VW Golf Mk1 performance issues

[Krugerham]

Hello All,

I have a 1.6 8v VW Fox ( The South African one ) that is driven by a Weber 36 DCD carburetor. I also have a 50mm freeflow exhaust and a 4-2-1 stainless steel branch, as well as an Apollo cold air intake.

I am having a problem of hesitation during acceleration. The hesitation is at its worst when I am going uphill when the engine is cold, and most of the time the engine stalls under these conditions. I can then only start it in about a minute, but the idling is a lot more unsteady for a while and then evens out when the motor heats up. I cannot even jump-start the motor after it has stalled in these conditions and have to wait a while before I try again, which is definitely significant.

The hesitation occurs almost always but very lightly. It also has a tendency of occurring when I accelerate uphill, even only to retain the current speed. It starts to "gulp" when the hesitation is at its worst and will stall when I push it further rather than gearing down and being as light as possible on the fuel pedal, which restores the "working of the engine". It may also ping or knock very loudly during these severe hesitations, or when I am too low in revs for a high gear. In best conditions, I cannot pass about 120km/h on the freeway in 5th without having the same performance decrease and a much harsher sounding engine.

I have already changed the fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel reservoir, coil, coil lead and 4 plug leads ( bogey cords ). I have also resealed, with engine sealant ( Dirko ) the tappet cover, the sump gasket, the base and adapter plates for the weber, and also the fuel pump gasket. The top gasket is also fixed about 6 months ago.

I have heard that the fuel tank on these models sometimes give issues with rust and the fuel line connections, but I can say that the fuel in the fuel filter looks very clean. And I have used a bottle of Wynns injector cleaner as well, and I have used a 5l plastic bottle as a petrol tank, only to still have the issue, so I do not think rust in the tank is an issue, however, I am unsure about the fuel line connections and such that may cause leakage, since I do smell fuel sometimes..

I am eagerly awaiting suggestions on what this issue might be and how to solve it, since it is not all that fun to not be able to drive uphill without clenching teeth and the steering wheel.

Best wishes,
Emile

[panic-mechanic]

Your carb orientation is incorrect and the float level is too low.

[EX-DOHCTOR]

Why would you use injector cleaner in a Carb motor?

Why not use carb cleaner and spray that directly into the carb while the motor is running like you're supposed to?

[Krugerham]

Wel EX-DOHCTOR,

Carburetor jets are basically the injectors of fuel, even though they don't "inject", they spray. Please consult the following link of the product I have used:

https://www.wynns.eu/product/injector-cleaner-2/

where you can clearly see that this product
1) Prevents icing in the carburettor and fuel filter.
2) Prevents rust and corrosion in the complete fuel system.

And, I have a mechanic who told me to use wynns injector cleaner, and he manufactured these specific motors at the VW Factory in Uitenhage (which is now a museum ofcourse) before they were automated. So he has about 15 years experience in the manufacturing of these engines and another 15 years as a home-based mechanic. He himself has a citi golf carb and a jetta mk2 carb.

So I highly doubt that my use of "Injector cleaner" rather than "carb cleaner" has anything to do with anything. And, here is the first two forums that google presents when searched "injector cleaner vs carb cleaner":

1) http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r226473 ... or-Cleaner
2) https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbth ... l_infector_

where in both they mention that these two products are composed basically of the same ingredients.

[Krugerham]

Oh and also,

Carb cleaner only cleans the carb. Injector cleaner cleans out the whole fuel system since it is added to the fuel tank.

[Krugerham]

Panic-Mechanic:

I am 99% sure about the carb orientation, since these guys mounted it the same way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBAZWg_zwnQ

However, I have seen images of the carb mounted 180 degrees around so that the float is on the left instead of the right. I suppose I should inspect the orientation of the standard carb of this motor and compare it to that of the weber.

Also, the float level had been checked by a carb specialist in Cape Town and he said it was fine. How would I really make sure?

AUXILIARY INFO

I have read that if the jets of a weber are turned slightly too tight or too loose, it may cause a mis-alignment of the holes of the jets and the passages of the carb body. And I also need to precisely tune the idle and air jet, which is only done approximately based on the sound of the car.

So yeah any more information about this will be helpful, thanks

[panic-mechanic]

The fact that it dies off when you floor it means either the accelerator pump is not working or there is not enough fuel in the bowl to satisfy the demand. The fact that irmdies when you go uphill means that either there is not enough fuel in the bowl or the float is floating towards the direction that reduces the amount of fuel in the bowl. Either Way it relates to a float level issue so go revisit your expert in the cape. If the float level is right then it is a fuel supply issue.

