Vw Golf Mk3 1.6 CL . . . Cutting out irratically & losing power

I have a '98 MK3 1.6 CL on 113,000 miles with a few minor problems...

When started from cold, the car idles strangely and the revs drop right down to a point it cuts out. I have to rev it to keep it from stalling. Also cutting out when approaching junctions and roundabouts.

White smoke comes out from time to time and the car is chuggy when it does this. I looked underneath the oil filler cap and noticed the dreaded mayo on the underside of the cap, however, the car hasnt been run properly for 5 months so possibly condensation is to blame for this? Also seems to be drinking more fuel then it did, or possibly the price of fuel these days :zx11:


Any one any suggestions please?

just keeping me eye on this, as I'm having much the same problem. My 1.4 was a complete tw*t to start and when it eventually "roared" into life, it ticked over ok until it came off the cold start after a minute or so. It then dropped down to about 850rpm and idled lumpily. Revving up from then on was accompanied with a stutter and general lack of nads...not done a compression check yet as I'm banking on it being a dodgy sensor/throttle positioner issue...mine's scrap if the gaskets gone

seems like we're all in the same boat. i just got a 1998 1.6 CL and it's doing the same thing. It's fine when driving, but it's running lumpily at lights and when static, though this is just occasional and it's fine when driving normally and there's no loss of power.

Could it be a problem with the choke? It's slow to get going in the morning but seems to run fine after starting it a couple of times.

Any help would be greatly appreciated here too!:(

Had a similar experience but not always from cold. Lumpy idle and cutting out from idle. Turned out to be the rubber block mounting between carb and inlet manifold. This somehow split and was leaking air. You can check it by just pushing on the air cleaner when the motor is idling. If you hear it sucking air when you push from one side, and the motor dies, try re-starting and then pull the opposite way on the air cleaner. The motor then idles smoothly. That's the giveaway. Remove carb and replace that block mount. Problem solved.

cheers for that. i'll give it a go and see what happens. :)

Hi folks - first time poster (female) so hoping you can help in non technical speak ! I have a 1998 1.6 SE VW Golf - having same sort of problems with lumpy idling and cutting out on initial start up and at junctions etc. If I put the air con on this seems to level out the idling - but not completely. Read various posts but all seem to deviate off in one way or another - eg mine doesn't cut out at speed & no-one has mentioned air con helping. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers.

The aircon speeds up the idle automatically when switched on. If your car idles fine with the aircon switched on, it could be that your normal idle setting is just set a little too slow. There is a screw at the back of the carburettor to speed it up. Its a simple job.

If that doesn't help, then you need to check for air leakage - it could be a perished hose or the carburettor mounting allowing air to leak in.

I've had the same problem, but only since I fitted my induction kit..my mechanic mate said it was due to ice crystals forming around the carb because of the cold air passing over it.. That's why it tends to go away when the engine has warmed up a bit

ok, to add to the lumpy idling and cutting out when stationary, i've just developed noisy power steering and loss of power if i turn the wheel when stationary.

i'm guessing there's some connection with the battery here but i'm not entirely sure if it's also connected to the idling problem or something new altogether! i have a basic technical knowledge, but nothing too sound so i'm charging the battery and hoping for the best.:(

anyone any better ideas?

This help a little? :

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...09&postcount=5

spot on mate, cheers for that.

i've only ever had mark 2's before therefore all these mod cons like power steering and electric windows is new to me!

Ta! :o

Has anyone tried new ignition coil pack? According to the nice AA man who saved me, they're known problems (he has a replacement in his van all the time. They cost about £90, as they have an ignition control module attached, but it only takes a very small crack in the plastic to allow moisture to get in and cause problems. Mine wouldn't idle without being revved, and would cough and spluter. Then it would cut out as i slowed for roundabouts and jnctions etc. Replaced coil and now it runs like a dream

no go with the ignition coil mine still has this problem although mine doesnt do it often when sitting idly such as at traffic lights and junctions and stuff, bu the problem occurs more often when traveling at around 30mph and will cut out then i have to wait for several minutes before being able to restart the engine

Erm, possibly one of the many electrical sensors that has packed up then? My missus' fiesta wouldn't run properly and that was down to a faulty air mass meter and idle speed control valve. Whilst I did that I checked forair leaks on the induction system and also put a new air filter in. It cured that problem but on yours it sounds more of an electrical problem with loss of spark as you rev. Have a clean up of all the electrical sensors you can easily get to and see if that makes any difference?

my mk3 golf used to do this really bad the revs would drop every time i slowed down to stop i used to drive me mad lol one day it got that bad i had to call the rac and they came out and fixed it in about 2 mins. i could not belive it id been putting up with it all that time. n e way alls he did was remove the air flow pipe that goes into the top of the engine and were it joins he just cleaned the butterfly switch which is just inside. so if you can get some one to press the gas pedal (making sure not to let go) just give it a wipe with a rag and sray some engine lube on. Hope this sorts it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Anton Magus

Had a similar experience but not always from cold. Lumpy idle and cutting out from idle. Turned out to be the rubber block mounting between carb and inlet manifold. This somehow split and was leaking air. You can check it by just pushing on the air cleaner when the motor is idling. If you hear it sucking air when you push from one side, and the motor dies, try re-starting and then pull the opposite way on the air cleaner. The motor then idles smoothly. That's the giveaway. Remove carb and replace that block mount. Problem solved.

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Hi there, I would like to check this on my golf that is having the same problem. Can someone show me a picture or diagram of where exactly I should look for this rubber block please. And also I remember reading that it could be the MAF, if you have a pic or diagram of that too it might help. Its getting really bad and the garage doesn't know what it is. Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by P0WERS160

I've had the same problem, but only since I fitted my induction kit..my mechanic mate said it was due to ice crystals forming around the carb because of the cold air passing over it.. That's why it tends to go away when the engine has warmed up a bit

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I doubt it, its not cold enough here to do that. Ive not had any problems like that. Plus its injection, its buried deep in the intake, so it should be protected a bit.

Anyway, mine did this due to ignition failure, I would suggest the ignition coil, but its worth checking that your plugs and leads are good. Battery terminals clean and tight, check your distributor, it may be rotor/cap or it may be a new dizzy if the hall sender is going

Thanks very much I will get the mechanic to check this out

I don't have a picture, but look at the carb, and just below it is a hard rubber block it sits on where it joins the intake manifold. To test if it is cracked, stand on the engine side of the car and push the top of the carb - air cleaner housing - towards the gearbox side of the car. If you hear it sucking air and then cutting out, change the block. Its not that difficult a job.

thanks, will try that :)