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Car Forum / Volkswagen / Water Cooled Volkswagen Cars / October 2008

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1990 corrado fuel system... how does it meter the fuel??

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In2hoppn - 06 Oct 2008 12:25 GMT
got this 1990 corrado...1.8... digifant?... supposedly WAS running this
way... supercharger has been removed and was running without it.
timing belt was quite slack and had jumped.
Replaced timing belt, aligned correctly (confirmed flywheel mark 0 is really
TDC) and distributor rotor directly at timing mark on distributor.
Started briefly, bog bog bog with throttle... couldn't get it fired up again
yet.
This was the extent that I ever saw this thing run before doing the timing
belt... bog bog bog and dead.
Not exactly sure where to go from here...
There is no hood sticker for timing specs.  Not sure if base timing can be
left at tdc or what.  I've tried moving the distributor since.  It was
firing and kicking back on the starter at one point.  Fired up a little here
and there.
I can't seem to find any information on how fuel metering is done on this
thing!  It's not CIS, and there is no air door or anything except a temp
sensor / pot. in the boot to the throttle body...
Hoping someone can direct me to a good comprehensive site that shows how
this system is supposed to work, so I can hopefully figure out how to make
this thing run!  It doesn't even have to run right... just be driveable /
moveable, as it's supposed to be heading for a VR6 transplant later...
dave AKA vwdoc1 - 06 Oct 2008 12:40 GMT
Sounds like the timing belt was installed wrong!  AND now the distributor is
timed wrong also.
The engine will be quite a bit slower without the Supercharger.
HOW did you set the camshaft timing?

http://vwrado.blogspot.com/
Signature

later,
(One out of many daves)

> got this 1990 corrado...1.8... digifant?... supposedly WAS running this
> way... supercharger has been removed and was running without it.
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> this thing run!  It doesn't even have to run right... just be driveable /
> moveable, as it's supposed to be heading for a VR6 transplant later...
In2hoppn - 06 Oct 2008 13:04 GMT
Timing belt dead on... did it myself... same as any other 8 valve 1.8 I've
ever done... cam sprocket mark at front edge of valve cover, intermediate
shaft mark at edge of crank v belt pulley, crank at cylinder 1 piston top of
stroke (and flywheel zero mark is also correct... sometime they are not so I
always check by piston).  Distributor was already loose (this whole car is a
hack job throw together to begin with, body and mechanicals) so I just
brought that around to align the mark with the rotor (will put that back
again this morning).

Also, meant to add to post... I've checked grounds and power at ECU.
Coolant temp ohms was at 3400.  Ambient air temp was at about 56F so I guess
that's not too far off if at all?  Also, I did find the 02 sensor unplugged.
Dirty plug but clean where it joins, so I think it was recently unplugged so
I tried plugging it back together.

So... question... is distributor supposed to be set at zero?  Because that's
where I'm putting it back to for now.

And I'm definitely looking for info on how this fuel system works!  I think
wrong mixture is the bulk of the problem to begin with.  Owner had already
messed with timing and figured out timing belt needed replacing.  It was
quite slack and worn.  I never confirmed it actually jumped, just changed it
out and set it right with a new tensioner.  That's what I was told to do...
but it still don't run.  If I can figure it out and make it run pretty soon,
that will be great.  Otherwise, it get's hauled back to him.

> Sounds like the timing belt was installed wrong!  AND now the distributor is
> timed wrong also.
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> > this thing run!  It doesn't even have to run right... just be driveable /
> > moveable, as it's supposed to be heading for a VR6 transplant later...
dave AKA vwdoc1 - 07 Oct 2008 03:23 GMT
lol
Yeah that is what I thought when I assembled my 1997 1.8t engine.  I took
pictures of the timing marks on my "running", but knocking, engine AND also
marked all timing marks with white paint before I rebuilt it.
I put it all back EXACTLY like it came apart but the engine was quite
sluggish.  At least it was not knocking anymore.  ;-)
After more research I found out that one of the previous mechanics/machine
shop had installed the camshaft sprocket on the wrong side which put the
camshafts at 4 notches off!!!
I flopped it back to the correct side and found that extra power it was
lacking.
SO it must have been sluggish for the previous owner before the oil cooler
seal blew, and he had been driving it for years like that!
BTW it had 150 psi across the cylinders even 4 notches off!

