1992 VW Golf 1.8 CL
Discussion
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kbags. Well maybe it's not that bad, more of an Oh Bugger. Attempted thermostat renewal has failed, nothing terminal though just my lack of planning ;-) There are two very thermostat housing looking things on the cylinder head, one on the front, one on the side. Took off the front one as that looked like the one. No stat in there, wtf! Tried to remove the one on the side and it wouldn't come off because there are other nuts stopping it from being removed. To get those off needed more pipes taking off and the light was fading.
So I packed up the few tools I'd started using and came in to the internet. Turns out the stat is located UNDER the engine behind the PAS pump!! 2-3 hr job the forums reckon, again WTF! So if I'm lucky, I'm looking at perhaps 9 hours work on the thing, estimate 6 for clutch and 3 for stat. Rolls eyes, face palm and so on.
kbags. Well maybe it's not that bad, more of an Oh Bugger. Attempted thermostat renewal has failed, nothing terminal though just my lack of planning ;-) There are two very thermostat housing looking things on the cylinder head, one on the front, one on the side. Took off the front one as that looked like the one. No stat in there, wtf! Tried to remove the one on the side and it wouldn't come off because there are other nuts stopping it from being removed. To get those off needed more pipes taking off and the light was fading.So I packed up the few tools I'd started using and came in to the internet. Turns out the stat is located UNDER the engine behind the PAS pump!! 2-3 hr job the forums reckon, again WTF! So if I'm lucky, I'm looking at perhaps 9 hours work on the thing, estimate 6 for clutch and 3 for stat. Rolls eyes, face palm and so on.
She troops on. Did a 400km round trip to Belgium a few weeks ago and ended up on the hard shoulder. Smell of hotness and smoke from the back, very worrying! Gave it a few minutes and then continued, no more smoke and no more smell, weird. Got home, big rattling coming from underneath, it was the cat heat shield. After a few days of it rattling, it dropped off, thankfully at low speed in a private area. Problem solved 
Clutch continues to be borderline and some days is better than others. Eventually I will get around to replacing it.
Front right brake squeals once warm and stops when you press the pedal. I think it just needs a cleanup of the edge of the disc and pad/caliper.
MPG is averaging 31.5 from a mix of urban and motorway.
Done about 3,600km in it so far...
Clutch continues to be borderline and some days is better than others. Eventually I will get around to replacing it.
Front right brake squeals once warm and stops when you press the pedal. I think it just needs a cleanup of the edge of the disc and pad/caliper.
MPG is averaging 31.5 from a mix of urban and motorway.
Done about 3,600km in it so far...
No love for this thread but I'm going to update it anyway 
Some weeks ago I got fed up with a slightly squeaky belt and the engine running too cool so decided to renew some bits. The thermostat is located behind the power steering pump so you have to drop that down first. Thankfully no bolts rounded or sheered off but it was a bit of a bh of a job.
Up on the ramps:
Old alternator/water pump belt was damaged:
Old PAS belt was perishing:
Old and new thermostats:
PAS belt on left, one correct and one wrong aux belt. This car has what I thought was an automatic tensioner but the belt for the manual tensioner was the correct one (the other was too long).
Total cost was around €45 for the parts.
Current stats:
Averaging 30.6 mpg (7.6 l/100km)
Done 8140 km since buying it at the end of June
Spent €1080 in fuel for that distance at an average of €1.67/litre
Insurance is a very cheap €11 per month (€132 per year) but road tax is €31 per month (€372 per year).
The clutch is still crappy, I still have the kit sitting in the shed but haven't had the guts to tackle that job yet. It's far too cold and stty weather to lay the car up while I do it so it will have to wait.
So far it's looking like a keeper but has its APK (Dutch MOT) due somewhere around the end of Feb or early March so will see how that works out.
Some weeks ago I got fed up with a slightly squeaky belt and the engine running too cool so decided to renew some bits. The thermostat is located behind the power steering pump so you have to drop that down first. Thankfully no bolts rounded or sheered off but it was a bit of a b
h of a job.Up on the ramps:
Old alternator/water pump belt was damaged:
Old PAS belt was perishing:
Old and new thermostats:
PAS belt on left, one correct and one wrong aux belt. This car has what I thought was an automatic tensioner but the belt for the manual tensioner was the correct one (the other was too long).
