problem with Golf Clipper cutting out!

[marty_dude]

Hi just wondering if anyone else has...or had... a similar problem to me with their Golf Clipper (Convertible 1.8)?

It is very frustrating because the car has 2 problems and I don't know if they are linked! However, the main problem was with the car just spluttering as I was driving, then it would cut out and I'd have to wait for about 5-10 minutes to start again, then about 5 miles further do it again. The AA say it is the carbaretur (can't spell), and the seal was perferated...which is was and now has been changed! But this leads me to my next problem...

The car will just randonly stall when driving. This is only when i push in the clutch to change gear and the revs just drop down to zero...I could be driving at 70...or 10 miles an hour. I don't know if they are linked or seperate as I don't know what is causing it!

These problems happen every so often and not everytime i drive.

Also, after speaking to people I have come up with some things that could be causing this...

1. Points on distributer.
2. Carbareturs on these old golfs are rubbish and should get a WEBBER conversion.

Please if anyone knows or has this problem tell me what it is because I'm going crazy.

It is a K reg Golf clipper 1.8. 89K.

Martin

[stuart]

Hi just wondering if anyone else has...or had... a similar problem to me with their Golf Clipper (Convertible 1.8)?

It is very frustrating because the car has 2 problems and I don't know if they are linked! However, the main problem was with the car just spluttering as I was driving, then it would cut out and I'd have to wait for about 5-10 minutes to start again, then about 5 miles further do it again. The AA say it is the carbaretur (can't spell), and the seal was perferated...which is was and now has been changed! But this leads me to my next problem...

The car will just randonly stall when driving. This is only when i push in the clutch to change gear and the revs just drop down to zero...I could be driving at 70...or 10 miles an hour. I don't know if they are linked or seperate as I don't know what is causing it!

These problems happen every so often and not everytime i drive.

Also, after speaking to people I have come up with some things that could be causing this...

1. Points on distributer.
2. Carbareturs on these old golfs are rubbish and should get a WEBBER conversion.

Please if anyone knows or has this problem tell me what it is because I'm going crazy.

It is a K reg Golf clipper 1.8. 89K.

MartinHi Martin

Have to agree on the carburetters being crap, they do have trouble with the auto choke units, the choke pull down units, and the waxstats on the carb, all to do with cold start usuay. What I can do, as I know a few VW specialists, is pass your problem onto them Monday, and see if anyone can give you any pointers.

Thanks for being the first to post on the site:beerchug: , I hope to be able to help Monday when I speak to the "experts";)

Stu

[marty_dude]

Thanks Stu,

I have just bought it, and it is so frustrating I am now losing interest and it is spoiling the enjoyment of a very fine car!

I actually just drove it, for about 3 miles...from cold start...and on pulling onto my street (as in dropping through the gears...putting in clutch) the revs dropped down to zero and red lights across the board! It started again fine...however sometimes i feel it pulling no matter what gear I'm in...what I mean is that for example on my 1.2 clio if I don't give it enough revs say in 3rd gear and it drops below 20 then it starts chugging for me to change down or give some revs. now in the golf i'll be driving along minding my own business in a reasonable gear at a reasonable speed and i'll feel the same things, like it thinks i'm not giving it enough revs and for a split second will feel like the buggers gonna stall.

The other problem of kangeroo juice then stalling I feel was linked with the damaged carburetur seal. but with it still stalling i can't feel so confident now when driving it.

Anyway thanks for all your help. Much appreciated.

Martin

[stuart]

Thanks Stu,

I have just bought it, and it is so frustrating I am now losing interest and it is spoiling the enjoyment of a very fine car!

I actually just drove it, for about 3 miles...from cold start...and on pulling onto my street (as in dropping through the gears...putting in clutch) the revs dropped down to zero and red lights across the board! It started again fine...however sometimes i feel it pulling no matter what gear I'm in...what I mean is that for example on my 1.2 clio if I don't give it enough revs say in 3rd gear and it drops below 20 then it starts chugging for me to change down or give some revs. now in the golf i'll be driving along minding my own business in a reasonable gear at a reasonable speed and i'll feel the same things, like it thinks i'm not giving it enough revs and for a split second will feel like the buggers gonna stall.

