1.6 gti cabby

Hi guys I need some help here before I lose my head finally got the car started but a little lumpy as though its hunting, when I take leads 1 and for off (individually) it's doesn't make much affect to the running of the car 1 does slightly but 4 makes no change at all any help would be great it's had new plugs fitted

Cooling system

Temp gauge is always flashing and needle doesn't move at all fan doesn't kick in it blew the thin pipe that goes from rad to expansion tank off today water everything and hot water at that, what's my best options here I've took rad of and flushed with hose till clear water but still hot brown c**p in block and pipes? Please help and if I flush will this resolve temp and fan issue  does anyone have diagram of the cooling system?

Thanks all

Hmm. Could be several things I guess. Remove the oil cap and see if there is some mayo in there. I’m thinking is your head gasket ok. Low compression on  1 and 4.

Have a look at the dizzy cap. Does it have any cracks in it. Is the rotor arm all good, and the contacts all good.

How old are the ht leads?  Try swapping them to see if you lose spark on another cylinder.

Maybe it is fuel. Are the injectors ok. Injector seals perished. How long since it has run nice.

Engines are quite simple. It’s the systems around them that confuse. But look for basics on each cylinder. Fuel, spark, compression and timing. Have these and all the metal bits go round and round, up and down.

Hope this helps in some way.


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It's not been on road for around 4/5 years it's got fresh fuel and injectors with seals all sprayed fine 4 jar method used dizzy cap looks clean no cracks points all look OK I put all fresh oil and filter so I'm struggling and the rad has frustrating me now aswell

Mine overheated and the little nipple on the rad the connects the small hose to the expansion tank was block so I had to drill it out.  To be fair I had virtually no circulation except through the heater matrix.

If you have circulation hopefully it’s not being over pressurised by the head gasket.

Assuming the order of the injector pipes is correct and ht cables are 1342 etc.

All connections are good. No split vacuum tubes etc sucking in air weakening the mixture.

If fuel and spark is all good I would double check compression.  

Maybe list the checks you have done perhaps some of the more clever ones on here can suggest some additional checks.


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So I flushed out the full cooling system today and came to restart the car and nothing? Finally got it going again turned it off to go back to work and cam home and nothing just turns over and over debating on a full strip and rebuild :/

Ht leads, spark plugs, rotor arm and dissy cap don't last for ever, if they are old then buy good quality replacement item, I use Bosch or Breu stuff.

Even if you fit them and it's no better and you go ahead a rebuild the engine then you still will need new leads etc…

I would start and try to get it running first and start with the easy and cheap stuff 1st, these engine are very reliable if they have a regular service.

Have you tried removing the spark plugs and check you have a spark when cranking the engine? Hold the end of the spark plug near to the engine block when cranking, hold the end of the HT with insulated pillars.

I gave up on it for the night I find it easier to go back to after a break sometimes I will be checking these tomorrow I did notice how ever that the rotary arm under cap when lifted off and looking under the arm the piece that lines it up to push it back on it snapped so arm can spin full rotation without cranking :/ don't k ow if that makes any sense I've had a few brandys to mellow my head lol 😂

Yes that could be why it's now not starting as if the rotor arm has spin slightly the spark at the plug won't happen at the right time…

Yes good idea sometimes to walk away and have a drink or 2  

Will see if my local car parts garage has one if it does and it still don't work after that and the leads eolaced as swell I think I'll go with the strip down least I'll still have the new parts to put aside for it all

If you do buy new dissy cap and ht leads there is 2 types, they look the same on the outside but the connections are different, 1 has a pin type connection (saw tooth) the other is a sort of socket. (I think they call it DIN?)

Just match the dissy cap to the leads and what ever connection your coil has.

Ht leads with the later pin type connection.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-Mk1-1-6-HT-Leads-Ignition-Cables-Set-83-to-92-EW-Bosch-803998031-Quality/232464544251?epid=1949112671&hash=item361ff771fb:g:uVgAAOSwCQlZ7rUo&frcectupt=true

Spark plugs..

See who ever has the best discount code..
https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/Volkswagen_Golf+Cabriolet_1.6_1984/p/car-parts/regular-service/car-service-parts/spark-plugs/?408330010&1&216663d64afa45a533ee140e3727aa6438076ead&000301

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf+Cabriolet_1.6_1984/p/car-parts/regular-service/car-service-parts/spark-plugs/?408330010&1&216663d64afa45a533ee140e3727aa6438076ead&000301

Rotor arm…

https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/Volkswagen_Golf+Cabriolet_1.6_1984/p/car-parts/ignition1/engine-parts/rotor-arm/?405330140&1&ab95e2cb1b9c31ee15a7d1b9345e1067ee10dbff&000288

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf+Cabriolet_1.6_1984/p/car-parts/major-service/car-service-parts/rotor-arm/?405330140&1&ab95e2cb1b9c31ee15a7d1b9345e1067ee10dbff&000288

Dissy cap.. Pin type.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beru-Distributor-Cap-Engine-Ignition-System-Part-VW-Scirocco-82-92-1-8-1-6/381754004418?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649