So YOU may have put the timing belt dead on but are you sure that the marks
are correct????
Don't assume........check!
I have even corrected errors done by the dealer on an 8V engine after they
"installed" a timing belt!  I called them to tell them the T-belt was off
one notch and they told me they don't make mistakes!!  8^o
They also told the owner that he needed a new auto trans at $3000+, but
since I pointed out they did not inform the customer of a recall, a new
trans was intalled free!!

So mistakes can happen!
Signature

later,
(One out of many daves)

> Timing belt dead on... did it myself... same as any other 8 valve 1.8 I've
> ever done... cam sprocket mark at front edge of valve cover, intermediate
[quoted text clipped - 71 lines]
> /
>> > moveable, as it's supposed to be heading for a VR6 transplant later...
In2hoppn - 06 Oct 2008 13:18 GMT
Also should have added... fuel pump runs... haven't checked pressure, not
sure where I need to hook in to do that yet and if I have the fittings to do
so.  Thinking I might disconnect the fuel pump to prevent flooding and check
spark a little better than with just timing light!  But plugs, wires, cap,
rotor, all look new and not damaged.  Might even try a little starting
fluid... a little, just to see if it fires up.  If I still have a can of
that somewhere!  Then I'll focus on fuel delivery.  The guy just bought this
thing.  Who knows what's in the tank, but it smells like gas : ).  Thanks
again for any and all input!

> Sounds like the timing belt was installed wrong!  AND now the distributor is
> timed wrong also.
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> > this thing run!  It doesn't even have to run right... just be driveable /
> > moveable, as it's supposed to be heading for a VR6 transplant later...
Jim Behning - 06 Oct 2008 13:40 GMT
Make sure the plug wires are installed correctly. Often people switch
2 wires or more. Have someone else operate starter while you aim
timing light so you know at least one plug is firing at either the
correct spot or 180 degrees out. Or is it 360 degrees out as it fires
once every two revolutions?

>Also should have added... fuel pump runs... haven't checked pressure, not
>sure where I need to hook in to do that yet and if I have the fittings to do
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
>/
>> > moveable, as it's supposed to be heading for a VR6 transplant later...
Bernd Felsche - 06 Oct 2008 15:19 GMT
>got this 1990 corrado...1.8... digifant?... supposedly WAS running this
>way... supercharger has been removed and was running without it.
>timing belt was quite slack and had jumped.

>Replaced timing belt, aligned correctly (confirmed flywheel mark 0
>is really TDC) and distributor rotor directly at timing mark on
>distributor.  Started briefly, bog bog bog with throttle...
>couldn't get it fired up again yet.

>This was the extent that I ever saw this thing run before doing the
>timing belt... bog bog bog and dead.
>Not exactly sure where to go from here...

>There is no hood sticker for timing specs.  Not sure if base timing
>can be left at tdc or what.  I've tried moving the distributor
>since.  It was firing and kicking back on the starter at one point.
>Fired up a little here and there.

Timing with Digifant is usually set at around 2400 rpm.
Coolant temp sensor disconnected. 6 +/-1 degrees BTDC.

Borrow a workshop manual.

Remove and read the spark plugs.

>I can't seem to find any information on how fuel metering is done
>on this thing!  It's not CIS, and there is no air door or anything
>except a temp sensor / pot. in the boot to the throttle body...

Digifant with supercharged engines (G40 and G60) uses a manifold
absolute pressure (MAP) sensor. The sensor is in the ECU box.
There's a pressure line (rigid plastic tube) between the manifold
and the ECU. The system is very sensitive to manifold pressure and
any leak will frustrate reliability.

Removing the supercharger messes up the whole air delivery system
as the idle stabiliser valve also acts as a boost bypass valve.

