vw polo...could it be a coil prob??

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Fri 19 Aug 2005 17:45
vw polo...could it be a coil prob?? - steveo3002
1988 1300 polo,

ive had a couple of random power losses this week..the car loses nearly all power and kangeroos as it struggles along..doesnt seem to misfire

a quick check over hasnt revealed anything obvious...could a coil break down randomly like this?? theres no pattern to it all..hot/cold , long /short journeys
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Fri 19 Aug 2005 22:51
vw polo...could it be a coil prob?? - Xileno {P}
I've had similar problems with one of these Polos in the past. I would check for dirt in the carb first. Then consider replacing the fuel pump (nice and cheap). Then finally the Hall sender unit as these can play up. Unfortunately they are quite expensive.
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Fri 19 Aug 2005 23:38
vw polo...could it be a coil prob?? - steveo3002
its got a recent pump,tank,filter...would a hall sender failing match my symtoms

btw it ran okay with no load..just fell flat on its face when i tried to pull away
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Sat 20 Aug 2005 00:18
vw polo...could it be a coil prob?? - AlastairW
Does it have an automatic choke like the 1050 cc model? If so,it may well be the choke spring. I had to have the carb rebuilt in the end to cure the problem.
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Sat 20 Aug 2005 11:04
vw polo...could it be a coil prob?? - steveo3002
it does have auto choke although it doesnt feel like its o choke
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Sat 20 Aug 2005 15:16
vw polo...could it be a coil prob?? - Xileno {P}
I suspect a fuel problem, maybe dirt in the system.
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Sat 20 Aug 2005 22:44
vw polo...could it be a coil prob?? - Xileno {P}
When the Hall sender plays up, the engine just dies since the plugs are not getting any power.

I still think your problem is fuel related. The Pierburg 2E3 is a curse to set up correctly.
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Sat 20 Aug 2005 22:53
vw polo...could it be a coil prob?? - steveo3002
ive cleaned the carb with a tin of carb cleaner, new leads and i'll see how it goes....it maybe a week till it shows up again though
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Sat 20 Aug 2005 23:54
vw polo...could it be a coil prob?? - debugslife
Hi,

Hope I'm not wasting your time but this is my standard reply to VAG victims. My Audi 80 (which had a Golf 1.8 engine in it and possibly uses similar parts to your Polo) had a loss of power problem which was traced to the rubber gasket which is in between the carb and the inlet manifold. The symptoms are that you can rock the carb about quite easily and the cause is a crack along one side (or more) of the gasket. From memory, the gasket is about 1/4" thick and the crack is easily observed. My Audi had it's engine in line with the car and your Polo will have a transverse engine. This may mean that it is more difficult to spot. Run the engine at idle and intentionally pull the carb towards or away from yourself. If the gasket is cracked, you should hear a pronounced hiss and the engine note drop and get rough.

Hope this is it.
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