[EX-DOHCTOR]

I find it funny that some one who manufactured these engines hasn't been able to sort you issues out in 15 minutes already. Seriously, ask yourself, shouldn't someone with such extensive experience and intimate knowledge of the very motor you are running have been able to sort you out on visit no.1?

If they guys really knew what they were talking about... why are you here asking for more information when you have had "experts" on hand to look at the motor and carb already?

So far, from what I've seen your "experts" are giving you some pretty duff advice mate. Not a single one of them has been able to resolve your issues thus far.

[Neuk]

All this back and forth and it is still not a MkI My MkI is still going strong on what I can only presume is the original carb, after 168k km's and 35 years on the road. I would put my money on what @panic-mechanic suggests, he has a hate-hate relationship with carbs so for him to offer advice is something.

[DangerBoy]

All this back and forth and it is still not a MkI My MkI is still going strong on what I can only presume is the original carb, after 168k km's and 35 years on the road. I would put my money on what @panic-mechanic suggests, he has a hate-hate relationship with carbs so for him to offer advice is something.

I was waiting for the MK1 story.....

But its true what Neuk said. Panic really knows what he is talking about, so maybe give his advice a try and revert back.

Just my 2 cents

[Neuk]

All this back and forth and it is still not a MkI My MkI is still going strong on what I can only presume is the original carb, after 168k km's and 35 years on the road. I would put my money on what @panic-mechanic suggests, he has a hate-hate relationship with carbs so for him to offer advice is something.

I was waiting for the MK1 story.....

It is not a story FFS The struggle is real!

[DangerBoy]

All this back and forth and it is still not a MkI My MkI is still going strong on what I can only presume is the original carb, after 168k km's and 35 years on the road. I would put my money on what @panic-mechanic suggests, he has a hate-hate relationship with carbs so for him to offer advice is something.

I was waiting for the MK1 story.....

It is not a story FFS The struggle is real!

Calm down Nic, you going to have a heart attack

[Krugerham]

Haha thanks guys,

So in other words most of us then agree that I have a carb related issue, and most likely NOT a fuel tank issue? Apparantly the removal of the fuel tank on these models are quite a situation to cry about

I can definitely relate to the fact that the issue is the float level, the working of the accelerator pump or perhaps maybe the size of the pump or spray jet?

@ (panic-mechanic) If you could also maybe elaborate on what you mean by the orientation of the carb? I can confirm that the barrels of the weber open in the same direction as the standard carb, and the first stage and second stage barrels are also located in the same place ( first barrel closest to the tappet cover and second barrel at the back of the intake manifold. ) Might it be better to switch it around so that the float chamber is then left towards the driver seat instead of right?

[panic-mechanic]

The actual float must sit across the car in transverse fashion. It is nothing to do with the the bowl or barrels or flaps. If the float is oriented lengthwise it goes lean under acceleration and rich under braking. Any of the ready made adaptors did it that way as it was the easiest to make. To do it properly you actually have to cut the manifold and weld a properly oriented plate in.
But hey what do I know did did not build these things for 15 years.

[Ashveer03]

36dcd carbs are a pain in the ass. I would rather go with a 32/36 weber - easier to tune, economical, and nothing actually goes wrong with them for years

Sent from my SM-G531H using Tapatalk

[panic-mechanic]

Any carp is a pain in the behind. Injection is where it's at.

[THANAS]

Any carp is a pain in the behind. Injection is where it's at.

The bigger the carp, the worse the bite. Remember that.

[EX-DOHCTOR]

So have the "experts" sorted you out yet?

Or are you still trying to clean a carb with injector cleaner?

[marzbars]

Wait what, Jets = InJEcTorS.

Seems legit, now I know.
As you were

Anyone know where I can get some 550cc Delphi injectors for my Solex

[Howie-WP]

OP????

[Howie-WP]

he manufactured these specific motors at the VW Factory in Uitenhage (which is now a museum ofcourse) before they were automated.

Wat?????

[Supervan II]

he manufactured these specific motors at the VW Factory in Uitenhage (which is now a museum ofcourse) before they were automated.

Wat?????

IOW:
He assembled those specific engines at the VW factory (in the section that now houses Auto Pavilion, the VW museum), before the whole engine assembly line was automated for the Polo.

[EX-DOHCTOR]

Pity his memory of the motors is so sketchy that he hasn't been able to sort this issue out already, and is going around telling people to use injector cleaner on carbs.