It's quite likely that Digifant has switched to limp-home mode as no
boost is being made. The car will run, but significantly worse than
a normal, 8-valve GTI.
Signature

/"\ Bernd Felsche - Innovative Reckoning, Perth, Western Australia
\ /  ASCII ribbon campaign | Science is the belief in
X   against HTML mail     | the ignorance of the experts.
/ \  and postings          |  -- Richard Feynman

SFC - 06 Oct 2008 17:00 GMT
You can set the static timing at 8 deg btdc. There's a mark for that on the
flywheel. The distrb. finger should then point to cyl 1. This engine is not
sensitive in terms of timing any thing between 0 and 8 will work.
The fuel system is based on speed density so no airmeter just a pressure
sensor inside the ecu and a air temp. sensor in the tube going to the
throttle housing. The air temp sensor is combined with a CO pot. With this
CO pot you can adjust the mixture to correct the CO value. The pot is behind
that blue plug.
Be aware that there are two marks on the cam sprocket. Use the one on the
valve cover side no the outer.
Don't worry about the supercharger and the ISV. They won't have any affect
on the basic running of the engine. The ISV is only used to bleed of too
much boost but without the charger there isn't any. Resistance of the cool
temp sensor is normal for that temp. If you want to check fuel pressure you
can disconnect the line going to the fuel pressure sensor on the other end
of the fuel rail. This fp.sensor is used for the after run system to avoid
vapour lock.
No limp home mode. It's actually a very simple engine/computer.
This engine won't produce much hp with some boost, CR is only 8:1.

SFC
In2hoppn - 06 Oct 2008 17:39 GMT
> You can set the static timing at 8 deg btdc. There's a mark for that on the
> flywheel. The distrb. finger should then point to cyl 1. This engine is not
> sensitive in terms of timing any thing between 0 and 8 will work.

Thanks, I'll look for that mark and set it there!

> The fuel system is based on speed density so no airmeter just a pressure
> sensor inside the ecu and a air temp. sensor in the tube going to the
> throttle housing.

It's there.  Just though of checking my Vantage meter for some specs for
that!  Not sure if I have that coveraged... and it sounds pretty crucial to
be not too far out of range.

>The air temp sensor is combined with a CO pot. With this
> CO pot you can adjust the mixture to correct the CO value. The pot is behind
> that blue plug.

Is the range enough to make it not run??  The blue plug is still in so
hopefully nobody's messed with it!

> Be aware that there are two marks on the cam sprocket. Use the one on the
> valve cover side no the outer.

Yes!  Actually there are 3 marks.  2 outside and 1 inside.  The 2 outside
ones mark the 2 teeth that the inner one resides between.  Very handy to
locate it initially... but still a pain to sight for correct alignment, but
it's correct.

> Don't worry about the supercharger and the ISV. They won't have any affect
> on the basic running of the engine. The ISV is only used to bleed of too
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> No limp home mode. It's actually a very simple engine/computer.
> This engine won't produce much hp with some boost, CR is only 8:1.

Gee, sounds like maybe it should run every bit as good if not better than a
stock 1.7  8V then??
I guess there's not much excuse for me to not be able to make thing run
again... not know what the heck I'm doing is a good reason but poor excuse
: ).  Thanks MUCH!
In2
In2hoppn - 06 Oct 2008 18:27 GMT
Well trying to set cam and flywheel back to zero to reset distributor
yeilded no mark at flywheel?  WHAT??  I KNOW I had this right (and it was
much easier to turn everything by the crank when the alt belt / tensioner
and pulley were all out of the way!)...

Remove plugs (sure takes the load off trying to turn it over by the cam).
Bringing her around and piston coming up.  Then piston stops for about an
8th turn.  Then continues coming up!  Seems somebody put the sprocket on the
crank minus a key? ...or somethings gotten munched??  Never seen this
before!

