A while back I posted on here about a problem I was having with my VW Polo as it has a tendency to run rough when cold. I had a few replies but alas the problem still won't go away.
My problem is that when cold the engine will idle roughly and when I pull away there is a lack of power and if I have to stop within the first couple of minutes of driving it will probably stall. The only thing I can compare it to is driving a car with a manual choke and not having the choke out fully. My car has fuel injection so there's not a lot I can do reagrding the choke!!
I've done all the obvious things like new HT leads, spark plugs, fuel filter and temperature sensor but the problem persists. It's more noticable on a cold morning as during the summer it's been not too bad most mornings. The car's fine once it's warmed up a little but it's an annoying problem all the same. Any ideas what I can check? Is it worth replacing the sensor on the catalyst?
It's a 1991 1 litre with SPI. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Many thanks, Andy.
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the tune up guys will correct me if I'm wrong, but even fuel injection systems have a form of choke. Until everything warms up, the engine requires a richer mixture. It might pay to get it into a tune up specialist to check the injector system is functioning properly. I seem to remember injection systems of old that had an extra injector that was, effectively, the choke. It only operated when the engine was cold. I'm sure that modern systems do it differently, but the principle remains the same.
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Sorry me again, the wife has gone out with the girls so I'm killing time. We have had a lot of problems with the manifold heaters on this model. It is driven off the main relay and runs all the time. It is fitted into the bottom of the inlet manifold directly under the injection unit and looks like a cast alloy hedgehog, and gets VERY hot! If this fails the manifold will freeze in all but the warmest of weather. Also check you are getting warm air into the air filter via the warm air trunk and flap. Feel the pipe and filter housing after the motor has been running for a few minutes ; should be warm. If not, investigate.
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I had an identical sounding problem with a slightly older carb Polo. I never understood why, but replacing the ignition control unit cured it. The thing just never seemed to fire properly on a cold start, as if starved of fuel, especially in cold weather. A 'new' ICU (at least it was to the car in the breaker's I pocketed it from) and the problem never recurred.
Rob
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How do I go about checking if the manifold heater is working? I think it is as my Dad checked this but I could be wrong. Is it just a case of physically touching it to make sure its getting hot or would I have to measure the current to it?
The hot air trunking is all working fine last time I checked and I don't think this model of Polo have an ICU.
Suggestions much appreciated. Thanks.
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Hi,
I have a 1993 Golf with Single Point Injection with exactly the same problem as Andy's Golf except, being automatic gearbox, my car stalls more easily. Would you think this might ne caused by the manifold heater on the Golf also, or could it be something else? Replacing the Central control unit (engine management system) sounds expensive.
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