1988 Mk 2 Golf Won't Idle

[iwgunter]

Coming home from work today, the Golf was driving fine, then as I got into my town it quickly started to lose power and would almost die when I gave it acceleration. Then pulling away it was like on kangaroo joose. It didn't get any better so I pulled over.

It has an inline fuel filter [same as a Beetle] as well as the standard one, so I replaced it with a spare in my toolbox and let the engine sit for 15 minutes.

It started up fine and I could drive home, but it always dies on idle - sometimes immediatly, sometimes after a couple of minutes.

Are these carbs the same as the Solex ones used on Bugs and have a idle jet which could be blocked? I don't have a Haynes manual for it, so I didn't want to go adjusting things that I didn't know.

Any help with this would be great, as I can't get the local VW mechanic to see it for 2 weeks.

Ta
Ian

[Bobby Eightball]

Definatley sounds like a fuel problem.

As well as the filter you changed depending on what carb you've got there is also one in the inlet on the carb. If you disconnect the fuel inlet, you can remove the filter by screwing a M2 or M3 bolt into the filter and withdrawing it that way.

You could also check the breather pipe on the fuel tank, if you get a hissing when you remove the filler cap, that'll be the problem.

Also try checking the fuel pump.

The carbs are different from the Camper ones. It depends what size engine you've got. The Haynes Carburettor Manual covers them all.

HTH

Rob