engine trouble

[afcharlie]

Just bought an 83 Mk1 Cab...ran fine for the first 100 miles or so...then started to get bad engine performance while running...at first it felt like when you hit 4th instead of 2nd and theres not enough power to get going, the whole car kinda "chugs" along...well the car started doing that all the time after about 10 mins of driving...no matter what gear i was in or how fast I was going...it's only gotten worse and now it barely makes it across the parking lot.  Anyone have this issue.  FYI...I am in no way whatsoever...a car mechanic...but I figure I gotta learn somewhere.

[Agreeable Slick]

Check your spark plugs by pulling and wiggling them around. If any come out then you have found your problem, then follow the spark plug leads back to the distributer and check the casing. If its cracked or falls apart then there is another problem to change.

Also if you can hear the fuel pump prime when you turn the ignition on there should be a short humm, if you cannot hear it then fuel pump os probably knackered.

[afcharlie]

PLugs are good and new and I do hear the pump hum as I turn on...Car starts fine and will (for the most part) sit there fine...it's when I start to go that it putters to death and then dies.

[mk1]

Change the dist cap, rotor arm and HT leads and that should fix the problem.
Steve.