Hey guys,

My 16v has been feeling a little weird at low speeds. If I'm in 1-3 gear and remove my foot from the throttle, the engine starts to rubble and shake. This is even happening in 3rd if I'm anywhere below 2800rpm. Giving it a little gas helps a bit, but it isn't until I'm giving it a significant amount that it goes away. Right now, to make a slower turn in 2nd or 3rd, I have to clutch in to avoid the bogging.

4th gear, I have no issues at all with taking my foot off of the accelerator. When I do, things still feel very very smooth.

Any ideas? This has made any low speed driving, such as through my neighborhood, a huge pain.

Thanks!

might there be something wrong in the transmission? I know it isn't the engine, but when you say it is in gears 1-3, but once in 4th all is fine. When the trans is in 4th gear the power goes straight through the trans where in 1-3 it goes into other shafts, gears.

oldeskewltoy wrote:might there be something wrong in the transmission? I know it isn't the engine, but when you say it is in gears 1-3, but once in 4th all is fine. When the trans is in 4th gear the power goes straight through the trans where in 1-3 it goes into other shafts, gears.

Hmm I didn't think about that. My transmission shifts fine and doesn't seem to give me problems (unless this is a transmission issue). Having my foot off of the throttle in 5th gear is fine too.

If it's the trans you'd more than likely hear a new noise or feel something odd. How does the engine do when revved in neutral?

What's the compression?
Does it miss or surge or feel funny when redlining 2nd & 3rd?
Is the timing adjusted for a smooth fast idle, and octane so it'll only ping/detonate if abused, like trying to accelerate in 3'rd at 2000rpm?

Diagnostic check ? If it is not the transmission then it could be a fueling issue and possibly also related to the TPS (fuel cut, or lack of, on the idle switch)