Please can someone help? Golf Mark 1 Cabriolet

Hi all,

We are very new to Golf Mark 1's, we only bought ours just over 1 week ago. After a few days of driving it we took it on a big run down the motorway and this is when the problem started. On going up a hill or underload the car starts jumping and spluttering and eventually gives up. Once the car has been stopped for about 2 minutes, it then drives fine for about 5 mins then starts again. Meaning a 2 hour journey can take around 4 hours with all the stopping. We replaced the fuel filter as this was very gunked up and it then worked again nicely for 3 days, even on the motorway and up hills, but then again yesterday it has started to really jump again. Does anyone know what this could be? Also we were told when we bought the car that it ran on unleaded, is this correct or could this be the problem??
Thanks for all your help!
Paul & Katie

i currently have a similar problem, think I have located the problem as being the fan  behind the radiator, possible fault with electrics.

perhaps an oil change is necessary?

any rust in your fuel pipe? may need flushing/changing.

I am really not mechanically minded, but hope this goes some way to helping, and i'll keep you updated on me solving the problem myself.

What type of mk1 is it? and does it act like this in all driving conditions, incl. motorway driving?

Also, welcome to the site!!

cheers,

Tony

it sounds to me like youv got rust in your fuel lines mate, open your petrol cap and see if there is rust in there, if so you will have to change the filler neck and clean all your fuel system sorry,

foxy

yep - I concur - dirty fuel.  The problem will be at the tank and that's where I'd start. For me the only peace of mind solution would be complete replacement - new talk, new filler neck, new filters and a thorough flush through.  I'd even pop the injectors to make sure they are delivering a nice fine spray as well   One for your local garage I would think.

Sorry the diagnosis is not better

MP

ive been having the same problem with my mk1 cabrio that i bought about a month ago. The inside of the fuel filler neck was terrible and the tank was full of muck so ive had it cleaned out. the fule lines where bad to and also had problems with the carbeurator which have been sorted.

Thank you all so much for your replies. When we fill the tank and add Redex to it it runs fine until it gets to about half full, this is why we think it is going to be muck in the tank and when it get this low, this is when it starts jumping.

It only seems to start jumping after a good go down the motorway, when we are only going around in town with it, it doesn't play up at all!!

Thanks again guys  

Check the fuel pick up in the tank. that the end hasnt falling off, snaped or cracked.

if the problem is only when you get below a half tank.

Thanks for that Lochy. How would we get to that to check it?? Or would it need to go into a garage to do??

Thanks again  

take out the back seat.

then the three screws that hold the sender cover. you should now see the top of the fuel tank.

youll need to remove the two hoses remember which ones which as one takes fuel to the carb and the other returns it to the tank.

now cross two screw drivers like scissors and turn the sender unit ( it will be clear when you see it) it only takes about a quarter turn and then you should be able to lift the sender unit out.  

the sender unit should have a plastic end with a filter.
this is also a good time to see whats in the tank. and blow through the fuel lines. I use my mouth. youll need to losen the fuel line from under the bonnet.  try to catch what comes out in a bottle. so you can see what comes out.

let us know the out come!

Hello, I am also a new member and yes, I have also had this problem. Not only once but now, I suspect, twice.

I used to own an '83 Jetta. I purchased this around 50 miles from where I live and with a mile to go on the homeward journey, the dreaded spluttering began.

I tried Redex and new filters first. fine for a few short journeys then she broke down on the way to the Lake District. I limped her to a middle of nowhere backward garage where the off duty mechanic sucked on the fuel line and spat out some solid black lumps. He told me that I do indeed have muck in the tank.

The Jetta died and was puchased by an experienced enthusiast. I drove a sensible Vauxhall for a year, missing a VW everyday.

Until someone some nutter ran me off the road and i bought a Mk1 Karmen GL Cabriolet with the insurance money.

There was a hint  of splutter on my first motorway journey. I'm gonna get the tank flushed regardless after the Jetta experience.

Thanks to Lochy for the instuctions for accessing the tank. Will have a look at this.

Good luck everyone!

I agree with michael about the the injectors but before you replace the tank and fuel lines (may save you a few quid in the long run) stick a magnet on a string inside the fuel tank' access under back seat. I did this when I had the same probs a couple of years ago with my cab. It now drives like a pocket rocket. If look on the search there will be various threads about this . Hope this helps

i had this problem on mine a few months ago..
after stripping the carb. we found the jets were blocked with tiny particles but enough to cut u out!!

worked fine for a month or so  then again it happend  .. the jets seemd to be clear   but we undid the big gold screw right next to the fuel inlet connector on top of carb  and   there was the problem..

theres a tiny white mesh gauze  and it was all gunked up with rusty looking stuff so cleaned all that and the pipes etc. and it ran like a dream..
 so deffo worth having a look at that while ur at it..

mines playing up again atm cus ive ran the fuel down a bit too low so dragged sum crap up but im gonna strip it all at weekend  and hopfully will be allright.

bloody golfs aye!

Later GTI cabs lift pump - mine caused stalling etc, then cutting out / kangarooing at less than 3/4 tank…..new pump (and filter) cured it…..






be careful with this 'O' ring - replace it and make sure it sits correctly - or you will smell petrol till the tank level goes down….

its happened to me too on a motorway run, had to stop 4 times on a 170 mile round trip, gunna clean the tank an see if it cures it, checked fuel filters and carb filter and all clear though, and it happened to me with a full tank?

cheers everyone