Having a total Nightmare

Righty…

Bit of a long one this but I need help and advice.

Several weeks ago, my local VAG service centre, Witherspoons (Edinburgh) upon servicing my car noted that an intermittent cut out fault was being caused by the carburettor.

We established that there were no aftermarket replacement carburettors for my particular car (GX 1.5 51 Kw Solex Carb) and that I would need either a reconditioned or 2nd hand part, or a manual choke conversion to a different carburettor.

I sourced a 2nd hand carburettor, from another GX, which cost me all of ?30 inluding postage - not a bad deal.

I dropped the car into Witherspoon, with the replacement carburettor and agreed a 2h labour charge for the fitting and setting.

Roughly an hour later, the garage called me to say that the replacement carburettor was no good, and upon inspection was found to have been tampered with, e.g. where a gasket should be, there was silicone sealant.

So, I asked them to refit my old carburettor and that was that.

Upon refitting the original, they couldn't get the car to run properly. They called me and advised that they could use some of the parts from the replacement carburettor with those in my existing one to build a better carburettor.

I agreed, but insisted the labour be capped at 2 hours, which they also agreed to.

After several hours of tinkering they were still unable to get the car running, until they noticed that the live feed to the carburettor had somehow been disrupted. So, they rewired the live feed.

The following day, when I was supposed to pick the car up, they called to say that I now had a faulty ignition switch, and that it would need to be replaced. I advised that this was never a problem, but agreed that if this was faulty, then I would pay for the part as required.

They called a little later to advise that the car was now running, "better than it was when it came in" and it was ready for pick up.

I was charged the original 2 hours labour, plus a fuel filter, a set of points (which I hadn't agreed to) and the ignition switch. ?165 all told.

I collected the car, noting that the engine was warm, and drove home.

Firstly, I noticed a significant reduction in overall power. The 1.5 is hardly a "pocket rocket" but it was certainly quick enough when called upon. Secondly, the car is now idling around the 1500rpm mark. Thirdly, the car stalls repeatedly on throttle pick up in first gear, and lurches on throttle pick up in 2nd through to 5th gear, even when warm.

I also noticed that the steering lock is no longer operative, and have since been advised that this is a potential hazard, especially if the lock "decides" to engage while I'm doing 60 mph on the back roads to my house.

This morning, the car having sat idle for 2 days, I decided to see if it would start and run okay. The car wouldn't start at all at first, and it would appear that the choke is no longer functioning. I had to feather the throttle continuously for about 2-3 minutes before the engine would stay running, albeit in a rather precarious state. The car stalled 10 times in the 2 miles or so between my house and my dad's just up the road. It was stalling in much the same way it had when I picked it up on Friday.

Lastly, upon inspection of the carburettor, air intake and so on, it would appear that at least one hose is missing.

Essentially, the car is in significantly worse shape than it was when it went in and is now virtually un-driveable.

I need to know what steps a can/ should take in terms of getting this fixed.

I feel it is encumbent on the garage to get this fixed, but at the same time I don't necessarily trust them to do the work right. Irritatingly, the workshop manager actually said that he was "not used to working on these old cars". Tough - they're a VAG approved workshop and they bloody well should do.

Any advice (apart from the obvious "don't take your car to Witherspoon") would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

AndyC

My advice would be to get a weber carb fitted by someone that knows what they are doing, give weber a call and see if they do list a carb for the 1500 but if not you should be fine with the 1600 carb and appropiate jets, they will also be able to tell you who the approved dealer/fitter is in your area, you should realy however give the garage a chance to rectify the mistake before taking it elsewhere unless they aggree to just refund you, then if they fail a second time round you have reason to ask for a full refund

Andy,

I'd call the garage and talk over the problems you have - with the mananger if necessary.  If they don't agree to fix them and get the car back at least as good as it was when you took it in then demand a refund.

Failing that give trading standards and the citizen's advice beureau a call and they will explain what rights and things you have.

PS I have a good 1.5 carb in stock at the mo which came off an easy starting well runnung engine.

Cheers

Rich

lack of power and engine stalling?? cudnt this also be the points not set up correctly, if they didnt chnage the condensor aswell then the points will just be burnt out again, if the condensors had it.

simon

Hi All,

Well, it didn't take too much by way of argument, but Witherspoon have offered a full refund, and they say they will take the car in and get it sorted. I'll also get a nice courtesy car (I'm hoping for one of their 160bhp Golf TDis they have…)

They also said that if necessary they'd get an expert in, or subcontract the work to a specialist vw garage if they aren't able to fix it.

So, I'm happy for the time being, and at least I'll no longer be out of pocket.

Here's hoping they can get it sorted.

Cheers for the advice!

