more GTI info (NAC)

[Larry C Leung]

As I noted before, the front engine mounts (there are two types, one like
a type 44 liquid filled unit, the other a vertical cylindrical all rubber
unit) are suspect on these vehicles, and easy to check as it is right out
in the open. They (since the engine is sidesaddle) would produce the
exact effect Scott speaks of. They are also very easy to change. BTDT.

BTW, if the front mount is broken, and you just want to check out the
rest of the car for transmission problems, lash the engine down at the
mount with heavy bailing wire or clotheshanger wire (why do I know
this?). It will prevent the engine rock, and I've heard, it's even strong
enough to finish a full second day of autocross, so I've heard
anyway....wink, wink!

LL - NY

On Wed, 18 Jul 2001 09:34:19 -0700 "Fisher, Scott"
<Scott_Fisher at intuit.com> writes:
>Doug adds:
>
>>The current owner installed a short-shift kit (don't know which) 
>relatively
>>recently.  The forward gears are "vague" but the real worry is 
>reverse...
>the
>>car "bucks" a lot in reverse.
>
>Bucking in reverse MIGHT be a tranny issue, but in my experience it's 
>more
>likely a transmission or engine MOUNT that allows the linkage to
>tighten/release/tighten/release as the car winds up in the opposite
>direction to the usual torque loads on the engine/drivetrain.  
>Especially if
>the car has a mechanical (cable) clutch, which is normally tight only 
>when
>you push on the pedal and loose when you don't.  Good engineering 
>designs a
>linkage so that normal engine torque while driving twists the engine 
>in the
>"right" way to keep the clutch from disengaging while driving.  
>(Better
>engineering uses a hydraulic clutch to avoid the whole mess in the 
>first
>place, but that's another story.)
>
>Reversing, however, by its nature twists the engine unit in the 
>opposite
>direction from that induced by forward motion.  If the engine or
>transmission mounts are soft or worn, reversing can twist these 
>soft/worn
>mounts just far enough that the clutch cable pulls tight when the 
>clutch
>engages, causing the clutch to slip and the car to slow down; this in 
>turn
>reduces the twisting on the soft/worn engine mounts, which loosens 
>the
>cable, which causes the clutch to grip, which causes the car to go, 
>which
>increases the twist on the mounts, which tightens the cable, which -- 
>you
>get the idea.  
>
>Audifans who know me from Another List Far Away (heh) might recall my
>description of another car I owned, on which this was the problem, as
>resembling an overamorous kangaroo when reversing.  Same problem, 
>different
>engine orientation.  Oh, and I've previously owned two GTIs, so I've 
>had
>some experience of what Doug speaks.
>
>Internal transmission woes usually result in a continual absence of 
>motion,
>or in the car popping out of gear, rather than the on/off bucking you
>mention.  Even if the shift linkage were worn, you'd be more likely to 
>get a
>tendency for the gear lever to pop into neutral when driving in 
>reverse (as
>in one of my cars from Another List Far Away).  
>
>And as several other people suggest, putting a short-shift kit on a 
>car with
>worn bushings will result in a car that shifts short and sloppy.  So 
>this IS
>a problem, but still less expensive than a transmission rebuild.  
>
>Oh, and by the way, this rocking on soft engine mounts can also lead 
>to
>premature exhaust-system wear as the downpipe is continually flexed 
>between
>the header and the main exhaust system.  VW has used some pretty 
>clever
>slip/flex joints over the years, but it's another reason to check the 
>engine
>mounts (and another thing to look at -- the exhaust) before your 
>nephew
>actually agrees on a number to put down on the check.
>
>Best,
>
>--Scott Fisher
>  Tualatin, Oregon
>
>