VW Golf GTi 1.8 Turbo

[Grant20V]

Current Spec

Interior
Cream Leather Heated Recaros

Exterior
De Wipered
De Badged

Lighting
LED Number Plate Lights

Engine/Exhaust
Pipercross Panel Filter
Iridium Spark Plugs
Super Pro Poly Bush Dog Bone Mount

Suspension/Wheels/Brakes
S3 Alloy Wheels

So I just swapped over my B5 passat estate for this car with a friend at work, bit unexpected as I was loving wagon life. But anyway, I have always had an itch to own a 20v turbo and here it is.

Blue 5 Door - 1.8 Turbo - 5 Speed Manual - Cream Leather Recaros (Heated) - S3 Alloys - 91,000 Miles.

Swapped the car over at work today, hoovered the car out and gave it a hose down with a few products, didn't end up having time to clean it but I will sort that during the week. Also removed a couple stickers from the back window.

Anyway some phone pictures.











Alloy wheels need a refurb, they will be getting done ASAP. These will be going silver or a light grey, I'm undecided.



There is a load of speaker wire that needs removing, luckily for me I want to change the carpets, plastics etc etc so that will give me the perfect change to remove this lot. There is also a set of broken 6x9" speakers in the parcel shelf that are coming out. Eye Spy 2 stickers that have been removed. Don't want a sticker on my car that relates to being broke ha.





Once I was told to leave work (who would have thought) I headed straight to Shell and filled her up with some V+ and get it runnign through the system and start getting the car ready for stage one.



On Monday I am ordering from TPS, a new starter motor, this one does an embarrassing squeal on start up, it has already been taken off and cleaned and this hasn't solved the issue long term. Also ordering a new interior sensor alarm button as this one is broken.

The alloys wheel be refurbished shortly, I am buying a H&R shock and spring setup, this will be on before March time ready for when I head to Heaven On Wheels in Belgium. Will be ordering full service bits also soon.

The cars exterior is messy but I'm not aiming for a show car. The car exterior will be tidied up, can't wait to get my machine polisher on it and clean up on the inside. I will be keeping the cream leather seats, but the carpet, plastics, doorcards, centre console ect will be going black.

Updates soon.

Edited by Grant20V on Monday 9th January 21:35

Edited by Grant20V on Thursday 12th January 20:57

Edited by Grant20V on Thursday 12th January 20:57

Edited by Grant20V on Sunday 19th February 09:57

[JakeT]

Make sure the waterpump has been changed. The one in mk mk4 GTi failed at speed leaving me sitting at the side of the road. It would also be good practice on one of these to clean the throttle body and install a new TB gasket, That helped mine no end.

[anonymous-user]

ive had the 1.8t engine in a few cars, and liked it, but prefer the tdi pd unit. the 1.8t engine does love a remap.

[Grant20V]

JakeT said:

Make sure the waterpump has been changed. The one in mk mk4 GTi failed at speed leaving me sitting at the side of the road. It would also be good practice on one of these to clean the throttle body and install a new TB gasket, That helped mine no end.

Yeah it has bee, have all the receipts for the parts bought also. I will be having it redone myself soon just not urgently as I know it has been done.

Throttle body clean and alignment is on my list. Didn't think of a gasket, cheers for the heads up.

[Grant20V]

The Spruce goose said:

ive had the 1.8t engine in a few cars, and liked it, but prefer the tdi pd unit. the 1.8t engine does love a remap.

Yeah I couldn't fault my PD115 passat, wish I had it mapped but hey.

Will leave that too the golf now.

[Grant20V]

So today I swapped my insurance over and sent off the logbook details online and taxed the car. Money disappearing before I know it. All for a good cause huh.

Today I ordered from TPS :

- Quantum 5w 40 FS Oil & Filter
- Oil Dipstick Tube
- Fuel Filter
- Pollen Filter
- Brake Booster Pipe (Vacuum) (Pictured Below)
- Interior Alarm Sensor Switch

Have also ordered NGK Iridium plugs from Awesome GTI, wasn't overly pleased with £7.00 postage so won't be ordering there again, didn't realise until after. Have also ordered some 4mm vacuum pipe and fancy clamps from Forge also.

I removed the engine cover today and also the flimsy battery coat, should have waited to take a picture until then really. I also noticed a vacuum pipe had tape around so I have ordered a replacement and left the tape on before I make anything worse.





