Mk2 Golf GTi 20v Turbo Soon To Be Daily.....
Discussion
A couple of bits arrived today 
The fuel pump is here so I can get the housing cleaned up tomorrow and hopefully get it back on the car this Sunday
My Brother reminded me the other day that most of the bulbs in the instrument cluster don’t work so I ordered a set of LED bulbs to put in
The fuel pump is here so I can get the housing cleaned up tomorrow and hopefully get it back on the car this Sunday 
My Brother reminded me the other day that most of the bulbs in the instrument cluster don’t work so I ordered a set of LED bulbs to put in
Got a bit more done today and very almost had the car running
The new fuel pump arrived during the week and I picked up a new fuel filter as well. I “borrowed” some fuel pipe from work as well seeing as what was on their was quite perished.
Into the shed I went, got the old filter off, secured a couple of snapped rubber mounts and then got the new filter and pump fitted.
Once that was all together I squeezed myself back under the car and bolted the whole assembly back on. I did manage to get myself stuck at one point. I tried to turn over while I was under there and got wedged haha. I’m sure all the spiders were having a good laugh at me!
With the pump fitted and a freshly charged battery in the engine bay it was the moment of truth!
https://vimeo.com/298871770
As you can see it’s trying it’s hardest but can’t quite manage it. I thought maybe it’s because the back end was still jacked up, so I dropped it back on the floor, put some more fuel in and tried again.
https://vimeo.com/298871785
Annoyingly it still wasn’t having it. Although I did suddenly notice the fuel gauge wasn’t working. Hmmmmm I wonder if the lift pump had also packed up. Soooo, I emptied the boot and unbolted the plate for the lift pump.
I had a slight fright when I took the cover off and a false widow spider was nestled under there! A bit of brake cleaner soon saw it off and I continued removing the pump.
It’s not good news. The lift pump is also knackered! Thankfully someone on a Mk2 group on Facebook has just swapped to a Mk3 tank and has a very good condition lift pump which he’s posting to me ASAP
I did look at rebuilding mine but everything is some badly corroded I think it would be too much hassle!
Anyway, I packed everything up and headed back in, but not before taking one last photo
The new fuel pump arrived during the week and I picked up a new fuel filter as well. I “borrowed” some fuel pipe from work as well seeing as what was on their was quite perished.
Into the shed I went, got the old filter off, secured a couple of snapped rubber mounts and then got the new filter and pump fitted.
Once that was all together I squeezed myself back under the car and bolted the whole assembly back on. I did manage to get myself stuck at one point. I tried to turn over while I was under there and got wedged haha. I’m sure all the spiders were having a good laugh at me!
With the pump fitted and a freshly charged battery in the engine bay it was the moment of truth!
https://vimeo.com/298871770
As you can see it’s trying it’s hardest but can’t quite manage it. I thought maybe it’s because the back end was still jacked up, so I dropped it back on the floor, put some more fuel in and tried again.
https://vimeo.com/298871785
Annoyingly it still wasn’t having it. Although I did suddenly notice the fuel gauge wasn’t working. Hmmmmm I wonder if the lift pump had also packed up. Soooo, I emptied the boot and unbolted the plate for the lift pump.
I had a slight fright when I took the cover off and a false widow spider was nestled under there! A bit of brake cleaner soon saw it off and I continued removing the pump.
It’s not good news. The lift pump is also knackered! Thankfully someone on a Mk2 group on Facebook has just swapped to a Mk3 tank and has a very good condition lift pump which he’s posting to me ASAP
I did look at rebuilding mine but everything is some badly corroded I think it would be too much hassle!
Anyway, I packed everything up and headed back in, but not before taking one last photo
An update
After finding the lift pump was absolutely rotten I had to decide what to do next. Do I try and rebuild the knackered pump or see if I can find a used one in good condition. After checking eBay and not finding one I figured I’d try and rebuild mine.
This is what I had to work with!
Out came the Dremel to try and clean up all the furry and rusty connections. I managed to get the green off them but then spotted that most of the connections were only held on by a couple of strands. Out came the soldering iron and some replacement wire and it was soon looking a little more sensible.
Once all that was done I started searching for just a pump, minus the sender unit. I found plenty but while I was checking the dimensions I realised the sender unit was also knackered. It turns out it’s spring loaded at the top, but my one is seized solid. I tried to free it off but it wasn’t budging
At this point I got onto one of the Mk2 Golf groups on Facebook to see if I could find a replacement. Thankfully someone appeared with a pump in excellent condition. Some money was exchanged and he headed straight to the Post Office to send it to me
It arrived today and I can safely say it’s a million times better than my knackered pump!
As soon as I got home I headed outside in the rain and dark and got on with getting it fitted. It took a bit of figuring out on how to get it back in the tank but once that was sorted it went in and bolted up nice and easily.
With it fitted, wired up and the top plate screwed back down it was time to get a battery back on there. Out came my van battery and fingers crossed.
https://vimeo.com/299288643
It’s alive Finally!