The other problem of kangeroo juice then stalling I feel was linked with the damaged carburetur seal. but with it still stalling i can't feel so confident now when driving it.

Anyway thanks for all your help. Much appreciated.

Martin
No problem Mate, that's what I set up this site for, to provide enjoyment and help and advise.

I actualy work for Euro Car Parts, as a VAG specialist, and know quite a few garages that specialise in VW's, so I will give them the details and see what they come up with.

I will let you know the outcome Monday.

Stu

[stuart]

Hi Martin


I have spoken to a VW specilaist I know, and he seems to think it caould be more to do with the electrical side of things. The things to have checked are the "TCI" unit on the bulkhead (i think), and the HALL SENDER in the distributer. Both these could be breaking down when the car/units gets warm, and as these control the ignition/spark could be causing your problem.

The problems he seems to remember on the carb side seem to be more common on the cold start, not when warm.

I hope this has given you a pointer to find your problem, but if you need any more assistance, I can put you in touch with the garage here in Leeds, and he may be able to assist better.

Let me know how you get on.

Cheers

Stu

[marty_dude]

Thanks for your help.

I'm not too sure if it is the electrics, it doesn't have that many you see. But the hall senders has been mentioned before.

A great deal of people keep saying the fuel filler is rusty and debris is getting into the tank and causing problems with in the fuel pipes and is a very common problem.

Also my friend said that the auto choke could be a problem because it revs at 2 and half k, which is not right, and was a problem with his NOVA, which he rectified by installing a manual.

It just seems to be a mine field.

Marty

[stuart]

Thanks for your help.

I'm not too sure if it is the electrics, it doesn't have that many you see. But the hall senders has been mentioned before.

A great deal of people keep saying the fuel filler is rusty and debris is getting into the tank and causing problems with in the fuel pipes and is a very common problem.

Also my friend said that the auto choke could be a problem because it revs at 2 and half k, which is not right, and was a problem with his NOVA, which he rectified by installing a manual.

It just seems to be a mine field.

Marty
Hi Martin

Like you say, a mine field. :(

The problems I remember with the revs going up and down were what they call the pull down unit, and the waxstat, the first is plastic and has 2 vac pipes going to it, and the later has 2 water pipes, I think these used to cause an irratic tickover.

If it is the auto choke, you would be better going for the weber convertion, and have a manual choke. inmproves fuel consumption and running as well.

I do know they have problems with fuel tanks and the filler necks corroding, which will put rust into the system, and could block the filter, might be worth changing the filter and see what happens, cheapest thing to try first.

As I say, if you want to speak to the garage, give me a shout, I can give you the details.

Stu

[performance-vag]

Had a 1.8 carb myself and i had the same problem! Turned out on mine was a few things 1 being the dreaded autochoke so i changed for a webber best money i ever spent!!! 2nd was the hall sender and third of all things was a crack in the ignition coil!

Hope i can help

Rich

[marty_dude]

I have been told that these carburettors are rubbish...but mine is a K reg...is isn't an old golf.

Also I changed the fuel filter...so would that stop the rust or gunk from filler neck, into tank going into fuel lines and causing blockage...or could it block closer to the tank?

I have this car on 3 month warranty from the person I bought it from, so I guess he has to come and sort it out for me?

Thanks

[stuart]

I have been told that these carburettors are rubbish...but mine is a K reg...is isn't an old golf.

Also I changed the fuel filter...so would that stop the rust or gunk from filler neck, into tank going into fuel lines and causing blockage...or could it block closer to the tank?

I have this car on 3 month warranty from the person I bought it from, so I guess he has to come and sort it out for me?

Thanks
Hi Martin

If you have a warranty, I would make sure they sort it for you;) By changing the fuel filter, if the problem is down to rust, it would just be a tempory measure, as the cause is still there.

