New member; New mk3; New concerns..

[Krem]

Thanks for the inputs... I'll give the fuel pump diagnotics idea a try, but mainly cause I feel if it were MAF, o2 sensor, ignition coil or ignitor, the car would stay level at the same RPM.. but I'm sure I don't know what I'm talking about here... all I can do is apply logic to my thought process as I lack mechanical expertise.

I keep hearing the fuel tank is in the trunk, and I've also heard it's accessible from the trunk... in this img, what is the thing in the hole, covered by the small plate w/ 3 screws? I've got two plugs to it... so I thought it has better chance of being a pump than a filter... but for all I know, it could just be the float sensor..

Finally, when I try that diag trick... is it safe to just plug the paper clip directly? or do I need to unplug the battery, connect, replug to test and then d/c battery before I remove pin? Tho, I guess I shouldn't ask at all as it's never wrong to be safe and cautious... Also, how will I know if there's fuel flowing or not? I doubt I'll see anything, I can't even visually find my fuel rail yet even.. should I be hearing the gas flowing? or is this something I have to pull a line and drop into a bucket for?

[btwilson86]

Never messed with the fuel tank, so I can't help you there.

You can insert the paperclip with everything connected, all your doing is putting power to the fuel pump circuit (don't worry, it's a low power circuit; won't even spark or anything). You should hear fluid flowing around your intake manifold, as your fuel rail is underneath the part of the intake where the "Y" pipe bolts to the rest of the intake manifold. You can also have somebody listen by the fuel door with the cap off and see if they hear a humming sound when the jumper wire (paperclip) is connected.