need help with running problem

[dwayne]

i've been having trouble with my idle lately but i put it down to the usual stuff so i cleaned and checked everything with no luck and when i was out today the problem got a lot worse. i was sat in traffic and the revs went to 2k so i turned off the engine and restarted as that has temporarily lowered it before but when i turned it over again the revs went up to 3k so as i was now getting slightly embarrased i put it in gear and used the clutch to lower it till the traffic started moving again. now when i finally got moving the car seemed to accelerate by itself for a second or 2 then let off for a second or 2 and continued to do it till got the car back home. i am really stuck with this problem now and pretty sure its not an air leak as that would make it constantly higher in revs and not go up then down all the time. i have also noticed a slight smell of fuel now too but i'm pretty sure i have no leaks so i'm wondering if this problem could be anything to do with a faulty fuel pump.

is it possible for fuel to be drawn under vacuum if the pump is not working or anyone experienced anything like this before? also, is there a way to check the pump is working or not?

its a TT manual btw.

any help will be greatly appreciated because i dont think i can drive the car at all like that without either burning my clutch out or causing any damage

 

EDIT: definately not the pump. i just started it again and now its just idling high as it was before (around 1400rpm). i still have a slight smell of fuel which i can smell inside the car and when i tap the throttle it holds the revs wherever i took my foot off for a second before dropping back to around 1400. anyone had this before?

Edited June 29, 2011 by dwayne (see edit history)