Help! My Golf is letting me down...

Hey!
I am the owner of faltering 1983 VW Golf Mk1 1272cc which has been spluttering to a halt all over the UK for the last 6 months. For no discernable reason, at various speeds, in various weather conditions, the engine cuts out but restarts immediately and until I try to drive on when the problem reoccurs. Despite various diagnoses (i have had a new - fuel pump, filter, distributor, points, carburettor, filler neck, as well as fuel tank cleaned out), and mechanics, the problem persists and I am rapidly falling out of love with my Golf! I have now decided to enquire about exchanging the engine altogether for a more modern driver engine, or could anyone advise me on any suitable, reliable and economically viable option?

If the "driver" option simply isn't possible, please excuse my naivety!
Your help is greatly appreciated… Brentham

Sounds not dissimilar to the problems I'm having…. http://portal.campaignregister.co.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=716 . My mate has a 1981 1272cc CL (which is no minter) that runs problem free. Happily bowls around the M25 at 70mph - 80mph and in  and out of London traffic. In theory there's no reason why a well maintained 1093cc or 1272cc Mk1 engine should have these problems. Let you know of any discoveries over the next couple if days - I'm thinking almost definetly ignition problem.

Sounds like either muck in the tank or carb icing except that it restarts immediately? :?

I?d have a look in the petrol tank (under the circular metal cover under the rear seat, then remove the gauge sender) Shine a torch in and see if the tank has been cleaned out.

Check the preheat stuffs in place to stop icing.

Because it cuts out at various speeds, in various weather conditions but restarts immediately, I?d suspect an electrical fault. Check the fuse box hasn?t been water damaged. Check all the wires and connections to the coil, dizzy, earths etc and possibly replace the ignition switch.
 :?:

I had a similar problem to this on my carbed 1.6 Mk11 some time ago.  Turned out to be caused by frothing of the fuel in the float chamber because the flexible mount on the exhaust was shot.

Mot sure if a Mk1 had this but changed the gasket/mount thing and problem went away.

The carb-mounting is definitely worth a look - the leaking fuel from a worn carb perishes the rubber "foot", allowing the carb to vibrate as mentioned above, but it may also split, allowing (relatively) vast amounts of air to bypass the carb, leading to a really weak mixture, and very poor running.

Have you changed the flexible fuel hoses that run between the ends of the metal fuel pipes by the driver's feet and the filter/pump/carb? - Old ones can break up internally leading to temporary blockages (as well as being a serious fire risk if they split and spill fuel on a hot engine/exhaust!)

If your mounting and fuel pipes turn out to be ok, take a detailed look at the ignition system…

Thanks for all your suggestions! Familiar face might be onto something though as I did have a leak in the passenger footwell prior to these episodes… all the fuel hoses etc have been changed. I've also heard that the carbs are also just inherently dodgy?!?

cheers!

All views welcome

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