car just seems to pause at 4500 rpm

[Mk1Mad J - 16v]

Sounds like you're vacuum lines could be leaking or disconnected completely, that or your plug/leads or rotor arm but more likely the vacuum's   

Gem - a 1600cc should be hitting the rev-limiter at 6900rpm and they like to be thrashed daily or they get quite badly choked up, best to wait til after you've run it in though and then only once the oil has warmed past 82 degrees 

[GemGTI]

So are you talking about when you set off? Going up gears? Yes been tolf to keep revs low for now till I've run her in. But before rebuild, I used to change gear at 3000rpm. Is that wrong? Am I driving my car like an old granny? 

[monzablue16v]

Yes

[rubjonny]

wait till the coolant temp gauge gets out of the white zone before you take it over 3000rpm though!

[Mk1Mad J - 16v]

wait till the coolant temp gauge gets out of the white zone before you take it over 3000rpm though!

   F**k the coolant that can be whatever temp as long as its not boiling over Wait til the oil guage in your centre console gets just past 80 - at this point the oil reaches its proper working temp where it can lubricate the engine properly

[rubjonny]

I'm only going by whats in the VW owners manual

[GemGTI]

oh. I dont think my oil temp gauge works!  Yet another thing to be fixed! Needle just stays where it is all the time. (You are talking about the one in the middle arn't you?) Any idea how to fix it? Fuse?

[rubjonny]

Check the temp senders on the oil filter housing, it should be a small one with a little spade connector on it