POOR PERFORMANCE 1.8 16V

[TROOPER88 0]

Hi.

This is the first time I have ever used a forum so hope this all makes sense. I really need help from all you Corrado experts!! (Please!)

I have just purchased a Corrado 1.8 16v on a J plate. Believe it or not it has had just one owner from new; a lady who bought it when she was in her mid 70's and has now given up driving aged 89!!! It has only covered 37,000 miles with a full and immaculate service history.

I drove the car home around the North Circular and straight away noticed a major lack of power. I have not driven a Corrado before but something is terribly wrong. I drove the car on to the M3 and M25 to try and wake it up and to get to 90-100mph was hard; Im talking foot planted on he floor! Around town it feels dangerous; poor acceleration and slight pinking. To get from 30-50mph in third gear my foot is flat on the floor and the pick up is painfully slow....I hate driving it as its that bad!

I have checked the exhaust system and all is brand new (not sure if its worth mentioning though that even when the car is hot you can still touch the back box as its only luke warm??). The distributor looks brand new and under the bonnet all looks good. It starts and idles perfectly and if you pull the throttle cable engine sounds fine. Its certainly not fine when under load and driving. The computer says Im only doing approx 15 mpg!!

The oil is clean, I put some super unleaded in with injector cleaner but with no joy.

I need to drive to Cardiff on Saturady so dreading it as it performs that badly!

Could it be the ignition coil?

Does any one have any ideas where I can begin to look for the fault??

Bearing in mind that the fault may have been there for years as the old lady has only ever driven around towna t about 10 mph and prob did not know there was a problem. It was serviced by Alan Day only 500 miles ago!

Please, please help?????

Many thanks

Paul

[Jim 2]

1.8 16v's are a bit lifeless at low revs but you're right.. it should most definately not be as bad as that!

 

I think i'd probably start with having a damn good check around the air intake pipework (airbox, throttle body, and all round the ISV etc) for air leaks.. and possibly consider getting a new fuel filter fitted? Does the power seem to get weaker as it gets into the higher revs or is it consistantly bad?

 

The other thing of course is that you could have a binding brake calliper - quite possible on a car that age with so few miles as its been standing around a lot. I had this a few weeks ago and my car felt like I was driving up hill all the time - performance was dreadful and it took me a few miles before the penny dropped on what it could be! Take the car for a run and feel around all the wheels and see if any of them is noticably warmer than the others...?

[dr_mat 0]

15mpg and no power - sounds like a lambda probe fault to me. Particularly if it's running really cool, and if you are getting a bunch of black smoke out the back.

[Dec 1]

1.8L valvers, don't have a lambda probe, so no need to worry about that!

 

May be worthwhile getting the timing checked (along with the other suggestions)

[davidwort 0]

15mpg and no power - sounds like a lambda probe fault to me. Particularly if it's running really cool, and if you are getting a bunch of black smoke out the back.

 

It's a 1.8 though, no cat or lambda.

need to check the injector spray patterns by pulling them and running into jam jars, also make sure cold start valve isn't running all the time (un-plug? - right hand end of inlet manifold at the front)

check fuel system pressures (gauge and right connectors needed)

check air plate moves freely with even, smooth resistance from plunger in metering head (un clip air box to do this and gently push plate up)

is air filter clean

are plugs, leads rotor arm OK, hall sender on distributor might be dodgy, coils themselves rarely fail

what is the condition of each plug, all the same would indicate fuel problem possible but would rule out a mechanical or electrical problem associated with one cylinder

[dr_mat 0]

No lambda...

 

Ah, well I'd still suggest it's over-fuelling for some reason.

[TROOPER88 0]

Thanks ever so much to all who have helped so far.

The first thing I did was change the plugs so I know that they are not the problem.

Im based in Hammersmith and a guy around the corner is a bit of a VW buff ans is going to have a look tomorrow but more help if there is any other ideas is much appreciated. I have checked air filter and that is very clean.

Someone has made a bodge job of repairing the inlet air pipe to the side of the throttle body. Now even if there is still a tiny amount of air getting in there would it have such a dramatic effect as my terrible performance?

Where exactly is the cold start sensor as I will un plug this if recommended to see if its this?

Thanks again for all your help so far. I will keep you all posted....

 

Paul

[TROOPER88 0]

Hi

I dont think the callipers are binding as it was very recently MOT'd.

