Dutch24V

I've noticed in the mornings, when cold, I can smell a slight fuel smell. It lasts for about 5 minutes and then goes. I had a little look this morning and it found a very small, fine condensation like fuel film on the first 5 mm of the fuel rail, immediately after the join of the top fuel pipe and the rail! When the engine has warmed up enough (and hence the rail) this stops and no more fuel seeps through and the smell goes. I presume this is NOT normal? Also the clips for the fuel pipes are the stupid springy ones and there's only one on each pipe!? They are also beginning to cut into the fuel pipe just a tad! I think I'm going to order some new OE fuel pipes and let VW fit them just to be on the safe side. Just to check though what clips are best for clamping the fuel pipes to the rail. I presume the use-once clamp things with a protective under strap (to stop them cutting into the pipes) that do not come loose an need to be cut off will be the best bet? Also, when checking around this area I noticed in the sunlight a gleaming sparkling coming form the bottom of the HT lead on plug 2. It seems I did not tighten the plug up tight enough when I last checked it (about 2 months ago now :oops: ) and oil has been seeping through the thread!! ...might help to explain my excesive oil consumption a little bit. Doh... Dutch

So your problems below 2000 are solved then Kev? Cool... ...is the 2.9 in the post then btw? :wink: "You can lift your foot off the clutch and the car will pull itself along on idle, which I couldn't do before with a 2.9 body." Hmmm, I can no problems? Dutch

sorry! :wink: ...you got a gf billinjahg60? :D ...but on a serious note, It would appear to restrict air flow a little as it's slightly conical in shape - and at the moment it's the original mapping. Hmmm, I'm waiting on an enlarged and flowed TB from Ian/Alpina??? so guess I'll find out soon enough. Hopefully not but then again I'm planning to fit the VSR and unichip remap at the same time (which was mapped on Asims VR with the VSR and an enlarged TB on it), so hopefully it won't cause a simular problem!? Dutch

:) ...remarkably replacing this cone also appears to have ironed out a very small idle issue I still had remaining since replacing the TPS & MAF last month. Since fitting those items she no longer stalled but sometimes still dropped below 500 temporarily when clutching at lights etc. She doesn't do that any more and stops bang on 650ish everytime (touch wood) 8) Dutch

(...the 5 inch long cone in the top part of the airbox) I replaced mine last night after removing it about 5 years ago - and I'm soooo glad I did!! With it back on the throttle feels much more responsive and picks up quicker across the rev range. She pulls harder and smoother between 1-3000 rpm too. I really noticed the difference in thottle response and pull at lower revs on the motorway. The noise is much more refined too. Without it she 'burbled' below 3000 and now the note is deeper and sharper (if I can put in into words.) :? Dutch

OK, thanks. Will PM him later about sending to Holland then...

Just out of interest does Alpina527's TB differ from the AMD one at all or are they both exactly the same size? Also, the AMD one, is that exchange as well? I need to aquire one of these as the unichip remap I got from Asim with the VSR was mapped with his enlarged TB fitted. Thing is I can't be without my TB for even a day. How does the exchange work - would he be able to send one to me (in Holland) and I fit it and then send mine back, or do I first have to send my one? If the AMD one is not exchange then I prefer that as I will still have my original one as is!? Dutch

8) ...I moved over here with the intention of staying for just 12 months to sample some of the fine 'Dutch Culture' on offer. That was back in '97. :oops: I didn't have that bling pipe work on my previous VR btw ('92 Yank AAA VR) and it's not on all the other european VR's I've seen either (unless it broke and they refused to pay the 150 asking price and just ditched it)!?? Strange... Dutch

Yep, very strange as Hollands not the hottest country about! It's on ETKA here so it must be in all European models no? I also find it strange that American VR's for example have a heating element in the intake system (between the engine breather valve and the large intake tube that sits after the MAF) where as European cars don't. It gets down to -20 C over here in the winter!! Strange indeed...

lol, I thought we deduced that the RHD version is the one that's a bit odd? It is the silver corrugated pipe that is split, but it connects into another piece down by the battery and it's a very strange plastic moulded connection that would be hard to get a piece of *normal* heatproof ducting to fit. Also not easy to fit the plastic connector to another peice of pipe as it appears to be glued on somehow and can't be removed without probably breaking the connector! There is an EGR valve on some LHD C's but that's only in California I believe. I do not have EGR for sure so can't be part of that. The dealer printed the page out from ETKA for the pipe I mention so will scan it up tomorrow. ...and there is no pump either Kev - it's purely for cooling the exhaust downpipe apparently... Dutch PS - if the Carbon Canister purge valve is dead on my C VAG-COM will show it won't it??

