Engine cutting out - my garage is puzzled - resolved!

[djmac56 0]

My car's being looked at by some guys at a VW specialists who really seem to know what they are doing, but are a bit stumped.

 

I've got the usual lumpy idle, cutting out, twinned with overly rich running.

 

I had the car at Surrey Roaling road back in August and they told me that the air fuel ratio was shot and that I probably needed my MAF looked at.

 

So far I've had my ISV replaced, Lambda replaced, had a new air mass meter, new fuel pressure switch, all 6 injectors refurbished to take care of poor spray patterns etc etc. All your usual stuff really.

 

I asked them to check the cam timing yesterday and I need to give them a ring to check the results. If the timing's out, and it's not the sensor, then they warned me that my timing chain could be knackered, but to get to it and change it is big bucks - at least another grand.

 

I love my car, and I really want it back on the road, but I'm wondering if I'm throwing good money after bad.

 

I bought the car for 3600 12 months ago, and already have spent 1500 or so getting it fixed. I'm already looking at a bill of a grand for this visit, and if the timing is off and I get that sorted as above it will be another grand. And even then , that might not be the end of my problems.

 

Whilst I doubt I could have had as much fun with 7 grand on a car as with my Corrado, I do need something reliable. My missus thinks I'd be mad to get another 'rado, but also mad if I keep chucking money at it. My missus's car, which used to be mine is a 95 golf mk3 and is considerably more reliable.

 

Is Corrado ownership always so full of problems? What do you think my chances are of having more problems after this visit to the garage? If it is not the timing, what else can it be? Can anyone recommend somewhere in Surrey or near by where I can get this car looked at by people who really know Corrados?

 

Cheers for any suggestions!

[dr_mat 0]

I'm guessing you have a VR6? It doesn't cost £1k to do the timing chains (except maybe at a dealership!).

If it's still overfuelling when you have a new MAF and lambda then it could just be a faulty ECU.

I take it there's no fault codes coming up on the ECU when you scan it?

What about temperature sensors? If the ECU is overfuelling it could be as simple as the intake air temp reading too low - ECU will stay in cold-start enrichment mode and it'll run rough as hell.

Could also be a leak in the exhaust manifolds - this would cause the lambda to under-read and the ECU would increase fuelling to compensate.

[John-M 0]

Hi dj,

 

I had cutting-out problems with my VR6 recently.

 

Turned out to be the after-market immobilisor. Had it bypassed and no more cutting out probs.

 

I have sent you a message about something else.

 

Regards,

 

John

[rado 0]

i would defy look at the temp sensors air intake also the water tem p sensor

[djmac56 0]

I'm guessing you have a VR6? It doesn't cost £1k to do the timing chains (except maybe at a dealership!).

If it's still overfuelling when you have a new MAF and lambda then it could just be a faulty ECU.

I take it there's no fault codes coming up on the ECU when you scan it?

What about temperature sensors? If the ECU is overfuelling it could be as simple as the intake air temp reading too low - ECU will stay in cold-start enrichment mode and it'll run rough as hell.

Could also be a leak in the exhaust manifolds - this would cause the lambda to under-read and the ECU would increase fuelling to compensate.

 

Hi Mat, yes I do have a VR6 - oops sorry for not putting that in.

I asked them about the ECU and they said they very rarely go wrong.... I guess it could be that though.

 

That's an excellent tip about the temp sensors mate - I'll mention that and see if they can have a go. They reckon they've checked the exhaust manifolds, but I did wonder as they said they had in a pretty flipant way!

 

Any ideas about garages? my pocket is under strain!

[djmac56 0]

Look - it's back on the drive with 465 quids worth of parts - new air meter, cleaned injectors, new temperature sender and new oil filter.

 

I'm glad to have it back!

 

[mattkh 0]

Hi

 

Happy that you have got your car back. It is a lot of money for parts. How much did they charge you for the "air meter".

 

By the way, what is the mileage on your car and do you have good service history.

[djmac56 0]

Hi

 

Happy that you have got your car back. It is a lot of money for parts. How much did they charge you for the "air meter".

 

By the way, what is the mileage on your car and do you have good service history.

 

My car's done 116k and has service history for the past 8 years.

 

The air mass meter was £180 notes. The cheaper one on the newer cars is around £80, but even though mine is the newer model with the new dash, it had the old meter there. They originally had got one of those in but it didn't fit - I watched them try and fit it so I know it wasn't a con!

[mattkh 0]

Hi

Thanks for the reply. So 465 included labour as well.

It is always a difficult decision spending money on cars.

Change the oil regularly and you will enjoy your corrado for years.

[djmac56 0]

Hi

Thanks for the reply. So 465 included labour as well.

It is always a difficult decision spending money on cars.

Change the oil regularly and you will enjoy your corrado for years.

 

Nah - it was 873 quid with the labour - the ultrasonic injector cleaning was 32 quid an injector, and there's 6 on the VR6 so that pushed the price up. Plus all the VAG.com shenanigans etc.

 

A lot of money, but to be fair it is running really well now, touch wood.

[matt_corradovr6 0]

had my chains done recently (car on 131k) and it feels lik,e a new engine. quality, and peace of mind as they were shot. well worth doin when you can afford, and welcome to my world of throwing money at my rado!

[dr_mat 0]

The air mass meter was £180 notes. The cheaper one on the newer cars is around £80, but even though mine is the newer model with the new dash, it had the old meter there. They originally had got one of those in but it didn't fit - I watched them try and fit it so I know it wasn't a con!

 

Air mass meter changed over in 1994, when the coil pack was introduced. So it's not really anything to do with the shape of the dash.