Club 80-90 Forums

Hello all. Not been on here for a while but am having problems with my engine. After the engine warms up after about ten miles it starts to make a strange noise (almost knocking but more of a clicking). Friends say it sounds like it is missing and there is a strong unburnt fuel smell when they are behind me. Usually after about 50+ miles the engine loses power (usually on a hill) and then grinds to a halt. After i leave it to cool down for 10 mins it seems fine until it gets warm again. It's not a knocking noise but sounds like a metallic clicking noise. It was okay until I had a new pattern (non VAG) alternator fitted about 2 months ago. There seems to be an extra pipe on the alternator that doesn't go anywhere. My mechanic who is not a VW specialist is at a loss. The engine has just been rebuilt and has done about 2000 miles from a full recon. It is a 1600CT......PLEASE HELP Kind regards Andy

Mine was making a similar noise whilst hot and tackling steep hills in 1st whilst in the Dales. It was like a regular clicking noise. Dunno what it was.

has the O P been checked?
what oil grade are you using?
reads like it's seizing.
the ticking noise could be the lifters draining.
or
Running very weak.
and the ticking is pre detonation due to timing.

is the alternator charging the batt ok?

It would be worth checking the ignition timing and vacume pipes, sounds like preignition/ 'pinking' ,and it will damage the engine if not sorted.

It could be one ignition lead being loose - leading to late/non ignition and consequent unburnt fuel in the exhaust. You can also get a loud ticking from a shorting lead. My daughter's Punto had exactly this ticking, lack of power, smell of fuel in the exhaust and it was just a shorting ignition lead -fixed that and all symptoms gone.

The un-burnt fuel points towards at least one spark plug not doing its job. I'm with OG, sounds like a HT shorting. Take it for a run in the dark and when the clicking starts look for an out of place blue spark.

Thanks everyone. will try all and get back to you

Went to see another mechanic friend and he said the wrong dizzy was put on ie a 009. Now getting my original dizzy re-conned. Will see what happens then

wrong dizzy was put on ie a 009

After 2000 miles the points in the 009 would have needed adjusting. Re-gapping the points would have fixed it. I ran my van for two years with a 009 dizzie. I still keep it in the van as a "get me home spare" in case the electronic one decides to stop working.

Hello,

Sounds like the diagnosis is coming along well...

Photos will help..

Especially if you are looking at refitting the old 'Hall system'...

This is what I mean..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOiSOObjk2E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes mechanical points do need adjusting, and with a bit of experience you can judge the overall condition of the ignition system by their inspection..

I have seen 043 distributors at less than 40£, get a good resistance coil to go with it..

Cordialement,