Black Mk1 GTI - Dorset

I picked this up off ebay last week.  Very pleased as I got it for a good price.  Having problems getting it running though.  Engine turns over, but will not start.  It will if I pour fuel into the spark plug holes.  Any ideas will be much appreciated…

Anyway down to the pictures…

These are from ebay…








Couple of pictures I took once I got the car home…

Looks pretty tidy  

Injectors? Fuel pump/relay?

I take it if you pour fuel in then it runs only for a short time?

Yes, the car just splutters for a few seconds, but proves the ignition side of things are working.  I'm going to empty all the fuel from the tank and get as much out of the pipes as possible.  Then put fresh petrol in the tank.  It may be something as silly as gone off fuel.  I forgot to mention that the car has been off the road for 2 years.

Looks good

looks like a nice solid car,
im no expert but when i got mine it would only run for a second on easy start,
turned out to be the fuel/air ratio which then got it tick over.

Hazza said

looks like a nice solid car,
im no expert but when i got mine it would only run for a second on easy start,
turned out to be the fuel/air ratio which then got it tick over.

Yeah the car is pretty solid.  Hardly any rust on it. at all.  All usual areas are rust free.

Do you adjust the fuel/air ratio on the metering head?

Yeah u need a long Alan key not sure what size.
But I was in the car turning it over / keeping it running while my dad turned it until it ran the best.

However I hadn't checked any of the lines or the tank after if had been stood 7 year so think that broke my metering head. So I would recommend checking it if it has been stood.

Ah good point if stood 2 years. I would too look at fresh fuel, maybe worth changing fuel filter too then try starting before adjusting anything - assuming it worked before it was tucked away then nothing should need adjusting, just 'cleaning!'

Looks solid mate. Nice purchase. Could be the fuel. Empty it anyway, would you want 2 year old fuel pumping into the engine anyway??

looks like a good buy!!  
can't wait to see it dude!!!

Car is now running.  The main issue was a previous owner had installed a fuel filter between the tank and the pump.  The pipe between the filter and the pump was crusty and leaking.  I removed both pipes and the filter and replaced with an original pipe from Crazyquiff.  

Excellent news Butler, a simple fix in the end by the sounds of it. What's the plans for her long term? Any plans for a full refurb?

smudger1980 said

Excellent news Butler, a simple fix in the end by the sounds of it. What's the plans for her long term? Any plans for a full refurb?

Yeah, in the end it was a nice simple fix.  The first plan is to get it back on the road.  So I'll need to get it MOT'd.  It's not a million miles away.  All 4 tyres are in good condtion, have plenty of tread and are Goodyears.  Most of the rubber has been replaced with polyurethane and all that looks ok.  Looking at the receipts the car had about £3k spent on it between 2006-2008.  The money was spent on completely replacing the braking system and suspension.  All that looks still to be in good working condition.

Eventually I'd like to get a respray.  It's had quite a lot of work done to it already.  While underneath sorting the fuel issues, I could see the wheel arches have been replaced.  It also has a non-original front panel.  There is no major rust on the car.  Just really needs a tidy up.  As for the engine, I'm really not sure.  I'd like to try out the standard 1800 engine to see how it is running.  With all the money spent on bodywork and running gear, I'm hoping a fortune has been spent on the engine too!  I have noticed the engine has a reasonably new sump and distributor.  I have replaced the spark plugs and done an oil and filter change.  If the engine is not all that good, then I am tempted with either a VR6, 20VT or TFSI.  I need to save some more pennies before I can do that though….

Sounds exciting mate. Good luck getting her on the road again.

Good news on Good Friday.  I took Buffy for an MOT.  Unfortuantely it failed….  On emissions.  I let the MOT station adjust the mixture and it passed!  I've still got a few jobs to do, but I am happy to say BFV is now street legal again!

Congrats mate. A quick fix for an MOT pass. Well done

Looks a beaut.. Great find mate

Looks a beaut.. Great find mate

Looks a beaut.. Great find mate

So nice he said it three times