Any AGU gurus out there, I don't really know how to explain it but the car almost feels slightly hesitant in low revs? It has a slight judder when in gear but not accelerating? I wouldn't even call it a judder it's quite minimal but annoying it doesn't just roll. I'm hoping the brake booster pipe helps if at all. Thought best starting point is a full service and replace any obvious hoses.

I still need to order a starter motor but I have spent a fair amount this month especially with getting paid before xmas and having to wait till Feb so need to hold some monies back.

Car will go on Vagcom this weekend also when I have some spare time at home. I have also found my camera charger after 3 or 4 weeks without it so I can finally take some better photos.

[JakeT]

Mine had an AGU, and it had a wicked misfire at times, which was the TB as mentioned above. Vacuum leaks are an issue too, as are plugs. MAF sensors can become old and their performance deteriorate, too. Finally, make sure that the throttle cable is adjusted and there's no boost leaks. The pancake pipe as they're known can leak, as can the Intercooler on these. It's a little side mount jobby on a standard model. N75 valves can also fail too, leading to issues.

[Grant20V]

JakeT said:

Mine had an AGU, and it had a wicked misfire at times, which was the TB as mentioned above. Vacuum leaks are an issue too, as are plugs. MAF sensors can become old and their performance deteriorate, too. Finally, make sure that the throttle cable is adjusted and there's no boost leaks. The pancake pipe as they're known can leak, as can the Intercooler on these. It's a little side mount jobby on a standard model. N75 valves can also fail too, leading to issues.

Haha it's annoying that it can be a number of things. I will just keep replacing some bits until I get there. Want to be happy with it before taking it for a stage one map.

[exgtt]

Also drop the sump and clean the oil pick up mesh, many a 1.8t's have succomed to running dry because of a blocked strainer, turbo failure if your lucky or full on big end damage if it happens (it happens quickly, first clue is usually oil pressure light not going out instantly upon start up) if your unsure it has been done in the past get it done ASAP..... ask me how I know.....

It's a good engine, just make sure the above is done and any running issues before you map it, apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs!

Edited by exgtt on Tuesday 10th January 14:20

[Grant20V]

exgtt said:

Also drop the sump and clean the oil pick up mesh, many a 1.8t's have succomed to running dry because of a blocked strainer, turbo failure if your lucky or full on big end damage if it happens (it happens quickly, first clue is usually oil pressure light not going out instantly upon start up) if your unsure it has been done in the past get it done ASAP..... ask me how I know.....

It's a good engine, just make sure the above is done and any running issues before you map it, apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs!

Edited by exgtt on Tuesday 10th January 14:20

Thanks, I'm happy to be taught how to suck eggs where this engine is concerned, but it is on my list of things to do thankfully.

[Grant20V]

[U]Update - 12/01/2017[/U]

So I have had some bits and pieces arrive.

- Forge silicone hose 4mm
- Clamps for 4mm hose
- Iridium spark plugs
- OEM fuel filter & new clamp
- OEM pollen filter
- OEM oil filter & Quantum Platinum 5w-40
- Brake booster pipe on the vacuum system
- Yellow dipstick tube (I now need to order a dipstick to match as mine is orange!)





I'm still waiting on my KillAllWipers acrylic de-wiper to arrive to replace the rubber one that's currently there.

Before I purchased the car, I also flushed out the power steering fluid and filtered through some new green hydraulic fluid. Some of you may of seen this on the passat and the results were the same on both, I will post the pictures I took while in ownership of the passat so you get the idea.

This was a process of syphoning out the reservoir tank, filling up with fresh fluid and letting the engine run for a couple of moments and turning the wheel one turn to the other. The golf took 4 flushes to get a happy ending result.









Also on that note, I done a photoshoot recently and in return I got a set of speakers, they were going to go in the Passat but now these and the adaptors will have a home in the golf. I also have picked up some Silent Coat sound deadening and a roller. Will pick up some Silent Coat for also for behind the door cards.



It's not often I do anything myself on my own car, I help out with my friend who does the majority of my work but that's as far as it gets for me. But today I had some free time at work and I changed the spark plugs myself .

It's a good feeling and I want to get my hands dirty on this car some more.

I know spark plugs are not exciting, but here have some photos.











Hopefully tomorrow, I will get the car on the ramp and get the part number off of the starter motor and get a replacement ordered. Not sure how much longer I can handle the noise on start up haha.

More updates on Saturday anyhow.

[problemchild1976]

you sure the squeal isn't the belt slipping in the cold weather?

JJ

[anonymous-user]

Squeal could be aux belt, surprising people Dont change them.

