The drama continues.....

[Cache]

Hi Guys,

I truely cant believe the run I have had with this car, as soon as it is fixed it will most likely go for sale. I know I cant speak for the other MK4 owners out there, but the frustration and drama that comes with owning such a mechanically idiotic car is astounding. This thing has taken atleast 5 years off my life expectancy.

The story so far......

Purchased car.
Broken passenger side window motor, full motor and window replacement.
Broken power steering
Broken cup holder
Shorted out internal electrics, no indoor car lights
Broken front windscreen (I know not a car problem - rock)
Car going into limp mode, found terrible bleed valve which was causing limp mode.
Installed exhaust
Exhaust backfiring, spoke to 2 mechanics, all think its due to excess fuel
New plugs and various other engine internals needed
Installed GFB DV
Car running on 3 cyls (it seems), the sound of the exhaust sounds like a lawnmower and does not accelerate properly, feels terrible.
Removed DV - mechanic said this was the problem
Car running fine, still backfiring.
Driving up the hill - car becomes chuggy again (See problem with DV) and fails to run properly. drives around like a deep sounding lawnmower, accels slowly but sometimes brakes through and boosts up ok.
Took the car to my mechanic and he can not figure out the problem, we put it on the VAGCOM, no errors. Took it to VW, they cannot identify the problem, again the car was put on VAGCOM.

I quote "There is nothing wrong with it accept for the fact that its stuffed and we have no idea why".

For sale, 1999 MK4 GTI.

[gpk_gti]

its your exhaust,,,, no back pressure id say.return the car to standard as much as possible.then begin from there... its not a jap car to have a straight through exhaust.Id be visiting Guy Harding up there!!!!!!

[pommy_golfer]

sorry to hear your agony, trust me, we all know what you are going through. i think you must have got a dud one.

maybe explain in more detail as im sure one of the guys on here must be able to help or advise.

[DubSteve]

For you to have shorten your internal electrics you have done something wrong maybe one of the mechanics did it?

Isn't backfire normal?

And for you break your glass and motor what did you do

[91eah]

Maybe this shows the importance of having a car fully checked etc before you buy! (they would have atleast picked up on the bleed valve) and research yours mods!!!!!!!

[Bug_racer]

its your exhaust,,,, no back pressure id say.return the car to standard as much as possible.then begin from there... its not a jap car to have a straight through exhaust.Id be visiting Guy Harding up there!!!!!!

Huh ? I drive the S3 with straight pipe no mufflers and dont get backfiring . The race cars had no cats and 1 small muffler and they had no issues with backfiring
Do you have any technical info to back up your claim ?

[Cache]

It cant be the exhaust, it's a standard 2.5' dump pimp, then a cat, then 2.75 pipe and a muffler. Thats a pretty standard system for these cars, its not straight through pipe.

In regards to the glass.....the motor that drives your electric windows in the mk 4 broke, the arm the holds the window fell down and the window came with it. The window smashed inside my door (read cracked etc) and the motor was buggered.

To go into more detail what the exact problem is:

When I turn on the car it runs fine for a short period of time, then the exhaust note changes from a nice rumble to an uneven rotory/lawnmower deep off beat sound, when i accelerate like this the car does so extremely slowly and is really loud. occasionally the sound feels like it "breaks through" and the car runs normal, but then it happens again. if 2 full time VW mechanics and my performance mechanic cant figure out whats wrong with it, i really dont know where to go or what to do.

I know I am venting my frustration here, but in my short but varied lifetime I have never had such a appauling piece of mechanic/engineering ever grace my eyes. 10 KG of potassium nitrate and some nitroglucerine should deal with it.

[Cache]

Maybe this shows the importance of having a car fully checked etc before you buy! (they would have atleast picked up on the bleed valve) and research yours mods!!!!!!!

Research my mods? I did the standard exhaust upgrade that has been performed on many many golfs before. I checked everything out on here and vw vortex before getting it done.

In regards to an inspection, I had a RACQ 100 point inspection done....and that wasnt picked up.

[pommy_golfer]

Come on guys, help this guy out......

the explosives are only any good if you are fully comped

[quozl]

Coilpack?

Cheers Al

[Cache]

Hey Al,

That was my first thought, but that throws codes and the VAGCOM is clean as a whistle. VW mechanic confirmed.

[gpk_gti]

Huh ? I drive the S3 with straight pipe no mufflers and dont get backfiring . The race cars had no cats and 1 small muffler and they had no issues with backfiring
Do you have any technical info to back up your claim ?

Also Guy H only sells parts

you are the resident "expert" seb and im not a mechanic.whats your advise to the member?

Guy seems to help alot of our members,parts seller or not.

[SoVeReIgN]

Hey Al,

That was my first thought, but that throws codes and the VAGCOM is clean as a whistle. VW mechanic confirmed.

I was under the impression they didn't?

Where do you live - Maybe someone on here with hte same engine code wouldnt mind swapping coilpacks for a quick test.

[DubSteve]

Did you buy it privately or through a dealer can you take it back under there like 6 months warranty thing?

[quozl]

Hey Al,

That was my first thought, but that throws codes and the VAGCOM is clean as a whistle. VW mechanic confirmed.

I would pull them out and check them regardless mate. If the previous owner or yard you bought it from had a penchant for washing the engine bay they can become corroded and stuff up. It just sounds exactly like a failed coilpack though I'm no expert.

If your in QLD (Bris North Side) you can check out Lawrence at German Auto in Geebung, he has always done excellent work on my car when general VW maintenance is required.

German Autos
(Lawrence)
20 Fortune St
Geebung
Brisbane
Qld
Ph 3865 5457

Cheers Al