87 Golf Driving me crazy - please help

[oldaverich]

My 87 Golf idles fine in neutral and reverse. When I put it in drive, it spurts and tries to cut out. It drives in very bad fits and spurts, but once I get going about 20 mph, it has no problem. When I come to a stop, it instantly wants to idle in spurts and cut out, and I have to jam it into neutral to keep the engine from stalling.

I've replaced plugs, dist. cap and rotor, air filter, some vacuum hoses. I have no idea what to look for at this point, but could probably grope through it if given some likely starting points.

Thank you very much in advance.

[swollen balls]

junk yard time.
hey if you try to disagree with me i will call you mean names so just shut up smile and nod

[oldaverich]

Not quite the reply I was hoping for. It may very well be junk yard time, but I'd like to understand why it's acting the way it is. Thanks.

[boschmann]

Is the idle set to the correct RPM, exact number & method should be on the hood sticker? Placing the trans into drive adds extra load and normally will cause the idle to drop, autos usually have idle set (in neutral or park) slightly higher than manuals to compensate for that. The idle air screw is on the backside of the throttle body, it's a 7mm bronze screw. Try turning it up a little. All this might be indicative of oily deposits inside the air intake system. Take off the rubber boot from air flow meter to the throttle body and clean the exposed parts with carburetor cleaner, especially the air meter's flap (carefully) and the butterfly valve in the throttle body.

[oldaverich]

Thank you very much....will try these things. It started out a month or so ago with just a few little fits and spurts at stop lights and such, but then it would even out. Now it's as I described, so I wouldn't doubt it's a combination of dirty items in need of maintenance. I was scared you were gonna say transmission.

[termitesgraffix]

you didn't put a bigger cam in it and not change out the torque converter did you? the stall in your converter has to be changed for different idle cam rates. or it could just be your idle setting like the last guy said.