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General => General discussion => Topic started by: dubin on 26 August 2008, 14:30

Title: MY Gti Sound like a 3 Potter, What s going on?
Post by: dubin on 26 August 2008, 14:30
As above.

I started the Engine the other day, let it tick over and with out any warning it just sounded sh!t. Almost as if it was running on 3 cylinders.
I was showing of the Car to a friend in the street, and i tough i'd start the engine "As You Do".
Any was, one second it was running fine, the next CRAP.
I did'T touch the accelerator at all during the time it was running, as i never do until i see a reading on my MFA "Oil Temp"

Now i thought it might be "Fuel" as the gauge was reading Empty, So this morning when i got in from work i when to the garage put a 10er in and when i started the car it still sounded the same.

so this after noon, i started the car and removed one HT lead at a time to see if it could be a Spark plug.

I started from the CAM side of the engine and worked my way to the Gear Box. HT lead 1 removed stared up worse, HT lead 2 removed No real change but if i touch the accelerator wounded rev good "missy", HT lead 3 removed "Same result as HT Lead 2 and HT lead 4 same result as HT lead 1.

So now i'm thinking it could be, that the timing may have slipped a tooth.

Dose any know were i can find some thing on the timing for my GTi "1.8 16v" or has this happned to you before and know what it is.

Title: Re: MY Gti Sound like a 3 Potter, What s going on?
Post by: davidhawkins_78 on 26 August 2008, 14:34
Hall Sender I'd start with . . . and check the cam sensor plug on the dizzy first!
Title: Re: MY Gti Sound like a 3 Potter, What s going on?
Post by: DubFan on 26 August 2008, 14:57
What's with all the "speech marks" ?
Title: Re: MY Gti Sound like a 3 Potter, What s going on?
Post by: dubin on 26 August 2008, 15:36
Hall Sender I'd start with . . . and check the cam sensor plug on the dizzy first!

Would't the engine not fier up if it was the Hall sender. I checked the plug it looks ok.

Just been on the phone to VW and for a new distridutor its going to cost me 103 pound.

Be for i go out and buy one, has any one got any more thought as to why the engine is runing rough as FCUK.
Title: Re: MY Gti Sound like a 3 Potter, What s going on?
Post by: Conker on 26 August 2008, 18:07
Don't buy anything until you've diagnosed the problem, although £103 for a genuine VW dizzy is good value.

In terms of checking ignition timing:  http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=56707.0

In terms of checking static tooth timing, have a search of the dedicated Mk2 section (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?board=7.0), but preferably buy a Haynes as the timing is fully detailed in there.

The car can still start with a dodgy Hall Sender. A good symptom of hall sender issues is your rev counter jumping around. Oil can leak into the dizzy from the head and affect the sender, so a good spray of WD40 helps clean it out.

A good (but dangerous) way to check your plugs and leads is to remove a lead and plug and then get a mate to turn the engine over with a spark plug earthed on the rocker cover (don't electrocute yourself!!). You can then visibly see the quality of the spark and check for arcing etc.

Also have a look at buying a new dizzy cap and rotor arm which only cost a few quid - much less than the whole dizy!!


My bet would be on dodgy HT leads.

Title: Re: MY Gti Sound like a 3 Potter, What s going on?
Post by: dubin on 27 August 2008, 16:16
turns out is was the Spark Plugs, but found that out once i when and bought the dizzy cap and arm first.

I changed the dizzy arm and it just sounded even worse so put the old one back on, i bid't even bother trying the dizzy cap so when back down to my local parts shop and got some NGK plugs, but i'l change then for a set of BOSH super 4s at a latter date.

She back to full health agen  :grin: :grin:

Thank for the help guys, hope i can return the favor some time.  :smiley:
Title: Re: MY Gti Sound like a 3 Potter, What s going on?
Post by: Conker on 27 August 2008, 21:06
Leave the new arm and cap on anyway you stingy bugger!

 :grin:

Title: Re: MY Gti Sound like a 3 Potter, What s going on?
Post by: dubin on 29 August 2008, 06:31
Leave the new arm and cap on anyway you stingy bugger!

 :grin:



I'l put them back on some time to day, but when i put the rottor arm on the other day it sounded crap.
Title: Re: MY Gti Sound like a 3 Potter, What s going on?
Post by: Rmachines on 29 August 2008, 23:45
Compression test time?