Collective Wisdom Required - car poblem i can't figure out

[Boba Fatt]

So i'm out in the car today, been sitting in traffic for about 20 minutes not going anywhere. All of a sudden, engine just stops.

No shudder, no noise, no whimper or shake, just stops......try to start again, won't start.

Push it for about 100 yards, try the engine again, starts on the first turn.

Drive about 20 yards, pull up behinds some stationary traffic, runs ok for another 5 minutes......then stops.

Push it off the road, starts after about 5 minutes, able to drive it to a road end to get it off the main road, sits ticking over for about 10 minutes no problems. Switch off engine, after an hour, starts up no problem, run it for another 10 minutes, all is well. 2 hours later (AA haven't shown) start it up, drive it into a car park to leave it there and accept lift home, subsequent fannying around in snow for 10 minutes and there's no problems.

Really scratching my head on this one (and yes there was fuel in it)

[roscozs]

What kind of car is it?

[wolfy1988]

only thing I thing I can think of is maybe the alternator?

[marshalla]

Fuel filter getting a bit dirty ?
Fuel pump failing.
Miscellaneous ignition electrical possibilities.

[TallPaul]

Blocked fuel tank breather/vent? Take the fuel cap off next time it happens and see if it starts immediatly.

[Boba Fatt]

Its a 1999 VW Bora 2 litre

[Rubin215]

Carb icing.

Cold wet air drawn through the carb sucks the heat out of it so moisture freezes over the pilot jet and it stalls.

Once it has sat for five minutes, the heat of the engine melts the ice and it will start again.

You can buy Solkolene Pro FST to add to you fuel which will stop it, but it is pricey if you are doing a lot of miles.

[useyourdellusion]

Fuel cut-off Relay? Used to be common on XR3i's and the like. They are meant to cut the fuel pump in the event of a crash, but they can play up and randomly cut the fuel supply (they used to anyway).

[CraigyMc]

Rubin215 said:

Carb icing.

On a Bora?

[shirt]

loose alternator connection. this plagued me for a day earlier this month, fixed by a very nice man in a breakdown van.

[Somnophore]

Carb Icing??? Erm surely a 2.0 1999 Bora doesn't have a Carburetta, and is fuel injected?

[king arthur]

Sure about the fuel? It has been known for fuel gauges to indicate fuel there when there isn't. It does sound more like a fuel line issue of some sort than anything else.

[tyranical]

Cars don't like sitting in traffic, it got bora'ed and went to sleep...

I'll get my coat.

[Rubin215]

CraigyMc said:

Rubin215 said:

Carb icing.

On a Bora?

I was writing while he was posting that info; oops!

[PLamborghini]

tyranical said:

Cars don't like sitting in traffic, it got bora'ed and went to sleep...

I'll get my coat.

poor, very poor...

[useyourdellusion]

It sounds electrical to me. As mentioned, check the connections on your alternator, fuel pump and the battery. Also any earthing straps.

Failing that, the cam sensor could be to blame.

It may just pay you to plug it in though. These are meant to be pretty good...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-405-VW-AUDI-SEAT-SKODA-C...

[robsco]

tyranical said:

Cars don't like sitting in traffic, it got bora'ed and went to sleep...

I'll get my coat.

That is truly hideous.

[littleredrooster]

Crank sensor breaking down when hot. You can thank me later...

[Aizletree]

Somnophore said:

Carb Icing??? Erm surely a 2.0 1999 Bora doesn't have a Carburetta, and is fuel injected?

Is that like a Lamburetta?

[cptsideways]

littleredrooster said:

Crank sensor breaking down when hot. You can thank me later...

I read the description & was just about to post exactly that