Idle problem - another one!!

Hi

I'm new to the forum and VW cars in general really.
I have a Mk1 Golf Cabriolet 1.8 Carb that I've recently bought with a few problems as expected!!

The main problem we have with it is, when idle it nearly cuts out.  It doesn't actually cut out though.  

I've read a few similar problems on here, but it's not when I'm going up hills or anything as a few people have put.

I was thinking it might be the carb needing a good clean out - maybe something is blocked.  It doesn't appear to be a fuel problem as it does idle.  

I don't know if it's related but it starts very well when cold but after being driven it takes a while to start again.  I don't know if this is a choke problem or what really?!?!!

Any advice would be really appreciated as we'd like to get it sorted, and we're embarrassingly green  ops:

Links to read and follow, also making sure your timing is correct, could be a fault with dizzy, but from experience with these block it is usually air & fuel that need to be corrected.
Have a good read of these tuts and futher on after replies also as their is more info, check everyhing that is mentioned and replace any old or damaged parts.
But 1st let us know excactly what work has been done to the golf that you are aware of, what block you have, does it have a pierburg or weber carburettor, to find this out is simple, if your airbox at the top
has a rubber bung and a bracket at the back going over the top of airbox it is a pierburg 2e2 carb, if it has a metal washer with and hex headed bolt is has a weber conversion
This is what the washer looks like if it is a weber
 

Pete :wink:

1st link is if you have a pierburg carb

In the 2nd link even thou you might not have a weber carb this is what shows you how to look for damage to any part of the vacuum system

In the 3rd link, this covers the area of rust which blocks pipes etc thus what is known as kangarooing when car jerks, have you had teh filler neck replaced, if not get underneath and remove it to inspect has it is cleaer to look for small holes and rust, then onto clean tank and fuel sender etc

http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=58393

http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=57627

The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

If you get stuck on anything let me know bud
Pete :wink:

Hi
Thank you for such a quick reply!
I have a Pierburg carb!
Here is a list of things I know have been done since we've had it

-Changed the little rubber hoses that connect the very small pipes to the carb and the vacuum advance line
-Changed air filter
-Changed fuel filter
-Changed Throttle Cable

And it does appear to have a new distributor cap - but we didn't do that.

We know for sure the exhaust manifold is leaking as well.

At the moment we're just changing parts that look worn and old like you said.  
I've read a bit of your debate on weber carbs as well - I was trying to work out if it was the best thing to do.

1st thing then, check the filler neck, this is 1st area you need to eliminate for rust as to stop it going into any of the other parts and then carb blocking the jets.
Remove petrol cap and if not replaced there will be rust, remove filler neck completely, if goosed which it will be being original you need to either buy a cab filler neck (Exspensive) or buy a tin top one and mod it slight to fit which involves a small piece of the neck cutting away ad replacing with a rubber pipe being that the excact same one as the one that connects from filler neck to the tank underneath, all available from GSF, EBAY and our seller here Rich aka Crazyquiff in the links on the left of the forum page.
Then getting an exstenable magnet and picking up the rust from the tank
Me personally i say 100% weber always, BUT if you have a pierburg which has been serviced with new gaskets etc etc and auto choke is fine you shouldn't have an issue.
Remove the carb keeping it upside down and clean it out with carb cleaner and toothbrush to remove crap from awkward areas.
Do one section a a time, get on to us and we'll guide you through it bud
Pete :wink:

Looking at the filler neck, it does look rusty - I'll get it replaced asap and get back to you!
I've been on Crazy Quiffs site - I like it so will be ordering off there very soon!
I work next to a silicon hose manufacturer type person so he could easily knock me up something for the tintop one!
Everything seems to be original on this car  :?
 Thanks again, Kym

Just another quick thing that I forgot to mention - the speedo needle shudders like anything - all the time, it used to be intermittent but it's pretty much all the time now - is this related do you reckon - or is this another one to add to the list…?!?!  :doh:

thats another issue mate. either cable or worm drive in gear box.