Total cost was around €45 for the parts.
Current stats:
Averaging 30.6 mpg (7.6 l/100km)
Done 8140 km since buying it at the end of June
Spent €1080 in fuel for that distance at an average of €1.67/litre
Insurance is a very cheap €11 per month (€132 per year) but road tax is €31 per month (€372 per year).
The clutch is still crappy, I still have the kit sitting in the shed but haven't had the guts to tackle that job yet. It's far too cold and s
tty weather to lay the car up while I do it so it will have to wait.So far it's looking like a keeper but has its APK (Dutch MOT) due somewhere around the end of Feb or early March so will see how that works out.
Me too, I love reading about your smelly old Golf 
I remember when you got this as I had a Mk3 at the same time I think? Mine was a 1994 1.8?? automatic... loved it! I got it to see me through 3 months with a broken wrist but ended up keeping it nearly a year I'll admit I did end up going slightly rat look with mine but I was young and it was starting to get rusty anyway so thought why not 
Did the wet vac improve things smell wise? Makes me want to do both my cars, the other halfs car and any car I sit in from now on....
Please keep updating the thread, it gives annoying people like me (who read the threads but don't normally comment) something interesting to read. Good luck with the clutch, we believe in you
I remember when you got this as I had a Mk3 at the same time I think? Mine was a 1994 1.8?? automatic... loved it! I got it to see me through 3 months with a broken wrist but ended up keeping it nearly a year I'll admit I did end up going slightly rat look with mine but I was young and it was starting to get rusty anyway so thought why not Did the wet vac improve things smell wise? Makes me want to do both my cars, the other halfs car and any car I sit in from now on....
Please keep updating the thread, it gives annoying people like me (who read the threads but don't normally comment) something interesting to read. Good luck with the clutch, we believe in you
aspirated said:
Glad to see you're keeping it alive
Thanks - that's the idea, just to keep it going whilst spending as little as possible on it.spaceship said:
I'm enjoying this thread, keep it going.
Good job.
Thanks Good job.
Paz565 said:
Me too, I love reading about your smelly old Golf I remember when you got this as I had a Mk3 at the same time I think? Mine was a 1994 1.8?? automatic... loved it! I got it to see me through 3 months with a broken wrist but ended up keeping it nearly a year I'll admit I did end up going slightly rat look with mine but I was young and it was starting to get rusty anyway so thought why not
Did the wet vac improve things smell wise? Makes me want to do both my cars, the other halfs car and any car I sit in from now on....
Please keep updating the thread, it gives annoying people like me (who read the threads but don't normally comment) something interesting to read. Good luck with the clutch, we believe in you
Smelly old Golf is not smelly anymore I remember when you got this as I had a Mk3 at the same time I think? Mine was a 1994 1.8?? automatic... loved it! I got it to see me through 3 months with a broken wrist but ended up keeping it nearly a year I'll admit I did end up going slightly rat look with mine but I was young and it was starting to get rusty anyway so thought why not Did the wet vac improve things smell wise? Makes me want to do both my cars, the other halfs car and any car I sit in from now on....
Please keep updating the thread, it gives annoying people like me (who read the threads but don't normally comment) something interesting to read. Good luck with the clutch, we believe in you
Since the first photos where I ripped out the mouldy soundproofing underlay stuff it started getting better. The wet vac did help and I would recommend it on any old car, the dirt which comes out is shocking. I'm still unsure where all that water in the footwell came from but I did find out why the rear washer was not working - the pipe had split in the tailgate. Replaced it with pipe I already had in the shed. I wonder if the water pumped out of there had made its way to the front footwell.You said "I remember when you got this as I had a Mk3 at the same time I think?" - maybe you're thinking about someone else as I've only had this since end of June which is when I started this thread.
Edited by LeoZwalf on Thursday 9th January 13:28
Fixed another little niggle at the weekend. Under braking it always seemed to dip to the right rather than equally. Bought a second hand replacement pair of springs and shocks for €60, spent a couple of hours fitting them on Sunday and it is much better now. Still seems to do it a TINY bit but I'm not sure if it's my imagination! Certainly it seems a lot quieter and less knocky/crashy at the front end.
