Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: idling issues 2e3 carb (Read 111 times) previous topic - next topic

idling issues 2e3 carb

Hey all,

Got a 1.3 jetta recently, i believe its the 2e3 carb hence auto choke an not manual, i've done a lovely 400 mile trip in it, last 80 ish have been a nightmare, the thing would just keep cutting out, started doing it at night with lights on an fan, so noticed on restarts was idling fine when no load on electric system, so i assumed it was a battery or alternator issue at 1st "perhaps still a leccy gremlin". but started doing it in the day with no added power consumption etc

what i would like to know is, has anyone ever had something similar, as previous knowledge was they cut out and dont restart for a short while, an a quick google hints towards this 

given its a peirburg. i always known there as useful as a chocolate teapot in reality an webber is the way forward "personally when i had a 1.6 an a 1.8 carb engine mine had the webber conversion done already, not that i recall a choke nearly 20 years later. but never had any issues, an mot time always see emissions adjusted to pass"

how ever, over last day or so i have read a few posts webbers solve nothing in the long term, how true is this ?

i really want to keep it as a 1.3. its guttless but its so original be a shame to do a conversion really

ok so it be next week before i look at it, but a quick look did see a small bit of oil on 2 sensors on the top flange on the block under the dizzy, but could this lead to my issues ?


any knowledge will be greatfully recieved

Re: idling issues 2e3 carb

Reply #1 –
Quote from: mintysgt on
Hey all,

Got a 1.3 jetta recently, i believe its the 2e3 carb hence auto choke an not manual, i've done a lovely 400 mile trip in it, last 80 ish have been a nightmare, the thing would just keep cutting out, started doing it at night with lights on an fan, so noticed on restarts was idling fine when no load on electric system, so i assumed it was a battery or alternator issue at 1st "perhaps still a leccy gremlin". but started doing it in the day with no added power consumption etc

what i would like to know is, has anyone ever had something similar, as previous knowledge was they cut out and dont restart for a short while, an a quick google hints towards this 

given its a peirburg. i always known there as useful as a chocolate teapot in reality an webber is the way forward "personally when i had a 1.6 an a 1.8 carb engine mine had the webber conversion done already, not that i recall a choke nearly 20 years later. but never had any issues, an mot time always see emissions adjusted to pass"

how ever, over last day or so i have read a few posts webbers solve nothing in the long term, how true is this ?

i really want to keep it as a 1.3. its guttless but its so original be a shame to do a conversion really

ok so it be next week before i look at it, but a quick look did see a small bit of oil on 2 sensors on the top flange on the block under the dizzy, but could this lead to my issues ?


any knowledge will be greatfully recieved
Hi, I'm less familiar with the 2e3, as I have mainly worked on the, much hated, 2e2.  But the 2e3 is a simpler carb so should be easier to sort, assuming of course, it is the carb to blame.  If it cuts out without warning, as opposed to running rough, I tend to blame it on an electrical fault, ie something in the ignition circuit, for example a bad coil, duff dizzy cap etc.  The only problem I had with a 2e3 carb in the past was a knackered pull down unit which would cause it to stall when it was cold and I was running on the choke.  Another thing to check is the cut off solenoid on the carb.  If this has a bad connection or is knackered, it will cut out.  Also it could be dirt inside the carb.  On my 2e2 I took it apart and found crap in the float bowl.  You can get carb service kit for these carbs, so you can strip and rebuild them.  There is also a really good you tube strip down video.  A weber is only a 'solution' if the carb is knackered, but the pierburgs when in good nick offer much better mpg and are good carbs if you can get your head round them.  I spent ages watching videos on the 2e2 and even downloaded the pierberg manual, so I kind of understand them much better now. 

Re: idling issues 2e3 carb

Reply #2 –
yh its not cutting out instantly, its dying back ok from throttle release, kinda spits and sputters on idle, an sometimes just can't cope, was alot better a few days ago, then during the last 80 ish miles. Well almost just will not catch the idle at all, an just splutters its self to death more then half the time now, i can hold the idle with a light bit of throttle. but of course this is not achiveable everytime your pulling up.

i'm not sure what to do. Becuase ok, i might not be spotting the cheapest service kit @£100 ish but from experience you can't really just pull them apart with out replacing something, how ever maybe a good start after i clean the oil covered plugs on the front flange "not quite sure thats the fix but needs doing and rocker cover needs addressing aswell" to then if no different pull carb apart even if i find nothing wrong with it, at least i didn't just waste £100 towards the cost of  a webber

But i like the line "A weber is only a 'solution' if the carb is knackered"

The car has not covered a lot of miles in the last 15 years till i brought it, in fact i've possibly done more miles in 10 days then the last owner in 15 years, so no doubt a lot of crap has been pulled threw into the bowl, an reving it is some how over coming the fuel starvation its presenting to be

Re: idling issues 2e3 carb

Reply #3 –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amnqCUSTnUw&t=1059s
Have a watch of the video, it will help you to understand the carb and all the bits.  It may also help you figure out what's wrong, and how to test bits.  When a car idles drops off and causes stalling, assuming the carb is the fault, its often due to an air leak, causing the carb to lean out.  So I would check for split vacumm hoses, a knackered pull down unit (£15), and also a split in the rubber carb mount (£22).  The carb mount on mine was split.  I recommend you buy a Febi Bilstein mount as the Topran ones dont seem to last very long, cause the rubber is crap quality, particularly with modern fuels.

Re: idling issues 2e3 carb

Reply #4 –
many many thanks for taking your time to respond, i am as of yet still awaiting a chance to take alook, however speaking to you an a mate, slightly more confident the webber doesnt need be to ordered now, hope this tuesday to get to the bottom of it

the vid link was good

Re: idling issues 2e3 carb

Reply #5 –
you got a link for the febi one please, cant see one

Re: idling issues 2e3 carb

Reply #6 –
I had a look, but I couldn't find one either.  Febi make the larger 1600 one and the smaller polo one, but I dont see the correct one for yours, so you may have to go with the Topran one.  I would avoid using e10 fuel with it though.  I dont know about you but I always use e5 petrol anyway.  If your rubber mount is okay ie not split, I wouldn't change it, until it needs done.  The original ones are high quality.