Hi everyone! On my way to buy an '86 8v Golf!

[Harmonizer]

Pretty dang excited to get back in the game after quite a few years of Air Cooled goodness. After a lot of waiting I finally found an A2 that the price is right! Only problem...Random fuel issue preventing start-up.
No worries you say? I am a pretty dang good technician but I have never played around with CIS before so you all might be hearing from me a lot in the near future! Hopefully it is something simple like a pump or a filter...or a stuck needle valve? Am I touching on some possible issues?? Ok keep it short Ty.

Really I just wanted to introduce myself. Thanks!

[Harmonizer]

So checked it out, compression is good, spark is good, fuel delivery is good...until it gets to the thing that is bolted to the engine (with 2 bolts) with two hoses attached that seem to go to the fuel distribution component. Until that point there is steady fuel delivery and pressure. The only other reference I have to this component is an 86 jetta but it seems that has been deleted along with the entire cis system. WHAT IS THIS PART? I dont have a bentlys yet and I need to make a decision to purchase before tomorrow! I just need to look at a fuel syst. diagram to figure it out.

PLEASE! Help me?

[ps2375]

that would be the WUR (WarmUp Regulator) aka Control pressure regulator. I doubt you will find one new, rebuilt maybe and def used. Last time I priced a reman unit, they were well past $100 plus core.

I would hope you are getting this car for very cheap, or even free. As you will need to get a manual plus parts and to work on the CIS, some tools.

On the other hand, this looks like a CIS-e system, and it has no WUR. Would need a better picture of the fuel distributor to tell.

What engine code does this car have? Look on the block behind the IGN dizzy where the head meets the block, there will be a flat machined that has letters and numbers, need teh first couple of letters, like GX, MX or RV.

[Harmonizer]

I was actually starting to narrow down what the component is...and It is def. a WUR after comparing cis and cis-e it is definitely the cis system. I have an expansive set of tools and an advanced skill level. I really wish the car was free...does 500 seem really high? I just need something before the winter hits hard. I have also read that although not advised, the WUR can actually be serviced..?

I havent actually purchased the car yet, I like to be sure of what I am getting in to. So I wont have a proper engine designation until tomorrow.

[ps2375]

"Serviced", maybe flushed at best. I have made a somewhat working one adjustable with a screw on the diaphram, but you have to have the CIS gauge to set the pressure. But if it is missing, there could be many other problems that will show them selves down the road due to contamination. The only thing you have going for you is the climate in your area, dry, not humid. With the system open like it is, you could have an easy fix, or more problems than what you are paying for it.

I would say walk away if you need this car to run soon and reliable. Cause chances are it won't be either and it's guaranteed to not be cheap.

[Harmonizer]

hmmm, your getting me to think. I have a fuel injection test gauge with adapters for CIS and CIS-E...is that what you mean? What do you mean by having an open system? Does the WUR malfunctioning open the fuel system to the air? We actually get a lot of snow and rain in Flagstaff, 7000'. Does it make sense to you that a malfunctioning WUR would prevent the engine from starting at all?
From my tests today I found that the fuel was not getting past the WUR...pre WUR i had positive fuel flow.

[ps2375]

I mis-read your second post, it's not missing on the car your looking at, so the system is not "open". How long has the car been sitting, that can be as bad as an open system. It has been a while since I have had to deal with the CIS, and I never had too many issues, and none like this. This could be the source of the no fuel problem, as it does need to pass some fuel to control the system pressure, if it's too high the metering plate will not move.

You get snow, but you don't have the humidity of other places. My dad spent many years in Pinetop, so I am somewhat familiar with your climate.


If the WUR is clogged from crud in the system, then that means the crud has passed thru the filter and can be in the fuel dizzy and injectors. None of which is a good thing. I don't see much good coming out of this system the way it sits right now. To me, this is a perfect candidate for an MS conversion, but it sounds like you don't have the time for that. There is almost nothing worse than a dirt contaminated CIS fuel system. I have never seen much good written about them on here, at least no happy endings.

[Harmonizer]

Phew..I was really scratching my brain figuring that one out. It has been sitting for over a year. it cranks very smooth and the compression is all good. He also has an 86 jet and an 87 gti that both have cis-e systems...that I can use to "salvage" what I need. Hmm I think I am gonna crack a beer and think this purchase over. Let yall know around 7am if I got it.

Thanks for your help ps2375! It is much appreciated!!!

[Harmonizer]

To me, this is a perfect candidate for an MS conversion, but it sounds like you don't have the time for that.

I dont have time this season...but my summers are wide open! a MS conversion was exactly what I was thinking also...or to throw my vr6 in it next year..I just need to get by until next spring.