[problemchild1976]

worth tweaking the adjuster if it has one

if its auto tensioned then swap out the tensioner

JJ

[Grant20V]

problemchild1976 said:

you sure the squeal isn't the belt slipping in the cold weather?

JJ

The Spruce goose said:

Squeal could be aux belt, surprising people Dont change them.

problemchild1976 said:

worth tweaking the adjuster if it has one

if its auto tensioned then swap out the tensioner

JJ

The MK4 golf GTI's seem to be well known for the squeal from the starter motor, however if the starter motor doesn't cure it the aux belts and tensioner will be changed.

I changed these belts and tensioner on my last vehicle, people may not change them, but I do

[xjay1337]

Easy way to be sure is pop the Aux belt off and start it without the belt attached.

[Grant20V]

I've already had a tensioner go on me causing me to be stranded 50 miles from home, I'd probably not been done so it's another on my to do list.

Will get it checked.

[Silver940]

JakeT said:

Mine had an AGU, and it had a wicked misfire at times, which was the TB as mentioned above. Vacuum leaks are an issue too, as are plugs. MAF sensors can become old and their performance deteriorate, too. Finally, make sure that the throttle cable is adjusted and there's no boost leaks. The pancake pipe as they're known can leak, as can the Intercooler on these. It's a little side mount jobby on a standard model. N75 valves can also fail too, leading to issues.

The thing that caused misfire problems on my AGU was the ignition amplifier - thing in the airbox. Had three in the course of it's life. Oh and the dual temp sensor can play havoc with the running of the engine. Mine would run fine from cold, leave it 45 mins and then would be a git to restart and would run like a dog for ages. New temp sensor and it was spot on again.

I sold my 1.8T with 237k miles on the clock, engine had never been open and it was original turbo, It is still on the road somewhere, last may MOT'd with 287k on the clock.

[Grant20V]

Update - 13/01/2017

Had another delivery arrive at my work today which is always nice. This time around it was my KillAllWipers kit.



The car was already de-wipered but with a cheap rubber bung. Not sealed and nor was it flush.



Popped out easy.



The kit came with a set of instructions, luckily for me I have used this kit before except this time around it came with a nice new syringe!



Quick clean inside and outside of the window...



All in and sealed, masking taped up to secure in place for 1 week as advised. For me this will stay taped until I start chaning interior panels to black.



Cleaned off any residue on the outside also. The number plate is coming off the car soon, I am aware the plate is wonky and also illegally spaced. Processing the plate change next week. Come to think of it I may even make new plates for the week with the correct spacing.





Anyway with that finished, it was time to get the car on the ramps for an oil change, first time doing this myself also ha. While it was up on the ramps I had a quick look around for myself.

This dogbone mount was replaced recently with a euro car parts special. This is going to be replace, more than likely with polybushes rather than a new unit.



Rear subframe bushes have also been replaced, they have a polythene bush in but not sure which brand. I will probably change these at some point also. Well thats the plan.



Engine cover was smashed to pieces so I just removed the surviving pieces. It didn't take much.



The car had an oil change recently but had some silicone added to the sump plug to stop a leak. Not on my books.



Oil out. Also at this stage while the oil filter was off, stuck an airline on the internal of the filter housing and cleared out any gunk from the pick up breather and stuck 1L of 5w-30 in to flush it out. Trick of the trade there? It will do for now anyway until I take the sump off and clean it out properly.



Old on the left, OEM replacement on the right.



New sump plug.



Top up time.



Finish it off with some rivalry screenwash.



Had a play around in the engine bay today also and knocked the brake booster pipe that I suspected had the vacuum leak and it started hissing at me like an angry cat. So that has jumped up on my to do list.
Enjoying getting my hands dirty and looking forward to doing more.

[JakeT]

Silver940 said:

The thing that caused misfire problems on my AGU was the ignition amplifier - thing in the airbox. Had three in the course of it's life. Oh and the dual temp sensor can play havoc with the running of the engine. Mine would run fine from cold, leave it 45 mins and then would be a git to restart and would run like a dog for ages. New temp sensor and it was spot on again.

I sold my 1.8T with 237k miles on the clock, engine had never been open and it was original turbo, It is still on the road somewhere, last may MOT'd with 287k on the clock.

Also more good points. Mine had an ignition amplifier before I had it, and I fitted a green top temp sender shortly after buying it. The AGU is a tough old unit, and with a lightened flywheel and cable throttle it responded to the right foot better than any of my BMWs could hope to.