I used to say the intermittents were the worse mechanics nightmare.  Now I
move it to 2nd, with working behind someone elses work to 1st place!  Now I
can take it all back apart and see what someone has done to this poor thing!
All I can say is it's a good thing it's an 8V non-interference...  will
finish the story later if it ever ends... : )

In2hoppn (former bad rabbit habit)
N8N - 06 Oct 2008 19:40 GMT
> Well trying to set cam and flywheel back to zero to reset distributor
> yeilded no mark at flywheel?  WHAT??  I KNOW I had this right (and it was
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> In2hoppn (former bad rabbit habit)

Check the woodruff key in the crank for the timing belt sprocket, I
had a friend with a G60 that sheared that key off with similar
results.  I've got another G60 in my garage that I suspect the same
thing happened to, but I have no time to mess with the @#$%^ POS.

nate
In2hoppn - 06 Oct 2008 21:20 GMT
Hi Nate!

Got it apart.  No key... Bolt was slightly loose, but I don't think loose
enough for it to have fallen out by itself.
Strange thing is, there is no slot in the sprocket.  Theres just a bit of a
lip that slips over the shaft a bit.  The slot on the shaft is very short,
rather wide, and tapers uphill toward the engine in a hurry.  Like a wedge
shaped peice is supposed to sit on it and go flat against the sprocket??

I went to VW and got a "woodruff key" that was supposed to be for it.  (of
course, engine itself may not be original)  It's a little half moon shaped
thing and doesn't fit at all.  I might just grind it until is can fit in
there enough for the sprocket to just jam against it and tighten the heck
out of it with an impact gun... as soon as I get a 12 point 19mm socket...
can you believe I only have 6 point (what next).  Might even add a little
loctite.  Seems the wedge is supposed to sort of help center the sprocket??
Either that, or this sprocket doesn't even belong on this engine!  It's
gonna have some run-out for sure because neither the bolt hole nor the
recessed area that goes over the shaft a bit will center it exactly.  This
thing very much just bolt to the end of the shaft rather than really
slipping over it.  It's only supposed to be a temp fix for this engine
anyway, but I hate not making things right if you know what I mean.  Oh
well....

On Oct 6, 1:27 pm, "In2hoppn" <in2ho...@worldpath.net> wrote:
> Well trying to set cam and flywheel back to zero to reset distributor
> yeilded no mark at flywheel? WHAT?? I KNOW I had this right (and it was
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> In2hoppn (former bad rabbit habit)

Check the woodruff key in the crank for the timing belt sprocket, I
had a friend with a G60 that sheared that key off with similar
results.  I've got another G60 in my garage that I suspect the same
thing happened to, but I have no time to mess with the @#$%^ POS.

nate
dave AKA vwdoc1 - 07 Oct 2008 03:29 GMT
lol
ok ok
glad you found the problem.
broken crank sprocket since the key is part of the sprocket IIRC!  ;-)

> Hi Nate!
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> anyway, but I hate not making things right if you know what I mean.  Oh
> well....
In2hoppn - 07 Oct 2008 10:47 GMT
Part of the sprocket eh?  That makes much more sense... of course, why the
dealership lists a woodruff key and had it in stock for said vehicle is a
bit of a mystery!  I ground the ends off it and laid it on there sideways
and tighten the sprocket against it.  Then got the belt back on it and had
to loosen it again and turn the crank a bit because I was coming up 1/2
tooth off (funny it happened to all line up so nicely when the thing was
loose 1st time around!).  I found a cheap cheesy 19mm 12pt socket (3/8
drive) and put it on my impact gun and wacked it pretty good... until the
socket spit open.  Then put my 19mm snap-on wrench on it and beat it with a
hammer.  I think it will hold.  AAAAND, owner now tells me he's planning on
fitting a different supercharger to this engine.  So this "temporary" fix he
wanted will hopefully hold up!  My impact gun is not very big.  Maybe I
better get a bigger one and a better socket and really wack it tight? ; )
You know, I didn't think it was loose enough for anything to fit out from
behind it, and I know nothing dropped out when I removed it.  But I could
see a mark where it looked like a key was pushed against the sprocket.  That
must be where it broke and worked back and forth long enough to smooth it up
and make the sprocket not fit very tightly.   It should get a new sprocket,
but dealership is 80miles round trip and time/ budget dictates that it
doesn't so time will tell.  He knows what I've done, but he'll probably sell
it later and someone will have no clue what's going on if it slips again!

