HELP!!! Car Wont Fire Up.

Morning All,

I'm hoping someone can help.

Yesterday I fitted a new head gasket in my Mk1 Golf Cabriolet 1.6 EW engine code Carb Model, Automatic Transmission.

I have today put it all back together and now it won't fire.

Things I have checked so far:

Checked for spark at the plugs which is there.
Checked for fuel to the carb also there.
Checked compression which is there at around 155 psi on all 4 cylinders
I have checked that I have the timing right which I believe is correct all aligned to TDC.


It will turn over but won't fire, at about 2 or 3 turnovers I'm getting a sort of puff from the top of the carb (which seems a little odd.) it then feels like it's about to start but then nothing.

Am I missing something, I can't seem to think what the problem can be. Your help is much appreciated if you need or require more information please let me know.

Thanks in advance Karl


 

Check your valve timing again, make sure all the marks are lined up correctly. Also check the rotor arm is aligned to number 1 on distributor cap. As the distributor is driven off the intermediate shaft in may of been wrong in the first place and you've aligned it right so the distributor may now be off, if that makes sense.

As Steve1973 said… check the timing as it's so easy to get the cambelt a tooth out when fitting.

It's also worth checking your plug leads are in the right order. On most engines the firing order is 1-3-4-2 with the rotor arm turning in a clockwise direction.

Verify your timing.

Very easy to use the timing mark on the pulleys and well
The diz can be way off.

These cars will crank 180 degrees out.

Cam dot on the back even with the Valve cover tin not rebar.
Crank at 0 on the tranny.
Dizzy rotor in the middle of the hash.

Accept no substitutes.

I've been through this on my GTi, as above it sounds like ignition timing.  All my timing marks lined up but car just wouldn't fire.  Started tweaking distributor a bit for each turn until it fired, then got a timing light on and set it properly.