I would get it checked under warranty, as the tanks and the filler necks are not cheap, about £160.00 for a tank, and £50.00 ish for the neck.

Cheers

Stu

[stuart]

Hi Mate

Any nearer sorting your problem?

Stu

[marty_dude]

No nearer!!

I'm back to "it's the filler pipe!"...or..."it's the carburretor!", but no-one will diagnose it without me giving them shedloads of money...i.e for the time they will charge me for finding it. And also the previous owner who gave me 3 months waranty won't email me back!

I'm in Limbo basically, very frustrated, and very dissapointed with the Golf...infact it is now turning out to be the worst car I have, and will ever have, the unpleasent fortune to come across.

I don't understand why this car is so popular it is a piece of crap. Everyone says it's renowned for this...and renowned for that. I'm a little annoyed. I also have a 1.2 clio that has done 70k...it's about a 100 times a better car. The germans have not built a car which will last, they have built an annoying and useless car that happens to have no roof! :zx11:

[stuart]

No nearer!!

I'm back to "it's the filler pipe!"...or..."it's the carburretor!", but no-one will diagnose it without me giving them shedloads of money...i.e for the time they will charge me for finding it. And also the previous owner who gave me 3 months waranty won't email me back!

I'm in Limbo basically, very frustrated, and very dissapointed with the Golf...infact it is now turning out to be the worst car I have, and will ever have, the unpleasent fortune to come across.

I don't understand why this car is so popular it is a piece of crap. Everyone says it's renowned for this...and renowned for that. I'm a little annoyed. I also have a 1.2 clio that has done 70k...it's about a 100 times a better car. The germans have not built a car which will last, they have built an annoying and useless car that happens to have no roof! :zx11:
Hi Martin

Sorry to hear you have not yet sorted it, as a rule they are very good cars, all the VW range are, you just need to get it right:confused: once it is, I am sure you will enjoy it.

What area do you live in? only reason I ask, is Euro Car Parts deal with VW specialist all over the country, so i may be able to put yuou in touch with a specilaist.

If the place you purchased it from gave you a warranty, and are failing to act, speak to the Citezens advise, or trading standards and see what they can do.

Hope you get sorted soon, please let me know how you get on.

Stu

[marty_dude]

I live in Clitheroe, Lancashire...near Blackburn and Preston.

I'm just frustrated because my whole faith in cars has gone out of the window just because someone sold me a car that has broken, and everyone keeps saying the car is in great nick!! But still no-one can tell me what is wrong with it.

It is back at my local garage because the mechanic said he would drive it and try to locate the problem but alas he keeps saying he hasn't had time (because he isn't getting paid to do it more like). And now the person I bought it off isn't replying to my emails. I am going to bringing it to a head on friday...I will phone the guy and explain to him what I want. I have asked him what the terms and conditions are for the warranty but after his last email saying he would come to my home last monday I have heard nothing from him!

He owns a Nova/Saxo garage in queensferry and has a website, so he is a mechanic himself and also a car trader so I can't understand why he is treating me like this...surely it would be bad for publicity and business.

Anyway, thanks for you help and if you know of any specialists near me It would be much appreciated.

Martin

[stuart]

Hi mate


I have spoken to our Manchester branch, and he has given me 3 VW specialist who he has said are Good customers and reliable. I am not sure how close they will be, but here goes:

B.R.Catterall Darwen 01254 702938

VW AUDI Workshop Thornton 01253 821971

JVW Ltd Wigan 01942 722022

Might be able to assist.

Stu

[marty_dude]

Thats brilliant, thanks for your help.

Wigan is abit far, as I live the other side of Preston and the M6, but I work near Thornton, and Darwen sounds good.

Once again Thanks for your help my friend (just wish all the other people to do with the car were as helpful!)

Martin

[stuart]

Thats brilliant, thanks for your help.

