timing problem ?

[pinkcrush]

hi all 1st of many posts i hope

i have a 1989 mk 2 auto golf, but

it idles at high rev's, it losses all power while driving, untill its warm,

now i know this is a timing problem, but my brother the fixer , has never worked on golfs, and were haveing mega problem's finding and cureing the timing, he has altered it but its doesnt seam to do anything.

i have noticed that if i brake hard, it has the same sort of problems, no power, but then it sorta kicks in.

iam just asking if anyones has had the same sorta problem's and how they cured it ? or if any one has any other idears ?

i dont fancy takeing it to a garage and getting ripped off so any help would be gratefull

many thanks

ann

ps. if i can add to help find  a cure please say

[takethefifth]

Just the usual culprits with bad cold running - coolant temp sensor and idle stabilisation valve. The first is a replace job, the second remove and clean. Details of these can be found all over the forum. Use the search bar at the top.

The only part of the engine directly linked to the brakes is the Vacuum Booster i could only guess at checking this for leaks.

Not sure how to do the timing exactly but i believe rather than done at tickover it needs to be done between 2000 and 2500 revs. Or maybe thats just on the digifant??!? Clutching at straws with that one but worth a try!

[Si]

Doesnt sound like timing is out if it drives fine when warm.
Im assuming its a lesser model like a GL or Driver then if its Automatic?
If its Carbed then check the Automatic Choke is working properly? Pierburg Carbs are renowned for playing up!
Let us know what Engine it is and we may be able to help more?!   

[pinkcrush]

thanks tt5th, i will look into sensor and valve things, and pass that onto the mechanic

with the vacuum booster would it be visable, the leaks if it is ?

si, i wouldn't say lesser model but yes its a 16 driver, but its still my babe

it is carbed and has a new carb to see if that would help, it didn't

and the timing is deffo out to the point the engine can still be running even though iam outside looking the doors
the fixer did think it was something to do with the choke, but as he doesn't know vw, its making it hard,

the car has alot of problems ie leaking sunroof, engine see above , no electric windows (well only has 1 motor), poss alternator probs (all lights flicker), and a lack of power steering , but the bodywork is fine , all i want to do is get her working properly so any help is wonderfull

many thanks

[sellers]

if your timming is only slightly out, then it can be adjusted at the distributor cap, by undoing the 13mm bolt that holds it in place and twisting it, u can get away with doing it off feel and hearing but its best to take it to a garage which will probably charge you 20quid for something like that, as they have special timming strobes.  if the problem carries on it could be a number of things like spark plugs etc.

But i'd get the timming done at a garage 1st and then go from there

anyway welcome to the site and put a post in the new member section

Tom

[pinkcrush]

yeah have tryed that, even had a new distributor cap, but that didn't help, the timing doesn't change even from top to bottom, it still runs too fast

i have thought about the garage option, but the way it sounds, and runs i can see it will run into alot of dosh

thanks for the welcome

0h its had new spark plugs, new leads and cap

[sellers]

seems like you've covered most things, was the new carb a new one, or a second hand one?  As i'd have thought it would have been the autochoke, also check all the air hoses around the carb are all connected and also check he wirring to the carb is ok, as you look at it its at the back left.

you may have a dodgy earth on comething??

[Agreeable Slick]

Evening pink (real name unknown   )

More of a gti engine bloke myself but anyhow, try adjusting the idle screw as it sounds like it is over fueling concerning taking a while to shut off, also the ignition switch might be up the swan, if you wiggle the key in the barrel when starting it see if that helps. Get some choke cleaner and give it a good clean. Are you sure the fuel pump is working properly? it could be bunged up with crap after 15 odd years of use. TBH it sounds more like an earthing problem than a timing problem, check all the wires and give them a good clean with a wire brush and when they are re-attatched put a dollop of grease on them.

[sellers]

if all else fails get a weber carb, probably the best investment for your car u will buy, will give u better performance use about the same petrol, and be so much more reliable, they usually go for around 60-80 for a second hand one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Weber-Carburettor-for-VW-Golf-MK2-1600-1800_W0QQitemZ4600618743QQcategoryZ9889QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[pinkcrush]

well iam gonna be busy tommorrow checking all these things

right the carb was second had, but on the old one the chokes housing was cracked, but although it was a pain to start, i didn't have all this cutting out before ;(

but il look at everything you have all said tommorrow, guided by haynes and if anything is lose or leaking il get back to you

the slick effect, have tyed the idle screw (i think) il try wiggleing the key (hey if it helps, il try anything).
how could i tell if the fuel pump is ok ?
 
ok so now ive got to wiggle, check and clean most of the engine

seller, il look at the weber carb thing too

but many thanks

ann