The winter hack - a 2006 Mk5 Golf GTI DSG
Discussion
galaxie500 said:
A sheddy one is wot I got!
Like almost every car I’ve bought, as soon as you own a particular model you start noticing how many similar cars are out there. I’ve seen 3 Black 5 door GTi’s in the past 24 hours, all within 2 miles of my home. Both were a year or two newer and both were in much nicer condition! But I bet both their owners didn’t pay anywhere near what I paid for my Golf - but that might have come at a price. With the budget entry point I’m having some older car issues which may end up costing more than the car’s value..
Windscreen.
It’s dreadfully scratched and chipped and it has garnered a number of MOT advisories. Making night driving pretty unpleasant, especially in the rain. It’s also delaminating which might be why the interior is moist. See below.
Seat belts.
Putting on the belt reveals a slightly damp lower section; where can water be ingressing? I have a sunroof which is surely the only answer? I’ll try clearing the drain tubes front & back.
Air Conditioner.
It does not clear the build up of condensation as I recall it did on my last MkV. I’m having whatever R134 recovered, the system leak tested and a regas next week. Let’s see what difference this makes.
Footwell lights.
Weird one. Passenger side has footwell light. Drivers side - no light. The place where it should be was blanked and no lamp had ever been fitted. Every other MkV I’ve been in had both passenger & drivers side footwell lamps. Not a biggie but odd!
O/S CV joint noise.
Pretty sure the outer CV joint is buggered. The boot is split so chances are the grumbly noise I hear is as a result.
Rusty sill tops. Passenger side is not pretty but I’m hoping it’s just surface. I’ve not investigated properly yet…..
It drives pretty well but as I’ve mentioned previously, doesn’t feel as keen as my Edition 30 and a lot slower than my long departed 7R and my current 997.2 Carrera S!
I didn’t buy it for speed though. It’s a perfect little beater (my US pals will know this term!) and I really don’t feel too precious about it so long as it starts, stops and gets me safely to where we’re going.
Like almost every car I’ve bought, as soon as you own a particular model you start noticing how many similar cars are out there. I’ve seen 3 Black 5 door GTi’s in the past 24 hours, all within 2 miles of my home. Both were a year or two newer and both were in much nicer condition! But I bet both their owners didn’t pay anywhere near what I paid for my Golf - but that might have come at a price. With the budget entry point I’m having some older car issues which may end up costing more than the car’s value..
Windscreen.
It’s dreadfully scratched and chipped and it has garnered a number of MOT advisories. Making night driving pretty unpleasant, especially in the rain. It’s also delaminating which might be why the interior is moist. See below.
Seat belts.
Putting on the belt reveals a slightly damp lower section; where can water be ingressing? I have a sunroof which is surely the only answer? I’ll try clearing the drain tubes front & back.
Air Conditioner.
It does not clear the build up of condensation as I recall it did on my last MkV. I’m having whatever R134 recovered, the system leak tested and a regas next week. Let’s see what difference this makes.
Footwell lights.
Weird one. Passenger side has footwell light. Drivers side - no light. The place where it should be was blanked and no lamp had ever been fitted. Every other MkV I’ve been in had both passenger & drivers side footwell lamps. Not a biggie but odd!
O/S CV joint noise.
Pretty sure the outer CV joint is buggered. The boot is split so chances are the grumbly noise I hear is as a result.
Rusty sill tops. Passenger side is not pretty but I’m hoping it’s just surface. I’ve not investigated properly yet…..
It drives pretty well but as I’ve mentioned previously, doesn’t feel as keen as my Edition 30 and a lot slower than my long departed 7R and my current 997.2 Carrera S!
I didn’t buy it for speed though. It’s a perfect little beater (my US pals will know this term!) and I really don’t feel too precious about it so long as it starts, stops and gets me safely to where we’re going.
galaxie500 said:
galaxie500 said:
A sheddy one is wot I got!
