16v question

[Martz]

My 16v is still making weird and wonderful metal noises. Can anyone recommend a tuner that will sort it out for me in the Surrey area? I know a Audi guy who told me the 16v engine is the only engine that runs incorrectly with unleaded and can't be modified to take unleaded. I don't believe it as other 16v drivers have sweet running engines (unless I am wrong).

Thanks guys in advance

[Carl S]

I've heard one 16valve making metalic clattering noises when I was looking to buy a car. The seller ensured me it was the timing chain that had stretched and needed replacing. I was a bit perplexed by this so I did some research and it turns out that 16v engines have both timing belts and chains! The cam belt goes from top to bottom of the engine to the first cam, the chain joins the two cams, and is only replaced evry 100k or so from memory.
Most non-enthusiast owners are blissfully unaware of the existance of this chain and therefore it seems to get neglected. If it is this is the noise it will be from the top of the engine

As for fuel, I think you're OK if you use super unleaded as it's the octane raing rather than the lead content. But saying that alot of people seem to add a gizmo to the igition system that allows 95 octane to be used.
Try Designadubs nr Basingstoke they've allways been helpful to me.

[Gambit]

you just need to get the timing set for running on unleaded though the car will be slightly down on power

chains are cheap n easy to replace, although they do get noisy after a certain number of miles they very rarely snap - so ur save on that count.

[GavG60]

a properly tuned 16v will pink on normal unleaded as it's not supposed to run on it. before optimax you could buy a k-star to deal with the problem. Now you have optimax k-star is redundant and no longer manufactured. use optimax regularly and get it tuned and it should be fine. if the timing belt hasn't been changed for a while it might be the tensioner?

gav

[Veedubgt18v]

try grl motors in woking they are pretty spot on and restore old cars and have a rolling road and stuff. or buy an 8v
 

[Gambit]

later 16v's have a different ecu that allows them to cope with unleaded petrol.

there will be an E on the end of the ECU part number

[Gambit]

whoever told you that is talking a load of sh!te

all VW's can run on unleaded, and have done since 1972, they have hardened valve seats so no need for lead additives

the only reason for running leaded petrol instead of unleaded when it first came out was beacause unleaded is 95RON rating, and golfs need as close to 98RON

leaded/LRP & super unleaded is closest at 97RON

optimax is perfect as its 98RON

have a look on your fuel flap, it says 98RON unleaded or leaded

[Gambit]

believe me they are filling your head full of sweety mice

why would vag suddenly decide to not use hardened valve seats in one aluminium head when all the other aluminium heads have hardened seats

9a or ABF 2.0 block is a straight swap

the ABF is ever so slightly taller, but not real clearnace issues unless you run a strut brace

[Gambit]

have a look on your fuel flap, it says 98RON unleaded or leaded