'80 'rocco on three cylinders - why??

[sailingfc at dslextreme.com (DYWong)]

Since it was running rough before and there is a lack of power, check all
the "dots and vees" of your cam timing.  Vacuum shouldn't make much
difference during idle, especially if you are thinking of timing the
ignition by ear just to get it to idle/run.

Good Luck.

-Dick-
78 Scirocco
Original Owner
95 Passat GLX
Second Owner


Daun Yeagley
> Blatantley cross-posted from the Vortex:
>
> So I'm out here in southern California and I've picked up a
> straight & clean '80 Scirocco with the help of our dear
> friend Will.
>
> (Insert pic here, mine are all in the camera and the cord
> is at home.)
>
> This thing had a "new" engine installed a year or two ago,
> so everything is pretty fresh.  The car has been sitting
> the last 6+ months due to some rough running.
>
> Symptoms:  Rythmically rough idle / pickup, slow to rev
> with about as much power as a tired Rabbit Diesel.
>
> So let's go through the things we need to make an engine
> run shall we?
>
> Air:  The air boot appears rip free, the air filter is new
> and I can see no blockage.  No evidence of leaking at the
> intake manifold gasket that can be seen.
>
> Fuel:  Injector o-rings are basically new, soft & pliable.
> Injectors all have a nice spray pattern with even flow.
> The airflow plate is perhaps ever so slightly gummy, but
> operates smoothly.
>
> Compression:  130-130-135-130.  Just fine for a 1.6.
>
> Spark:  Brand new plugs / wires / cap / rotor made *no*
> difference.  All plugs are firing fine.  Ignition timing is
> dead on.  This is a California '80 that has electronic
> ignition, no points to adjust.  (Which was my very first
> thought.)
>
> Exhaust:  Removed the exhaust ahead of the cat in case it
> was blocked, no change.
>
> I have not checked the vacuum advance (per Drew's
> suggestion) as we had moved the car to another location
> that didn't have a timing light.
>
> Of course, I have no tools with me back at the hotel, and
> I'm going to limp the car out towards Qualcom stadium to
> drop it off to be shipped this morning anyway.  But
> suggestions on what to look at further when the car arrives
> back in Ohio are greatly appreciated!
>
> Daun Yeagley - Wilmington Ohio
> '81 Scirocco S (Deiter)       '86 Scirocco 8v
> '88 Scirocco Slegato (Gino!)  '88 Scirocco 16v
> '96 Passat GLX Wagon          '56 Cessna 172
> The first rule of intelligent tinkering is to save all the parts -
> Ehrlich's Law.
>
>
>
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