AndyC

Andy,

That's cool - sounds like a good outfit that had a bad day.

Keep us informed how they get on.

Cheers

Rich

Hi all,

Got the car back yesterday - running and idling nicely when I picked it up, not quite as good now - but I'll give it a week or 2.

However, the auto choke is now completely non-functioning and I have no cold start assist of any kind by the looks of it. Hardly a big test in 20 deg c heat (like today) but give it a few weeks and I'll be needing it.

I pointed out that the choke wasn't coming on and they said it was faulty - I then pointed out that the choke worked all through the winter (the car started, run and came off the choke properly with no stalling or cutting out at all) and that it was working fine before they mucked about with the carb..

It's now stalling on idle when cold - which is really annoying.

Now, I don't want to push my luck too far on Witherspoon, having had a set of points, fuel filter, ignition switch and steering lock fitted for nothing(N.B. neither the ignition switch or lock were faulty when I dropped it off originally…). But, at the same time I should expect the car to be running as it was surely?

Running the car around today, approx 50 miles before bedtime so I'll see how it goes.

Any help or advice on the whole carb/ autochoke would be helpful (including how much I should expect to pay for a manual choke conversion…)

Cheers,
AndyC

Andy,

They should get the car running as agreed before the work.  If the auto choke is not working and it did they should fix it.

Manual choke conversion is easy and only cost ?20 iirc - there is even a place on all series 2 dashes for the choke to go.

Cheers

Rich

Sounds like you are getting there and good advice so far.

However this worries me

AndyC said

Lastly, upon inspection of the carburettor, air intake and so on, it would appear that at least one hose is missing.

Have they fixed this yet as no hot air feed from the exhaust will lead to bad running from cold and carb icing when warm.

Manual choke conversion is easy and only cost ?20 iirc - there is even a place on all series 2 dashes for the choke to go.

Even if they fix the autochoke I recommend definitely doing this, autochokes are rubbish. My 1.1 had a replacement carb with one when I first got it - never worked properly. Now replaced with a weber manual choke. Manual choke can be used much more efficiently and effectively.

Good luck

Right,

They haven't fixed the choke - in fact they are not accepting any responsibility for the fact it is no longer working, claiming that it wasn't working before I dropped it off. I must have been running the car on fairy dust and pixie magic all through the winter then (c 100 miles a week)?

Anyway, it's running fine when warm, which is an improvement (although I did have to adjust the idle myself…), and since they're giving me my money back, I'll not push it.

The car is a 1457cc Golf GX, 1983 model. I take it a manual choke can be fitted to the carb as is? Or do I need a whole new carb with manual choke?

It needs a new fuel tank (which is going to be a one off cost of around ?250 fully fitted). I don't want to throw money at the car, but aside from these mechanical issues, it is a really good car in very good condition. See photos here:





Based on the price guide I reckon it's worth around ?500 at the moment - it has proper campaign Mk1 p-slot alloys, an original webasto sunroof, and brand new bumpers and chin spoiler. The interior is immaculate (no tears or marks to upholstery) and the electrics all work perfectly.

There are a couple of blemishes to the front passenger door, and a ding in the rear tailgate. There is one small hole in the front offside wing (this is not the original wing, so it has been fixed in the past) and that's about it.

Aside from the debris in the fuel tank and the faulty autochoke, it's a fantastic car.

I am thinking of selling it, as a going concern (MOT and Tax to Aug 2007) and I'll be totally honest about it's condition and history. But i'll not let it go for less than ?500. If I fix the choke and the fuel tank, I'll keep it.

Can anyone help, or is anyone interested in buying this?

I'd be interested in a PX or swap aswell if the car was right!

Cheers,
AndyC

I usually have good used tanks for ?20.

I doubt if you'll see ?500 as is to be honest.

Stuck tags either side of the links so pics show up in the post. Get a tank from crazyquiff, fit it yourself and get a manual choke coversion kit and keep it.

Cheers

You've got Mk2 centre caps on those wheels and the wheels look like Mk2 P's not the campaign ones - the part number behine the centre cap should be 171 601 025A for the mk1, I think, and 171 601 025AA for the MK2 - note it is the number of A's that is different if I've got the numbers wrong.

Cheers

Rich

Hi there…

i've checked the wheel part numbers.., they're mk1 campaign alright… (edit - no, they're not - just had another look - apologies! - I had been told that they were… ach well, not to worry as they only cost me ?75 with brand new tyres last year…)

The centre caps aren't though, and one of them is now missing  :x

I wouldn't know where to begin fitting a new tank as I have neither the skill, tools, or time to do it… anyone here able to help?

Also, who sells a manual choke conversion kit for a 1.5, 51kw solex carb anyway?

Cheers!

AndyC