2E2 - no idle

[the edmundator]

Driving my Golf home today and it no longer idles; whenever I stop at a junction it stalls unless I give it some throttle. I'm not aware that anything's been messed with recently, although it's possible the carb was messed with at the MoT if they fiddled with it for emissions.

In the past the only problem I've had is a prolonged high idle from cold (around 2000rpm) which settled once the car was warm.

I need to use the car to get to work this week and I have no Haynes available at the moment.

Help!

[james butler]

check the vac pipes at the back of the carb going to the idle control on the back left hand side of the carb, the vacuum in the system controls the idle and when you get very low vacuum this is supposed to push the throttle open slightly to regain the correct revs. also check the actuator of said control valve is not stuck open/ closed.
i had a high idle speed when the wires going to the left hand side of the carb broke.

[the edmundator]

Still had the same problem on the way to work today.

The healing power of the hospital must have seeped out to the car park as it fixed itself and drove home with a 900rpm idle.

I'll see how it goes.

[james butler]

curse of the carb im afraid.

[Nate]

Think I've still got a pdf copy of the pirburg book of lies if you want it?

[the edmundator]

I was going to say I have it, but realise it was on the computer that was stolen.

It would be very helpful. I'll send you my e-mail address.

[Nate]

I was going to say I have it, but realise it was on the computer that was stolen.

It would be very helpful. I'll send you my e-mail address.

drop me an email to nathan.lucas[at]live[dot]com and i'll remember to send it then

[the edmundator]

Thanks to Nate, I think the problem in this instance lies with the electric switch valve (which helps to control the position of the throttle plate at idle and deceleration) - I'll have a look at the wiring and if this is ok then I'll have to see if I can find a replacement.

[the edmundator]

Or I could buy a complete, brand new carb from VW Classic Parts for Eu.350...

[Nate]

A brand new carb would still need to be set up right by someone who knows what they're doing. No where near as easy as setting up a Weber

[ianaudia4]

Or I could buy a complete, brand new carb from VW Classic Parts for Eu.350...

Or I could give you a number for an old skool VW man who fixes them for fun!

[Michael J]

my 87 scirocco does the same, when it idels it cuts out and ye have to give it throttle to keep it going. so must be the carb.

[Dutch GT]

Ours did that after I fitted a new waxstat to stop the high idle. To cut a long story short, the carb just needed cleaning. I must have upset years of lodged bits/rust when fitting a new carb mount, as the idle jet kept getting blocked.

A good clean sorted it out (at a garage after throwing in the towel).

Maybe yours was blocked but got pushed through with use?

[TheMoleKing]

I had a similar problem, and again, a clean has sorted out most of the issues. The choke-flap thing was caked, so I spent a while sorting that out, spraying everything in site with carb cleaner while gently revving the engine. I then put some Redex in the tank, and now it seems to be much better.

Not 100 percent, but a vast improvement!

[Nate]

Is it getting covered in sludge coming from the crank case breather? Might be worth a look and clean it out if needed