Running issues on my Mk3 1.8

[TheOnlyWayIsDubway]

Hi all   

Brought a P reg 1.8 golf last week knowing it had a running issue. When it starts it will run by it's self but soon as you go near the throttle, if you just lightly tap it it will rev slightly but if you put your foot down it dies. Been round all the sensors and cleaned them. Think it sounds like fuel starvation. Real shame because it's such a clean shell. All help will be greatly appreciated 

[LowlifeDubber]

I'd take a guess at the flange mounted gasket under the spi unit as they are a common problem on these lumps.
Spray some brake cleaner or similar around the throttle body gasket while at idle and listen out for any surging.
Also check the servo hose that goes to your inlet manifold as these can cause poor running if the have a pin prick in them.

[TheOnlyWayIsDubway]

Cheers for the reply dude!

Will have a check. Phoned the guy who i brought it of, asked him about the cars servicing and running. said he owned the car for 4 years
and never serviced it!  Also the cars fuel gauge never saw above the red was run on odd fivers and and tenners! after this phone call i went and had a look under the car at the fuel filter judging by the state of it its not been changed in a while so brought a new 1 + new oil + filter hopefully might bring her back to life     

[TheOnlyWayIsDubway]

Engine I'm dealing with 

[TheOnlyWayIsDubway]

Done a oil change on this today. Sum it up in three words "What a BARS*ARD!!" Drain plug was fine and the filter was just evil so ended up sticking a large Snap-On flat bladed screw driver threw it  Done the trick!

After doing all of this i let her run on her rough idle for 10 mins to check for leaks. I removed the oil cap to find a slight bit of white stuff round the edge of the cap  It's only a tiny bit but I'm a little worried! The oil that come out was black is that a good sign?

I still have the running issue but i think i found that issue out today whilst unplugging plugs 

[LowlifeDubber]

Looks like a normal ABS 1.8 90BHP lump there(ive got a complete head for it with manifolds if you need it btw)

What issue have found regarding the poor running?

As for the white gunk round the cap id wait until you take it for an italian tune up before you start getting worried about the head gasket as it could be just condensation.
The head gasket went on mine which started with a ticking noise(like you have a blow from the ex mani) then it turned into a blood awful noise.Turns out the ring on the head gasket between no1-2 pot blew,a common problem on these engines ive been told.

[TheOnlyWayIsDubway]

I might be very interested in the head buddy, going to do a compression test on it tomorrow. How much would you want for the head?

Whilst it was running I unplugged the plug located under the throttle cable, when unplugged the car run flat for a few seconds.
when you try and rev it, it sounds like it's got a induction kit or no air filter at all just killing it self with air if you go near the throttle. there's a split in the bottom pipe of the air filter box would this make it run like crap?