323 GTI - Engine dying on closed throttle
 

I have recently purchased a 323 GTI (I live in the UK) and intend to rally it, right now I am having problems with the idle. I first presumed the problem was caused by the straight through back box installed by the previous owner, but in removal of the box and replacement with a standard item the problem still persists (although now I can hear somthing other than the exhaust I can tell that the front pipe is also leaking)

The problem is that when you blip the throttle the engine drops right down to zero rpm and then "bounces" back up to normal idle and settles. Sometimes it will also die in the same manor when closing the throttle and dipping the clutch which is scary in trafic as you loose the brake booster :eek:

I have adjusted the dash pot damper on the throttle body so that it lets the throttle return slowly but the problem still persists ?? do I need to adjust somthing else or is somthing broken or is it my newly discovered exhaust leak causing problems ? I am leaning towards the dash pot needing more tinkering.

For those not familiar with a 323 gti it is a 3 door hatch back with a 140 bhp 1840cc BP 16valve engine with variable induction and no cat.

Many thanks,
Mike

check your TPS sensor on the throttle body, its a common problem, if that checks out go over your engine ground in the engine bay, clean them up and replace them if nessary.

good luck let us know how it goes and let see some pics of your rally machine

thanks, i'll do a search on the TPS and see what that brings up.

I will try and post some pics when I get hold of the roll cage ... right now it doesn't look anthing special. I've just been told that they might have one in stock so it may arive in the next week or so from Germany :D

Thanks again,
Mike

its not too bad now the exhaust has been welded ... it still leaking a little but the problem with the idle has just about gone ( like I said I fiddled with the throttle dashpot so that will probably sort it)