New member needs help please, my 16 valve has no oomph!

[speedynz]

I have just bought a 1997 MK 3 16 valve 5 door GTI, it is a one owner full history car with only 17,000 fully documented miles. It is immaculate and it drives like new but feels like it has 90 - 100bhp rather than the 150bhp it should have. It is run on 98 octane fuel and the air cleaner looks healthy enough. I've just returned from my first solo 'long' run in it (200 miles) and it struggled to hit 110 mph and has no punch in the lower gears. Subjectively it feels like the airbox is stuffed full of socks and it can't breath, idle is fine as are all other driving impressions. The car originated in Japan and I wondered if they had stricter emissions laws back in the '90's (although I doubt it, 200bhp Subaru's etc). Can anyone shed any light on as to where the missing power is?

PS, Oil temp is 94 - 100 centigrade (it's winter and about 10 degrees here) depending on speed and traffic, is that ok?

[rubjonny]

Timing is always the first thing to check, my MK2 8v GTI was the same, and once I sorted the timing it was a rocket!

[Hypermonkey]

First thing I'd do is get it hooked up to a VAGcom and check for fault codes just to be safe...are there any specialists near you?

Secondly, the 16v hasn't got the oomph of the 8v lower down the gears, but comes into it's own above 3500rpm, might just need a service, plugs, dizzy cap, rotor arm....be carefull removing this as many are glued on for added safety(I don't and have had no probs with it ), oil and filter. The plugs require a long shafted remover as they are set deep in the block. All of this shouldn't set you back more than £50, and is easy enough to do.

The oil temp sounds ok...mine runs 94-98deg....100-104 when giving it some beans .

One of the first things I'd do as well...money and insurance permitting, would be to fit a performance air filter...not necessarily an induction kit, but a drop in panel filter and check the route the air flows...inductiopn kits are good when the car is moving and cold air is freely available, buit in hot conditions and traffic they are pretty sh*t...saying that...I run one as love the sound
Secondly fit a performance exhaust as factory 'zorsts and air filters are very stiffeling to the car.....you just help it breath more easily by adding these.


And welcome to the forum

Where abouts are you??

[Len]

Is that 10 degrees centigrade?

If so then you definitely need an oil and filter change. Dont skimp on the filter get a VAG one!

Its a complete phallusy about 8v/16v and torque at low revs! Go check the facts and figures!

I would get a good service done, or change all the usual stuff Dizzy, rotor arm, plugs, leads. Then give it a blast. That age and that mileage its never been opened up properly!
Change the air filter and check all the breather hoses are clear and check the butterfly opens fully.

[speedynz]

I'm in Christchurch, New Zealand. Thanks for all the handy tips Hypermonkey, I have a local VW main agent who I presume will have the relevant diagnostic equipment.

Do you have any idea how much difference cat removal and free flow air filter make to performance and will this course of action cause exhaust resonance? We have no legal requirement for catalytic converters over here.

I should point out that I am initially keen to replenish the full factory 150bhp rather than chase an extra 10 or so bhp with minor performance modifications.

[speedynz]

Is that 10 degrees centigrade?

If so then you definitely need an oil and filter change. Dont skimp on the filter get a VAG one!

Its a complete phallusy about 8v/16v and torque at low revs! Go check the facts and figures!

I would get a good service done, or change all the usual stuff Dizzy, rotor arm, plugs, leads. Then give it a blast. That age and that mileage its never been opened up properly!
Change the air filter and check all the breather hoses are clear and check the butterfly opens fully.

Thanks Len,
Yes it's 10 degrees centigrade, why do I need an oil and filter change at this tempreature?

Car was serviced 350 miles ago (by Joe Bloggs, back street mechanic) just before I bought it. It has been serviced annually at main agents every year otherwise regardless of distance travelled.

[Len]

Missed this so an edit!
If oil temp is that high in temp of 10 degrees then its a bit hot! So first try changing oil and filter and flush the system as well. The flow maybe restricted causing the temp to be high.


In that case mate you should do what Simon (Hypermonkey) says and get it checked out at a proper VAG Dealership and get the fault codes checked, coz there is something wrong with that car!

As you say get the car sorted first and back to at least 150 bhp.

If you then take off the cat and fit a free flow exhaust and an induction kit (k&N is best) then possibly 10 bhp is realistic. With doing that though you would also be advised to do a remap to adjust the ECU settings to suit the increased air flow!
Then you could be looking at 20 - 25 bhp extra.

[Hypermonkey]

Try to find a decent specialist if you can as opposed to main dealer as they charge the earth and aren't usually as passionate about the older cars as we are.

I run a standard cat...free flow centre section and a Sebring back box, K&N 57i induction and a AmD chip and remap and have RR figures of 172bhp and 154ft/lbs on my 16v...so with a decat you should be up to 175-180bhp....and a bit of luck 


So are we all invited over for our holls then 

[speedynz]

Try to find a decent specialist if you can as opposed to main dealer as they charge the earth and aren't usually as passionate about the older cars as we are.

I run a standard cat...free flow centre section and a Sebring back box, K&N 57i induction and a AmD chip and remap and have RR figures of 172bhp and 154ft/lbs on my 16v...so with a decat you should be up to 175-180bhp....and a bit of luck 


So are we all invited over for our holls then 

Thanks Simon, I'm about a 100bhp shy of those figures right now!

[Hypermonkey]

   but you will get there soon. We are quite lucky over here as there are sooooo many specialists and many are excellent...they offer great service..cups of tea (don't know what the local drink is in NZ) and will help you out when they can 


We defo need some pics of your car and some of the local ladies...