Golf GTi 16v Issues

[veedub_16v]

hi everybody, first post here so be easy one me  

basically i have a few problems with my car but not sure whats going on!

1, When we have a really heavy rain spell(like yesterday) my car starts to splutter as if its about to cut out, ittl carry on doing that until eventually it does cut out, it never ever happens in the dry ?!?!

2, Ive got 205 tyres on my car and the rear arches keep rubbing when i hit bumps etc, what can i do about this?

3, I've been told i need new piston rings, is it a difficult procedure to replace them myself(with hired help) or best left to the garage?

4, The headlights arn't very bright, ive seen articles on uprating the wiring loom to make them better, does this work?

I think thats all! Most of them are just annoying niggly probs.

It would be much appreciated if anybody can help, Cheers!

[Leejaydoob]

welcome to the forum

[Gambit]

welcome.

1. obviously something is getting damp/wet - u need to check thru all electrics in the engine bay that deal with ignition

2. buy 195/50 profile tyres next time

3. who told you this, how did they determine it??

4. buy an uprated loom of rustynuts (parts section) ?20

[veedub_16v]

cheers for the reply,

3, i took my car to a garage because it takes ages to start the engine from cold, he told me that the engine is losing compression(something like that) and that id need piston rings.

[Gambit]

does it only have problems starting from cold. i.e first thing in the morning?

or is it on every startup even when its up to operating temp?

[veedub_16v]

yeah just from cold, ittl start without any probs when its warm

[Gambit]

it'll either be problems with the cold start valve or thermo-time switch, both of which are v.cheap to replace

if it still does it, then its like to be old knakered injectors, they cant hold the pressure when left for a certain length of time

good test for this is:-

in the morning, let it turn over for say 2-3secs without your foot of the gas, it wont start

turn the ignition off, then on again, and try starting again, again with your foot off the gas - it should fire up immeaditiy

mine has this prob at the mo

[veedub_16v]

thanks for your help, i will probably replace those at the weekend, worth a try i reckon