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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: the_hamster on 19 February 2012, 20:58

Title: ARZ starting problem
Post by: the_hamster on 19 February 2012, 20:58

I'm thinking of buying a W reg 2000 Golf 1.8T that has the ARZ engine in it. The bloke has been honest about it, says that its had an engine swap at some point to an ARZ and is fly by wire throttle. He says it has a straight through exhaust, decatted with the lambda sensors removed???

He says that in the mornings it takes ages of cranking to start, then runs lumpy for about 30 seconds then is perfect after that. His mate then said that if you turn the ignition on/off to "prime the injectors" it fires up a lot better. Once its warm it starts fine.

The car is cheap for what it is, and he's been honest about the issues but I just want to know if i'm in for a can of worms or a simple(ish) fix.

Its a 300 mile round trip to view the car so i'm obviously trying to get as much info as poss to save a wasted journey.

I know people will tell me to walk away, but with a limited budget I have to get a car thats likely to have some issues that I can then work on and improve/repair.

Any help/advice is appreciated. Thanks

Title: Re: ARZ starting problem
Post by: richw911 on 19 February 2012, 21:05

Have the sensors been properly mapped out?

Title: Re: ARZ starting problem
Post by: the_hamster on 19 February 2012, 21:16

He says its been mapped so I would assume so but he's not had the car long. He bought it off a friend who's away in the army so getting info isnt easy but he's been up front about everything i've asked.

Title: Re: ARZ starting problem
Post by: Dalo Harkin on 21 February 2012, 12:55

It will be very hard to say what it could be.... just due to the fact that so many things can cause issues like that, the ECU definately wont be happy that there are no lambda sensors (I'm sure there are 2) if they havent been mapped out then the ECU will be having a fit (this'll be the 30 seconds they are on about) and I'm surprised it isnt going into limp mode.

If your not sure then get someone who knows what they are doing to have a proper look at it..

Title: Re: ARZ starting problem
Post by: rio_gti on 21 February 2012, 13:06

Quote from: Dalo Harkin on 21 February 2012, 12:55

It will be very hard to say what it could be.... just due to the fact that so many things can cause issues like that, the ECU definately wont be happy that there are no lambda sensors (I'm sure there are 2) if they havent been mapped out then the ECU will be having a fit (this'll be the 30 seconds they are on about) and I'm surprised it isnt going into limp mode.
If your not sure then get someone who knows what they are doing to have a proper look at it..

it prob is!!!

i wouldnt buy it (depending how much your actually gonna pay) as its gonna need to be remapped again if it hasnt been done properly... also im sure you would still need 1 lambda sensor in the exhaust thought generally only 1 got mapped out.

sounds like a bit of a ballache really prob will need a stand alone ECU to start with but prob wont be worth it...... buy one that works and that isnt as far away!!!!

Title: Re: ARZ starting problem
Post by: the_hamster on 21 February 2012, 13:08

Yeah i'm going to give it a miss as it sounds like a lot of headaches. The bloke knows nothing about the car, reckons its had the engine replaced for one with 180bhp, but its an ARZ  :rolleyes:

Title: Re: ARZ starting problem
Post by: Dalo Harkin on 21 February 2012, 13:20

Its just the turbo thats different ARZ had the K03 (baby turbo) and the K03S is the one that is referred to as 180bhp (but its after its been remapped that this happens)