Cold start problem

My 1,5 carb Golf from 1981 has suddenly developed serious problems when engine is cold. It needs full throttle and several minutes on the starter before even givings signs of life. When it finally hesitantly starts, it behaves as if the fuel has elements of water, and stays that way until the engine is 100% working temperature.
I first suspected fuel contamination, but since every thing is OK when warmed up, I left this theory.
I now suspect it has something to do with the automatic choke, some cold start valve, a vacuum operated valve or similar.
I have also been advised to change the gasket underneath the carb.

Anyone run into similar problems?

If the car need full throttle to start it I expect it's getting flooded with fuel and that is why it's so rough to start off with then the extra petrol burns of the spark plugs once warm.
How old are the dissy cap, rortor arm, spark plugs, HT leads and air filter?

What carb is fitted the original one with an auto choke or a webber carb?

Have you checked the fuel filler neck?

mark1gls said

If the car need full throttle to start it I expect it's getting flooded with fuel and that is why it's so rough to start off with then the extra petrol burns of the spark plugs once warm.
How old are the dissy cap, rortor arm, spark plugs, HT leads and air filter?
What carb is fitted the original one with an auto choke or a webber carb? Have you checked the fuel filler neck?

No, it seems it's not a problem with flooding, rather a problem with too little or too lean fuel supply.
 Allthough I don't know what the problem is, what I do know is that it occurred suddenly, and the engine needs to be 100% working temperature before it starts behaving normal.
The dissy cap looks nice and dry, but age uncertain (I only owned the car one year), and the rotor arm was changed shortly before I got the car. The spark plugs are brand new, as is the air filter, but I don't know much about the HT leads.  The carb is 100% original 1981 with auto choke, but I haven't checked the fuel filler neck.

It thought perhaps the carb may suffer from a too lean mix, either from auto choke malfunction, false air entering the system or lack of vacuum or something like that.   

You can get problems from the rubber gasket/base the carb sits on, they get brittle with the heat and age and can split. When the car is running try to wobble the carb and listen for a change in idle or spray some carb cleaner or easy start around the rubber gasket and listen for a change in idle, if no change it should be air tight.

Thx. Seems like a good place to continue the search. I will do some wobbling and see what it reveals.

Would these symptoms concur with a worn out coil?

Possibly could be the coil but if you are not sure of the age of these bits I would fit new ones.

Dissy cap and the rotor arm do wear out and should be replaced every couple of years, HT leads are also over looked and best replaced after 4 years or 40,000 miles. Fuel filter should also be replace every 20,000 miles, air filter changed every year unless it's a K & N.

Your problem could be something else but a good service won't do the car any harm.
Properly cost you £40 to change the lot.

Coil
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf_1.5_1981/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/ignition/ignition-coils/?413330030&1&be75e2a08bc4fd2f0427c7e9490198db054c6c30&000197