problem with Golf Clipper cutting out!

[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....wtopic&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.