It sounds like you need a vw 101 crash course from someone local.coils can go bad and do this as dd said.are you running points or electronic?it sounds to me your outta time or have adjusted the valves wrong and not running on all cylinders.start from beginning .air fuel and good spark from all plugs.with the #1 plug out,roll the engine over with your finger over plug hole.when you fell the compression pushing your finger off then set the mark on front pulley to align with the center of the case tdc.make sure piston is tdc,then adjust the valves on #1.then turn crank ccw half a turn to put timing mark on pulley at bdc.adjust#2 cylinder valves.half turn Ccw back to tdc on pulley,do #3 ,then Ccw to bdc,do #4.now roll over Ccw one more half turn until mark is tdc.put the rotor button on.turn distributor until the rotor button is pointing directly under a plug on cap.put the #1 cylinder plug wire there and wire it 1-4-3-2 clockwise.set your points if that's what you got and crank it.you should be able to fire it up here if your getting gas and air and fire.when it starts check each header.if all are not running hot and it's not popping or back firing it's more than likely ignition,plugs or coil.if it pops or back fires then maybe you have an intake leak and getting air somewhere.but maybe this will help.good luck.Chad
