mk1 gti running probs!

[mikemk1]

hi,
hope u can help,mk1 gti has flat spot when revving,then once car warms up she
doesn't want to start.
i've just bought her,done a full service but still she plays up.made a few enquiries
and been told change the ignition control unit(tci unit £30 ).
would this make sense or any other ideas,cheers.............................................

[gibby]

I'm not sure about the ignition control unit but when the car is warm and will not start and when you try to start her up can you hear a whurr sound from the fuel pump ? If not then it could be the fuel relay switch, if it is then unplug it and check the connections, if they are full of cr@p then sandpaper the gunk off and put in back in and see what that's like. 

[mikemk1]

thanks for reply,no noise from fuel pump.
took car out today and gave it a boot,seems like it has got rid of flat spot,
so my next ? about warm start probs is, is there  a  common problem with injectors,
because this would explain no starting if the injectors were dripping into bore and causing
a flooding type of situation.
your thoughts and advice most appreciated!!!!!

[gibby]

How's the fuel filler neck, is it rusty ? mk1s were renowned for getting rusty filler necks and then rust gets into the injection system.  I don't know if I confused in my first post but you should get a whurr sound from the fuel pump when it cranks up. If it sounds like it's flooded when warm and you can't hear a sound from the fuel pump then I'm thinking that it is the fuel relay switch, I've had the same problem on mine a couple of times. 

[black_cabbie]

What engine management are we talking about here?
CIS or Digifant?

[richandhazel]

What engine management are we talking about here?
CIS or Digifant?

Its mk1 so it will be CIS. Yes there is a problem with injectors when they get worn and drip. You should get at least 70,000 miles out of your injectors. One of the first signs that they are on their way out is exactly what you describe with the hot starting. They continue dripping fuel into the pots and if you attempt to start the car before the fuel has evaporated (i.e overnight) then it will be flooded. A temporary fix for this problem used to be to disconnect the cold start injector thereby reducing the amount of fuel being pumped in on start up. Worked on my old 5 cylinder audi coupe GT. Used to take 10 to 15 seconds of cranking before I discconected that injector, then started straight away

[Justins145bhpMK1]

Rich,

When you going to get started on that MK1 tintop of yours??? Im looking for another resto project if you havent the time for it!!!

[richandhazel]

Hi mate. Not looking to get rid of it just yet although I'd be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind occasionally
I'm in limbo with the cars at the moment as I'm still borrowing my brothers Peugeot (didn't expect him to need me to keep it for quite this long) and the Polo is poised ready for its MOT to replace the Peugeot when my brother wants it back. Once the Peugeot is gone I'll have better idea of what I'm going to do........but rest assured I do still plan to put that on the road one day, unfortunately for the moment it will have to remain a (very) future project.
Got lots of other things going on here, that I am slowly getting on top of in order to release some spare time for such a venture

[Justins145bhpMK1]

Thats the thing isnt it, having the time to do it. Im getting made redundant as from tomorrow and am retraining as a plumber so I have plenty of time to start a little project. I want another MK1 but finding a good one seems a lot harder than last time.

I might have a go at a cab instead!