Beefy 18mm 6 sided sockets needed:
Plenty of this: (penetrating oil/fluid)
Replacement in top of pic, weirdly has 5 coils when the one I took off has 6?!:
APK (MOT) expires 7th March so gives me a bit of time to sort at least one other niggle which is that the exhaust seems to be blowing a bit. The pipes all look new so I hope it's just a case of re-sealing with exhaust paste.
This happened last week, not exactly amazing milage at all but I like a bit of a landmark:
Clutch still needs doing...
Beefy 18mm 6 sided sockets needed:
Plenty of this: (penetrating oil/fluid)
Replacement in top of pic, weirdly has 5 coils when the one I took off has 6?!:
APK (MOT) expires 7th March so gives me a bit of time to sort at least one other niggle which is that the exhaust seems to be blowing a bit. The pipes all look new so I hope it's just a case of re-sealing with exhaust paste.
This happened last week, not exactly amazing milage at all but I like a bit of a landmark:
Clutch still needs doing...
Edited by LeoZwalf on Monday 27th January 14:17
Thanks. Not sure I'd call it an oldtimer but it is 22 years old so not far off
Camber - no. I just bolted everthing up and hoped for the best. The steering alignment is a bit off now but it's perfectly drivable, just the steering wheel isn't straight. It doesn't pull to either side.
On Friday I have a spare day so am planning to get a new set of all season tyres fitted to the 13's which currently have old, worn and perishing rubber fitted so I can sell the 14's which are on it, get the alignment done and get it APK'd. It isn't due to expire until the first week of March but I want to get it done sooner rather than leaving it until the last minute in case any time consuming repairs need to be done.
Camber - no. I just bolted everthing up and hoped for the best. The steering alignment is a bit off now but it's perfectly drivable, just the steering wheel isn't straight. It doesn't pull to either side.
On Friday I have a spare day so am planning to get a new set of all season tyres fitted to the 13's which currently have old, worn and perishing rubber fitted so I can sell the 14's which are on it, get the alignment done and get it APK'd. It isn't due to expire until the first week of March but I want to get it done sooner rather than leaving it until the last minute in case any time consuming repairs need to be done.
LeoZwalf said:
Thanks. Not sure I'd call it an oldtimer but it is 22 years old so not far off
Camber - no. I just bolted everthing up and hoped for the best. The steering alignment is a bit off now but it's perfectly drivable, just the steering wheel isn't straight. It doesn't pull to either side.
On Friday I have a spare day so am planning to get a new set of all season tyres fitted to the 13's which currently have old, worn and perishing rubber fitted so I can sell the 14's which are on it, get the alignment done and get it APK'd. It isn't due to expire until the first week of March but I want to get it done sooner rather than leaving it until the last minute in case any time consuming repairs need to be done.
Its a youngster compared to my e30:-)Camber - no. I just bolted everthing up and hoped for the best. The steering alignment is a bit off now but it's perfectly drivable, just the steering wheel isn't straight. It doesn't pull to either side.
On Friday I have a spare day so am planning to get a new set of all season tyres fitted to the 13's which currently have old, worn and perishing rubber fitted so I can sell the 14's which are on it, get the alignment done and get it APK'd. It isn't due to expire until the first week of March but I want to get it done sooner rather than leaving it until the last minute in case any time consuming repairs need to be done.
glad it all lined up well.
good luck with the tyres- do you not find you have a better range to choose from on the 14" wheels?
APK fail :-(
- Right inner CV boot, big hole
- Rear brakes not effective enough
- Left rear wheel bearing noisy (I could barely hear it)
Cost for garage to do this, fit clutch (I already have the kit) and 4 new tyres - over 1000€ !! Cost of the parts only to get it through the APK, about €150. This means I have to fit them all myself and it is pretty cold now.
Had a good old mull over what to do and even went to see a couple of local sub grand sheds at a dealer with the possible intention of part exchanging the Golf. But they were a bit too sheddy for my liking and it was clear that by going down that route I would probably be buying a load of other problems.
So the next stop was the motor factors to buy the bits. Most wasn't in stock and will arrive tomorrow at 9am so it looks like my weekend is going to be fun!
