83 VW Rabbit Hard to start and progressively looses power and dies. Cold start? Fuel pressure? Electrical? URGENT. Please respond!

Hello Everyone, Please reply as soon as you can. I've just purchased an 83 vw rabbit cabbrio

1.7L auto. I have become VERY frustrated with this car. When I bought it the person said it might need the fuel pump replaced and perhaps a cold start valve.

The car is very difficult to start. Once it does start, it runs not to bad but misses a little. If you take it out for a drive it progressively losses a lot of power like it is missing. Perhaps not firing properly, not enough fuel or maybe something else. It will eventually loose enough power that if you go up a small hill if will stall. If you back of on the gas pedal it will smooth out a little, but when under load if you push the pedal it really looses power. Once it stalls it will crank but again it's very difficult to start. I have not replaced the fuel pump yet because it seems like there is lots of pressure getting to the injectors and the cold start valve. I have tested the cold start valve by hooking it directly to a battery. It seems to work and does not leek. I have replaced it with another one anyway. I've replaced the fuel filter. It does not seem like there is any significant power getting to the cold start valve or even the thermotime switch. What is causing the hard starts? Why does it run pretty good for the first 10 mins but after it losses power. Is it the cold start valve, lack of voltage, low fuel pressure or something else. I am so confused. It's been 3 days now and I need this car to run. This was supposed to replace another car that died. I don't need two dead cars. URGENT. Please reply everyone. Thanks

Mark

Reply to
Mark Amero
Loading thread data ...

I don't know what would be causing those symptoms.

While you are looking, I suggest watching the ignition wiring in the dark looking for sparks. It's easy. It's cheap.

I am thinking that car has a distributor. If the cap has an internal arcing path, looking in the dark will not see the arc. But arcing in the wires could show up.

I can't match any particular ignition problem to the timing of your problem cycle, but that does not mean it could not be a factor.

Reply to
Tom's VR6

yeah I'd say check your spark, timing and wires

Reply to
gutlessjetta

I would start by making sure your fuel distributor & plate are not sticking. Next start looking for air leaks after the fuel distributor. This will cause hard starts and after 10mins or so when the cold start system shutsoff it will run too lean have less power & stall. Good places to look are in the tube from the air filter, any vacuum or PCV lines going to the intake & also the seals around your fuel injectors. They are well known for drying out & causing air leaks.

Reply to
CanadianCray

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.