A3 1.8 "02" Starts but stalls after reving!!

[Alibalibee]

Hi folks,

I'm new to your site and hope someone here has come across a problem my stepson is having with his car.

He ran out of petrol on his way to work and we put 10 litres in it to get it going. The car didn't start but that was found to be a sticky fuel pump which was rectified by the vehicle recovery guy.

Now the car starts and will rev but after a couple of seconds you hear a popping noise, the engine stalls and you get a black smelly smoke from the exhaust.

The recovery guy suggested it could be the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) Valve that needs cleaned out or replaced, but I thought I'd check with you guys incase you think it is something else.

Any suggestions before I get stuck into it would be a great help.

Cheers

Ali

[Alibalibee]

I set about the car with the spanners today and found the bent stainless pipe running from the top of what I think is the throtle body and the EGR valve was full of carbon. I cleaned it but the car is still not running right.

I can now keep it running but have to rev it hard. As soon as you let the revs drop it pops and stalls. It sounds like it is forcing air back through the air filter and there is still loads of black smoke!!

[NickPicks]

Have you had a fault code read to see what the engine management is thinking?

[Alibalibee]

Sorry I've been away abroad working and had no internet access.

I did have the fault diagnostic done but it didn't showup anything, however I did managed to get the car running.

It was a bit rough but I towed it for about a mile trying to bump it and it eventuallyit started, all be it with a big puff of smoke. I then put some fuel systemcleaner into the petrol tank and its running perfectly now! It's also due aservice now so I'll get the filters changed then as well. I think it must havejust been dirt from the bottom of the fuel tank that had caused the problem.

Point to note. "Never let the car run dry of petrol!"