New person needing help!

Hi all, i've recently purchased a mk1 1993 golf cabriolet and i'm having a couple of problems.
Over the last couple of weeks the car has seemed very lumpy to drive when it is warm, and the rev clock is all over the place! I have found the only way for it not to be too lumpy is giving it maximum revs at all time, which i'm quite sure is no good for the car.
I have taken the car to a couple of local garages and a carburetor specialist but the problem has still not been solved.
The problem is also intermitant, some times it does it some times it doesn't (very confusing )
I have wanted a mk1 golf since i was a kid and i'm starting to fall out of love for it already!
If any one could give me any advice or if they know of a local specialist that would be great.

Thanks
Chris

Moved to Big Block Engines mate, you'll have more luck with a reply there.

I'm sure you have but check the vacuum hoses for an air leak be it a rip, cut or a badly fitting Jubilee Clip. Sounds like it's hunting, are the revs dropping off?

T

also sounds like timing is out. or the advance isn't working. do as tian has suggested first. then check the timing.
when did it last have dizzy cap, rotor arm, leads and plugs changed?

Hello and welcome!,  I would start with the easy cheap parts first.
 As mentioned before, change rotor arm, dizzy cap, v cheap,
 if that does not work, plugs, leads etc.. this way you will be giving
it a service as you go along.. sometimes its the simplest of things
that make the difference, also worth changing is fuel filter as filler
necks rot, and tend to fill the tank with sediment causing erratic running.

Start with the basics and work your way back from there, dont
give up on it!, you will love it when its running ok!

Dibbler

Hi, The revs do just drop off yes, and when i stop sometimes it just cuts out.
The car was serviced a couple of weeks ago, it had new plugs, fuel, oil and air filters changed.
i have also just changed the dist cap and rotor arm as there was a hairline crack.
I shall check the vacuum hoses asap
Thanks for replying.
Chris

Keep us updated mate.

T

Rev counter jumping would indicate a 'short' to me, check the points or the TCI if it has that.

Could also be your leads, sounds spark related anyway..

Best to start from scratch with this kind of thing, do the cam & ignition timing, then work your way from that.

Right then, The car has just been in to a vw mk1 specialist in nott'm, and they have managed to find a few problems with my car.
First of all the radiator was from a 1.3 litre mark 2 golf, and was obsviously far too small
Secondly all the radiator hoses were full of rust and general crap, so i've had a full coolant change
Thirdly the car has been fitted with a performance 4 branch manifold so the hose that goes to the carb is just dangling around in the engine bay, so the car is suffering from carb icing. so the car is booked back into the garage for monday 5th jan to have the standard manifold fitted. The garage are also going to fabricate a couple of heat shields for the exhaust which should really help.
Fourthly, the car is apparently running some serious fast road cams which unfortunately when the emissions are set to road legal standards it idles like a bitch, but luckily best friend is an mot tester so emissions aren't too much of a problem, and i don't want too replace the cams as the car goes like stink!
Massive thanks for all the advice and to C & R Enterprises who have been excellent
cheers chris

Just noticed your post and my opinon, your being taken for a ride, of course they are very helpful, taking your money from your pocket
Having a 4 branch would not affect the warm air feed even thou the original has the shield to which the pipe connects too, mine doesn't have it has i fitted a gti manifold to it.
Simply get a longer piece of piping from airbox warm air feed and direct it round to the exhaust manifold, holding it place where the fuel pipes run etc ie it with a cable-tie, saved you exspense of a different manifold.
The problem is the location of the cold air fee pipe which leads directly to the front, cold months and days etc the cold air shoots up to the carb, thus eliminating the warm air feed, where the cold air goes in at front of box, look to see if there is a flap inside, if there is this which indicate this is faulty as this chooses depending on vacuum  and air to determine which one it opens, hot or cold air feed, if no flap do has i suggested above.
Any pics of this said 1.3 mk2 golf rad, that isnt the issue clearly as i dont think the mk2 1.3 does fit, the problem defo sounds like you have been running car without any coolant/antifreeze, an easy fix for yourself.
Easy way to stop Carb freeze is to simply, block off drivers side front part of grill  from the cold air directly going into carb, this will stop mositure etc getting in, as when mositure gets in your car will start blowing black smoke and loses power, this is due to water droplets from cold air mixing with fuel and air mixture, if it does happen, turn off engine, restart approx 30 secs after, leave running til engine heat warms and gets rids of moisture, approx 5 mins, then you can set off again, don't worry the cold air will and does get to carb from other places, i have done this myself, but dont block whole front off lol, but that will eliminate teh mositure getting in i.e. carb freeze
Pete