Cut 0out problem? could it be the K&N?

[tim145tim]

Hi guys, my mk3 gti 16v cuts out when cold for the first 5-10 mins of driving.

This only happens say after driving a stretch, it then cuts out at a junction or when idling in a que when stationary.

It always restarts, and it seems to idle fine once its warmed up!?

Wierd...

WHoever had the car before me seems to have fitted some sort of K+N double cone thing where the air fliter should be.

DO you think this has anything to do with it stalling?

[tim145tim]

also, If i was to replace this for a normal panel filter? where would I buy the plastic casing for it?

[boneybradley]

its rare for a k&n to cause stalling... with a 16v its best to clean the isv first as these clog up stopping fuel thats needed when cold

[tim145tim]

thanks- how do i clean it?

Ive heard talk about cleaning the throttle body?
could this be the case?

[boneybradley]

throttle body would cause stalling/running problems all the time...but it is worth doing as it seems to make the engine rev smoother (and its rare to find one thats being cleaned unless an enthusiast owned it).. I've never had a 16v so cant tell you about cleaning the isv but try the search function..

[Pete Taylor]

stick up a pic of this K&N filter. The guy before may well of not bunged the throttle body where a now redundand vac hose is causing a massive air leak. Clean out the ISV (take the allen bolts out of the black plastic tray that holds the ignition lead and you'll see the cylinder type thing under there which is the ISV, clean it inside with petrol) and also clean out the throttle body (easier to take off all the hosing and undo the 4 allen bolts to take off and clean it out both sides of the flap, get a cotton bud or proddy device and make sure the small vac inlets/outlets are clear). If it still has the same problem after the free fixes then it's time for a fuel pump relay which is about a tenner from VW.

[tim145tim]

Thanks that message sounds helpful, I'll print it out and have a go..

Heres a pic (sorry its not very clear for you),

Tell me if there is anything clearly wrong (as Ive never fitted one, and havent had this car long)...

Thanks.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/tim145j/enginee.jpg

[Pete Taylor]

Doh, i'm at work all day and can't see photobucket pictures here! I'll take a look for you when I get home.  There are a few other things can cause cause poor running or cutouts on an ABF but i'll talk you through them if the above doesn't work. Luckily they're all cheap fixes and easy to do at home!

[tim145tim]

[tim145tim]

Just got back from a 40 min  drive...

car cut out about 5 /6 times all in all... so there goes my "only when its cold theory"

also sometimes when i went to pull off or after changing up then accelerating, the car was jumpy and losing power?

Its gettign really annoying now!

Ive just bought some Carb cleaner spray...

ANy 1 help?