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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: scooter perv on 30 October 2011, 12:39

Title: mk4 1.6 erratic idle pt2
Post by: scooter perv on 30 October 2011, 12:39
I know this is a common fault but all the searching ive done I cant find an answer :cry:

Ok so the revs bounce up and down and dont settle after a drive. Ive cleaned the tb, Ive unplugged the maf (which made it very lumpy)

Ive bought a second hand tb off ebay and I still have the same problem. Ive serviced it today and noticed that whilst I left it running for 15 mins to get the thermostat open the temp never went over 90 deg but it was obvioulsy getting hot, slight missfire and a bit of whiteish smoke and loads of condensation from the exhaust (I notice it done this after I bought it about 9months ago).


Since then I have changed temp sender but it was a apttern from euro and hasnt made any difference) The oil filler cap is quite often filled with gunk which I though was head gasket but its been like this since I bought it. Im not sure if any of this is relevant but im mentioning it anyways...Anyway whilst I was waiting for the thermostat to cut in and let me top the water up it started to rev quite high (1500)and at that point I switched it off cos I was getting worried about overheating.

I tried something that I read on a forum this weekend and that was to quickly redline it and the revs dropped down to 1000 and then inched down to 950 and I tried this a few times when it started getting erratic and each time the revs died down to normal..Any ideas folks? Im getting to the point of just finding a cheap runabout and selling this cheap just to get rid of it :sad:Ive had it at local garage and theyve toldme its not bring up and fault codes.what else can I do?
Title: Re: mk4 1.6 erratic idle pt2
Post by: scooter perv on 30 October 2011, 18:41
Ok been searching for similar problems all afternoon and best I can come up with is faulty/blocked pcv valve which seems to give similar symptoms, ie gunk on oil cap. Anyone know if a 1998  1.6 akl engine has a pcv and where would I find it please?
Title: Re: mk4 1.6 erratic idle pt2
Post by: tokemk4gti.t on 31 October 2011, 15:51
is it like a cream sh!te on the oil cap?? might have a crack in the water jacket!!  :undecided: or maybe head gaskett is all i can think would cause that ! my bro had the same with his having mucky creamy jizz stuff on the oil cap and he had a cracked water jacket  :lipsrsealed: i dunno if that would result in runnin rough i would imagine so though and also would explain the whiteish smoke as its water burnin  :cry:
Title: Re: mk4 1.6 erratic idle pt2
Post by: scooter perv on 31 October 2011, 16:51
Cheers for the reply bud, but it went in the garage when I first bought it and although it was steaming there was no water loss and its been like it for 9 months now. The steam from exhaust is only noticable when its been sitting on idle for 15 mins or so but not when its being driven.
Title: Re: mk4 1.6 erratic idle pt2
Post by: Ant1981 on 31 October 2011, 16:55
90 degrees is normal.

How often do you drive it and for how many miles?

Is the radiator top hose alot harder than the bottom hose?

Does the heater work? Does the coolant level in the tank drop at all?
Title: Re: mk4 1.6 erratic idle pt2
Post by: scooter perv on 31 October 2011, 18:55
90 degrees is normal.

How often do you drive it and for how many miles?

Is the radiator top hose alot harder than the bottom hose?

Does the heater work? Does the coolant level in the tank drop at all?

Dont do many long trips to be honest, cars used a few times a week maybe 12 miles round trips sometimes will do 40 miles or so over weekend,,
Top hose is quite flexible
Heater works (I think lol), havent used it for 6 months
Coolent level wil need topping up with a cupfull every month or so