Wigan is abit far, as I live the other side of Preston and the M6, but I work near Thornton, and Darwen sounds good.

Once again Thanks for your help my friend (just wish all the other people to do with the car were as helpful!)

Martin
No problem mate, let me know how you get on;) I hope these will be able to sort you out, as they work day in - day out on VW's, they should help I hope;) .

Cheers

Stu

[marty_dude]

Well...I went to pick up my car today, and he explained that, after an extreme amount of effort, he had discovered the fuel filter (which my friend had fitted after we got it, because it was **** up) had been put on the wrong way around!! He put a new one on the correct way and has done 16miles thus far without a blip (touch wood).

However, we had a look at the filler neck because he was adamant it wasn't related to the carbaretur, and on inspection saw it was rotten...with a big hole in it which would have been letting water into the tank (spray from the wheels).

I have oredered a new filler neck now, and should have it fitted on monday...he explained that the tank will have water in it so the fuel filters will need changing regularly until the tank is pure petrol again.

Oh and he recommended changing the fuel pump...which also throws in up an element of doubt as to the sellers knowledge, especially after telling me he had ordered a new one a week ago!

Anyway...does this all sound plausable??

Marty

[stuart]

Well...I went to pick up my car today, and he explained that, after an extreme amount of effort, he had discovered the fuel filter (which my friend had fitted after we got it, because it was **** up) had been put on the wrong way around!! He put a new one on the correct way and has done 16miles thus far without a blip (touch wood).

However, we had a look at the filler neck because he was adamant it wasn't related to the carbaretur, and on inspection saw it was rotten...with a big hole in it which would have been letting water into the tank (spray from the wheels).

I have oredered a new filler neck now, and should have it fitted on monday...he explained that the tank will have water in it so the fuel filters will need changing regularly until the tank is pure petrol again.

Oh and he recommended changing the fuel pump...which also throws in up an element of doubt as to the sellers knowledge, especially after telling me he had ordered a new one a week ago!

Anyway...does this all sound plausable??

Marty
Hi Marty

Lets keep our fingers crossed;)

Fuel filler necks on Golfs, Scirrocos and Polos are all prown to corrosion, and I would suggest giving your new one a "GOOD" coat of some sort of rust prevention, such as Hammerite, this should make it last a bit longer.

As for the fuel pump, I would see how this goes, I would not expect this to be faulty, they tend to go noisy when they are faulty. Expensive if you don't need it. We sell them for around £70 ish. Besides, I think they have a small filter inside them anyway;)

I hope that you can now enjoy your car a bit more, and have no more problems. Just let me know how things go.

Stu

[Selphie]

I CURRENTLY, have a VW Golf Clipper 1.8, i say currently because it too is experiencig exactly the same problem and patience can only last for so long!
Its been in the garage for many a thing but was in for the carb a year ago with those symptons! Unlucky for me i let my petrol run too low the other day and i've had problems since (i know my own fault!) so i've instructed the garage to have a look and see what happens! I also had a split in the hose leading to the carb, when fixed, it stopped the spluttering! Funny thing is my car has been in the garage most of this week and no one could find a fault but as soon as i got in the car and drove it 2 mins down the road, it would be dacing again! Everyone thinks it's my driving but thank god it happens to others!
I think it's very annoying having your music blaring, singing away with your roof down and all of a sudden your car is dancing and cuts out!
But hopefully all will be fixed soon...thank you so much for enlightening me that there are others out there!:beerchug:

[Lee Bushell]

Hi guy's

Just wanted to involve myself with the Golf 1.8 proplems. I have also had and seem to still have the unexplained proplems with my 1.8 clipper. At 1st i thought it was just me, as whenever i took it to a garage a fault was never found! this is propably down to the fact that the garage never took it out for a drive and just let it tick over for a while! which of course is fine but i do like to drive it every now and then.

Same thing, driving and everything seems to be running smooth when all of a sudden, no power from the accelerater, needle drops and car splurts and cuts out, then 5 mins later it would be ok again for all of 5 mins then same old problem.

