85 VW manual idles too LOW

Hey, I just got a VW jetta and am learning manual driving. I need to go
on a road trip pretty quick, but the beasty doesn't like to start. It
idles way below the first mark and if when warming it up you rev it up
a little it stalls out...it stalls out any time you seriously slow down
or when going slow on a hill. It also does this the first few times you
try and move it. Someone said something about a screw I can fiddle with
to fix this but I do not know where this is located. I looked at the
throttle area and saw no screw or nut that I could turn with ordinary
tools. If you can get this to me quickly I would appreciate it...I need
to get this thing going.

For this and other questions about your vehicle, get a Bentley service
manual.

wrote:
> Hey, I just got a VW jetta and am learning manual driving. I need to go
> on a road trip pretty quick, but the beasty doesn't like to start. It
> idles way below the first mark and if when warming it up you rev it up
> a little it stalls out...it stalls out any time you seriously slow down
> or when going slow on a hill. It also does this the first few times you
> try and move it. Someone said something about a screw I can fiddle with
> to fix this but I do not know where this is located. I looked at the
> throttle area and saw no screw or nut that I could turn with ordinary
> tools. If you can get this to me quickly I would appreciate it...I need
> to get this thing going.

Assuming you are talking about a US-market vehicle, you could have one of
three different engine management systems: K-Jet, KE-Jet, or KE-Jet with
knock sensing (only on GLIs). If you have a GLI, you have KE-Jet with
knock sensing. Otherwise the easiest thing to do is look at the fuel
distributor (on top of the air cleaner box). If its silver/aluminum
colored its KE-Jet. If its black then its K-Jet.

The screw you are referring to is most likely the throttle body rest
position screw, which is on the side of the throttlebody (on the font left
side if you are facedd into the car). However, this is *NOT* an idle
adjustment. KE-Jet cars have electronically controlled idle through the
idle stabalizer valve. On K-Jet it may be for idle speed control, I don't
know K-Jet that well. Do *NOT* adjust this unless you know what you are
doing. Get a service manual (Bentley, not Chilton or Haynes)

If it stalls while you depress the throttle, you have another problem
besides your idle. That problem may be causing your idle problem, so
trying to fix the idle could actually end up making your problem worse.

good luck...

> The screw you are referring to is most likely the throttle body rest
> position screw, which is on the side of the throttlebody (on the font left
> side if you are facedd into the car). However, this is *NOT* an idle
> adjustment. KE-Jet cars have electronically controlled idle through the
> idle stabalizer valve. On K-Jet it may be for idle speed control, I don't
> know K-Jet that well. Do *NOT* adjust this unless you know what you are
> doing. Get a service manual (Bentley, not Chilton or Haynes)
>
> If it stalls while you depress the throttle, you have another problem
> besides your idle. That problem may be causing your idle problem, so
> trying to fix the idle could actually end up making your problem worse.
>
> good luck...

I had a friend come check it out and we fiddled with the screw in
question and a few other things. (we were careful to count turns) It
turns out that most of the problem is my inexperience with standard
shift after all. The slight adjustments seemed to help the idle a bit
too. Mostly involving lube and checking the conections on a few things.
It is still a little cranky, but it doesn't stall out as much. Warming
it up for a few minutes helps even out the idle too (at 800-900 RPM).
(I still have no idea what motor I have, but the guy who sold it has
the bentley manual for me)

Thanks for the suggestions.
CC

"KE-Jet with knock sensing (only on GLIs)"
I am assuming you mean that the US Jetta GLIs (1985-1987) have this system
only.
Hey what about the Golf GTIs and Golf GTs having the same FI system as the
Jettas?

I am thinking his warm-up regulator (control pressure regulator), or a
coolant temperature sensor depending on his fuel injection system.
It might also be bad fuel injector seals that shrink when cold and expand
when warm.
Look for any other possible vacuum leaks too. BTW how does the brake pedal
feel? Any hissing?

"blah" > wrote in message
...
> wrote:
>> Hey, I just got a VW jetta and am learning manual driving. I need to go
>> on a road trip pretty quick, but the beasty doesn't like to start. It
>> idles way below the first mark and if when warming it up you rev it up
>> a little it stalls out...it stalls out any time you seriously slow down
>> or when going slow on a hill. It also does this the first few times you
>> try and move it. Someone said something about a screw I can fiddle with
>> to fix this but I do not know where this is located. I looked at the
>> throttle area and saw no screw or nut that I could turn with ordinary
>> tools. If you can get this to me quickly I would appreciate it...I need
>> to get this thing going.
>
> Assuming you are talking about a US-market vehicle, you could have one of
> three different engine management systems: K-Jet, KE-Jet, or KE-Jet with
> knock sensing (only on GLIs). If you have a GLI, you have KE-Jet with
> knock sensing. Otherwise the easiest thing to do is look at the fuel
> distributor (on top of the air cleaner box). If its silver/aluminum
> colored its KE-Jet. If its black then its K-Jet.
>
> The screw you are referring to is most likely the throttle body rest
> position screw, which is on the side of the throttlebody (on the font left
> side if you are facedd into the car). However, this is *NOT* an idle
> adjustment. KE-Jet cars have electronically controlled idle through the
> idle stabalizer valve. On K-Jet it may be for idle speed control, I don't
> know K-Jet that well. Do *NOT* adjust this unless you know what you are
> doing. Get a service manual (Bentley, not Chilton or Haynes)
>
> If it stalls while you depress the throttle, you have another problem
> besides your idle. That problem may be causing your idle problem, so
> trying to fix the idle could actually end up making your problem worse.
>
> good luck...
>

First I would try the fuel filter. It will either be located on the air
box or under the car by the gas tank.

The screw you are looking for is located in the intake casting itself.
Either on the front or the back, right where the throttle mechanisim is
located will be a barrel shaped casting about 1/2" in diameter. This will
have a slotted screw in it. I doubt that this is your problem though.

Also check the tube from the air box to the intake. The accordian shaped
rubbers on either end are notorious for tearing or leaking when they are
old. move them and stretch them to look for tears. This tube supplies the
vacuum to the fuel management system to regulate the amount of fuel to the
motor. Even a small leak will have a big effect.

You can also remove the large rubber boot from the top of the airbox and
make sure that the large round flap moves freely.

Checking your air filter might not hurt either.

Here's a number of a VW only parts place in Aubrun Hills (Detroit), MI:
(248) 373-2300 . They will have parts for damn near any VW ever made and
are well versed in the mechanics area too.

Also here's the address for Bentley:
http://www.bentleypublishers.com/ind...l=&ticket=none
You can't own an old VW without one of these manuals. Or look on eBay. I
got mine cheap there.

Good luck!

Dave