I have a feeling the power though does get worse higher in the revs... What would this indicate? What is the ISV and where is it?

 

Many thanks

 

Paul

 

1.8 16v's are a bit lifeless at low revs but you're right.. it should most definately not be as bad as that!

 

I think i'd probably start with having a damn good check around the air intake pipework (airbox, throttle body, and all round the ISV etc) for air leaks.. and possibly consider getting a new fuel filter fitted? Does the power seem to get weaker as it gets into the higher revs or is it consistantly bad?

 

The other thing of course is that you could have a binding brake calliper - quite possible on a car that age with so few miles as its been standing around a lot. I had this a few weeks ago and my car felt like I was driving up hill all the time - performance was dreadful and it took me a few miles before the penny dropped on what it could be! Take the car for a run and feel around all the wheels and see if any of them is noticably warmer than the others...?

[TROOPER88 0]

all plugs were the same. I will have a look at the plunger in the metering head.

As I say when its just idleing it sounds fine, it just when driving that the power is not there. All the other electrical items look like new.

Thanks Paul

 

It's a 1.8 though, no cat or lambda.

need to check the injector spray patterns by pulling them and running into jam jars, also make sure cold start valve isn't running all the time (un-plug? - right hand end of inlet manifold at the front)

check fuel system pressures (gauge and right connectors needed)

check air plate moves freely with even, smooth resistance from plunger in metering head (un clip air box to do this and gently push plate up)

is air filter clean

are plugs, leads rotor arm OK, hall sender on distributor might be dodgy, coils themselves rarely fail

what is the condition of each plug, all the same would indicate fuel problem possible but would rule out a mechanical or electrical problem associated with one cylinder

[davidwort 0]

cold start injector (valve) arrowed in red

 

this is a pic of 9A 2.0 16v engine, basically the same system but with an electronic controlunit on the side of metering head instead of a warm up regulator bolted to the right hand side of the head

[TROOPER88 0]

cold start injector (valve) arrowed in red

Hi

If the cold start injector was staying open all the time what would the symptoms be?

 

Cheers

 

 

this is a pic of 9A 2.0 16v engine, basically the same system but with an electronic controlunit on the side of metering head instead of a warm up regulator bolted to the right hand side of the head

[Supercharged 2]

If it was serviced 500 miles ago i'd take it back for them to look at...

 

When was the cambelt last changed? regardless of mileage it is probably due if more than 4 years ago...

 

If it's pinking then I would say either the timing is out or it just needs a good setup - trip to Stealth maybe?

[TROOPER88 0]

It was serviced by the original owner. Not sure when cambelt was done. If the guy Im taking it to tomorrow can not sort it may try a good specialist. Stealth? Where are they based? I take it they have a good reputation?

 

Im thinking it could be timing as there is a brand new distributor fitted but it idels so well. Could it do this and yet the timing still be well out?

 

Regards

 

Paul

 

If it was serviced 500 miles ago i'd take it back for them to look at...

 

When was the cambelt last changed? regardless of mileage it is probably due if more than 4 years ago...

 

If it's pinking then I would say either the timing is out or it just needs a good setup - trip to Stealth maybe?

[bcstudent 0]

I would definitely be checking the fuel pressure. The K-Jet system runs at a pretty high pressure, being little more than a glorified stirrup pump, and a weak fuel pump or blocked fuel filter will rob you of your power.

[chriscorrado 0]

I've had severall 16v vw cars that have done this - when you put your foot down does it seem to die? If so could be fuel pump either main or auxilary in the tank - not a cambelt issue unless wrecked - it has to be fuelling or an air leak.......don't throw money at it cos I bet it will be something really simple to cure..... a blocked cold air feed can give same symptons but if it is standard then no way

If you get rubbish MPG could be running extremely rich but should still not be as bad as you say

check all electrical connections and air hoses

[flusted 0]

i bet its timing. my old valver was exactly the same until i took it to stealth racing, they found the woodruff key in the cam had slipped and threw all the timing out, came out with more torque at 2ooorpm than i had 6000rpm and 60bhp up

They said the first way to tell if inter cam timing is out is by poor mpg on gauge

[TROOPER88 0]

Right...........picked car up after timing had been set perfect and air pipes checked. Very slight improvement but not massive. If im driving and stuck in traffic say (as always)... I rise gently of the clutch in first and then the car rises from 1000rpm and then when it hits 1800rpm it jolts quite badly and its as though there is a sudden and abrubt loss of power. To overcome this you have to rev it at 2500 as you come of the clutch.

