Running Rough...
 

OK, I'm at my last nerve with this car!

1997 VW Golf K2 1.8l 5spd.

Having Gas mileage issues, like only 200 kms a tank.
Back fires a lot in the morning.
Misfires mostly when cold, but occurs when warm as well.
Hard time starting in the mornings, sometimes 2-3 trys.
Really bad smell of unburnt fuel all the time.
Bad hesitation.

I've changed the TB to Intake Manifold gasket.
Changed the Coolant Temperature Sensor.
Changed the Plugs.

What's my next step without causing me a small fortune.

Wires, Cap, Rotor and fuel filter are about a year and a half old.
Car has gutted cat (from previous owner).
Has 227,xxx kms.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Steve Cornick

>OK, I'm at my last nerve with this car!
>
>1997 VW Golf K2 1.8l 5spd.
>
>Having Gas mileage issues, like only 200 kms a tank.
>Back fires a lot in the morning.
>Misfires mostly when cold, but occurs when warm as well.
>Hard time starting in the mornings, sometimes 2-3 trys.
>Really bad smell of unburnt fuel all the time.
>Bad hesitation.
>
>I've changed the TB to Intake Manifold gasket.
>Changed the Coolant Temperature Sensor.
>Changed the Plugs.
>
>What's my next step without causing me a small fortune.
>
>Wires, Cap, Rotor and fuel filter are about a year and a half old.
>Car has gutted cat (from previous owner).
>Has 227,xxx kms.
>
>Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Since you've replaced the coolant temperature sensor, disconnect the
O2 sensor (follow the wiring from the exhaust manifold or catalytic
convertor) and start the car. Does it run smoother? If so, replace
the sensor and have a VW shop set the ignition timing and exhaust
gases.

Darryl.

I would agree, check the Lambda sensor, you may not have a cat anymore, but
the lambda sensor still checks your fuel mixture is correct.

You may also want to get the coils(s) checked and the cambelt checked, it is
very common to have a cambelt badly fitted, just one notch out can cause
backfires etc... - I have known people get rid of seemingly knackered cars
only to find out it was nothing.

the only other device I can think of that effects timing is the crankshaft
sensor....

Andy

"Darryl" > wrote in message
...
> >OK, I'm at my last nerve with this car!
>>
>>1997 VW Golf K2 1.8l 5spd.
>>
>>Having Gas mileage issues, like only 200 kms a tank.
>>Back fires a lot in the morning.
>>Misfires mostly when cold, but occurs when warm as well.
>>Hard time starting in the mornings, sometimes 2-3 trys.
>>Really bad smell of unburnt fuel all the time.
>>Bad hesitation.
>>
>>I've changed the TB to Intake Manifold gasket.
>>Changed the Coolant Temperature Sensor.
>>Changed the Plugs.
>>
>>What's my next step without causing me a small fortune.
>>
>>Wires, Cap, Rotor and fuel filter are about a year and a half old.
>>Car has gutted cat (from previous owner).
>>Has 227,xxx kms.
>>
>>Any suggestions would be appreciated!
>
> Since you've replaced the coolant temperature sensor, disconnect the
> O2 sensor (follow the wiring from the exhaust manifold or catalytic
> convertor) and start the car. Does it run smoother? If so, replace
> the sensor and have a VW shop set the ignition timing and exhaust
> gases.
>
> Darryl.

"VW Golf Cart" > wrote in message
...
> OK, I'm at my last nerve with this car!
>
> 1997 VW Golf K2 1.8l 5spd.
>
> Having Gas mileage issues, like only 200 kms a tank.
> Back fires a lot in the morning.
> Misfires mostly when cold, but occurs when warm as well.
> Hard time starting in the mornings, sometimes 2-3 trys.
> Really bad smell of unburnt fuel all the time.
> Bad hesitation.
>
> I've changed the TB to Intake Manifold gasket.
> Changed the Coolant Temperature Sensor.
> Changed the Plugs.
>
> What's my next step without causing me a small fortune.
>
> Wires, Cap, Rotor and fuel filter are about a year and a half old.
> Car has gutted cat (from previous owner).
> Has 227,xxx kms.
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated!

A 1.8? Not too familiar with those engines since we didn't get those in US
A3 VWs but IIRC those engines retained some form of Digifant injection
(similar to the A2s), no? If so, check/replace the fuel pressure regulator
on the end of the fuel rail. If the FPR is bad it allows too much fuel into
the engine.

