Mk2 Golf GTI - Third Time Lucky!
Discussion
When I was in college I bought a Mk2 Golf Driver for £300, and proceeded to "improve" it with plenty of enthusiasm and not much money. To be fair it did end up fairly well put together by the end with a 2.0 16v engine conversion, a set of Koni Adjustables and a few other decent bits but I ended up selling it and moving on to other things. My second attempt never made it to the road as I bought another £300 Mk2 (a GTI this time!) that turned out to be absolutely rotten through. So here is attempt three!
It's a Pearl Grey 8v GTI, a late 1992 car that's completely standard even down to the original tape-deck stereo! It's not immaculate, and has covered 182,000 miles but it's tidy and honest and I love it!
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on Flickr
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on Flickr
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on Flickr
A couple of things I did notice when viewing were that the coolant flange on the end of the head was weeping coolant, so I purchased a new one for the princely sum of £3-something and thought it would be prudent to replace the metal coolant pipe that runs around the front of the block at the same time as this looked a little scabby! It turns out this was a good idea, as a couple of the pipe joins had rotten through and broke apart as I removed it.
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on Flickr
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on Flickr
I also thought the gear change was a little more vague than i remembered, and it seemed like i was right... I also replaced the linkage rods and a few of the nylon bushes and it's certainly a lot more engaging now!
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on Flickr
So with those little jobs complete, I've been enjoying pottering around and getting some miles under my belt. I even dug out a couple of tapes to listen to, although this highlighted the fact that I only have one working speaker out of four... so that's an item added to the list to sort!
Other than that I need to fix the passenger electric window (either a dead switch or wiring) and then I will start to work my way through the suspension to get that back to its best. I've purchased some new top mounts, dampers and springs to go on and then I'll have a look at the rear beam & wishbone bushes although from initial inspection they look fairly fresh! The aim is to have it fighting fit for a decent Euro road trip in the summer.
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on Flickr
It's a Pearl Grey 8v GTI, a late 1992 car that's completely standard even down to the original tape-deck stereo! It's not immaculate, and has covered 182,000 miles but it's tidy and honest and I love it!
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on FlickrJ701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on FlickrJ701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on FlickrA couple of things I did notice when viewing were that the coolant flange on the end of the head was weeping coolant, so I purchased a new one for the princely sum of £3-something and thought it would be prudent to replace the metal coolant pipe that runs around the front of the block at the same time as this looked a little scabby! It turns out this was a good idea, as a couple of the pipe joins had rotten through and broke apart as I removed it.
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on FlickrJ701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on FlickrI also thought the gear change was a little more vague than i remembered, and it seemed like i was right... I also replaced the linkage rods and a few of the nylon bushes and it's certainly a lot more engaging now!
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on FlickrSo with those little jobs complete, I've been enjoying pottering around and getting some miles under my belt. I even dug out a couple of tapes to listen to, although this highlighted the fact that I only have one working speaker out of four... so that's an item added to the list to sort!
Other than that I need to fix the passenger electric window (either a dead switch or wiring) and then I will start to work my way through the suspension to get that back to its best. I've purchased some new top mounts, dampers and springs to go on and then I'll have a look at the rear beam & wishbone bushes although from initial inspection they look fairly fresh! The aim is to have it fighting fit for a decent Euro road trip in the summer.
J701DWP Progress by James Fabian, on FlickrI'm afraid it was only £12 brand new from VW Heritage!
I have a feeling the 16v ones are tricky to find though, they have an extra outlet I believe!
I kept periodically look at them again (and bought the rotten one) but I decided it was time to do it now that I have a bit more time and money to look after it! It really is very enjoyable tinkering with it and driving it, we'll see if I say the same once I start on the suspension overhaul!
I have a feeling the 16v ones are tricky to find though, they have an extra outlet I believe!
I kept periodically look at them again (and bought the rotten one) but I decided it was time to do it now that I have a bit more time and money to look after it! It really is very enjoyable tinkering with it and driving it, we'll see if I say the same once I start on the suspension overhaul!
Facian said:
I'm afraid it was only £12 brand new from VW Heritage!
I have a feeling the 16v ones are tricky to find though, they have an extra outlet I believe!
I kept periodically look at them again (and bought the rotten one) but I decided it was time to do it now that I have a bit more time and money to look after it! It really is very enjoyable tinkering with it and driving it, we'll see if I say the same once I start on the suspension overhaul!
just replaced the one on my 16v with a heritage 16v part; extra outlet not required and I have had to use a bung to block it! I have a feeling the 16v ones are tricky to find though, they have an extra outlet I believe!
I kept periodically look at them again (and bought the rotten one) but I decided it was time to do it now that I have a bit more time and money to look after it! It really is very enjoyable tinkering with it and driving it, we'll see if I say the same once I start on the suspension overhaul!
Nice looking mk2 you have there, cracking colour too. What like is it underneath or was it from a less damp corner of the UK?
I've been admiring that first picture on and off all afternoon. It is such a clean shape, and that swage line is so sharp. Your car almost looks Helios blue in that pic although it wasn't available on the big-bumper cars.
I haven't had a MK2 for about 5 years but I'd love to have a nice one hidden away for occasional use even now. Good luck with it.
I haven't had a MK2 for about 5 years but I'd love to have a nice one hidden away for occasional use even now. Good luck with it.
rickygolf83 said:
just replaced the one on my 16v with a heritage 16v part; extra outlet not required and I have had to use a bung to block it!
Nice looking mk2 you have there, cracking colour too. What like is it underneath or was it from a less damp corner of the UK?
Thank you!Nice looking mk2 you have there, cracking colour too. What like is it underneath or was it from a less damp corner of the UK?
Underneath body-wise looks very solid, just surface rust on the wishbones/springs & dampers etc. I'll be giving everything a decent prod and poke when I start refreshing the suspension though to make sure nothing worrying is lurking!
Thanks All! It is actually really tidy considering the mileage. It did the majority (~150k) relatively quickly from new, and in recent years has evidently been more of an ornament so the interior and paintwork are in great condition and the underneath is only really suffering in terms of surface rust on suspension components and some slightly perished bushes which I'll be working my way through as the next job.
Also another job added to the list, replacing the foam that seals the dash vents to direct air correctly. Each time I turn the heater blowers to full I get a nice cloud of grey confetti work its way through the vents!
Put a few miles on it now, short and long journeys and it's great to be back in a Mk2. It's just so much fun!
Suspension bush delivery due tomorrow, then I just need a few dry weekends...
Also another job added to the list, replacing the foam that seals the dash vents to direct air correctly. Each time I turn the heater blowers to full I get a nice cloud of grey confetti work its way through the vents!
Put a few miles on it now, short and long journeys and it's great to be back in a Mk2. It's just so much fun!
Suspension bush delivery due tomorrow, then I just need a few dry weekends...
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