QuestionI just bought a 1992 VW Golf Driver from a friend. It isn't in particularly good condition (I bought it for the cost of the tyres!) but works pretty well most of the time. However, it does seem to have a fairly erratic rev count when idling. About 50% of the time it idles around 2000, about a quarter of the time it idles a little below 1000 (which seems to me to be about the right rate) and the rest of the time the revs drop rapidly when the clutch is in, with the result that if I change gear a little too slowly the car can stall even at fairly high speeds! I tend to use it only for short journeys, so I don't know whether it settles down once the engine is warmed up or not.
Another problem, which may or may not be related, is that the exhaust is pretty pungent at times with a definite petrol smell. I would guess from that that the petrol isn't combusting completely for some reason, though I'm pretty much a complete novice on these things, so I don't have much of an idea where to start at all.
Thanks
AnswerHi Hugh,
Sounds like the first thing you need to do is give it a tune up.
This is a fairly easy project, and the best bet is to first get a book. I looked up a link for you, and the book is on sale here for about $38 USD:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0837603420/103-2421799-7943861?v=glance&n=28315...
As you do the tune-up, carefully examine all of the hoses, wires, tubes, for any cracks. (you will be surprised what you find!).
The total cost of this project (including book) is under $100 USD, and should get you on your way.
Note: I'd suggest not driving it with the smell of fuel and exhaust inside. It runs the risk of fire and / or carbon monoxide poisoning!
I hope this information helped you. Keep me posted if you have any further troubles after the complete tune-up.
Ron
