engine cut out while driving

[Rodney Iceton]

Hi all,
i am in need of a bit of advice, i have a 99 mk2 which has been a little gem ever since i got it last summer and has been driven every day since then with no problems ( not counting the snow ). The car has 82,000 miles came with no paperwork and was serviced before i got it and is nearly ready for a service........
So here is where the problems started, lovely day gave the car a good wash and i my lazyness sed the hose pipe to top up windscreen bottle ther was a little splash while doing this. Drove to shop all good hood down clean car etc.. on leaving shop car would not start, kicked myself for water splash and walked home. Went back next day and car started first time Horray i thought. Drove for a couple of days not a problem. Going to work today all good in outside lane of N11 doing about 50 mph when engine cuts out, coast over to hard shoulder park and car wont start. Walk to work and 5 hours later walk back and car starts first time, stay in work 3 hours later starts first time again.
I noticed on the way home it was reving slighly below norm and then picking back up, i dont know if this is something as simple as a clogged fuel filter or if its the fuel pump or some sensor problem!!!! just to say when it wont start the car turns over but just wont catch and it has petrol in it but when i had the bonnet open even after pumping the acceorator i could not smell petrol.
If anyone has any ideas it would be a great help.

Many thanks Rodney

[Steve]

It does sound kind of like a fuel filter change is needed. Easy to change, they are available from mx5parts.
Steve