...my local VW dealer has confirmed it is as you say a cooling pipe for the manifold/lambda/CAT. Unlike I had previously thought it doesn't run into the downpipe, just to a metal sheilding that wraps around the downpipe. Anyhow, just went to order a new one as mines almost falling of now and it apparently comprises of 3 pieces of pipe. The piece that is broken on mine is maybe 2 ft long max., 2 inches wide and it'll cost 145 EURO new!!!!! At the same time I asked how much a new leather gearstick nob is and I can have one of those for 25 EURO !! Figure that... Dutch

Thanks for the detailed explaination. It all makes sense now as space is very limited in the VR engine bay, and as you say the RHD version is the bizarre one! 8) As for my engine, I'm not aware it came from a RHD model though as a Corrado specialist garage over here sourced and fitted it for me. All I know is that it took 6 months to find a decent post '94 ABV unit and the one I ended up with was from a rear ended '95 C which is coil packed with 52000 km on the clock. (allegedly anyhow!) Is there anyway to tell for sure? Will ask the garage but it was well over 4 years ago now so doubt they'll remember. Dutch

...and thanks for the pants advice craigowl but I'm kind of partial to cotton panties anyhow! :roll:

...just checked the bonnet earth strap and found that it has corroded all the way through and isn't actually attached to anything anymore! New one on the way and hopefully no more shocks :cheers: Thanks for all the tips guys, ...now the shell suit can come out again 8) Dutch

lol, I'm starting to use that tactic too when she's with me :wink:

:D :D ...that torque plot you sent of your before and after runs is amazing mate. I might frame that and stick it on the wall! 8) Like you say, should've been standard kit...

Well, I was thinking that maybe it could be down to a dodgy earth contact or something? I will check the bonnet earth strap and the earthing plate below the back of the manifold when I get around to replacing it with the new one... Dinkus, door handle is plastic? :wink: ...and the shock only comes from the metal surfaces of the door - and my shoes are not new!! Dutch

:D ..sorry Kev! ...fortunately for me I was the first to contact him about splitting it once I knew he was selling the VR, and being the honourable chap that Asim is I got first refusal! Cheers again mate!! No, me neither and nor would it seem VW, as I popped into my local one this morning to order the necessary gaskets for fitting the VSR, and when I mentioned this to them and they looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language (which I was to them but you get my point!) Anyways, thanks for the input guys - I can now rest assured that my brakes are 100% good. Now then, on to all that lovely torque below 4000... Dutch

No leather, just the late black cloth with blue specks in. My girlfriend has complained about it for over 3 years now but it's presently started shocking me quite sharply so now want to try and find a fix 8) Guess I'm going to have to dump the shell suit then :oops: lol Kev, think I'd rather get shocked every time than fit those!! (...or follow a new exit routine as described above) Cheers, Dutch

Hmmm, Is there a good reason for the system being so diferent on a LHD VR with ABS&EDL then? The history of the car is that I am the 2nd owner from new - the first being a 45 y/o businessman who had it as a company car from March '94 to Oct '98, then I bought it. Therefore I doubt very much it previously had a Schrick fitted. Also, the engine was replaced with one from a '95 VR in 2001 as the original dropped a piston and blew a 2 inch hole in the block! The hose itself runs for about another foot back from the coil pack and that's it, so not too long. It will not really run to another part of the engine bay without stretching it over hot metal! Dutch

8) ...nope!

...whenever I or my pasenger exits the VR we always get a sharp electric/static shock when grabbing the door to close it? Is this a normal C quirk as I seem to rememeber it always being that way, at least on mine!? Dutch

8) I wonder if there are any other small differences like this between the LHD & RHD models then?? (apart from the obvious of course!) Guess I have the perfect vacuum pipe for the VSR then. Nice one... Thanks guys, Dutch

hmmm, just to double check is this not the brake servo? If not any idea what it is?

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