Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

King8v
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

Anyone :eek: :bang: :(
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chucker02
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by chucker02 »

Does your car still have the mechanical fuel pump? I know on the beetles when the pump gets old the diaphragm inside the pump tears and leaks air and it cannot supply the fuel needed. This happens especially when hot on beetles. I suggest when the car starts with the erratic idling switch it off, remove the fuel pipe leading to that fuel resevoir thing and check if the stream of petrol is normal when cranking the engine. Compare that to normal cranking when the engine is cold.
Current:

2006 Citi Golf 2E, Dictator, 4-2-1

Ex:
2003 Audi A3 1.8t, Thanas Tuned, FMIC, coilies, DP and exhaust
2007 Citi golf. ADY with Spitronics 60-2, estas 282, 4-2-1, coilies
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=183329
2002 Citi golf. ADY carb, estas 282, 4-2-1, GW delarey big brake kit.
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=157603
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missioner
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by missioner »

What Chucker said. It certainly sounds like you have a fuel delivery problem. Also don't forget to take a close look at the non-return valve on the brake booster pipe and the hose that connects it to the inlet manifold. Highly overlooked fault when having fueling issues.

Lastly if Everything else checks out and no other problems are apparent get a carb expert in on the job. I personally prefer to fix the original factory carb, they last longer.
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King8v
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

chucker02 wrote:Does your car still have the mechanical fuel pump? I know on the beetles when the pump gets old the diaphragm inside the pump tears and leaks air and it cannot supply the fuel needed. This happens especially when hot on beetles. I suggest when the car starts with the erratic idling switch it off, remove the fuel pipe leading to that fuel resevoir thing and check if the stream of petrol is normal when cranking the engine. Compare that to normal cranking when the engine is cold.
Yes i do still have the mechanical pump. Ok i will check this when its starts to idle mad. i think this may be the problem, as it seems that when the idle comes and goes, it is if there is not enough fuel coming through.

Thanks Chucker02
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chucker02
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by chucker02 »

Yes the pump might be strugling to supply the fuel needed for the float. Check the line just after the pump aswell as the line going to the carb(coming from that return thing that sits in front of the tappet cover)
Current:

2006 Citi Golf 2E, Dictator, 4-2-1

Ex:
2003 Audi A3 1.8t, Thanas Tuned, FMIC, coilies, DP and exhaust
2007 Citi golf. ADY with Spitronics 60-2, estas 282, 4-2-1, coilies
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=183329
2002 Citi golf. ADY carb, estas 282, 4-2-1, GW delarey big brake kit.
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=157603
1971 VW beetle
King8v
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

Sweet, will do.
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King8v
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

So after replacing my fuel pump, i thought my idle issue when its hot outside will disappear....it hasnt. Its not even different.

So im now leaning toward an electrical issue. Something that doesnt like too much heat?

IM thinking leads, coil. Fuel delivery is not an issue anymore, carb base plate is still good.

Remember car drives fine, when it hot, its only on idle that it hunts, this when it is +-28deg+ outside.

Im fuggin lost now, dont know where to look anymore!
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by missioner »

How much blow by do you have?

Disconnect the engine breather when it's hot and see if the idle improves.
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

That's a good question. I have a moerse lot it seems, I opened the airbox the other day and my brand new filter already has some oil build up on it! ok so I must disconnect this when its hot and see. shot will do.
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by missioner »

You can buy a blank off rubber for the airbox and then run a road breather on the engine. Unless you attach a oil catch tank.
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by missioner »

You can buy a blank off rubber for the airbox and then run a road breather on the engine. Unless you attach a oil catch tank.
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King8v
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

A road breather, whats that? I saw Irfaans DIY oil catch can on his rides thread which I wanna do.
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by missioner »

A road breather is a pipe that simply directs the engine vapours down to the road.
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

Yes i can see what you mean, it will def be better that way, as i disconnected it and wow, all that fumes were smoking me out in the cabin!

