doesn't that apply to any car though, not just a PD Vag?
Yes, that's why I've made a heated filter for the Disco ....
http://www.biopowered.co.uk/wiki/Heated_fuel_filterCleaning out tank on the Disco, although a relatively easy job, is extremely unpleasant in sub zero temperatures, and I don't want to go through the same procedure on the Golf. Not least of all for the ear bashing I'll get when she can't get to work one winters morning.
In the tank you have a fuel pump built into the fuel gauge sender unit this has a gauze under its intake, the return goes back into this chamber always keeping it full of fuel, it only pumps to prime the system when you first turn on the ignition. This is handy when you change filters but other than that the car will run fine without it so long as all other fuel system components are up to spec.
Useful info, thanks Steve.
The gauze may be an issue, but if the return is very close and I have problems, insulating the fuel cooler to reduce it's effectiveness could help increase the tank temperature and alleviate any problems if I have them.
If you get hooked up to Vagcom you can accurately see the fuel temperatures coming out of the engine, not unusual to see around the actual engine temperature of 90c.
Would that I could! The alarm keeps going off and I've taken a fuse out to temporarily cure it ... problem is it disables the interior lights and electric windows too ... she's not overly happy about that. I've got a Chinese blue tooth reader on it's way, but from past experience with cheap Chinese kit and Vagcom, I'm not holding my breath. If this one doesn't work I'll have to bite the bullet and splash out on the real thing.
Good to know that fuel temperature is monitored, it'll be interesting (and far more accurate that my efforts above) to see how quickly the return reaches an HMPE safe temperature from cold.