Lumpy idle, mk2 16v

[Haribo!]

237 quid later my car has passed its MOT, previously the idle and timing were f**ked, which i was expecting cause the idle wouldnt stay still and it cut out sometimes and just doesnt run smoothly, it pulls like a train but the idle sounds like jabba the hut, now the timing and emmisions are all legal and stuff. idle screw,idle control valve and and the throttle body have been cleaned out, doesnt cut out anymore but it still idles really ruffly, its ok when im driving its just on idle it almost feels like its missfireing, and as soon as its warm enuf for the fan to come on the revs start jumping and wont stay still i sound like a little chav revving away to sound hard,  any ideas?

[mattsoton]

I have the same sort of problem with my 8v. in the mornings it idles so bad, cant controle the idle and cuts out. it seems to go if i drive it about but cuts out still when i drop clutch with high revs. do you think cleaning the throttle body and idle controle valve will help? the idle screw keeps ajusting but even when i sort that out still idles real bad. can anyone help?
cheers 

[Haribo!]

cleaning out stuff is always a good thing, mines defiantly better after being cleaned out but theres more to it in my case i think, for some reason mines at its worst when the fan kicks in

[Garrydohc]

Hi I had the same problem with my 1990 gti 16v.  On the right hand side of the engine.(As you face the front of the car.) On the side of the engine under the distributer is a water pipe going into/out of the engine.  Next to this is 3 sender units (temp?) one of these was covered in corrosion and one wire had almost corroded though.  I cleaned these up with a bit of fine sandpaper and reconnected one and the idle was perfect.  I had fitted an idle stableisation valve and ht leads/rotor arm etc.. ect.. before this with no result (And tuning.) but this fixed my problems with idle. hope this helps. G

[Haribo!]

right, ill certainly give that a go then, cheers for that

[Haribo!]

those 3 pins were covered in dry oil so i cleaned them up and no difference, idles still rubbish, any more ideas

[kyle]

well my valver idles like a fkr when cold - it misses and will occasionally cut out but is fine when it warms up - was told it was something to do with setting the cam iming to 9 degrees 

Have you looked at your idle control valve?

[Haribo!]

well i went to buy a replacement one even tho it was cleaned out for my MOT, and the guy at vw breakers convinced me not to give him my money as he was sure it was working fine, so now im stumped, i can easily afford to fix it but i dont know what it is, surely there should be people i can go to that actually know? grrr, ive even considered just getting another engine as this idle pisses me off sooooo much

[mattkh]

Hi
Can you put up a picture, a birds eye view, of your car engine