Fuel distributor question

Hi, I'm new to golfs and have jumped in at the deep end. I have a 86 Mk1 Cabrio GTi.

Engine running terrible, will not rev at all I believe this is down to air/fuel starvation judging by the suction movement in the rubber air intake hoses.

Can someone tell me the following, with the fuel distributor removed and turned upside down, should the plunger in the centre move fairly freely? I was expecting it to be like a sprung button, but this one does not seem to move at all. If it should move, how far should it go from all the way in to all the way out?

If my assumptions are correct, this plunger being siezed would explain the air suction issues as if the plunger does not move, the large air valve on top of the air filter cannot be lifted., therefore creating a vacuum in the hoses and killing the engine.

Can the fuel distributor be taken apart and cleaned up easily? looks like about 8 little torque bolts holding it all together.

thansk in advance

Ian

Can someone tell me the following, with the fuel distributor removed and turned upside down, should the plunger in the centre move fairly freely

Hi

The plunger should move freely with out sticking , if it sticks its no good .
You can clean it in fresh fuel and try it again but if it still sticks you will be looking for a new metering head . Or see below you can ….

Can the fuel distributor be taken apart and cleaned up easily? looks like about 8 little torque bolts holding it all together

According to Haynes you should never take the metering head apart , but the American 'poor richards rabbit book' says you can for cleaning but you have to replace an o ring on reassembly . I have never needed to take one apart but you have nothing to loose so go for it . So its a kitchen worktop job strip it clean it all and re check the plunger .

Good luck keep us posted


Chudd………..

I've taken one apart… Not much too them…

There are four bolts which you dont need to remove. They cover another four adjustment screws which should not be turned as they are at a set position (IE - Not screwed all the way in!). I think it is 2 1/4 turns back from all the way in. (I made the mistake!).
All worked fine when it went back together though…

SORTED

As suspected it was the fuel distributor.

For anyones future reference, you can leave the casting of the fuel distrib intact. the piston/plunger in question can be removed from its cylinder by removing the brass nut and washer that are visible when the unit is removed and upside down. If stuck like mine, careful persuasion may be required with a pair of pliars.

However, it was quite interesting taking it all to pieces! I did however have a problem getting it to seal properly between the two castings where the metal shim/gasket resides. I ended up popping down the road to a local vw breaker, ?20 for a complete one, whole top of the air box and everything.

(also worth noting that the replacement was from a later model, and had a slightly redesigned plunger etc so less likely to attract the gunk that the original had.)

Left me with a nice warm feeling inside when it started up first turm of the key and revved freely, as the bloke before had it years and could never get it running right… he was a bit of a know it all too!

Had to take it for a spin this evening as the sun was out, had my neighbour follow me in his wifes 307cc, and its safe to say I left it standing several times. Fantastic fun!!!!!!          

THanks both for your assistance.

Ian

Glad you're sorted Ian and good info on the update, Cheers!!

Thanks for posting back on your success

Chudd………