My new project..... Warning non Ford content!

[pbar]

They seem to be getting a rare sight on the roads today Paul. I like the Mk4 shape but I'm a bit put off when I look under the bonnet

I know what you mean, some jobs have been a right pain! I think on the whole VW make great cars though.

[Paul G]

They seem to be getting a rare sight on the roads today Paul. I like the Mk4 shape but I'm a bit put off when I look under the bonnet

I know what you mean, some jobs have been a right pain! I think on the whole VW make great cars though.

I've changed a few gearboxes on MK4's. The 1.6 5 speeds(also affected Skodas, Audis and Seats) used to have an issue with the diffs exploding. The crown wheels were rivited rather than bolted on to the diff and the rivets used to work loose and come out. Found it to be a much easier job than on a Focus, Astra or Rover 25.

Generally I've found them quite reasonable to work on, cambelts aren't too bad and service items are generally easy. Bad running was usually down to split plastic intake pipes and a few popped headgaskets, but only when getting on, badly maintained and high mileage.

I've seen loads of Golfs with 200,000 miles or more and still driving like new.

[Taff50ish]

Hi Neil,

GREAT Car & Project fella!!!! I do love these myself too... I'm kinda Jealous, I would love to have the Space & Time to tackle something like this myself, but alas no... I hope to see this one day at Queen Square??? What do you recon??? Cheers Neil, all the very best of luck with this, cheers...

John...

[pbar]

I've seen loads of Golfs with 200,000 miles or more and still driving like new.

You do see a lot of old and/or well used Golfs on the road, which backs up what you say there Paul.

[sheff]

Hi Neil,

GREAT Car & Project fella!!!! I do love these myself too... I'm kinda Jealous, I would love to have the Space & Time to tackle something like this myself, but alas no... I hope to see this one day at Queen Square??? What do you recon??? Cheers Neil, all the very best of luck with this, cheers...

John...

Thanks John..... Yeah I'll get it along to Queens Square at some point, probably when the weathers not so good.

All the best
Neil

[sheff]

I've seen loads of Golfs with 200,000 miles or more and still driving like new.

You do see a lot of old and/or well used Golfs on the road, which backs up what you say there Paul.

My one has done 177,000 miles! Tuned it up correctly at the weekend and now it runs really sweet. A few more mechanical jobs to do and its going to feel more like a car with half that mileage!

[sheff]

I now have a car that looks half reasonable from a distance and goes properly after a weekend of cleaning, polishing and tweaking to the engine.











There is a bit of rust on the bottom of 3 of the doors. One front door needs replacing, so I will keep my eye out for a good secondhand one, as I was warned off buying a pattern one because they don't fit well. The other 2 rear doors just need lower repair skins as the frame still looks okay.







And a couple of other areas that need some attention.





I had a reasonable quote to get the doors painted professionally, however I think for now I will be doing all the work myself and not throw too much money at it. Its a daily driver, I don't want another car where I worry it might pick up a scratch a small dent in a car park.

All the best
Neil

[pbar]

What a brilliant car to have as a daily driver. That's great that is Neil.

[Paul G]

When you fix the doors Neil, make sure you put an inner membrane back on behind the door cards. They are one of the worst cars I've ever come across for leaking if the membrane is holed or missing and it also leave a horrible tide mark in the door card. Get rid of that foam as it will encourage more rusting.

In my days in the Motor Trade back in the nineties I sort of specialised in MK2 Golfs and have literally had dozens through my hands and saw this problem on a lot of them. If the carpets get wet it will lead to rusting around the floor bungs with the holes corroding away at the edges so it may pay just to check all of them are sound and undersealed as well.

[sheff]

When you fix the doors Neil, make sure you put an inner membrane back on behind the door cards. They are one of the worst cars I've ever come across for leaking if the membrane is holed or missing and it also leave a horrible tide mark in the door card. Get rid of that foam as it will encourage more rusting.

In my days in the Motor Trade back in the nineties I sort of specialised in MK2 Golfs and have literally had dozens through my hands and saw this problem on a lot of them. If the carpets get wet it will lead to rusting around the floor bungs with the holes corroding away at the edges so it may pay just to check all of them are sound and undersealed as well.

Yeah I was going to do the membranes whilst I was at it, I'd read that they are a cause for leaks and check the carpets for dampness..... Unfortunately despite the carpets being dry the rot has already set into mine in the floor and sills. Someone's had a poor attempt at fixing this and its not very tidy. I have decided to live with the poor repairs for now and see what happens to the values of these cars. If they go up in value over the next few years then I might fit new floor sections, but for now its make do.

Whats this foam in the doors stuff. Is it like the sound deadening foam they used in the rear quarters of the MK3 Capri's?

Cheers
Neil

[Paul G]

No, VW never did anything as silly as that. I meant the orange foam in one of your pictures poking out from behind the door card!

Paul.

[dan the capri fan]

That's lovely I do have a soft spot for mk2 golfs that looks like a tidy GTI. My mate from college who comes to the car shows with me has a white J reg 1991 VW golf mk2 1.8 driver which is tidy for its age and only cost him £900. He let me drive it after a car show once and it was great wouldn't mind having one oneday.

[pbar]

A guy close to me who buys and sells cars a lot from his home who I speak to occasionally as a K reg Golf for sale at the moment. I'm very tempted!