Its all gone a bit Pete Tong !!!!!

[chicken boy]

Need some big help folks, got a 1991 8v digi (factory spec) which was running sweet when i bought it. Had a K&N induction kit fitted bit of a cowboy job but no probs, car sounded sweet as well, occasional bit of backfire but nothing major. Just had a powerflow full exhaust fitted and everything was fine for about a week. Now the damn thing hardly starts, here comes the pain :

Just ready to head of to the Scottish vw show at Biggar and it wouldn't start, it was raining heavy and the battery light on the dash was coming on when trying to tick it over. starter sounds fine and battery is fine but wouldn't start. I let the car dry and manged to start it with a jump start everything seemed ok for a couple of days a few starting probs but didn't seem too bad.
 
Tried to start it today but it was a nightmare, the engine was knocking away and it just sounded horrible even when it was running
didn't get more than 100 yards before it cut out again. Checked the HK leads and there was some oily liquid at the orange cap end on all four leads the spark ends were ok. Also should the bottom pipe at the air box be opened or closed, the one beneath the air filter?

I know its bad news but what is wrong and what can i do ?

fingers crossed and cheers

 

[monkeyalan]

have you checked the rotor arm in the dizzy and the dizzy cap itself?

[chicken boy]

have you checked the rotor arm in the dizzy and the dizzy cap itself?

bit of a newbie so not too sure what the dizzy is ??!! except my poor head

[Rain]

if the cars not running that flap thing in the should be closed might be the mfa up the spout but id test your battery and alternator first to be sure there ok.

[BobbyT]

have you checked the crank case breather??

[Rain]

have you checked the rotor arm in the dizzy and the dizzy cap itself?

bit of a newbie so not too sure what the dizzy is ??!! except my poor head

distributer cap round thing with the 4 ht leads plugged into remove the top and look at the rotor arm inside.

[chicken boy]

 brilliant folks

had a look and the arm was well gone, gonna replace it this afternoon so fingers crossed.

Is this just old age or is there anything else i should be concerned with ??

ps hopefully some pics of the car on the way

[Rain]

old age wouldnt worry too much but if its that far gone id check the leads and replace the cap aswell cap and arm cost you about a fiver in total there not expensive.

[chicken boy]

Yeah just replaced the arm and cap and ma baby is starting at least.
Just need to do the sparks and it should be all good. Sounds like it is only firing on 3 cylinders

cheers

[monkeyalan]

get new HT leads like Rain said,might solve the problem and it can't do any harm. I once had a rotor arm explode on my jetta while i was doing 80 in the outside lane, talk about fill my pants!