GOLF MK-III Poor Performance after Maintenance?

Question

Hi,
Just after i picked-up my VW-Golf MK-III from the service (timing belt kit, spark plugs and cabling changed),
the engine started clattering especially when trying to accel suddenly. After a little search, i began suspecting poor timing belt installation. Then i visited many repair shops, including the first one; all the technicians came up with no timing belt shift mistakes after examining O-T markers,TDZ on first cylinder and marker on fourth cylinder, i even had a complete re-install of the belt. By the way, the engine was performing badly and was getting worse everyday. Anyway, just while i was to give-up, i went to another technician by recommendation, he was about to give me that same answer when he disovered, there was that problem with spark plugs ending in wrong order on distributor, and distributor installed poorly (shifted as they said). Clattering signif. gone, but still loss of power on upper shifts, can't hardly go beyond 120Km/h and increased howling.
Help,pls

I also want to ask, during the time (6 months) i used the car with wong order of spark plugs, could this timing problem cause any damage to valves, engine parts etc.?
Thanks

In reply to Pokey;
Hi Pokey,
think i have an non-interference one, if this is about the position of cylinder piston and the valves in relation to each other that you're talkin about.
This is an 8v AFT engine MK III.
By the way, if there is a problem with the valves, would it be noticed, during a compression check?

As reply to Pokey,
the timing belt didn't fail, i just changed it since i had done the recommended mileage.

Answer 1

If you were serious about VW Golfs, you'd be checking for info here:

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/default.aspx

Over 17,000 members, with a wealth of information for VW Golf owners... to save you money and help solve problems. :)

My thought also was perhaps the belt was out.. but you say its not that...... its worth a search of the forums at uk-mkivs to see if anyone else has encountered the problem... or posting a thread up there.

(There is a MK III section there too)

Answer 2

HI-IT could be your timeing is out a little it does not need much to make your car run badly, The way to do it is get num 1 piston to the top of its stroke & take notice where the plug lead enters the disy cap put a mark on side of disy base, take off the cap & the rotor arm should be pointing to the num 1 cylinder where you have taken the plug out of, IFF it is not in line of the plug lead turn the engine over again untill the num 1 piston comes to the top check again if it is in line if not undo the collet under the distributor & turn untill the pointer in the centre is in line, turn the ignition on & you should just get a spark on the points if the timeing is right, Iff your not shore about doing the job get someone to assist you, it is easey to go to far with the timeing, Good luck D.F; Send me an email if you have any dificulty.

Answer 3

general motors had a problem in the 80's with pistons getting holes in them. i was told it was from using a low grade fuel and the spark knock. the one i disassembled had a hole about the size of a quarter.
do a compression check to make sure your engine is solid.

also, the timing belt, did it fail?
there are interference and noninterference engines.
if the timing belt breaksor slips, it will bend the valves in an
interference engine.