- Right inner CV boot, big hole
- Rear brakes not effective enough
- Left rear wheel bearing noisy (I could barely hear it)
Cost for garage to do this, fit clutch (I already have the kit) and 4 new tyres - over 1000€ !! Cost of the parts only to get it through the APK, about €150. This means I have to fit them all myself and it is pretty cold now.
Had a good old mull over what to do and even went to see a couple of local sub grand sheds at a dealer with the possible intention of part exchanging the Golf. But they were a bit too sheddy for my liking and it was clear that by going down that route I would probably be buying a load of other problems.
So the next stop was the motor factors to buy the bits. Most wasn't in stock and will arrive tomorrow at 9am so it looks like my weekend is going to be fun!
I knew it would be a lot though, so wasn't really surprised. LeoZwalf said:
APK fail :-(
- Right inner CV boot, big hole
- Rear brakes not effective enough
- Left rear wheel bearing noisy (I could barely hear it)
Cost for garage to do this, fit clutch (I already have the kit) and 4 new tyres - over 1000€ !! Cost of the parts only to get it through the APK, about €150. This means I have to fit them all myself and it is pretty cold now.
Had a good old mull over what to do and even went to see a couple of local sub grand sheds at a dealer with the possible intention of part exchanging the Golf. But they were a bit too sheddy for my liking and it was clear that by going down that route I would probably be buying a load of other problems.
So the next stop was the motor factors to buy the bits. Most wasn't in stock and will arrive tomorrow at 9am so it looks like my weekend is going to be fun!
- Right inner CV boot, big hole- Right inner CV boot, big hole
- Rear brakes not effective enough
- Left rear wheel bearing noisy (I could barely hear it)
Cost for garage to do this, fit clutch (I already have the kit) and 4 new tyres - over 1000€ !! Cost of the parts only to get it through the APK, about €150. This means I have to fit them all myself and it is pretty cold now.
Had a good old mull over what to do and even went to see a couple of local sub grand sheds at a dealer with the possible intention of part exchanging the Golf. But they were a bit too sheddy for my liking and it was clear that by going down that route I would probably be buying a load of other problems.
So the next stop was the motor factors to buy the bits. Most wasn't in stock and will arrive tomorrow at 9am so it looks like my weekend is going to be fun!
CV boot kits are cheap enough, and you can always jut split it down the middle and pop it over, then seal it.
£13 ( http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/Volkswagen_G...)
- Rear brakes not effective enough
New shoes should sort that, plus a handbrake adjustment
About £14 quid a set over here ( http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/Volkswagen_G...)
- Left rear wheel bearing noisy (I could barely hear it)
These are 20 mins a side assuming you can get the bearing out the drum ok- so no real issues
£12 each ( http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/Volkswagen_G...)
I make that £49 for 2x Rear bearings (may as well do them both if you're swapping the brake shoes) 1x set brake shoes and 1x CV inner boot plus fitting kit.
and they do 2day premium posting service to the Netherlands for £18
£67 all in to your door
Just remember to check they are all the correct parts- I just did a quick check for a golf 1992 1.8 as per your description!
Edited by 320touring on Friday 31st January 14:54
^ as above if you go to GSF or Euro Car Parts there are always discounts available and their prices are very competitive.
None of the jobs required are especially demanding to do when a car is on ramps and you can stand under it an wield some big tools but for you on the drive it's a different story and I admire your commitment - I to do the majority of maintenance/repairs on the drive with the car on axle stands and have spent far too long struggling with silly jobs which if you had better access could be done in seconds.
CV boots can be such a job but extra time wasted on those can be saved when doing the rear wheel bearings which are far simpler than the front as they require no press.
None of the jobs required are especially demanding to do when a car is on ramps and you can stand under it an wield some big tools but for you on the drive it's a different story and I admire your commitment - I to do the majority of maintenance/repairs on the drive with the car on axle stands and have spent far too long struggling with silly jobs which if you had better access could be done in seconds.
CV boots can be such a job but extra time wasted on those can be saved when doing the rear wheel bearings which are far simpler than the front as they require no press.
PS - there are a few mk3 golf forums out there - one is www.mk3golfowners.co.uk it's run by some of the same guys who operate the mk2 golf owners club (of which i'm a member) and there are a few guys who know their mk3s inside out who could possibly offer you some more pointers.
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