Volkswagen Golf IV (1998 - 2004) - 03 1.6 - rich tickover

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Sat 8 Sep 2007 11:45
03 1.6 - rich tickover - maltrap
my 1.6 2003 golf engine type bfq sometimes "hunts" on coldstarts the tickover speed goes up and down slightly. as soon as i accelerate it,s o.k. The exhaust also smells slightly at tickover as if running rich. Any suggestions?
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Sat 8 Sep 2007 12:14
03 1.6 - rich tickover - Screwloose
The very common failed coolant temp sensor can cause that. There are other possibilities like an air leak.
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Sat 8 Sep 2007 12:36
03 1.6 - rich tickover - maltrap
the temperature guage is reading as normal thecar has done 34000 miles
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Sat 8 Sep 2007 12:47
03 1.6 - rich tickover - Screwloose


The 4-pin coolant temp sensor is twin-track. One for the gauge - one for the engine management.
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Sat 8 Sep 2007 12:49
03 1.6 - rich tickover - maltrap
is there more than one temperature sensor? i know about the one on the thermostat housing>> the temperature guage is reading as normal thecar has done 34000 miles
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Sat 8 Sep 2007 12:53
03 1.6 - rich tickover - Simon
What screwloose is saying that the one temperature sensor does both functions, operates the gauge and also tells the ecu what temperature the engine is. Just because one side of the sensor is working it doesn't necessarily follow that the other is too. How you would test this out, I'm sure.
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Sat 8 Sep 2007 17:41
03 1.6 - rich tickover - maltrap
I've found the problem it was an air leak. The convoluted plastic pipe from the cam cover to the main inlet pipe was split.Thanks for your help
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