Mk 4 Cabby Unwell After Long Journeys And Sitting In Heavy Traffic.

[Guest ILOVEMYPINKMK4]

My 1989 Amethyst xr3i plays up, normally on way home, from long journeys. With no warning- Braking causes the idle to drop by half and if I don't keep revving it, whilst applying handbrake at every set of lights/junction, it stalls. It normally starts again straight away, but after few times of stalling, it becomes difficult to start, misfiring and I have to really work on the accelerator, whilst turning it over, for it to start. If I actually get home without the RAC, I leave it for a few hours and its back to normal self - starting first time, idle normal and no misfiring. I'm now at the stage where I'm too anxious to take it anywhere too far away, as it is a nightmare getting home. Can anyone please suggest possible causes? Any help, much appreciated. If possible I want to fix it myself, using Haynes Manual for reference - Only bought it in Jan 09 and havent gone more than 3 wks, without needing work done/parts replaced; has easily cost over a grand. Replacing it with something more reliable, isn't an option as love it.

Being a single, working Mum to 4 teenagers, Richie the Retriever and Talloulah the French Bullmastiff plus a few stray cats, who have adopted us, I need to keep costs down.

PS, Thought may have problem in HT/LT wiring/dirty plugs so replaced HT leads and spark plugs. However, drove 100 miles to Kent yesterday, prob free; on return journey, got couple of miles from home and started playing up again.

[Guest 2kevsdstig]

Hi this could be down to several things.

I would look at module on side of distributor or maybe it could be that oil seal in distributor is perished and oil is weeping into your distributor causing a short.If these check out ok, check coil,fuel pump, or maybe even the engine breathers could be a pipe off or even breathers blocked.

Hope this helps

Kev

[Guest Dez72]

Hi pink mk4

 

try this, under the fuel distribution pipes on the front right hand side of the engine bay you will find the large black intake pipe unclip, and under you will find the sensor plate clean and spray with wd40 some times you find this sticks, hope this helps.

 

des

[Guest Dez72]

Hi Pink

 

how's your car doing, did you manage to fnd what the prolem was.