Why won't my Passat start after refueling when it ran out of gas?
2 Answers
The reasons why a Passat won't start after refueling when it ran out of gas are as follows: Fuel-related issues: Fuel pump pressure drops, resulting in insufficient fuel pressure. Poor-quality gasoline was added, leading to contaminated fuel (containing excessive impurities or water). In this case, the fuel tank and fuel lines need to be cleaned. Hot weather combined with overfilling the tank causes thermal expansion, creating vapor lock in the fuel lines. For this situation, simply wait for the fuel pump to continue working and push out the vapor lock to start the engine. In other words, try starting again after waiting a while. Vehicle malfunction: Excluding fuel-related causes, the issue could be the vehicle itself. There are many potential reasons in this category, such as: dead battery, incorrect gear position, clogged fuel lines, damaged fuel pump, vehicle aging, or faulty spark plugs.
I've encountered similar situations before. Generally, if the fuel tank is completely empty and the car still won't start after refueling, it might be due to air entering the fuel line. The fuel pump needs to purge the air first when pumping fuel. Try turning the key to the ignition-on position without starting the engine, and repeat this several times. You should hear the buzzing sound of the fuel pump working as it builds up fuel pressure. If it still doesn't work, check if the fuel filter is clogged or if the fuel pump relay is burnt out. The fuel pump in the Passat is quite delicate—prolonged dry running can damage the pump core. Once, a client of mine forgot to refuel and ruined the pump. The car had to be towed to the repair shop for a fuel pump replacement. Remember, never let the fuel tank run dry.