I have just picked the car up off a friend who is a very good mechanic, who on close inspection noticed the fuel neck!! rusty and holed, which was letting in water to the tank and running throught the carb!!
I have had the neck replaced, the tank drained and cleaned, the carb rebuilt and all new hoses and filters put on. Yet 10mins after driving it home the same damn thing happend!

It wasn't until i just read one of your guys posts that it occured to me it could be an electric fault, that along with the fact that it wasn't even trying to tick over once broken down. the starter motor was very hot, but once left for 5 mins to cool down, the car started again.

Its now in my garage and i will be soon getting the elctrics checked as suggested in one post the TCI unit and Hall sender will also be looked at.

Its driving me crazy as this little classic deserves better. Dont take this the wrong way, but im glad im not alone with this proplem as i thought i was.

Any advise would be great, hope you all sort it out soon.

[CAZ1407]

Hi Lee,

I had exactly the same problem with my 1993 Clipper.

After £100s of pounds wasted at garages having all sorts of electrical items changed and the fuel tank cleaned I had the Webber carb conversion done 2 years ago and have never had a problem since, even with a really rusty filler neck which I'm only now about to replace as it's about to fall off!

I know how frustrating this problem is so hope this helps.

Good luck,

A now happy driver of a reliable Clipper.

[Lee Bushell]

Hi Caz

Thanks for the reply, had a lot of people tell me about the webber conversion! looks like its the way for me to go next.
Would you have any info on how big of a job it is or how much it costs to buy? and where from?

Have someone that will fit it for me, just no idea of how much the kit is?
Thanks

[CAZ1407]

Hi Lee,

I was lucky enough to have a VW mechanic friend with a slightly used carb sat in his garage so got "mates rates".

There's a forum thread on the MK1 Golf Owners Club website that discusses this exact subject that may be worth checking out. http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=14120

Otherwise I'd get advice from an expert which I'm definitely not, just a VW enthusiast!

Good luck,

Caz

[midiwife]

I know it's late in the day but I've got the same problem exactly with my Golf Mk2 Driver 1.6 I love the car but she's doing me in with just these problems. I'm beginning to think I'll just go for the Weber changeover and bite the bullet. I'm so happy to hear I'm not alone. Again, I've got the same thing, a friendly mechanic who drove me around the countryside (at considerable speed) but couldn't get the car to misbehave. Fingers crossed.
:(

[midiwife]

OK, here goes. I've just checked under the manifold (don't honestly know what I'm really looking at but...) and I've noticed that there's a big hose mounting 'spout' that's missing its hose. Plus, the cuff of the spout has a hole rusted in it.
Not sure if this is the hose that people talk about as bringing warm air back from the exhaust but I think there is something missing. If anyone feels generously spirited, I've posted it here:

www.flickr.com/photos/midiwife/465267388/

Is it important? Could it be causing the poor performance of the Pierburg carb?

Thankyou to anyone who might be able to offer any advice!

Karina T.

[JSMcBride]

Hi Midiwife,
The pipe that is sticking out should act as your hot air return.
This was also missing on my Clipper. It's not really a problem, just means the engine won't warm up quite so quickly on cold days.
If you really feel the need to fix it you can get some 55mm pipe from somewhere like EuroCarParts or GFS (Halfords might do it aswell?) for a couple of £.
Just cut it to size, stick one end on the pipe section you've shown in your picture and connect the other end of the new pipe to the "L" shaped section of plastic tube (you can rotate this "L" section) that acts as the air intake to the airfilter.

I'm not too sure if my description is at all clear, but I hope it helps?
If you want pics of what it should look like, pm me and I can go take pictures of my engine bay for you. :-)

[midiwife]

Hi there JSMcBride

Thanks so much for taking the trouble to send me the fix. I also had it confirmed by the VW specialist who said it wasn't vital. But thanks to your very detailed description, I may well just go out and spend that couple of quid after all!

Many thanks.