Possible Auto-Choke Problem :(

[chufty]

Just got my first Scirocco MK2, perfect EXCEPT.... From a cold start the engine really struggles to hold revs and unless it's driven or revved it shudders until the engine cuts out.

Could be auto-choke I'm thinking. It's a 91 GT, manual transmission.

Any ideas? All advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Risocco]

Sounds like it could be dude, time to start saving for the Weber replacement.

Welcome along by the way, I'm pretty local to you fella

Alex

[MarkyMark]

Could be the auto-choke. But there a few cheaper things I would reccomend checikng first:
Start by checking the vacuum hoses coming off the carb as these are prone to collapse.*
Check the hot air flap on the air intake is functioning correctly.
Check that when cold the choke is not fully closed (if engine is running and warm you should be able to push the choke almost, but not quite closed with gentle pressure from a finger).
Check the coolant lines to the choke are not blocked.*
Remove the auto choke cover and confirm the electric filament is intact*
Check the carb mounting gasket is not leaky (spray carb cleaner around the gasket and listen for a change in engine pitch). Although if being warm causes the gasket to expand and seal a leak, and the engine wont run when cold you will need a friend/brick to help out

*I had all these issues, and for good measure I got hold of a second hand pierburg to refurb with new gaskets and a new choke (spent £45 total on all the bits), then some tool wrote off my GT before I got around to fitting it!

If you want the reliable hassle of a maunal choke then a weber may be the right way to go, but if you want a cheaper challenge the pierburg may be fixable for 1/3 the cost (plus a large amount of time and irritation).

[chufty]

thanks guys, i'll give it a go and let you know how i get on ;)

Shout out to Kiddie! Good town.