Once the engine, type GL 1043 CC rebuilt at.

PORSCHE294

MEMBER
1985 VOLKSWAGEN POLO
106 MILES

Once the engine, type GL 1043 cc rebuilt at 100k gets warm while driving. Every time I stop at a junction or traffic lights, or crawling stop starting in heavy traffic. As soon as I start to accelerate in first gear from stationary, the car shakes and shudders. Once on the move changing up through the gears and down again the car behaves normal. The problem only occurs pulling off in First gear. I suspect oil on the clutch? As the problem is noticeable when the drive from the clutch is disengaging. Any ideas most welcome as the car has just passed its mot for the next twelve months.

3 Replies

EXOVCDS

MECHANIC
1,883 POSTS

Yes could be clutch chatter / shudder. How old is the clutch? Any signs of oil leaks?

If it's an old clutch, wait till it starts to slip and then replace it.

Thomas

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Saturday, October 27th, 2012 AT 1:22 AM

PORSCHE294

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi Thomas, I rebuilt the engine last year. The Cast Iron block needed welding across the sump face and bell housing face, because of a crack, which caused an oil leak. On the bottom left corner of the block. I had to get the welds milled. I renewed the Crankshaft oil seal at the time. I can see a bit of oil misting however it isn't pooling into drops below the car. The shuddering occurred before the rebuild. I also fitted new engine mounts as a precaution. So you can appreciate my frustration that the shuddering still persists. At this time, I took the clutch to a VW dealer for a second opinion. Who stated that a good 100k miles was left in it.

I therefore wonder if it is a carburation problem. When the engine is cold using a bit of choke, whether the richer running gives a smoother ride as the shuddering is hardly noticeable. My emission test results from the MOT test showed 0.35% CO Pass limit 4.5% and the HC result was 85 ppm allowance up to 1200 ppm. The mot tester said the engine was running spot on. Not bad for a points ignition motor of yesteryear.

Regards

Gary

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Sunday, October 28th, 2012 AT 1:06 AM

EXOVCDS

MECHANIC
1,883 POSTS

Gary, sorry about the late reply. The new 2carpros website is not sending me topic update notifications!

It's hard to say (over the internet) what the real cause is (without actually driving / feeling it myself. Yes, fuel / air mixture issues can cause driveability
symptoms that could feel like clutch chatter. But if your engine is running as smooth as it is, I can't see that being the case then.

However, if the choke does provide enough of a difference, then it may very well be a fuel mixture issue that does not like first gear too much.

Old CIS Fuel Injected engines are quite "air leak" sensitive, that would cause similar issues in the lower gears. As the engine torqued back when first
starting off, the air hose would stretch and an opening would develop. That opening would then drop the Fuel Metering Plate and the vehicle would
jerk / buck. In the higher gears, the hose would not stretch and no bucking would be felt.

Keep hunting, sounds like you are doing a great job in tracking this down! A clutch (in my neck of the woods) usually lasts from 97K km to 180K km
(depending on who's driving).

An old pressure plate may not be able to transfer the power through the disc in first, but have no problems in the upper gears.

Thomas

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Sunday, October 28th, 2012 AT 4:58 AM