Have I bought a lemon?

[blueseamonkey]

I picked up my '92 Mk2 GTI 16v a week ago from the previous owner. Its done 190,000km (about 118,000 miles,) the last few slowly over several years as its been used as a 3rd car, driven only occasionally at weekends. The first couple of days it ran nicely, including on a fairly long drive home. No concerns whatsoever. However, in the last couple of days I've been having a few problems.

It started playing up when starting, although it started straight off 1st time, it then would not idle nicely, the revs dropping however hard I pushed the throttle, then eventually cutting out after about 10-15 seconds. It would start alright the 2nd time round, and although the revs dropped it would keep running through it, then seemed to run fine and steady.

But over the last few days the idle problem has gradually worsened and now (on top of the starting problem) it can drop down to 700 for a while, then increase up to 2-3000, for a few seconds before settling back down again at 1000. This happens even after the engine has been running for a while and is up to temperature. The extremely high idle is very worrying and I'm not happy using it like that.
The throttle cable is worn and probably needs replacing, but that doesn't seem to be the cause of this problem.

The fan belt started making a bit of noise, then suddenly snapped, leaving me at the roadside earlier today. Apparently there is some kind of problem with the air-conditioning compressor (according to the mechanic who came and fitted me a new fan belt,) he thinks possibly a bearing problem and has recommended not using the air-con at the moment.

Even worse, this evening while doing some basic checks and fixes I'd not had time to do before, I started it up and the engine started smoking. I can't tell exactly where from, (it was dark and I was working by torchlight) but it looks like its coming from the back of the engine block somewhere.
For now, I obviously won't be driving it, until I have time to have a good look and find more about the problem. I was just hoping for a few hints and tips as to where to start. I was wondering about an air leak, or maybe the ICV for the idle and maybe the smoke problem.
This is the first time I have owned a Golf, so not quite sure where to start. Any advice welcome.

Golfs are rare here in the Philippines, so some parts may prove tricky. Labour however is cheap, so if any big jobs need doing it might well cost me less than in Britain to get it done professionally.

[raferackstraw]

idle issue is either air leaks or more than likely the isv/icv take that off and clean with carb cleaner until it runs out clear, allow it to dry out and refit.
smoking look for weeping on the head gasket at back of head , check exhaust integrity.
give the car a thorough service, also check wiring to hall sender and sensors on the side of the head.

took mine to jet wash today and it was running fine afterwards started cutting out then revving to 3000rpm, turned out to be isv again

[Bandit127]

I would start with a crank case breather clean (possibly the source of the smoke - if it is blocked the oil will come out somewhere - usually the rocker gasket). A couple of cars I (or my mates) have owned have had oil leaks sorted with this.

Replace the fuel filter (your initial problems could have been a blocked filter).

Check the inlet and vacuum hoses for leaks (follow the advice of raferackstraw).

A good service will help - new plugs, filters etc.

Golfs are actually quite robust vehicles. They will struggle with a lack of servicing like any car - but only the gearboxes actually break from it. Unlike a lot of other types of car, your engine and fuel system probably just need a bit of TLC to get it all working properly.

Lastly I just realised why the wires to my AC compressor have been cut - someone probably had the same problem as you years ago...   

[blueseamonkey]

Thank you both very much for the advice. You've both made me feel a bit better about the car, plus given me plenty to get on with this week! I will post back in a few days with results.
Cheers
Rick

[blueseamonkey]

Work progressing slower than I'd like due to bad weather and how early it gets dark here - I miss long British summer evenings, that was when I got most work done on my previous cars.

However, it looks like its not the ICV, gave it a good clean, put it back tightening all the seals and all the same idling problems still there. Have a day off tomorrow so hoping to track down a fuel filter.
Interestingly there sounds like a hiss coming from near the throttle body, maybe an air leak, will try the carb cleaner trick tomorrow to check it. Crank case breather clean is on the list too, either tomorrow or over the weekend.

The smoke hasn't reappeared yet, which could mean one of 2 things. One, it only happens when the engine gets very hot, or two, it could have been due to a "helper" spraying WD40 on the engine on the evening concerned, while my back was turned  . One thing about working on a car in this country is that its almost impossible to open a bonnet without attracting a crowd. Engines are loved here, even if only a select few understand them. It comes in very handy for those jobs when an extra pair of hands is needed, though you do have to keep an eye on what is being done!

[Loynes]

You got air leaks my friend,  mine was the same I had all the breather hoses changed and it was lots better.  I then checked the rest of the system for leaks, mine had a leak on the idle screw and on the mixture adjuster Allen bolt.  Its rock solid at idle now, also check the timing. Good luck

[The Mighty Elvi]

Seems the previous owner didn't love it long time.

Make sure you do.

[raferackstraw]

its a good idea to get some new vacuum hose and replace yours, they can look ok on the outside but the rubber beneath the braiding can be perished.
my revving issue turned out to be isv control relay not the isv

[blueseamonkey]

Never made it to the parts shop yesterday so will add vacuum hoses to the list! Good thing I bargained the price down quite a bit from the original asking price, hopefully will have enough cash left over to get it running nicely.

I think the only thing the last owner loved about this car was the way it looked, he seemed much more concerned about the "porma" or style/look of the car than how it ran. At least that means the bodywork and interior are in good condition! He gave me a discount too for putting BBS alloys back on instead of the silly big things he'd bought .

[blueseamonkey]

Finally got a good long look under the bonnet in daylight today, I think most of my problems are going to be traceable back to perished rubber/plastic. Vacuum hoses, coolant hoses, even headlight positioning clips and screen wash bottle seals are all knackered. Some of them are disintegrating in my hands, others have been bodged back together with gasket sealant or similar.

Just hoping I can find them all, or at least reasonable equivalents locally. Don't want to have to wait (or pay) for things to get posted here, or it'll be weeks before I get to drive again!