Shedding properly, 2004 Passat Estate 1.9 TDI

[colin_p]

bungz said:

Cracking effort to document as usual.

Looking at the new zorst it looks o have fairly restricted bends in it compared to the original, noticed any difference?

Good point but any reduction in the downpipe easily offsets the freedom gained by not having a cat in that section. I've noticed that it does seem a tad more lively but I think that may be a placebo effect in so far as I can actually hear the turbo spool up whereas before I didn't hear it at all.

The main reason for doing this was that the flexi section was blowing slightly and I was getting some exhaust fume smell in the car. There were two choices, fit what I've just fitted at a cost of £90 or replace it with a new cat at double the cost.

I hope that it has been established that I'm an olde git and my boy racer days are long gone. I'm hoping this will release a few more mpg's and obviously has stopped the exhaust fumes. But hearing the turbo is a boy racer bonus but only when the window is down.

[colin_p]

£80 bought me a new DAB head unit.

Planet Rock in the car now, it simply does not get better.



The last time I had DAB in a car was a long time ago and the last time I bought a DAB headunit it was £400 back in 2004, a Blaupunkt Woodstock 54 which I still regret selling.

[steveo3002]

hows the dab reception ..been thinking about a cheapie unit myself

[colin_p]

steveo3002 said:

hows the dab reception ..been thinking about a cheapie unit myself

The reception is very good but you have to have a decent aerial. What I didn't mention was that spent half as much again as the head unit cost on the aerial. I got a duel DAB/FM proper roof mount jobby, those stick on the inside of the windows ones are not too clever.

[steveo3002]

can you post a link to the aerial please? was hoping to not have some halfords looking jobbie lol

[colin_p]

steveo3002 said:

can you post a link to the aerial please? was hoping to not have some halfords looking jobbie lol

If you go to dabonwheels.co.uk, it is the Kinetic Kinetic DRA-6001

Top piece of kit, looks exactly the same as the OE VW aerial. I did have to open up the roof hole from approx 15mm square to 25mm round though. Don't forget to get the cables if you need them including a power cable, it is amplified.

[problemchild1976]

when can we all come round and eat food off your engine??

so cooooool

JJ

[colin_p]

problemchild1976 said:

when can we all come round and eat food off your engine??

so cooooool

JJ

Hadn't thought about fitting a griddle engine cover yet.

[colin_p]

This is what it's all about.

Stuffing as much carp in the back as possible for a dump run. This conifer pruning project is going to require three dump runs. The car is loaded with the 2nd ready for the morning, it will stink in there!

[samj2014]

You're going to be finding spiders for weeks

[Jackandwrench]

Your confidence is inspiring! Some real quality work here, it's one thing to repair a vehicle, it's another thing to improve it and surpass the manufacturers efforts along the way. I will continue to watch your work sir

[colin_p]

samj2014 said:

You're going to be finding spiders for weeks

You are right and they will tricky to get rid of.

[colin_p]

Jackandwrench said:

Your confidence is inspiring! Some real quality work here, it's one thing to repair a vehicle, it's another thing to improve it and surpass the manufacturers efforts along the way. I will continue to watch your work sir

Thank you. Most of the work has simply been refreshing worn out bits with the odd bit of early restoration thrown in. Apart from the heater matrix it has all been quite enjoyable.

[Diesel Meister]

This thread is insane. I love it.

[colin_p]

Diesel Meister said:

This thread is insane. I love it.

Good stuff.

Not as insane as it has driven me at times.

[Diesel Meister]

What I like best is the thoroughness / thoughfulness of maintenance / improvements, as well as the fact you've rolled up your sleeves. Not for me (I lack the skills, patience, time, tool, space...) but enjoyable to read. These Passats make for enticingly inexpensive, commodious and low-key transportation. Despite the board name, I'm not much of diesel fan at all but these are undeniably great tools for all-purpose hauling of people / stuff.

[colin_p]

Diesel Meister said:

What I like best is the thoroughness / thoughfulness of maintenance / improvements, as well as the fact you've rolled up your sleeves. Not for me (I lack the skills, patience, time, tool, space...) but enjoyable to read. These Passats make for enticingly inexpensive, commodious and low-key transportation. Despite the board name, I'm not much of diesel fan at all but these are undeniably great tools for all-purpose hauling of people / stuff.

Shhhh....

They are the best kept shed secret of all. These B5.5 Passat are the last great VW before they forgot what they knew about making good solid reliable cars.

[colin_p]

The love affair continues...

Gave the old girl a good seeing to yesterday and finished off her off this aftermoon.

Wash / dry
Quick polish of the paint
Windows inside and out
Pulled the rubber mats out and gave them a scrub
Blacked up the black bits
Quick polish of the wheels
Blacked up the tyres but not shiny shiny, I hate that.

Not bad for a 13 year old car approaching 150,000 miles.

Sadly for you lot, or anyone who takes the trouble to read this, part of my reward for that effort is to post up some pictures. Rather pointless as it just looks like any other car.

[philmots]

Excellent, I love the commitment.

I wish I could do shedding, I've tried but get bored. No space for 2 cars.

[G111MDS]

Great car, in great condition. I'm currently commuting 160 miles return four days a week in an a4 b6 1.9 tdi 130 and it's been getting great mpg. 20k miles in the last 6 months taking it up to 150k. Great cars if looked after.