mk3 golf - Engine Advice required

[SMOK]

Hi Guys,

Would appreciate your thoughts on this one.

My mk3 has been in and out of the mechanics for the last 12 months with random idle,rev and stall problems. It has a tendency to start revving by itself for no apparent reason during driving and also when stationary. Have had a few things tried out to fix the issue (throttle body, sensors) without any joy. Its been left with a mechanic for the last 3months or so for him to fiddle with at his leisure. He is 99% sure its the computer.
The car is a 1.8L SPI with about 180K kms. I really like driving this car and love the mk3 shape, Ive also done some minor mods to it (wheels,springs,exhaust,tint), so its a thing of beauty

He has advised a computer change will be circa $2K-$3K. Surely there is something aftermarket available that would be cheaper/better than a standard replacement part??

If Im even going to think about spending this sort of money to keep this car alive, I would want to ensure its longevity and relaibility. This got me thinking about whether replacing the engine with a fresher one with an accompanying computer might be better value in the long run. Which also got me thinking about improving on the 1.8 SPI.

Would love to get some advice from you guys as to what a sensible approach would be to getting this car back on the road where it belongs. Im in Perth, the budget would stretch to $3K and I would prefer to have someone do the hard work as I have some major free time contstraints atm.

cheers

[gldgti]

The very first thing to look at is the rubber mount for the throttle assembly on the inlet manifold. They crack and cause major problems. I wouldnt be at all surprised if it was that. Its extremely unlikely its a computer issue, as the ecu lives in a good spot in the mk3. Those rubber mounts can look alright and still be faulty.

Give Matt at Comden GTI a ring and he'll tell you about the 100's of them he's done.

Past that, it would surely be cheaper to pull an ECU from another CL (at a wreckers) and give it a try. A new ECU is a rubbish idea for that money, you could buy a whole other 1.8 mk3 golf for that. For a lot less, a whole engine.

Ask your mechanic if he changed the rubber mount..... If not, look there first. Then try Camden GTI, at the very least Matt can sell you a second hand ECU i'm sure.

[Golf Loon]

It will be the single point unit mate.
Probably the sensor on the side of the unit on the drivers side. It has a little soleniod and causes the car to rev up and down.
You can buy just that part from VW but it is pricy, it has its own part number.

If you try a secondhand singlepoint unit, count all the pins on all the connectors as there are lots of types.

GLDGTI is correct in that you should check the rubber mount, splits in them are common.

Rather than throwing Good Money at a dribblematic, just whack in a 2L engine and complete loom.
You just need to change the loom from the fusebox forward.
I`ll send you a 2L motor complete, and a loom, ecu, and every wire you need delivered to you in perth for $1000. Delivered to your door.

If you wanna try an ecu, or singlepoint unit, call me at work, happy to help.

By the way if your mechanic changed the throttle body, what did he do??? Your CL has it built into the singlepoint unit, so if he changed that, where is the other one??

[SMOK]

Thanks for your replies guys,

I received a call from the mechanic yesterday afternoon, he says he has found some damaged wiring and replaced that and it appears to have done the trick. However he needs to drive around in it for a day to make sure. Expecting a call back from him today. Fingers crossed.

Golf loon - what is the average mileage on the 2Ltr motors you have available?

[MattyT]

I dont know who your mechanic is, but if problems persist see Joe at Golfwagen in Wangara. He is by far and away the best VW mech this side of the country.

[yowie]

"...dribblematic", priceless!

[Golf Loon]

Golf loon - what is the average mileage on the 2Ltr motors you have available?

From 60,000 to 250,000ks. I would pick you a good un. I have 10 or so available.

[SMOK]

Thanks for you advice guys,

Got the mk3 back yesterday and it seems to be back to normal. Ended up being the idle actuator. The mechanic tried 2 second hand ones to begin with and the problem persisted, tried a new one and it has done the trick.

I dont know who your mechanic is, but if problems persist see Joe at Golfwagen in Wangara. He is by far and away the best VW mech this side of the country.

Hi Matt,
Yes the car has been with Joe. He is very easy to deal with and looks after you.

cheers

[Glynn.]

hey man just wondering if yours would idle crazy or just like fluctuate
between 750-900 rpm?

[SMOK]

hey man just wondering if yours would idle crazy or just like fluctuate
between 750-900 rpm?

Hi Glynn,

It would rev from idle to about 1500rpm when sitting at lights, slowing down to take a corner and sometimes when just cruising along at 70km/h. It wouldnt do it non-stop though, only on ocassions like once every day or so, but once it started it wouldnt go away until you gave it a good rest. Sometimes when engine was cold sometimes when at temp.

[Golf Loon]

Thats exactly the bit I said it would be on the side of the singlepoint unit on the drivers side.
It is a weird fault, but has the symptoms as you describe.
Glad you got it sorted.