Vw golf 1 timing

SOURCE: timing belt maintenance, 1999 vw golf

Most models reccomend replacement every 75,000 miles.

SOURCE: vw polo Broken timming Belt

Did you check the compression? If the compression is low then the most probable cause is the valves bent. Means the head has to come off.
If the compression is ok then have you got the HT leads on the right way or is the ignition timing ok. Check the resistance in the leads they have a tendancy to break down.

SOURCE: VW Golf 1 - Idle problem

exactly same problem on mine m8.....a good service fixed the problem.....new air filter, oil, oil filter, spark plugs, distributor cap, rotor. when i took the air filter out and looked at the air flo pipes they were clogged up with white gunk....means the engine wasnt breathing rite. i cleaned it with break cleaning fluid. i dnt no which 1 of these solved the problem....but my guess wud be the pipes

SOURCE: 2003 VW Golf - O2 Sensor?

Honestly it is not very expensive to replace, but it is not extremely important. What it does is measure the oxygen/fuel level coming out of the engine. This tells the computer that the engine is either using the right air/fuel mixture or allows the computer to change the mixture slightly to allow the car to run properly. You could pull the sensor out and clean the terminal as it usually has alot of carbon build up due to its location, but this is normally a temporary fix. I hope this helps you with your problem.

SOURCE: 1992 VW GTI golf timing settings.

The timming marks for TDC Are on the flywheel.Remove plug at the top of the gearbox bell housing there you will see a pointer on the caseing.Line that up with the one on the flywheel.The camshaft has a hole in the sprocket.Line this hole up with the hole in the cylinder head useing a 8mm bolt.thats all your timming lined up.