backfire and crunching

[jamesmerrix]

hi,
two probs,
i have just bought a '91 8v gti with a genuine 67k and FSH in pretty much perfect condition no rust etc..
first prob is that when cold it crunches going from first to second, i know that this is a common problem but on a car in such good cond. with such low mileage i am supprised that this is the prob. as it only does it when really cold (first 4-5 cahnges) could it be an oil issue? (although thinking about it its good history should have taken care of it)
2nd prob
when changing down a gear on a trailing throttle i get a pop from the exhaust (which is blowing slightly) i have read a few posts similar to this which had similar probs but mine is slightly diff. i think in that when sitting still if u rev the engine it revs up fine but on the way down it sounds like the fuel/ignition has been cut and that the engine is going to stall before it "remembers" that it is runnign and then catches again. so my theory is that the fuel is not being burnt during this period and is then igniting in the hot exhaust. any way sorry for such a long post  has any one got any ideas??

james  merrix

[mk2gtimatt]

well i have to say mate that my mk2 has a genuine 37K on the clock n it crunches in second. im just gona slap a new gearbox on (yeah i hapen to have one lyin around!) and about the backfire it sounds like your fuel pump is still pumping fuel into the engine which is being burnt off as u decelerate, mine does that now and again but only wen i hit about 6000rpm and change gear real quick as it doesnt allow enough time to burn the gases, sounds wicked tho!

[mk2gtimatt]

oh and about the service history, that means nothin. i work in a grage and see loads of cars that have been 'serviced' by other places, but on closer inspection they have just had a basic check. things like brakes and leaks are usually missed, and bodged repairs are another favourite. if you want a proper check take it to a vw speciallist (not a main dealer) or a private garage that u know, they tend to be a bot more careful with services as they want you to come back so they tend to do a good job. but stay clear of maindealers!

[Tucker]

My 2nd gears the same when cold, you could change the gear box oil, can only help.
I just put up with mine, only 5 or ten mins when cold so just take it easy and slip her in nice and slow should take it nice and slow till the engine warms up anyway
Mines an 8v 84 with 170,000 on the clock

[Gambit]

yes just take 1st to 2nd slowly for the first 5mins - even double de-clutch if its annoys you that bad

changing the gearbox oil to something like Redline MTF can reduce the crunch but it will always be there