Like almost every car I’ve bought, as soon as you own a particular model you start noticing how many similar cars are out there. I’ve seen 3 Black 5 door GTi’s in the past 24 hours, all within 2 miles of my home. Both were a year or two newer and both were in much nicer condition! But I bet both their owners didn’t pay anywhere near what I paid for my Golf - but that might have come at a price. With the budget entry point I’m having some older car issues which may end up costing more than the car’s value..
Windscreen.
It’s dreadfully scratched and chipped and it has garnered a number of MOT advisories. Making night driving pretty unpleasant, especially in the rain. It’s also delaminating which might be why the interior is moist. See below.
Seat belts.
Putting on the belt reveals a slightly damp lower section; where can water be ingressing? I have a sunroof which is surely the only answer? I’ll try clearing the drain tubes front & back.
Air Conditioner.
It does not clear the build up of condensation as I recall it did on my last MkV. I’m having whatever R134 recovered, the system leak tested and a regas next week. Let’s see what difference this makes.
Footwell lights.
Weird one. Passenger side has footwell light. Drivers side - no light. The place where it should be was blanked and no lamp had ever been fitted. Every other MkV I’ve been in had both passenger & drivers side footwell lamps. Not a biggie but odd!
O/S CV joint noise.
Pretty sure the outer CV joint is buggered. The boot is split so chances are the grumbly noise I hear is as a result.
Rusty sill tops. Passenger side is not pretty but I’m hoping it’s just surface. I’ve not investigated properly yet…..
It drives pretty well but as I’ve mentioned previously, doesn’t feel as keen as my Edition 30 and a lot slower than my long departed 7R and my current 997.2 Carrera S!
I didn’t buy it for speed though. It’s a perfect little beater (my US pals will know this term!) and I really don’t feel too precious about it so long as it starts, stops and gets me safely to where I’m going.
Like almost every car I’ve bought, as soon as you own a particular model you start noticing how many similar cars are out there. I’ve seen 3 Black 5 door GTi’s in the past 24 hours, all within 2 miles of my home. Both were a year or two newer and both were in much nicer condition! But I bet both their owners didn’t pay anywhere near what I paid for my Golf - but that might have come at a price. With the budget entry point I’m having some older car issues which may end up costing more than the car’s value..
Windscreen.
It’s dreadfully scratched and chipped and it has garnered a number of MOT advisories. Making night driving pretty unpleasant, especially in the rain. It’s also delaminating which might be why the interior is moist. See below.
Seat belts.
Putting on the belt reveals a slightly damp lower section; where can water be ingressing? I have a sunroof which is surely the only answer? I’ll try clearing the drain tubes front & back.
Air Conditioner.
It does not clear the build up of condensation as I recall it did on my last MkV. I’m having whatever R134 recovered, the system leak tested and a regas next week. Let’s see what difference this makes.
Footwell lights.
Weird one. Passenger side has footwell light. Drivers side - no light. The place where it should be was blanked and no lamp had ever been fitted. Every other MkV I’ve been in had both passenger & drivers side footwell lamps. Not a biggie but odd!
O/S CV joint noise.
Pretty sure the outer CV joint is buggered. The boot is split so chances are the grumbly noise I hear is as a result.
Rusty sill tops. Passenger side is not pretty but I’m hoping it’s just surface. I’ve not investigated properly yet…..
It drives pretty well but as I’ve mentioned previously, doesn’t feel as keen as my Edition 30 and a lot slower than my long departed 7R and my current 997.2 Carrera S!
I didn’t buy it for speed though. It’s a perfect little beater (my US pals will know this term!) and I really don’t feel too precious about it so long as it starts, stops and gets me safely to where I’m going.
The golf was frankly brilliant yesterday on the jaunt to Manchester. high 30's MPG when not paying much care to sensible eco driving at all and making good progress. I arrived surprisingly relaxed and comfortable. Its actually really quite refined for a nearly 20 year old hatch.