I am concerned about the amount of wheel noise coming from my 91 passat
wagon. What are the symptoms of wheel bearing failure?

If the bearing are gone I would like to replace them soon before it gets
too cold.


Ron Hoppe
Ottawa, Canada


91 VW Passat
87 924S Porsche
69 Rover 3500S

In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, ronh wrote:

>I am concerned about the amount of wheel noise coming from my 91 passat
>wagon. What are the symptoms of wheel bearing failure?

For me it sounded like I was driving with really rough tread snow
tires. It occurred right after getting tires changed form me.
Aluminum wheels were hard to remove from the hubs. Rather than using
a wheel puller, the tire installer used pry bar and hammer.



>
>If the bearing are gone I would like to replace them soon before it gets
>too cold.

Can you trace the sound to one or more wheels? Rear would be easier
than the front.

>From: ronh
>
>I am concerned about the amount of wheel noise coming from my 91 passat
>wagon. What are the symptoms of wheel bearing failure?
>
>If the bearing are gone I would like to replace them soon before it gets
>too cold.
>
>
>Ron Hoppe
>Ottawa, Canada
>

AFAIK
They make a roaring/rumbling sound while the vehicle is in motion and usually
sounds louder the faster you go.

Front wheel bearings can be isolated by turning left or right while you are
driving and you hear the noise. If you turn left and the noise
disappears/lessens then it is the left front wheel bearing. Same applies if
you turn right = right front wheel bearing. I have seen both bad sometimes so
the noise never left. lol

Rears can be determined if you lift up the vehicle and spin the wheel. You may
have to remove brake pads to eliminate that as a source of the noise.

Tires and the transmission can make noise too!

later,
dave
Reminder........
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way,
when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their
shoes. Frieda Norris

"ronh" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> I am concerned about the amount of wheel noise coming from my 91 passat
> wagon. What are the symptoms of wheel bearing failure?

Has happened twice on my A2 and it sounded like a "rrrrrrrrrrrr" that was
entirely speed dependent. Had nothing to do with engine speed or in gear
vs. neutral. I even rotated my tires to see if the noise "moved" to the
other end of the car and it didn't so that's what I decided it was the wheel
bearing.

In article >,
VW Golf Cart > wrote:
>Now he's narrowed it down to the O2 Sensor. I have the 1 wire on there,
>needs the 3 wire. More money to spend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It sounds like this is the first time this car ever got any replacement
parts...

LOL!!!!!

>
>Steve
>
>"VW Golf Cart" > wrote in message
...
>> LOL, still bad, even worse.
>> Got a mechanic at my school to look at it today. Said to buy Cap and
>rotor
>> and bring it back to him tomorrow and he'll look at it for me.
>>
>> We'll see tomorrow.
>>
>> Steve
>>
>> "VW Golf Cart" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > Figured it out.
>> > Was a collapsed vacuum hose. Replaced it and now almost back to normal.
>> > Oil change, Fuel Filter Change and Wires next!!
>> >
>> > Getting ready for the winter!
>> >
>> > Steve
>> >
>> > "VW Golf Cart" > wrote in message
>> > ...
>> > > OK, I'm at my last nerve with this car!
>> > >
>> > > 1997 VW Golf K2 1.8l 5spd.
>> > >
>> > > Having Gas mileage issues, like only 200 kms a tank.
>> > > Back fires a lot in the morning.
>> > > Misfires mostly when cold, but occurs when warm as well.
>> > > Hard time starting in the mornings, sometimes 2-3 trys.
>> > > Really bad smell of unburnt fuel all the time.
>> > > Bad hesitation.
>> > >
>> > > I've changed the TB to Intake Manifold gasket.
>> > > Changed the Coolant Temperature Sensor.
>> > > Changed the Plugs.
>> > >
>> > > What's my next step without causing me a small fortune.
>> > >
>> > > Wires, Cap, Rotor and fuel filter are about a year and a half old.
>> > > Car has gutted cat (from previous owner).
>> > > Has 227,xxx kms.
>> > >
>> > > Any suggestions would be appreciated!
>> > >
>> > > Thanks,
>> > >
>> > > Steve Cornick
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>


--
Jeeps and dubs and everything's nice...

>Now he's narrowed it down to the O2 Sensor. I have the 1 wire on there,
>needs the 3 wire. More money to spend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I said replace the sensor, I meant for you to replace it with the
correct sensor. ;-) Does anyone know if the cheap Bosch 13913 sensor
fits A3s (it works mint in my '89)?

Darryl.