think its fooked!!

[bundy]

ive just been given a mk2 gti 8v theres no smoke from it or anything but its only running on 2 or 3 cylinders. ive cleaned all the plugs and ive got a spark going through each lead, havn't tested the compression in each cylinder yet. if anyones got any idea of what it could be please let me know.

[Rmachines]

Make sure the plugs are connected the right way,  (in the correct firing order)  If you muddle them up somtimes it will run but only on 2/3 cylinders!!  Pops and backfired are a common give away.

Check that first because i have done it many times!
It will be somthing like 1-3-4-2  So find out where number 1 is on the dizzy cap and ensure the ones that follow it connect as shown.

On the distributor            Spark plugs
Plug1        --->                Cylinder 1
Plug2        --->                Cylinder 3
Plug3        --->                Cylinder 4
Plug4        --->                Cylinder 2

Sorry if you already knew that, best to make it clear the first tiem just incase you dont know about the firing order 


By the way,  if you look down on the top of your distributor,  number 1, is TOP RIGHT
 
           2   1
             O
           4   3


Like that ^^^


And if that doesnt work,  you need a compression test 

[bundy]

nice one thank ya, i just took for granted the bloke that gave me the car had them in he right order i think that 1 and 4 are the wrong way round on it.

[Rmachines]

Nice easy fix if it is!   

[bundy]

well, i checked and checked again and they wer ein the right order, took the plugs out of the barrels that werent running and put a bit of oil down to see if that helped and after a very loud bang!!it was still the same so its compression testing time!if that fails new head!