Cold start problems and cold running problems

Hi guys
ive got a mk1 golf cabriolet 1987 1.6 carb (nikki carb that is)
i need abit of help, I've got a few problems with the running of my car
first of all it doesn't start first time, it takes 3 attempts and then it runs, someone has said it's the cold start valve but for the life of me I can find anything of the sort user the bonnet, so if someone could  point me in the right direction I'd be much abliged

second when driving the car cold, the engine seems to splutter under acceleration, if I attempt to drive normally the power disappears, but if I'm really gentle with accelerator it drives better (this is in all gears)
I haven't got a clue what this problem is, maybe dirt in the fuel tank I don't know.
but in September last year I had a full service on it and all the fuel lines changed from copper ones to mk2 fuel lines
(When the car is warm driving becomes much better, car starts fine and each gear pulls properly with no issue)

finally the engine when cold idles at a normal 800 900, when the engine is warm it idles at 1200

Can anyone help diagnose these problems, probably all connected but after hours of research I can't find out the problems

any help appreciated
cheers in advance

weber or pierburg? never hheard of nikki carbs!

 when did you last check timing and CO?

if its ok whenyou feather the throttle but not when you stomp it its either too rich or too lean..does the exhaust sting your eyes? black smoke on WOT?   is the idle solid at whatever speed or does it hunt up and down?

if its cold, does it stop spluttering and drive normally if you put the choke on?

It's defo a nikki carb, when I took it to a vw specialist (jvw) they confirmed nikki carb, I've done some reading and apparently it's from Japan.

All timing was done at around 70k and it's currently at 90k

No smoke what so ever just normal exhaust gases

And the revs are more or less fixed, cold engine normal and warm engine 1200

And I will try the choke next time I start it cold

Alot of old Nikki carbs have a glass viewing window on the side for the fuel resivior, thats the easy way to tell. Ive seen them alot on the Aircooled Frat but not on a Golf i must admit.
Chris

from what you've said the timing/CO sound OK-ish…if these are good and you have snap-thottle hesitation I'd be looking at the pump jet - can you see it squirt fuel when you actuate the throttle linkage by hand?

 There is a much simpler, much quicker way of solving drivability issues on carburetted cars - get down to your local rolling road and have someone who knows what they're doing set it up..
Gas analysis tells you so much about how the engine is running, read this link and then wonder why you can never get it 100% perfect tuning by ear alone…

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h56.pdf