1987 Gti 16v

[tstory44]

A couple of months ago I bought an '87 GTI 16v. Was a bit run down cosmetically, but seemed to run decent. I got it painted and cleaned up a bit so it looks a little better, but now its running poorly. It also failed emissions so I havent been able to get a tag for it yet. The emissions place told me to check the EGR valve, then the o2 sensor, then the catalytic converter. All of the readings were high on the emissions test, but the NoX is what made the car fail. I know nothing about VW's, but have always liked them, which is why I bought the car. It runs poorly and studders when first starting out, but once you get going it seems to run fine. Any help in getting it back on the road would be greatly appreciated.

[goddom]

First I would change the spark plugs, cap and rotor if they need it. Make sure to run the LOWEST octane fuel! Do not run 92 when trying to get the car to smog since the higher octane fuels can burn with more power but are harder to ignite and so a car not really set up for it will have a harder time smogging with the higher octane fuels. Also, with the start up stuff I would suggest cleaning out the throttle body and the idle stabalizer valve. Then I would look at the O2 sensor and such. Start with the small things first then work your way up to the more expensive stuff like the o2 sensor and the cat.

CHeck your air filter, and I would suggest using a fuel injector cleaner to your fuel to clean up the injectors a little bit.

Good luck. I have a 89 GTI 16v and have some similar issues. It smogged but not well these things have helped me.

[tstory44]

I replaced the plugs a few weeks ago and was going to replace the wires too, but havent yet. Seems ridiculous to have to spend $130 bucks on plug wires. I was told the goodyear fuel additive was good, so I put some of that in the tank. My brother in law ran some cleaner through the thottle body, but I thinking I need to take everything off and really clean it. I need to replce the valve cover gasket as well, but havent ordered it yet. I've got oil running down onto the plugs. I hear that is a common problem with theses cars. I think I did put high octane gas in once, but most or all of that should have run through already. I'll try the other things you mentioned and see how it goes. Thanks for your help.

[goddom]

Yeah, I had the valve cover gasket problem and just replaced mine. It was pretty easy. The hardest thing was getting the bolts at the back of the engine that hold this braket that supports the intake manifold. I would suggest just loosening the bottom part of the braket. Also I didn't take the throttle cable off like Chilton's and Haynes said.

Good luck.

[tstory44]

Thanks for your help.