98S 20v non-turbo, super reliable!!!

[Harooshum]

Hello guys its been a while, im a mk2 dubber, but there is something up with my bro's mk4 20v non-turbo (110k miles) that I just cant get my head around!

Usually no probs at all, but recently its been occasionally failing to start first time.  Re-engaging the starter over and over, it would eventually start 3rd or 4th time.  Eventually the car was needing more and more cranking from the starter.  Gradually getting worse, my bros in a pickle because it wont start at all!

I remember something like this happening to my mk2 16v which turned out to be a vacuum hose going to the back of my beloved KR head, that just needed the jubilee clip to be tightened.  This is not the case with the mk4.

For what it's worth the coolant temp dial only sometimes gives a reading!  I was told about the electrical connection just on the right-hand side and below the head, which is blue, and all connections seem ok, I even unecessarily cleaned the contacts with cotton buds and wd40 to be sure.  Obviously cant test the coolant temp dial now coz it wont start at all.

I doubt it's the fuel pump or something else mechanical, and looks more like an electrical prob - please tell me it's a common prob and easy to fix - help!

Regards,

h.

[Rhyso]

deffo sounds like you temp sensor - if you're gauge was working and going above 90 then it would be your water pump.

new temp sensor is less than £30 from a dealers 

[(shakey)]

£18 europarts 

[Harooshum]

Thanks for prompt response lads, day off today so I will try GSF first as there is one down the road.

One more thing...  I noticed that also below the head cover on the right-hand side - but more to the front of the block there is what I think is the distributor (im used to mk2 KR engines), and it has a bit of oil around it, but I cant see any leaks anywhere.

My bro just recently took the car to VW for a service, and paid £275 for nothing more than oil change and windscreen wiper fluid!  That is a whole other story as neither of us can believe the sheer stupidness of VW's value for money, I think I will share that experience with everyone on another post.

Much appreciated, I assume the temp sender is straight-forward to replace.  When the gauge was working im sure it was accurate and I cant remember it ever going past 90 unless in traffic.

Hold on, why the heck would a "temp sender" prevent the car from starting?  Surely it only gives nothing more than a signal to the gauge???

h.

[Rhyso]

ah sorry - missed the original problem  :embarassed:

is your battery in good nick? or it could be a knackered starter motor 

[Harooshum]

Battery is good and strong, starter cranks the engine nice and fast, absolutely nothing out of the ordinary except that it wont come to life!

No funny noises or anything when the car was working, everything seems to be spot on except it wont start and the temp gauge works only when it wanted to.

Should have the temp sender changed in the next couple of hours, and im leaving the batt charging while im out coz all that starting and no life is beginning to drain the batt.  Cheers again, wil give update on progress.

h.

[Harooshum]

Just got back from GSF it cost £13, comes in a yellow box with erstklassig written on it.

I must say its the right kind of shape and size, but just a little different, and doesn't come with a new washer, luckily the washer on the old one is ok.  Post back after fittihng it.

h.

[Harooshum]

Fitted the temp sender unit, and it still wont start, and the battery has been charged to full by my halfords charger for the last few hours!

While at gsf I also purchased HT leads and new sparks, and spark remover tool.  Before going to gsf I went to a VW spares shop in Harringey who said they dont stock sparks and have to be ordered for next day, and insisted they need the engine code to get the right ones.  Then I went to gsf and was offered a choice of 2 sparks, one cheaper and the other a bit more expensive, i took the more expensive ones.

The spark remover tool is nowhere near as long enough and the handle gets stuck between the inlet manifold!  I discovered the sparks and leads currently on the car are brand new anyway, so im getting my £75 refund for that lot.

Took apart the electrical connection at the bottom of the distributer and cleaned it as it had oil dripping over it.  It made a pop noise when I unplugged it but the electrical connections are so deep in the plug they were very clean, but I cleaned them anyway.

A friend suggested over the phone that it is the coil below the engine head, Im not sure what that is, any ideas im now getting worried this might be costly...  Can I add photos on here?

Thanks,

h.

[Harooshum]

Hello again lads, another day off today just wondered of anyone can shed any light on my prob!

Again the engine is not seized, starter turns the engine ok, but no life!

Help!

h.