85 Carrera Twilight Zone Timing Problem
 

Completed total engine rebuild a couple of weeks ago stuffed it in the car fired it up. :) Noticed only 1,2,3 cylinders firing :confused:(ran pretty smooth). After checking everything from fuel injection to all DME I/O voltages and pulses (I'm an electronics tech since the 70's) and everything looked correct I decided to pull the dist. and see if it was 180 out, after switching it 180 and reinstalling and re-firing the engine I found cylinders 4,5,6 firing. Also, the side that is not firing the heat exchanger stays cool. Is it possible to have a cam 180 out and not put the valves through the pistons? I've rebuilt a lot of V8's and Volkswagen engines and never encountered anything like this. Any help, suggestions or free money would be greatly appreciated.

Steve B
85 Carrera Targa
06 GTI
83 Scirocco

Steve B,
Classic symptoms of a cam timed 180 out.
You will find 1 and 4 are under compression at the same time rather than opposite.
Do an engine drop and retime right or left side cam, your choice.
You can access this with a partial drop if you wish to avoid a complete drop.
It is close and a bit tougher access.

Doug, Thanks for the reply. I was pretty sure this was the problem, guess I know what I'm doing this weekend.

Steve B