So this then brings me to when i reconnected it. The idle actually seemed to stabilize? It seemed more erratic with it off? is that normal? What is the function of the breather anyway?
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by missioner »

It simply feeds those fumes back into the engine for environmental reasons.
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by missioner »

The gasses sometimes can make a lean mixture richer and if they become excessive even increase the fuel consumption.

I reckon you need someone with a 4 gas CO meter to check your carb settings. Try a carb specialist or someone similar.
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

Iv been wanting to do this for a while now.

Thanks Missioner.
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by edwillw »

:hi: check the little plug with the wires that plugs in on to your distributor, the can be a ball ache as well.
No cracks on distributor cap,and maybe carbon build up in the firing pins on the inside, rotor ok?
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

edwillw wrote::hi: check the little plug with the wires that plugs in on to your distributor, the can be a ball ache as well.
No cracks on distributor cap,and maybe carbon build up in the firing pins on the inside, rotor ok?
Those wires seem ok, but they go into the shrink wrap mos, so i cant see past that. :twisted:

NO cracks that i know of, i have sprayed some Q20 inside the cap, i think my rotor may be klaar, cos the metal piece on top looks a bit iffy.
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

Ok so i have tried the breather pipe removal, and it helps but only for a while. After a while its the same. So i guess i need to get to my auto electrician again, cos this is driving me mad!!!
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by missioner »

Have look at the condition of the rotor tip. They do eventually burn away. I replaced mine the other day.

Your motor is still stock 1.6, right?
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

Stock 1.8 carb yes. I have been told previously that it looks like my rotor has seen better days, what do they cost?

I was at my sparkys' recommended mechanic on Wednesday, and he is of the opinion that its either my carb base plate, which i dont believe it is, as it did not make the usual sucking sound when moving the carb around, or that the carb is dirty, and 'one of the jets are blocked'

Now i will say that there is a strong possibility that the carb is dirty, as the second stage is sometime hesitant to open, further signalling dirt/grime, but once again, my idle hunt issue only comes about when it is 25deg+ outside and the car has gotten very hot ie in traffic etc. doesn't happen in winter ever, no matter how much traffic im in, so something doesn't like heat.

like i said to the mechie and my sparky, its sounds crazy, but its the truth, my sparkie doesn't think its an electronic issue
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by King8v »

Double post! :twisted: :bang:
Last edited by King8v on Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by missioner »

A new rotor will set you back perhaps 35 rand or so and it won't hurt to replace it. A base plate is around a hundred bucks for the usual one most okes sell. That is also a painless repair and it could well be part of the problem.

Get the macky to strip the carb and blow it out and replace the gaskets while he's at it. Then see if he can tune it up properly with a decent CO machine. I reckon that should solve most of your issues. You are going by your gut feeling and often this is a better diagnostic tool than some very expensive equipment.

Keep us posted
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Re: Citi 1.8 Carb idle issues

Post by PapaJo »

The following can cause erratic idle on these carbs. It idles fine at one stop and on next one it dies and fire straight up again and next stop all is stable or when cold no issues.

Check the idling jet on the back of the carb. There is a small o ring fitted in the carb casing that seals around the idling jet. Idling jet has a screw holding it in position on the carb. The wire from the idling jet must go to the negative on the round coil and a brown wire on the front of the carb next to the accelerator cable bracket should be connected to one of the studs on the tappet cover.

Could also be that the second stage butterfly is sticky and slow to close or dirty and then it does not seal off properly, causing this. You have mentioned that the revs stay high on gear changes when changing while second stage is opened. Check that the spring load is strong enough to close it fully too.

Check for play on the butterfly shafts, that can cause air leaks and you can use the carb cleaner trick on the butterfly shafts too to determine if they are sucking air in, same as on the carb base.

I found that the new carb base I have installed for only +-150km had 2 balloons on the inside and sucking air in when hot. It also had 2 spots between the base and manifold where it showed signs of air passing at highway speeds. I have replaced it again and all fine again. Worth a try to check this again.
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