1st post - Help me work throgh my problems!!!

1st post - hi all! - done some searching but want to get a post up to monitor my progress…

I've started working on my A Reg campaign's MK1 GTi's starting issues… for some time now it has been a 'some time job' but I need to get on top of it now… so…

The car generally cranks over VERY slowly.. I mean slowly.. then catches.. sometime dies… then churns over and over to eventually fire… really badly… foot to the floor the rev counter slowly comes up and the car eventually idles… not too bad - once hot then the same - so cold / hot pretty bad all round.

Done the dizzy, plugs etc a while back the car's been sitting for a year now so I guess I need to do them all again!

Whats my 1st move… collect the service parts and see how it goes? I was told a while ack to swapout the FPR but the cost at the time shocked me!!

Someone hold my hand through this - I'll get some pics up as I progress maybe this wil help others.

Thanks guys

With the symptoms you describe, the first check would be the Cold Start Injector (5th injector). You can unscrew it and very carefully position it so that its observable from within the car, and also disable the ignition by pulling a wire off the coil. Then it should squirt a fine mist of fuel when you turn the ignition. If its failed, then check its electrical connections. The thermo time switch is also involved in the circuit, it senses how hot the engine is and controls how long to activate it for, if at all (hot engine start needs no extra fuel squirt).

Sounds like you need a new battery or a starter motor to turn it quicker
Bert

paul_c said

With the symptoms you describe, the first check would be the Cold Start Injector (5th injector). You can unscrew it and very carefully position it so that its observable from within the car, and also disable the ignition by pulling a wire off the coil. Then it should squirt a fine mist of fuel when you turn the ignition. If its failed, then check its electrical connections. The thermo time switch is also involved in the circuit, it senses how hot the engine is and controls how long to activate it for, if at all (hot engine start needs no extra fuel squirt).

Thanks I'll try this tomorrow and report back tomorrow night.

Bert said

Sounds like you need a new battery or a starter motor to turn it quicker
Bert

Sure, is there a recomened model of battery? Is a Bosch one better or??? Anyone got a model - I'll pick one up tomorrow - the battery is flat now anyway…

Anything made by bosch is good in my book  :y:
Bert

Bert said

Anything made by bosch is good in my book  :y:
Bert

Sure,

Has anyone compiled a service list with part numbers… when I head off to my motor factors / eurocarparts to get the service kit, what grade of oil and spark plugs should I pick up - do I need to regap them?

bigtone said

Bert said

Anything made by bosch is good in my book  :y:
Bert

Sure,

Has anyone compiled a service list with part numbers… when I head off to my motor factors / eurocarparts to get the service kit, what grade of oil and spark plugs should I pick up - do I need to regap them?

Oil grade is officially 15W40 but I use 10W40 semi-synthetic. Its important to get the right model of spark plugs, since the GTI engine's are one grade colder than the carb. Gap is 0.8mm.

I'll be buying the service kit tomorrow… : & a new battery - I'll check the injector when I crank tomorrow night too… keep you all posted . Thanks