proud owner of 82 Rab Convertible but..

[cntbuymeluv5]

I had an 84 that was total so Dec 03 I bought a VERY nice 82 Rab Convertible! I love her so much and I haven't had any real major problems with her either. My bf and his father work on it for me so it doesn't cost me too much to keep maintained. Oh, I replaced the clutch but that wasn't a big deal to me. I had to retire her for a while because she started to (not sure what to say here - I am not the mechanic..) like hesitate when I accelerated and kinda miss (maybe not the right word here) while holding down the gas pedal. After checking the spark plugs, distributor, etc. She wouldn't start-got her working again but barely. She starts putts and dies starts putts and dies. If I hold the gas down it stays running but she doesn't like it! So, my first question is: how in the world do I find out if I have a 1.8 or not? I have the owners manual but it doesn't seem to say. My bf and I have been over and over it. I also have the haines manual. Doesn't help a whole lot. I don't know if I have the firing position right despite what the manual says. My second question is: even before I had the spark plug prob I had the other problem so I really could use help with this. I have it narrowed down but for time and money's sake maybe someone could point me in the right direction. I think (not sure) that maybe my problem is either injectors or air leak somewhere maybe intake. But I don't hear an air leak so I don't know. I don't think that its the spark plugs or distributor because of the type of problems I am having. Could someone help? Does any of this sound familiar? What should I be checking and how? I love my car and I am not about to sell her but I certainly cant afford to take this to a shop so this needs to be a bf fix... Any ANY help is much appreciated!

[zagrot]

i don't know if this holds true for all vw engines, but on the back of mine (on the side facing the firewall, which isn't really the back of the engine but it is the easiest way to say it) there are raised letters cast in the block that tell the displacement in liters, and there may be a letter code following the displacement. it should be below the freeze plugs, and the letters are about 2" tall. this should be easy to see from under the car if the back of the block is not too dirty.

[termitesgraffix]

Look under the hood (on the bottom side of the hood itself)...
There should be a yellow sticker, or a sticker for that matter...

If it is a 1.8 the second and third line on it will say,
ENGINE FAMILY EVW 1.8 V6FAF5
Displacement 109 CID

[abukahlil]

Hi!

I just posted a similar problem in my 84 Convertible! Have you found any answers yet?

I was guessing it was a vacuum leak, too. but I can't hear any leaks either!

I'd love to know what you find out because I have almost an identical situation.

mike

[veedubmechanic]

sounds like a bad fuel distributor. Common problem when starting issues are present. Its the metal thing ontop of the air cleaner box with all the fuel lines coming out of it. It has to be adjusted when replaced though.

[mike Rosander]

if it is a bad fuel distributor, can you adjust it or do you need to take it to a shop?