A guy at another garage sais it could be the air flow meter but he was thinking its an electronic unit as on the later one?

Is it a mechanical air flow meter fitted on mine?

 

According to the MFA when I start the car from cold im doing 1.5 MPG!!! This rises to around 11 on a journey of stop start driving but not much more!!!

 

Any help would be fab as I really dont know now!.........

 

Paul :(

 

Hi.

This is the first time I have ever used a forum so hope this all makes sense. I really need help from all you Corrado experts!! (!)

I have just purchased a Corrado 1.8 16v on a J plate. Believe it or not it has had just one owner from new; a lady who bought it when she was in her mid 70's and has now given up driving aged 89!!! It has only covered 37,000 miles with a full and immaculate service history.

I drove the car home around the North Circular and straight away noticed a major lack of power. I have not driven a Corrado before but something is terribly wrong. I drove the car on to the M3 and M25 to try and wake it up and to get to 90-100mph was hard; Im talking foot planted on he floor! Around town it feels dangerous; poor acceleration and slight pinking. To get from 30-50mph in third gear my foot is flat on the floor and the pick up is painfully slow....I hate driving it as its that bad!

I have checked the exhaust system and all is brand new (not sure if its worth mentioning though that even when the car is hot you can still touch the back box as its only luke warm??). The distributor looks brand new and under the bonnet all looks good. It starts and idles perfectly and if you pull the throttle cable engine sounds fine. Its certainly not fine when under load and driving. The computer says Im only doing approx 15 mpg!!

The oil is clean, I put some super unleaded in with injector cleaner but with no joy.

I need to drive to Cardiff on Saturady so dreading it as it performs that badly!

Could it be the ignition coil?

Does any one have any ideas where I can begin to look for the fault??

Bearing in mind that the fault may have been there for years as the old lady has only ever driven around towna t about 10 mph and prob did not know there was a problem. It was serviced by Alan Day only 500 miles ago!

Please, please help?????

Many thanks

Paul

[VEEDUBBED 0]

I have the answer!!!,buy my turbo manifold,injectors,AFR meter,metal headgasket AND a spare set of forged pistons...,goodbye problem!!...so simple!!

[TROOPER88 0]

If you supply and fit them and set it up all for £50 you have a deal.....

 

I have the answer!!!,buy my turbo manifold,injectors,AFR meter,metal headgasket AND a spare set of forged pistons...,goodbye problem!!...so simple!!

[dr_mat 0]

Starting from cold I'm not surprised to see 1.5 mpg, and 11mpg overall for a short stop/start journey having started from cold is probably not too far from normal either!

But your loss of power isn't normal..

[TROOPER88 0]

Thanks for the info...

Im going to take it for a run tonight up the M3 as when I did this a few days ago before the timing was set and the air pipe replaced I struggled to get up to 90 ish . I mean foot flat hard on the floor to get to 100.... Surely this should not be a problem. You should never have your foot flat on the floor in any car???

 

Starting from cold I'm not surprised to see 1.5 mpg, and 11mpg overall for a short stop/start journey having started from cold is probably not too far from normal either!

But your loss of power isn't normal..

[dirtytorque 0]

 

Someone has made a bodge job of repairing the inlet air pipe to the side of the throttle body. Now even if there is still a tiny amount of air getting in there would it have such a dramatic effect as my terrible performance?

 

Paul

 

rule it out mate,repair it.

[flusted 0]

inter cam timing as in cam to cam

[Jim 2]

Where are you based mate? You should try and get the car up to Stealth Racing near Coventry.. they're good with these engines and could probably find the fault fairly quickly.

[chriscorrado 0]

the mfa can be quite misleading on older cars

more likely to be a fuelling issue as in fuel pump on its way out and not delivering pressure when needed

if you think about a carb with a semi blocked jet ? similar symptons

also, check every vacuum hose

a good local independent vw garage should be able to sort this for you as its not like current cars that are computerised

 

hope that makes sence

 

Stealth are good and will sort it if you can get up there - Vince can also give it a rolling road session to get it spot on

 

fuel pumps are not cheap!