Cruise retrofitted this morning - 17 minutes flat, £100 all in - https://www.vw-retrofit.co.uk/ can't be recommended highly enough - he pointed out some other items I could get done quite cheaply (Multi Function display and steering wheel controls)
The car is really quite brilliant. You can see why everyone speaks so highly of them.
Bluefin remap device is in the post, I'll have it by the weekend.
Cruise retrofitted this morning - 17 minutes flat, £100 all in - https://www.vw-retrofit.co.uk/ can't be recommended highly enough - he pointed out some other items I could get done quite cheaply (Multi Function display and steering wheel controls)
The car is really quite brilliant. You can see why everyone speaks so highly of them.
Bluefin remap device is in the post, I'll have it by the weekend.
Wow that looks good! Always liked the Pirelli wheels
Puts mine to shame….
I’m just in after trying to have my A/C topped up which was a fail as I don’t think the compressor is working despite the system taking a 50% regas so it’s either got a leak or the compressor has died. More investigations tomorrow.
Puts mine to shame….
I’m just in after trying to have my A/C topped up which was a fail as I don’t think the compressor is working despite the system taking a 50% regas so it’s either got a leak or the compressor has died. More investigations tomorrow.
So its been a while without an update.
The remap.
I got my Bluefin unit swapped out/recoded, and went to work the magic.... only my PC couldn't see it.
Cue many (many) emails backwards and forwards and they decided it was easier for me to just swap to a powergate device.
Process was simple. Plug it into the car, download the map. email it to super chips, get a new file, apply it to the device, put it on the car.
Applied the remap today. Thoughts?
Well. Its definitely got more power. It feels stronger everywhere in the rev range, and I personally think less breathless up top. Hard to know much yet as it was wet roads.
Short version, feels like it was worth doing.
Only other update is, both front wheels now have horrendous kerb rash. I'll get them refurbed when I get round to swapping the tyres out.
The remap.
I got my Bluefin unit swapped out/recoded, and went to work the magic.... only my PC couldn't see it.
Cue many (many) emails backwards and forwards and they decided it was easier for me to just swap to a powergate device.
Process was simple. Plug it into the car, download the map. email it to super chips, get a new file, apply it to the device, put it on the car.
Applied the remap today. Thoughts?
Well. Its definitely got more power. It feels stronger everywhere in the rev range, and I personally think less breathless up top. Hard to know much yet as it was wet roads.
Short version, feels like it was worth doing.
Only other update is, both front wheels now have horrendous kerb rash. I'll get them refurbed when I get round to swapping the tyres out.
An update almost a month after my last one.
I've noticed in recent days the car keeps very very lightly hesitating when at WOT higher up in the rev range... almost surging, but thats too extreme an explanation.
Today, when shifting down there was a much more pronounced hesitation (revs around 3.5k).
Reading online, this seems to scream Diverter valve and/or Coil packs. I've got no fault lights.
I'm sure I'd read that the recommendation is R8 coil packs and a Mk7 Diverter valve as the suggested replacements. Any advice gratefully appreciated.
I've noticed in recent days the car keeps very very lightly hesitating when at WOT higher up in the rev range... almost surging, but thats too extreme an explanation.
Today, when shifting down there was a much more pronounced hesitation (revs around 3.5k).
Reading online, this seems to scream Diverter valve and/or Coil packs. I've got no fault lights.
I'm sure I'd read that the recommendation is R8 coil packs and a Mk7 Diverter valve as the suggested replacements. Any advice gratefully appreciated.
I put an uprated one on mine when I had it, a common replacement on these.
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-brand/gfb/gfb-d...
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-brand/gfb/gfb-d...
ManicMunky said:
Update DV to latest revision, simple if awkward DIY.
Coils are simple to swap.
Have you got any codes?
No codes... Is there a suggested cheap option or is VAGCOM or bust?Coils are simple to swap.
Have you got any codes?
