bad pump filter and or a vac line somewhere that happens to trigger at the same time. do your service .

 

[ShizzySupra]

Follow everyone's advice but also chuck your "cheap a/f" gauge in the garbage. it only reads narrowband and is essentially useless.

 

[95EagleT]

Thanks for the replies guy. I'm waiting to work on it, I don't wanna mess with a full tank of gas, I made that mistake already with a fuel sender seal. If I do it, I wanna do it in one day. The snow and wind here don't help either. I will, repost when I get it figured out. Thanks again.