I set the distributor at zero as well.  Hit the key and it runs!  Maybe not
super fantastic yet, but IT RUNS.  A beam of light was coming out from under
the hood up to the clouds and there was a chorus of singing...  well, that's
what I told the owner anyway!  I still need to put the cover back on and
pulleys, belts,...  then I can set the timing... with it RUNNING!  he he he
Check coolant (winter is coming) and take it for a drive to see how bad
wheel bearing are!

Seems I never have much luck working on VW's!  My Rabbits used to be a hobby
(and pretty cheap) and time was not an issue.  The last job I did for this
guy was the timing belt on 1.8T in his Golf.  That was another quick job
that turned into days when it started overheating shortly after.  Turned out
the "upgrade" to metal impeller water pump was a BIG mistake.  Turned out
impeller was slipping on the shaft!  He's worse of a vw-nut then I used to
be, so eventually he'll give me a job that goes good... I hope...

> lol
> ok ok
> glad you found the problem.
> broken crank sprocket since the key is part of the sprocket IIRC!  ;-)
dave AKA vwdoc1 - 07 Oct 2008 12:41 GMT
this sprocket should be similar to yours
http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=11287&highlight=crank+bolt+torque
you will see the key is part of the sprocket.  ;-)

> Part of the sprocket eh?  That makes much more sense... of course, why the
> dealership lists a woodruff key and had it in stock for said vehicle is a
[quoted text clipped - 51 lines]
>> glad you found the problem.
>> broken crank sprocket since the key is part of the sprocket IIRC!  ;-)
In2hoppn - 07 Oct 2008 13:52 GMT
Thanks Dave!  This one really looks like it never had the tapered chunk in
there ever.  Only a slightly shine in that area, otherwise perfectly round.
I'm going to call VW for a price and availability and then get back to my
customer.  I comfortable it will run a while like it is for his original
intention, but if he's talking running this engine for real and putting a
charger back on it I'm not so comfortable.  Afterall, this little sprocket
drives everything, not just the timing belt!  And the load on it under
acceleration will be trying to loosen the bolt.  My "ground key peice" I
clamped in there likely doesn't really bite the edge of the sprocket by
much.  I'll follow up when I'm done with it to let you know what we did.

Years ago, I used to be on the group often.  Seems pretty dead now.  There's
hardly anything posted... I would have expect to have to scroll way down by
now to find this thread.  Garbage, spam, flame-wars (fun to read but tried
to stay out!).
Then I had trouble with my isp and couldn't get the group for awhile... long
enough to realize that I needed to give it up!  Was wasting too much time
then, but it was always fun!

> this sprocket should be similar to yours

http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=11287&highlight=crank+bolt+torque
> you will see the key is part of the sprocket.  ;-)
dave AKA vwdoc1 - 07 Oct 2008 22:31 GMT
Luckily it is not really an interference engine, but I would prefer that you
install the correct part.  ;-)
So it is running now?
Got your 19mm or 3/4" 12 point 1/2" drive socket?

If the bolt is not torqued down enough then it can snap off that key!!!
Hope it will not damage that crankshaft!!!

You will either need a very good impact gun, and I have still repaired
broken sprockets after someone else has put the bolts on with an impact
gun.....................OR.......................
You will need to torque down the bolt properly.
Using a non-shedding rope and installing/stuffing it down into one of the
spark plug holes should stop the crank from moving in one direction allowing
you to torque that bolt down.
Some people have used a strap to wrap it around the attached pulley and then
to a good spot on the engine or body of the car.
Or if you can hold the flywheel or sprocket.  Did you see that tool that was
made?  I could use one!  lol
Signature

later,
(One out of many daves)

> Thanks Dave!  This one really looks like it never had the tapered chunk in
> there ever.  Only a slightly shine in that area, otherwise perfectly
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=11287&highlight=crank+bolt+torque
>> you will see the key is part of the sprocket.  ;-)
 
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