cutting out and not starting again after short journeys.

Hi, I recently inherited a 1986 MK1 golf cabriolet
I am certainly not a mechanic, but will try to have a go at most things.
All was well until about a week ago, when the car started running fast on idle 1500rpm
I checked this forum out and discovered the thread about the idle screw, removed this and the O ring was flat and brittle, I replaced this and wrapped PTFE tape around the threads, put the screw back in and now the car will not tick over at all, so much so that it cuts out on short (3-4 miles) and is a pig to start again.
All I have done to the car since I got it was change the oil and filter, cleaned dizzy cap and topped up the anti freeze.
As I have said I am a bit of a mechanical novice so any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
TIA
Bondy

tried winding it out a bit till it idles? you'll probably want the base idle and co reset if it was leaking before

Hi, Thanks for the reply, Yes I have wound it out and in, trying to get it right, it will i'll get it to about 1000rpm and it will be ok for a few seconds and then start to fluctuate and eventually cut out,
I'm obviously a skin flint and should take it to a garage, but I would also like to learn myself.

I would set the timing first or verify that you are in the proper time, with the proper duty cycle.

No point in trying to clean the dissy cap, if you don't know how old it is replace it for a new one and fit a new rotor arm as well.
I change mine every 2 years, there is 2 types of dissy cap, 1 with pins in the middle which the HT leads fit on and 1 without the pins so if you replace it check which type you have but go carfully removing the HT leads and pull on the rubber part not the lead as you can pull the wire out of the end as I've done this before and needed to buy new leads.
You should be able to increase the idle using the screw up to 1500 rpm so as already mentioned your timing may be out, what fuel are you using, super or normal unleaded?

I use normal unleaded, I'll have a look at getting a new dizzy cap at the weekend. Thanks for the advice.

Try using super unleaded.
If you are getting a new dissy cap get a new rotor arm as they are only a couple £s

Thanks, will do, I had been trying to set the idle at 950/1000rpm as I read that in the manual, i'll try 1500rpm, and super unleaded.
Thanks for your help, i'll let you know how it goes.

I would also check the timing, use the markers shown in this guide to check the timing belt is correct, ignore the setup procedures:
http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=14915

Then go over all the kjet basic checks covered in here, ignore the 16v specific stuff:
http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=25972

then when you come to check the ignition timing this is done when the engine is idling with the vacuum line to the distributor disconnected and plugged, you use the same diamond marker as shown in both the guides above.

for the idle and co this is done with the engine idling after its warmed up, oil temp min 80 degrees. if you dont have a co meter theres a rough method you can try in the 16v guide which will work for the 8v as well