cylinder orientation for 1.8t?

[ComfortRacing]

looking into the engine compartment from the front of the car which cylinders are which (i.e. #1, #2, #3 & #4)?

[dougyfresh]

Depends on how you look at it. Its all about reference frame.

I, typically, refer to cylinder #1 as the one closest to the radiator and cylinder #4 as the one closest to the firewall. If posting online (or in email) I typically also provide that information to inform the reader what my reference frame is.

[absolutegtr]

/\ What doug said....

Now, the firing order is different though :

4
2
3
1

[ComfortRacing]

so if i am misfiring on cylinder 3 they arent refering to firing order but the 3rd cylinder back from the radiator?

[A4ringedONE8T]

so if i am misfiring on cylinder 3 they arent refering to firing order but the 3rd cylinder back from the radiator?

Yup

[absolutegtr]

correct

[ComfortRacing]

great thanks guys! of course had another bought with the coils so i have the "set" on order from ecs and will just replace the retarded one till they arrive with my spare.

[diagnosticator]

/\ What doug said....

Now, the firing order is different though :

4
2
3
1

Huh? The cylinders are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, from the radiator end to the firewall end. The firing order is 1, 3, 4, 2, so starting from cylinder 1, the next cylinder in firing order is 3, 180 crank degrees after 1, then cylinder 4, 180 crank degrees after 3, then cylinder 2, 180 crank degrees after 4. All four cylinders fire once every two crank revolutions, or 720 crank degrees.

[diagnosticator]

so if i am misfiring on cylinder 3 they arent refering to firing order but the 3rd cylinder back from the radiator?

Cylinder #3 IS cylinder #3, regardless of layout arrangement order or firing order. The cylinder number doensn't change depending on what aspect regarding cylinder number is being considered.