my car is SLOW

My 92 Cabriolet, runs like my 64 stock Beetle. 0 to 60 in about a minute, no acceleration out of a stop light. And, being that my job is to drive my car fast (pizza delivery guy) i'd like to see what gives, and what I could do to improve it.

One thing I suspect is some fuel path blockage, maybe fuel injectors, because, every now and then it gets to running really bad, and I pour some fuel injector cleaner in the tank, and it smooths it out a bit. I'm also maybe thinking a fuel line itself is a bit clogged. My reasoning for this is that when I take off the gas cap after driving even for a minute, it goes pfffffffffff.. like its had to suck the fuel like a mcdonald's milkshake, ya know?

Another suspect is timing, or fuel mixture, or... I don't know, the timing hasn't been set in a long time, like over a year. This thing also tops out at about 80 on the highway, and that seems to be really pushing its limits and I usually get worried and go back down to 73. Also, its only got 106K on it, and I run either mobil 20W-50 or valvoline and mobil synthetic gear oil in the manual trans.

Your thoughts, please?

Much obliged, Jack

Reply to
Keith
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my 87 cabriolet has a very similar problem... but mine is caused by the fact that it's an automatic and the clutches are burnt out... i am waiting for the 200,000 mile mark to do a total teardown.. got just over 5k to go...

Reply to
VWGirl

check camshaft timing and distributor timing!

later, dave Reminder........ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. Frieda Norris

Reply to
dave

[...]

How bout checking the fuel tank ventilation? Your cabby obviously gnerates a vacuum inside the tank.

Ingo

Reply to
Ingo Braune

I'd change the fuel filter and check valve and distributor timing.

Reply to
Simplstupd

I own a Mk3 GTi ABA, and it is slow. Period.

Bob

Reply to
ghinghis

Jack,

I would start with some basics........

  1. New fuel filter
  2. New spark plugs
  3. check and adjust timing if needed.
  4. Look for vacuum leaks with a can of carb cleaner (check your injector seals)
  5. fuel pump relay and fuses
  6. If possible, check fuel pressure (your fuel pump may be on the way out)

HTH

Stats

87 Cabriolet

Reply to
Jon Statsinger

I have learned to carry around at least spare wire so i can jumper the relay if i need to!

Reply to
VWGirl

Reply to
Tom Resi

This has been my experience as well...go...or no go.

Reply to
Tony Bad

If you haven't replaced the ignition wires, you might want to think about doing that or at least check to make sure they aren't grounding.

The wires or the contacts going from the fuel pump relay to the fuel pump may be brittle or corroded, so you might want to rewire them if you are getting low voltage at the fuel pump. If you do rewire, use thicker guage wire.

Jim '89golf '87 cabrio '88 audi 5000qt

99 new beetle
Reply to
Ami

How does one check/improve fuel tank ventilation? Please enlighten.

-Keith

Reply to
Keith

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