Intermittant Running Probs??

Hi guys,

Got an A plate Mk1 GTI Karmon Cabrio - been running fine, sounding sweet, however been giving it a little more use recently and having a few problem.

Driving through town for example, I pull up to a queue of traffic, it sits idling perfectly, but when then trying to pull off, the car chokes quite violently, kicks in, then just dies, if I release the accelerator and reapply, it kind of splutters, and dies again.

I turn off ignition, start up or at least try and it just turns over still spluttering, trying to start but failing miserably.

Some helpful chaps push me to the side of the road, and I leave ignition off for just a few minutes - attempt to start it again, and its fine!!!

So I drive on for a few more minutes, and again when trying to accelerate, the car violently jerks, I release a little, then its fine.

What could this be? Cars done 109k with new cambelt fitted at 99k. Not losing water, oil level fine. Temp gauge was midway.

Ashley,

Has this got the 1.8 Gti injection engine?

If so the best way to get these sorts of problems diagnosed is at an approved BOSCH injection place.  They charge about ?150 and do a full engine tune up.  Probably well worth the money.

You can find a list of centres on the BOSCH web site.  there was a link on the old Campaign Forum - probabbly worth putting it in the web links section here.

Hmmmm, not sure whether or not its injection actually…

Is it really worth spending that much on the car? surely this is a simple problem, ?150 is a fair bit to spend on such an old car!

A good start might be to look on the V5 document and let us know what engine size you do have.  Also have a look under the bonnet and look for a carb or the injection equipment.

?150 is a fair bit to spend on such an old car

… not really especially considering how much some of the people (including myself) on this site have spent on theirs ops: . If you thinking about spending money vs the value of the car, Mk1s are becoming collectable and desirable and are rightly considered a classic. Any classic should hold its value if not increase it. Think of all those people who have to spend money on new cars (usually on top of HP) which losing value all the time.

Therefore I'd say its worth spending more than ?150. Even if you want to get rid of it, the current running problems will detract more than the ?150 from its value.

Cheers

Mines a 1.8 gti kjet and has developed exactly the same problem I reckon I'm going to run it into a bosch centre see what they have to say just got to find the link and find one in Brum. 8)

i had tyhe same sort of problems with mine turned out to be a wiring fault from the coil to the dizzy :roll:

Just phoned up local tuning centre to bite the bullet and get it running smooth.

Do you deal with bosch, yes whats the price for a tune up. Tell him make and model and get the answer that theres loads of probs with that system fuel neck filler rots and gets rust in system so then you'll never get it right.

Cheers for the help matey back to the drawing board then unless anybody knows any tuners in Brum that like old golfs.

i had exactley the same problem in mine and it turned out to be sh1t in the fuel tank caused by a rotten fuel filler neck.a simple way to check is to take of fuel gauge sender in the top of the tank and drop a magnet in on a piece of wire and move it around and see what it picks up.

Might have a go at that the weekend if its dry and I can get it up on some stands. Just got to have a hunt for a magnet now. Is the sender easy enough to get out on a Cabriolet model.

A magnet might pull out bits of rusty filler pipe but not road debris. Anyone seen magnetic chippings or mud? :dontknow:  If its making the car run rough the cr P will be in the fuel line and filters anyway not just the tank. Look under the wheel arch to check the filler pipe. If it is holed 8O  then you know your problem. If it looks like a recent replacement then look inside the tank with a torch to see if it full of muck.

Can you get to the tank on a late cabriolet to have a look inside without dropping it out. :dontknow:

Sould be able to get access under the rear seat through the fuel level sender hole

Right will check that out tomorrow, but I'm off to GSF to get a new fuel filter and rotor arm, if this don't help it will be new dizzy cap and leads and if all else fails I'll whack a new coil on aswell.

If this ain't solved the Kangoroo in me engine, will have to start looking at the fuel side of things.

Right new fuel filter and rotar sorted and then noticed a bolt missing holding the manifold on. New bolt in and now runs a dream. The jumping has gone.