Jerky engine - looking for suggestions

So my engine in the Golf was built for me about 15 years ago by my very reliable guy and it's been great ever since. It's a 2.0 litre MK3 GTI block with a hydraulic lifter head, standard cam and then the Audi 2.2 throttle body and warm up valve, full Magnex SS exhaust and that's about it.

The problem is that it's jerky.  It's hard for me to say if it does it when warm so much as I don't drive it much (I'd say it doesn't) but at low speeds it lurches on low throttle and then when you back off the throttle it does it then too. probably worse. It's like it's choking, something holding it back.

I realise this is quite vague but any suggestions would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance!

Nothing to do with the engine mounts is it? 15 years is a long time if they're never been changed and that would give you a jerky sensation if the engine is moving when you power down / back off?

Good point but I'm sure it's an engine issue as you can sort of fight it by keeping the revs up, it happens at low revs particularly…

mounts would also be picked up by my guy over the years.

Ah I don't think I understood then, it's almost cutting out and then bringing itself back up to idle?

Has it been tuned? Mine had similar and it was running lean at the bottom of the rev range. Maybe take it to a tuners?

Thanks guys - it does need a tune, yes, but I wasn't sure where to take it, maybe AMD? I live in East London.

It's not trying to cut out, just a jerky engine

Cheers

jinks said

Thanks guys - it does need a tune, yes, but I wasn't sure where to take it, maybe AMD? I live in East London.

It's not trying to cut out, just a jerky engine

Cheers

Hey mate,

I live in East London too, but haven't found a good mechanic around here yet - where about do you live?

Si

South London was the spiritual home for Golfs in the past, I had been going to the same place for 20 years in Brixton and my guy was very well known, especially in the 90's him and his boys did some really well known cars. That's all history now sadly so I've got to find someone who really knows these cars and that means AMD out our way.
If you're not as old as me you may not know the name but back then they were one of about 3 top outfits along with BRM and Scotts - some would include TSR in that group but the others were actually associated with VW Motorsport and the dealerships. I'm from Bow so there's one or two local guys but hard to trust anyone with my pride and joy which I've had since 93…