Mk3 2.0 Bounce!!!!

[bombsquad21]

Does this sound more than a little strange to most folk? My 1997 2.0 had a cam belt service yesterday, new water pump, tensioner pulley. Which is fine, all went well. I should mention here that it was done in my garage by my mechanic (best mate) who really is a mechanic and with me helping out. It was noted that my car was pinging under certain loads before the belt change, so on the initial drive after the service i noticed that the pinging was still there, maybe even more pronounced than before. So we continued on and made adjustments to the distributor by the roadside to try to eliminate the problem, after a few degrees of turn to the left...fantastic, feels great, smoother power no pinging. That was fine until i tried to accelerate hard on an onramp today on the way to the sunny Gold-Coast. Well...it made it to 5000rpm about 1200rpm short of what i was after, and the whole day just keeps bouncing off, wont go past 5000!! Feels like a rev limiter is in effect, any gear, any load wont get past five...

Any ideas from all the folks in the know??


Luke

[syncro]

You may have retarded the timing too much or the cam belt may be advanced a tooth.

Set everthing to factory specs and try again.

What fuel are you using?

[vee_dub]

well i got this ticking noise when i stay in 2000rpm....i asked vw service centre they said they dunno what happened.

It's only happen when the engine is on for very long time, like 3 hrs drive.

Fred.

[gtimk5]

On a 97 2litre Golf the timing is done by the crank angle sensor, not the distributor. I have actually had one running with the hall sender disconnected, didnt drive it tho. There are normally 2 pegs to stop the dizzy from being turned. I am not sure wots going on with the pinging but await the outcome. If you turn the dizzy maybe the air gap is too great between the rotor & lugs in the cap?

[Bug_racer]

Whats the engine code?

[bombsquad21]

I always run it on 98 octane. So if the lugs stop you from turning the distributor, is it possible ive broken something? Can i cause permanant damage by running it like this? What is the best way to time it? Thanks for the quick replies so far ....

[bombsquad21]

well...i turned the distributor back a touch, and the car revs freely all the way to the redline...so thats that. as for the pinging?? It seems okay at the moment but i'll have to have a decent look at the problem. My car just hit 200,000kms not only did i not notice till 200,001 but i forgot to get a photo etc..this means what for me? well my car is officially worthless, you would have thought after all those k's that suspension would have sagged a little, but no. Now the outside edge of the tyres are getting a little worn it enhances what was already about 3feet of wheel arch gap . Oh well, i guess i know what needs to be done. Btw with petrol prices the way the are, does anyone want a 97 2.0 in excellent shape, in exchange for a vr6 and maybe $$$. Thanks everyone for the help.

[Golfwise]

200k its just nicely run in

[gtimk5]

Hi Luke. Hey, your fuel prices are excellent compared to Hobart. We are paying $1.41 pl.! Hang onto it mate. Make sure that with the crank on TDC that the rotor is pointing exactly at no. 1 mark in the dizzie. Is a groove on the top edge of the body of it. Tis possible to get the gear 1 tooth out when doing the cam timing.

[bombsquad21]

yeah i guess $1.41 for standard 91 unleaded is pretty steep, last week i paid $1.44 a couple of times for optimax..so now its on to the 200,000 freshen up,
1. new reverse light switch for gearbox. $30 imparts
2. New breather hose (??)
3. New drivers side lower windscreen trim surround.($$)
4. new upper trim for adjustable steering ($38.50 dealer, srews .50c)
5. golf 4 side repeaters (??)
6. Vr6 lip(i have no idea where the best place is to get this)

I have ETKA so I can get all the part numbers I need, but to be honest the dealer that I have been getting some golf and polo parts from is completely useless. I dont mind waiting for stuff as i'm in no hurry, so can anyone recommend where I should be spending my money. The jerks up here don't seem to like cash!!! Actually they are so bad, I went car shopping with a Volvo xc70 and 850R driving friend of mine who is looking at spending $50-60k on a new Passat, my friend vowed not to spend a single dollar there. Anyway I didnt mention any names so hopefully this thread wont be locked. Looking foward to your recommendations folks..

[gtimk5]

Hey Luke, whats Optimax? We are so behind with our fuel down here that we still dont have it! I use octane boost in the GTI.
Import Advantage in Newmarket is a reliable source up there I think. Guy Harding would be able to point you in the right direction I reckon.

[mikinoz]

I hear you andrew. It has been way too long since I moved here and had our forester knock on 95, maybe time for a reflash for 95 octane... you do ECUTEK?

[gtimk5]

Looking into that Micheal. Will enquire. Crap fuel here, for sure.

[bombsquad21]

Optimax is Shells 98 octane fuel, BP has ultimate 98, and Caltex Vortex which i believe is 98 also. Regardless all fuel is a rip off, and I drive about 30,000-35,00 kms a year, and no i do not always drive for best economy, it's bad enough having to drive 45mins-1hr to work all the time, I dont want to put myself to sleep doing it .

[deemoE36]

my runs on 91 dont have any problems