I'm needing a little help finishing my Daughters car. Its a 81 VW rabbit. I changed out the bad 1.7 for a 1.8 engine. Its all buttoned up and tries to start but can't quite do it. I pulled the plugs and they are all black and sooty. I'm using the original coil and am wondering if its weak. All the timing marks are lined up. I check them a dozen times. How do you check the strenght of a coil?

 

Bill

As long as you can throw a nice, blue spark about a quarter inch in length, you can consider the ignition ok. Sure you have the plug wires in the right order? If you are fouling the plugs trying to start it, I assume it is getting gas. My bet would be ignition related some way.

I think you need to determine decisively that there is sufficient spark and that the plugs are in the right order AND you have the ignition timing somewhere in the ballpark.

I did check the firing order several times. I didn't check the spark. I did check the injectors. They send out a nice fine mist like they always have in the past. I think you right about it being ignition. Either I goofed up on the firing order and timing marks or the plugs/coil are weak.

 

Bill

Let us know what else you find, or if there's something else.