golf mk 3 acceleration problem

[dawn]

hello

I have a 1993 mk 3 golf, which has started having problems with the acceleration. Its been generally slow to pull away in 1st and then sluggish in 2nd gear as it loses speed during the change, the problem comes and goes with no obvious reason and was annoying mostly. Today it lost speed from 70 mph - 30mph on the motorway and when i tried to accelerate the rev counter flew up to 40 or 50 but the speed kept dropping - a bit scary with a lorry flashing its lights behind you!

Its been recently serviced so new filters, oil etc but can anyone suggest possible causes? I thought it was clutch related but the garage say the clutch definitely isnt slipping, someone else suggested spark plugs. not sure i trust local garage as i mentioned this to them before and they had no idea.

please help!!
thank you.
Dawn

[Gavin78]

Dawn, I am assuming that although the speed drops off considerably the engine still seems to be revving ok??? No signs of misfiring etc?? If so, it sounds similar to a problem I experienced with my 1996 mk3 Golf Driver due to the clutch cable seizing up (apparently quite common). This caused the clutch to slip as the cable was not allowing the clutch plates to engage fully. The result for me was a new clutch as I let the problem persist.
Hope this helps.

[dawn]

hi gavin

thanks for reply. the engine does still rev and the rev counter swings up erratically when the speed doesnt pick up. does that mean its not an engine problem??
I thought it felt like a slipping clutch initially although the garage said it was easy to test and that they thought the clutch was ok. maybe a silly question but do i need to be using the clutch for it to slip??

knowing nothing about car mechanics im going to go into a garage as soon as poss so your suggestion is very helpful. at least it gives me more to go on and maybe i can catch it before needing a whole new clutch kit.

thanks
Dawn

[Gavin78]

Dawn,

If the clutch cable/adjuster has seized/seizing the clutch plates may only slip intermittantly (as mine did) therefore the garage may have had your car on a good day...... Yes the clutch is easy to test, simply put the car in 5th gear at low speed say 25 to 30 mph and accelerate hard without changing gear. If the clutch plates are at fault the engine revs will rise but the speed will remain constant or even decrease. To answer your question the clutch will only slip while the car is moving in gear, a soon as you put your foot on the clutch pedal the clutch plates are pulled apart. My advice would be to find a local independant VW specialist or competant mechanic to investigate further as it sounds like the last guy just fobed you off.

Hope this helps

[dawn]

Gavin

since the last message ive been to another garage who seem interested at least and they tested the clutch and said the clutch was most definitely slipping - without driving the car he tested it with one foot on the brake and accelerator at the same time and the other foot on the clutch? i asked him to double check the clutch cable to see if it was seized or damaged but he said that the cable itself was ok. so like you i need a whole new clutch kit - 4hrs labour plus kit £400 (they dont fit reconditioned ones) - sounds about right I suppose.

The cars mileage is about 87k - hopefully i get another 80k plus with a new clutch!!!

thanks for taking the time to answer me and for your suggestions ...you were on the right track - shame i didnt ask advice earlier.

Dawn