Spacefox Fuel System Failure: Symptoms and Solutions

I had a similar issue with my 2018 Spaceline, which shares many engine components with your Spacefox. Having some experience working on fuel systems, I initially thought it was a major injection system failure too. The symptoms were identical, poor power delivery, high fuel consumption, and engine stalling. After taking it to my regular workshop, they diagnosed a fairly simple but crucial problem: a damaged wiring connection to the fuel injection system sensor. The cable had worn through due to normal engine vibration, causing intermittent electrical contact. The repair cost was 95€, which covered diagnostic time and replacing the faulty connection. The engine power returned to normal immediately, and fuel consumption went back to standard levels. The whole repair took about 2 hours. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you provide: Current mileage, Type of fuel you use, When was the last fuel system maintenance performed, Does the check engine light come on This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my car. Sometimes these symptoms can also indicate air system problems or other engine sensor malfunctions that need different approaches.

Last service was 2 months ago at 36965km. The issue started right after a long highway drive where I had to push the petrol engine quite hard. The performance drop was sudden, like a switch being flipped. The air intake system seems clean, but I will double-check. The power loss is consistent with what you described. Initially thought it was just poor fuel quality, but the problems persisted even after refueling at different stations. The check engine light flickers occasionally, especially during cold starts. My regular fuel is 95 octane, and I have not changed fuel brands or types recently. Your wiring issue diagnosis makes sense since these systems rely heavily on precise sensor inputs. Will get the electrical connections checked first before moving to more expensive repairs.

Thanks for providing those details. After reading about your highway drive incident, it does sound different from my wiring issue. The sudden performance drop after hard acceleration suggests it might be related to the turbocharger system or fuel pressure control. In my Spaceline case, the power loss was more gradual. When the repair shop investigated further, they found the wiring damage was a symptom of excessive engine movement. The worn engine mounts were allowing too much vibration, which stressed all connecting components. The maintenance history and mileage you shared point to potential turbo-related issues, especially with the smoke during acceleration. The flickering check engine light strengthens this theory. In my experience with these engines, hard petrol performance demands can sometimes reveal underlying turbo seal weaknesses. Consider requesting these specific checks: Turbocharger seals and wastegate operation, Fuel pressure at idle and under load, Engine mount condition, Complete sensor electrical connectivity test My total repair ended up costing 780€, including new engine mounts and various seals. The investment restored both power and normal fuel consumption, plus eliminated that annoying cold start issue.

Thanks for the detailed feedback. Just called the workshop and booked it in for next week. The mechanic mentioned your suggestions about the turbo seals make a lot of sense given the symptoms. They quoted around 850€ for a full inspection and potential turbo rebuild, which seems reasonable based on your repair costs. Really helpful to know about the engine mount connection too. My car does feel more vibration than usual lately, so I will have them check the mounts during the inspection. The excessive movement could definitely be contributing to the power loss and high fuel consumption. The smoke during acceleration and that sudden power drop after the highway run are classic turbo issues from what I have researched. Makes more sense now why the maintenance team did not catch this during the regular service 2 months ago, the problem had not manifested yet. Will update once I get the actual diagnosis and repair completed.