BlindedByTheLights said:
I put an uprated one on mine when I had it, a common replacement on these.
https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-brand/gfb/gfb-d...
Thanks for the link, is that notably better than the Mk7 one people recommend to get?https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-brand/gfb/gfb-d...
Tim Cognito said:
Have you checked the wear on the cam follower? Apologies not read the whole thread.
I haven't, but my engine is quiet and I was under the impression its sounds more like a diesel if you've got wearThe mk7 I guess will be the latest DV version, the gfb one is uprated so will last longer and will hold more boost. You should do the cam follower if you don’t know when it was last done, very easy and should treat it as a consumable every 8-10k or so. The diesel sound you mention is the chain guides and chain wear.
BlindedByTheLights said:
The mk7 I guess will be the latest DV version, the gfb one is uprated so will last longer and will hold more boost. You should do the cam follower if you don’t know when it was last done, very easy and should treat it as a consumable every 8-10k or so. The diesel sound you mention is the chain guides and chain wear.
Ok interesting. Thanks conanius said:
Quick update.
4x CrossClimate 2 fitted this morning.
4x “red R8”coil packs, a GFB DV+ and a can follower kit arrived in the post from awesome gti today.
Will fit those this week and see how we get on.
Car continues to be great at its daily commute duties.
Great to see it getting the love 4x CrossClimate 2 fitted this morning.
4x “red R8”coil packs, a GFB DV+ and a can follower kit arrived in the post from awesome gti today.
Will fit those this week and see how we get on.
Car continues to be great at its daily commute duties.
Right, a handful of photos from tonights endeavour.
Arrived at my friends house to fit the GFB DV+, r8 Coilpacks, and replacement of the Cam Follower.
He's a bit of a dab hand with a spanner. One of his rally school Impreza's up on stands next to the trusty Golf. I realised he also has enough spare parts dotted around to build another Mk2 Escort.
First up was the Diverter Valve
Do not underestimate this clip on the back with the sensor. It took far too long (like, an hour) to get the thing to come off. I would invest in the right tool to do it, mine appeared to be jammed on.
Rebuilding the DV with the GFB parts was painless, and on that went.
I was pretty confident the issue I had with boost was the DV, but I'd been recommended to swap out the coil packs for the R8 type, and the Cam Follower.
The cam follower.... the banjo bolt that holds on one of the fuel pipes into the fuel pump was a bit of a beast to get to - fiddly. I'd recommend a ratchet spanner that has pop in Allen/hex/torx/etc parts to make your life easy.
So, did this work?
Yes. It feels much better, which makes me thing the DV was on the way out before my remap. The car now has a very deliberate 'sclurp' noise from 1500 ish to 2750 ish RPM. The car feels really smooth and responsive now. Highly recommend this maintenance.
Arrived at my friends house to fit the GFB DV+, r8 Coilpacks, and replacement of the Cam Follower.
He's a bit of a dab hand with a spanner. One of his rally school Impreza's up on stands next to the trusty Golf. I realised he also has enough spare parts dotted around to build another Mk2 Escort.
First up was the Diverter Valve
Do not underestimate this clip on the back with the sensor. It took far too long (like, an hour) to get the thing to come off. I would invest in the right tool to do it, mine appeared to be jammed on.
Rebuilding the DV with the GFB parts was painless, and on that went.
I was pretty confident the issue I had with boost was the DV, but I'd been recommended to swap out the coil packs for the R8 type, and the Cam Follower.
The cam follower.... the banjo bolt that holds on one of the fuel pipes into the fuel pump was a bit of a beast to get to - fiddly. I'd recommend a ratchet spanner that has pop in Allen/hex/torx/etc parts to make your life easy.
So, did this work?
Yes. It feels much better, which makes me thing the DV was on the way out before my remap. The car now has a very deliberate 'sclurp' noise from 1500 ish to 2750 ish RPM. The car feels really smooth and responsive now. Highly recommend this maintenance.
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