MK1 cabrio- Help!!!

[harbourdj]

I've had my mk1 cabrio 93 model for 2 years and recently had problems with my original engine which is the JH 1.8litre, i recently replaced the engine with a RV type engine which has a higher compression giving around 100Kw...I have stuck in 98 octane had it timed and tuned twice and no bloody vw mechanic can get it right...it pings like crazy and like my car its sending me crazy too .

I so love love this car and its just got to the $10k mark on the repairs. I've really had it!!

There are so many issues like the timing, start up this n that but i keep forking out dough.

I really need someone who actually knows whats wrong

[mrlex]

Sounds like a horror story! Thankfully I've had no engine troubles...yet.
Give Golf Loon (Matt) from Camden GTI a call, he's a VW nut and knows his VDubs well.

Camden GTI - Performance Spares and Imports - Home

Good Luck.

[Jace]

I really need someone who actually knows whats wrong

I so love love this car

Answered your own question right there mate.

Sorry I can't actually help you.
Althought it sounds like it's electrical to me...
Don't trust a n00b though.

[Jarred]

If it's pinging, and the timing has been reset to standard a number of times, are you using any water? oil? I'd get a pressure test, just to check you dont have a leaky headgasket. I did in my RV engined mk 2, and it turned out to be a leaking headgasket. That may not be the issue though. Kjet cars can be a bit tricky when they aren't running right.

I'd go see Golfloon, he knows what's what.

If you don't mind sharing, how are the repairs topping 10K bucks?! that's heaps!

[harbourdj]

Firstl the car came from camden gti when i bought it from a guy in potts point. it was a reparable write off and had been patched up by camden gti. the work that was done was so dodgy.
It had cracks on the front end chassis,the body work was just sprayed over the top to look ok but you can see the imperfections really bad but i'm not so concerned with that as yet.. The brake lines were the wrong ones which were fitted by the same mob causing the brake lines to rupture and almost killing me.
I have tried so hard to save this car but its feels so hopeless.
Well it cost me about $2650 for the RV engine to put it in. another $600 or so to tune for the first time and then another $500 for tuning the second time, front suspension had it and cost another $400, front and rear brakes were ruined another $600, New roof another $3900,gearbox linkages were shot and drive shafts were a mess another $1000.

[gtimk5]

Well, obviously you arent going to thev right mechanics if you are paying out all that money? Seems in the 6 posts since july 2008 you have had dramas with it.

Incorrect brake hoses? $500 for a tune? C.mon, go somewhere else!!!
Or maybe its time to move it on??

[harbourdj]

to answer your Q jarred. the tests performed showed the compression levels were normal. however i took it for a run yesterday and after doing around 150km it decided to pour out coolant everywhere but guess what...dont know where from. all the hoses fittings etc where fine. What tha???
I then topped it up and hey presto no leaks. when i drive it the temp is at normal level but when it idles at lights it boils. the thermo fans are working at both low and high speeds. when i start driving it goes back to norm again.
There must be some gremlins in this car for sure.
I am so tempted to say good bye but it would break my heart if i do.

[harbourdj]

the question is who?
Like i said its impossible to find someone who wonted rob me blind

[gtimk5]

Coolant cap is crook I reckon. Run way hotter when they pack up and were a regular problem. Running really hot can cause a load of pinging.

[Jarred]

A leaking head gasket wont nessecarily show up in a compression test, you need to get a pressure test which is different. thats what showed up the leaking HG on my car.

It certainly does sound like you're getting ripped off. (or inflating some numbers) either way, that's not right.

[gtimk5]

Well, no answers coming here. We tried to help anyway...
good luck with it mate...

[harbourdj]

That could eplain the over heating issue.
I'll be seeing the mechanic later today to figure this mess out.

Hopefully i get some answers later...thanks to you all for your advise

I'll let you guys know later

[harbourdj]

Hi to everyone,

I've finally got my dub going...and really going.

Some of the problems were associated with vacuum hoses which were fitted incorrectly.
I resolved the overheating issue too...I cut down the thermostat and worked well.
I now can get this car to do 0 - 100 in 5.5sec...not bad for RV mk2 engine.
Still is a little rough on cold start but settles in 20 sec.

Anyhow thanks to all those who helped with my baby

[Golf Loon]

Firstl the car came from camden gti when i bought it from a guy in potts point. it was a reparable write off and had been patched up by camden gti. the work that was done was so dodgy.
It had cracks on the front end chassis,the body work was just sprayed over the top to look ok but you can see the imperfections really bad but i'm not so concerned with that as yet.. The brake lines were the wrong ones which were fitted by the same mob causing the brake lines to rupture and almost killing me.
I have tried so hard to save this car but its feels so hopeless.
Well it cost me about $2650 for the RV engine to put it in. another $600 or so to tune for the first time and then another $500 for tuning the second time, front suspension had it and cost another $400, front and rear brakes were ruined another $600, New roof another $3900,gearbox linkages were shot and drive shafts were a mess another $1000.

I wsould just like to point out that I have seen the car a number of years ago, but did not do the repairs and the seller is a liar, who claims that we did all this work, but in reality who knows what was done.

I would not have pulled out a good kjet 8v engine to put in a wheezy RV engine. Put a cam instead and an exhaust and hold on.

I agree with Andrew that whoever charged you all that money ripped you off and I would not go back.
If is a non VW mob, its harder for them, as parts for Mk1 cabrios are problematic to source.

Also $500 to tune kjet! are you serious??

[RedMk2Gti]

I now can get this car to do 0 - 100 in 5.5sec...not bad for RV mk2 engine.

5.5 sec ! Are you sure ???