Juddering problems with mk3 golf gti 16v (95)

[ESibley]

Hi Stuart

I have recently joined your forum and wonder if you could help me with the following, which seems to have posed a problem for many a garage and vw specialist! I only recently bought the car and it ran so well to begin with but then after about three weeks it began to judder. This does not start straight away but seems to kick in after five minutes. If I try to accelerate when it is juddering I can not pick up speed (which is quite embarrasing when trying to overtake)! So far it has had three diagnositc checks (which have shown no fault), the ht leads have been changed, new spark plugs, new distributor cap and rotor arm, new coil pack, new breather line and just recently the fuel injectors were cleaned out and none of this has made any difference! I would be really grateful if you have any ideas as this is my first car and I loved it when it ran smoothly-just to also say that the problem now seems to be all the time rather than intermittently-thanks for your help with this-Emma:1zhelp:

[mattguilliatt]

Hi Stuart

I have recently joined your forum and wonder if you could help me with the following, which seems to have posed a problem for many a garage and vw specialist! I only recently bought the car and it ran so well to begin with but then after about three weeks it began to judder. This does not start straight away but seems to kick in after five minutes. If I try to accelerate when it is juddering I can not pick up speed (which is quite embarrasing when trying to overtake)! So far it has had three diagnositc checks (which have shown no fault), the ht leads have been changed, new spark plugs, new distributor cap and rotor arm, new coil pack, new breather line and just recently the fuel injectors were cleaned out and none of this has made any difference! I would be really grateful if you have any ideas as this is my first car and I loved it when it ran smoothly-just to also say that the problem now seems to be all the time rather than intermittently-thanks for your help with this-Emma:1zhelp:

I have had the same problems with my 1996 Golf Mk 3 SE. I replaced HT leads, sparks plugs, Distributer cap, air filter, fuel filter, and did an oil change and a new oil filter. It seemed to solve it initially but then I topped up with fuel (Yes tesco fuel) and it is now back where I started... Although once the engine warms up its fine and doesnt have this problem.

But in addition mine doesnt like starting from cold... sounds like it wants to start, but takes forever of trying the ignition, and gets so close sometimes but just makes a coughing noise and the cuts out.

Really stuck, and it's driving me crazy. I've bought all my parts brand new from factors to keep the cost down, and really dont want to take it into a dealership as the costs seem to be extortion being a student. HELP!?

[Niall76]

Has the fuel filter been changed? I'm not refering to the latest problems in the news.

I've cured a couple of my mates cars with similar problems by servicing them and changing the fuel filter - the previous 'mechanic' couldn't be ***** getting under the car to do it.

Other than that check all hoses/breathers and such like for splits. May also be worth checking the auto choke is working correctly. Once owned a Golf which the return spring had jumped off the choke flap so it was always closed.