Not exactly a Pierless performance

I still haven’t got to the bottom of the issues I first reported on in this update, though I have made some progress. After a (completely unnecessary, as it turned out) kitchen table rebuild of the VW’s notorious Pierburg carburettor, I concluded it wasn’t actually at fault. In fact, I’d been so absorbed by the Pierburg’s infamy I’d ignored what were more likely explanations – such as the timing.

I didn’t mention in this piece (as I thought it irrelevant at the time) I’d had the Scirocco’s timing belt replaced during a major service. I can only assume whoever had fitted the previous belt had completely ignored the timing marks, and simply held the top and bottom pulleys still while replacing the cambelt. Re-setting the timing, then, would have completely thrown it out. Therefore, when the new belt was fitted in its proper position, the timing was thrown out once again.

Confusingly, though, my recent efforts with a stroboscopic timing gun haven’t completely solved things, though they are better. The car does now idle, which is helpful, but there are flat spots in the powerband and it’s using too much fuel.

I’m far from the gentlest driver, but seeing fuel literally spitting out of the exhaust leads me to think that its current 25mpg can be improved upon to say the least.

Despite all this, the Scirocco has soldiered on, proving to be dependable yet fun. It would be nice to get it running perfectly again, though, so I’m admitting defeat and will be taking the Scirocco to a marque specialist very soon. I just need to find someone who isn’t going to immediately blame the Pierburg…