2.3 NG engine issues

[andyg plym]

the new cabby has a couple of annoying engine probs,

1)Wont rev over 5k when under load
2)Annoying rattly tappet.

I have bought some expensive hydraulic valve lifter oil but it doesn't seem to of helped,but then tonight gave it a proper thrashing on a private road and it was a bit quiter.Eventually hauled it up to 120 and it would not go over 5k.

Replaced the cap + Rotar arm,it has fresh oil in it etc.Suspect it may be a timing issue but cant seem to be able to tell if its pinking or just the loud tappet!

AArh! At least its a lot better on fuel than the S2

[sam80quattro]

do the ng's have hydraulic tappets?

[K Simmonds]

Sounds like it has the wrong dissy fitted and/or the ignition timing is out. What state are plugs and ignition leads in?

can you get a a part No from the dissy, if you recall 'Madwolf' had an NG that ran badly, that was the wrong dissy.

Have a re-con NG dissy sat on a shelf.

Yes the NG's have hydraulic tappets.

[andyg plym]

Sounds like it has the wrong dissy fitted and/or the ignition timing is out. What state are plugs and ignition leads in?

can you get a a part No from the dissy, if you recall 'Madwolf' had an NG that ran badly, that was the wrong dissy.

Have a re-con NG dissy sat on a shelf.

Yes the NG's have hydraulic tappets.

hmm thats very interesting,i will check it out.plugs,ht leads etc seem ok,just out of interest where is the part number on it? cheers!

[K Simmonds]

The part No is on the side of the dissy body, can be a ****** read when still attached to the head.

You can tell if it's been messed with though as there is a tamper proof cover over the dissy clamp bolt from the factory. If this is not there then it means someone has been at.

Also the cam belt may be on a tooth out from what you describe, Check the timing marks.

If you need anymore advice regarding this engine feel free to ask on here or drop me a PM. I ran one for Ten years and got used to keeping it happy. Only major job's I had to do in that time was fit a new clutch, cam belt/pump etc and the recondition the dissy, hall sender failed and the dam thing wouldn't start even though there was still a spark.

I have many good spare for them also

When running correctly their a good engine, never going to set the world on fire but mine would drag my Coupe up to a genuine GPS proven 138 MPH, of course one needs a private air field to get the space for that sort of run. Would also do 40 MPG on a good motorway run ,but was pretty dreadful on fuel just on short runs.


EDIT-- Also check for air leaks in the in-take and breather system, these motors hate un-metered air. The most common problem area's are the main crank case breather connection on the underside of the rubber intake 'boot' and the pipe work for the ISV, which is located in between the IM and the head..

What does the the car idle like? As an air-leak will normally cause a rough tick over.

A collapsing cat will also serious effect performance, I'd undo the joint where it meets the down pipe and have a look inside with a torch.

[andyg plym]

it idles brilliantly,funnily enough my first audi was a coupe quattro ng and that thing was very slow and it turned out to be a blocked cat so wondering f this is the same.Dizzy wise i can see there is a bolt on top retaining it,but its no tamper proof bolt.just a normal bolt cant remember if its 10 or 13mm

cheers mate!

[K Simmonds]

It's a 13mm bolt/nut on the dissy clamp, if you can see it that means someone has at the very least moved the dissy. Which is not good as there is no need to move it unless replacing or doing some serious tuning.I'd check the timing ASAP.

The Timing mark on the Harmonic damper has a habit of moving by around a half a tooth over time due to flex in the unit. So you really need to take care when replacing the belt and make your own accurate marks before removing the old belt.

The last Five pot I did a cam belt on (T43 100 10v Turbo) was nearly a whole tooth out on the bottom pulley due to the damper twisting over time.

I take the cam cover off and use a DTI gauge on the cams as well as number one piston to determine accurate info.

Though check the cat first as it only takes a moment.

Cheers, Kit.

If your getting a smooth idle I doubt there are any air leaks.

[andy10v]

Does the NG have a vac advance on the dizzy? If so is it connected, and operating correctly? (suck your nipple ,preferably the one on the dizzy vacum diaphragm and see if it holds your tongue against it)

And go through Kit's list

[K Simmonds]

No Vacuum advance on the NG

[andy10v]

No Vacuum advance on the NG

Cool, I remember having fun get CIS operating correctly on my PS.