Bought a non running snotter... What have i done!

[pidsy]

So, im off in a couple of hours to pick up my new project. I bought it from a friend of a friend - it belonged to their daughter who has now gone travelling and the cant be bothered to fix it)

Its a 1998 golf 1.4 e. Apparently the battery is flat (no major issue)

And you cant select any gears (more of a problem)

I gave them £100 for it thinking that if its too big a job to fix it, i'll get my money back in scrap or by breaking it (it is very clean other then the 2 issues above)

Bought it as a daily runner so i can keep the impreza as a weekend car - the cost of super unleaded annoys me so a little 1.4 would be perfect, hence the golf.

I also think it will be a good car to learn how to get my hands dirty mechanically. I cant do anything under the bonnet but thought this was a good way to start. If it all goes wrong i can just throw it away!

So - my question is - are there any known issues with gearboxes on these golfs? Its only done 107k so im hoping its something simple.

Good or bad purchase???
Its my entry into bangernomics.

[jbi]

it's not bangernomics..

It's a project by the sound of it

If your buying it as a learning tool than it's an investment.

[disco!!!!]

the gearbox issue could just be a knackered linkage or the box could be scrap. golfs arent unknown for doing gearboxes
a mate had a 8v GTI that had the gearbox issues, he stripped and rebuilt his and whilst doing that had the casing machined to fit a bigger main bearing to replaced the one that failed

the dead battery could just be a dead battery but once its running check the voltage across the terminals just to be sure the alternator is charging properly

to be honest it wont be an expensive fix seeing as you are doing the work yourself

[pidsy]

Project - to learn to fix it and get it running.

Bangernomics - when its runs and i use it as my throwaway daily driver.

For £100 shirley i cant lose?

[Jw Vw]

If the gearbox has a code of 'DUU' these are the most troublesome boxes on the 1.4 - Will tell you in the manual or on the sticker in the boot next to the spare wheel. Gearbox issues are not unknown on these Golf's unfortunantely.

[pidsy]

Ive seen very cheap boxes on ebay, so i guess it gives me my first job. It isnt TOO hard to do is it?

[Jw Vw]

I don't think it's too difficult. If you look on ukmkivs.net I believe there is a gearbox replacement guide on there.

[steveo3002]

should be worth more than that for scrap so cant lose

[pidsy]

Thanks for your help guys.

I'll have to trailer it home later then have a proper look. Ive only driven past it a couple of times so no idea what its really like. I only know what the owners have told me.

[pidsy]

Ok, flat battery as i thought.

The "broken gearbox" is actually (i think) just a snapped gearstick. If the clutch is in and you hold the gearstick halfway down, it goes into gear no problem (and you can feel that the stick is broken about half way down)

I guess i'll find out tommorow when i get it running!

I'm hoping ive had a result with this!

[Mr Happy]

pidsy said:

Ok, flat battery as i thought.

The "broken gearbox" is actually (i think) just a snapped gearstick. If the clutch is in and you hold the gearstick halfway down, it goes into gear no problem (and you can feel that the stick is broken about half way down)

I guess i'll find out tommorow when i get it running!

I'm hoping ive had a result with this!

Hm... daughter... broken gearstick...

I think a top gear test for certain 'intimate fluids' may be required on this one!

[EDLT]

Mr Happy said:

pidsy said:

Ok, flat battery as i thought.

The "broken gearbox" is actually (i think) just a snapped gearstick. If the clutch is in and you hold the gearstick halfway down, it goes into gear no problem (and you can feel that the stick is broken about half way down)

I guess i'll find out tommorow when i get it running!

I'm hoping ive had a result with this!

Hm... daughter... broken gearstick...

I think a top gear test for certain 'intimate fluids' may be required on this one!

This.

There is no way they could have "innocently" broken it.

[Jw Vw]

Mr Happy said:

pidsy said:

Ok, flat battery as i thought.

The "broken gearbox" is actually (i think) just a snapped gearstick. If the clutch is in and you hold the gearstick halfway down, it goes into gear no problem (and you can feel that the stick is broken about half way down)

I guess i'll find out tommorow when i get it running!

I'm hoping ive had a result with this!

Hm... daughter... broken gearstick...

I think a top gear test for certain 'intimate fluids' may be required on this one!

[tgr]

no wonder she's gone travelling

[paintman]

At £100 you aren't going to be too worried about attacking it with spanners.
And if it turns out to be beyond your capabilities you'd get more than that breaking it for parts!
Have fun
Oh, and buy a manual - even a Haynes is a fair start.

[Helicopter123]

If it can't be made to work cheaply then scrap it and start over with another - basic bangernomics surely?

The key to this venture is not to through money at your snotter.