Car is being ghey again!!

[drivebycar]

Hey everyone.

Thought I more or less had it running right but now its being a bast*rdo again!

Basically im lucky if it starts in the morning, like the starter turns verrry slowly, like when the battery is run down, does that a few times then starts up but sounds like its firing on 3 cylinders, running really lumpy for maybe 30 seconds, then after that it smooths out. Definately worse if its cold / wet.

Also last night it started stalling when I put my foot on the clutch, it was p*ssing it down last night so dont think that helped. I had it sorted out so it stopped doing that but now its just started up again.

And finally, when it gets warmed up I have to be careful to make sure it doesnt cut out when im coming up to a junction because the likelyhood is, I put my foot on the clutch, it stalls, then it wont start, sounds like the battery is flat and doesnt have the strength to turn over.

Please advise as im on the verge of buying a new car!!!

Thanks all 

[sharpie]

good spelling of ghey.

check rocker gasket, my 8v did something similar. missfiring away in the damp.

[rubjonny]

seems you have several issues all in one here, start with the free things.  remove and clean up all the battery, starter and alternator wires & mounting faces till they're shiny, refit.  while you're here do any other wires you can find, earths to cylinder head/rocker, check all sensors for corrosion on terminals and damaged wires etc.
If this doesnt make your starter turn over quicker either your starter has had it or your battery is past its best.
As for stalling, if its a digifant GTI 8v check the idle switch and wires to the throttle body, look for air leaks on the vacuum piping, the bung in the rocker cover for the black flying saucer and the rocker gasket as said.  mine also ran funny when i didnt fit the oil cap properly so check that too.

what car is it btw?

[drivebycar]

yeah its a digi 8v.

well ive got a spare workign alternator so thats the backup plan. dont think the battery is particularily good either tbh lol will probably invest in a new one.

Idle switch is ok as far as I could see when I checked recently, no split wires or anything like that, and clicked when the throttle cable goes back to idle.

Couldnt find any air leaks either, though im currently running it with the breather pipe to the rocker cover taped up  because the bung in the rocker cover split to the flying saucer.

[rubjonny]

ok if you want to check the wirin is ok to throttle switches, hold throttle just off idle say about 1.5krpm so idle switch is disengaged.  press the full throttle switch on top and the revs should drop, then go back up again when released, if this happens the switches are all working dandy.

As long as you blocked up the inlet side of the breather pipe properly its all good, leaving the pcv valve venting to air.  Have a read thru the digifant setup guide and check the idle, you gotta do it with the breather off & blocked anyway so thats 1 step done already

Do you have a multimeter?  Check you get 12v at battery engine off and over 13v withj engine on, should still have 13.5ish with headlights on main beam, blower on full etc, if lower than 13v alt is a bit tired.  Oh and make sure when you switch on the ign the battery light comes on, then it goes out once engine is running

[DarnPB]

It could just be a case of knackered plug leads. They become porous with age and will short against each other in cold and humid conditions. Try and separate them and see if that makes a difference. If it does, then new leads are required. It may be an idea to change them anyway for preventative measures.

[drivebycar]

Right an update:

I have put a new battery and a working alternator on the car, and now its not having any trouble starting. However, once it has started it still runs rough for a good 30 seconds, like its firing on 3 cylinders and the exhaust is popping.

After 30 seconds it all smooths out and seems to be ok again.

[MooZ]

Yeah - what you want is to take off the dizzy cap and give it a wipe out with a dry rag, and spray some wd40 in it. Happened to me on a torrential day, had to get AA man out to fix it, but I know what it is now. He told me it would be a good idea to keep a bottle of wd40 in the car at winter time.

By the sounds of your symptoms I would be 90% sure this is your problem! try it and see 


EDIT: ah didn't see your last post. It may help it run a bit smoother at the start though.

BTW - love your sig. haha! too true

[dekadent31]

check your sparks and cables

[drivebycar]

Cheers Mooz I will do that tonight and see how I get on! Yeah the sig is true! I aim to avoid as much of that as possible   

Ill check the spark plugs and ht leads as well.

Cheers people, ill let you know how i get on.