It runs like a sack of s
t, but it runs! I’ve got some fresh plugs, oil and filter in the shed so I’ll get that lot swapped later this week and hopefully that’ll improve things a little. Then it’s time to refresh the suspension, clean up the brakes and then chuck it through an MOT and see what it fails on
After finding the lift pump was absolutely rotten I had to decide what to do next. Do I try and rebuild the knackered pump or see if I can find a used one in good condition. After checking eBay and not finding one I figured I’d try and rebuild mine.
This is what I had to work with!
Out came the Dremel to try and clean up all the furry and rusty connections. I managed to get the green off them but then spotted that most of the connections were only held on by a couple of strands. Out came the soldering iron and some replacement wire and it was soon looking a little more sensible.
Once all that was done I started searching for just a pump, minus the sender unit. I found plenty but while I was checking the dimensions I realised the sender unit was also knackered. It turns out it’s spring loaded at the top, but my one is seized solid. I tried to free it off but it wasn’t budging
At this point I got onto one of the Mk2 Golf groups on Facebook to see if I could find a replacement. Thankfully someone appeared with a pump in excellent condition. Some money was exchanged and he headed straight to the Post Office to send it to me It arrived today and I can safely say it’s a million times better than my knackered pump!
As soon as I got home I headed outside in the rain and dark and got on with getting it fitted. It took a bit of figuring out on how to get it back in the tank but once that was sorted it went in and bolted up nice and easily.
With it fitted, wired up and the top plate screwed back down it was time to get a battery back on there. Out came my van battery and fingers crossed.
https://vimeo.com/299288643
It’s alive
Finally! It runs like a sack of s
t, but it runs! I’ve got some fresh plugs, oil and filter in the shed so I’ll get that lot swapped later this week and hopefully that’ll improve things a little. Then it’s time to refresh the suspension, clean up the brakes and then chuck it through an MOT and see what it fails on Sounds pretty good to me if it's been standing a while. Once it started it seemed to idle OK.
I had the same engine in an A3 so know my way around them, I reckon a new set of plugs, fresh fuel, fresh oil, clean the throttle body and the MAF and it'll be sweet as a nut. The air filter looks a bit small mind.
I had the same engine in an A3 so know my way around them, I reckon a new set of plugs, fresh fuel, fresh oil, clean the throttle body and the MAF and it'll be sweet as a nut. The air filter looks a bit small mind.
Greendubber said:
Sounds pretty good to me if it's been standing a while. Once it started it seemed to idle OK.
I had the same engine in an A3 so know my way around them, I reckon a new set of plugs, fresh fuel, fresh oil, clean the throttle body and the MAF and it'll be sweet as a nut. The air filter looks a bit small mind.
Yeh everything will be having a clean up. I’ve ordered an air box from a Mk4. I’ve seen people fit them so going to give it a try. I had the same engine in an A3 so know my way around them, I reckon a new set of plugs, fresh fuel, fresh oil, clean the throttle body and the MAF and it'll be sweet as a nut. The air filter looks a bit small mind.
I had a decent haul of bits arrive today
I’ve got all the caps, nuts, washers, bump stops etc to be able to remove the rather knackered coilovers and fit shocks and springs back on the car.
I also ordered a set of centre caps for the BBS RA’s. I wasn’t willing to stretch to almost £50 for a genuine set so these eBay specials for £5.99 plus some BBS decals will do the trick for now. I’m not made of money haha! There was also a replacement aerial hole cap for the front wing and a new oil pump strainer from TPS. These engines are well known for getting a clogged strainer and then starving themselves of oil so it’s getting replaced just in case.
Annoyingly it’s absolutely pissed it down all day today so there’s no chance of getting out there tonight to do anything. It’s probably going to be Sunday now before I get a chance to do any more. It’s getting there though
I’ve got all the caps, nuts, washers, bump stops etc to be able to remove the rather knackered coilovers and fit shocks and springs back on the car.
I also ordered a set of centre caps for the BBS RA’s. I wasn’t willing to stretch to almost £50 for a genuine set so these eBay specials for £5.99 plus some BBS decals will do the trick for now. I’m not made of money haha! There was also a replacement aerial hole cap for the front wing and a new oil pump strainer from TPS. These engines are well known for getting a clogged strainer and then starving themselves of oil so it’s getting replaced just in case.
Annoyingly it’s absolutely pissed it down all day today so there’s no chance of getting out there tonight to do anything. It’s probably going to be Sunday now before I get a chance to do any more. It’s getting there though
Sammo123 said:
I had a decent haul of bits arrive today
Annoyingly it’s absolutely pissed it down all day today so there’s no chance of getting out there tonight to do anything. It’s probably going to be Sunday now before I get a chance to do any more. It’s getting there though
Result with the parts! Annoyingly it’s absolutely pissed it down all day today so there’s no chance of getting out there tonight to do anything. It’s probably going to be Sunday now before I get a chance to do any more. It’s getting there though
Sunday looks like a plan - after all you wouldn't want to take a sickie would you?
Can't see the pics as I'm at work at moment will look when I get home.
I have a 1990 GTI 8v with 1.9TDI conversion as my daily, non-pas, windy windows etc.
Its falling apart, needs plastic arches sticking back on etc etc. but very good on MPG and has good amount of power (circa 170bhp)
I have a 1990 GTI 8v with 1.9TDI conversion as my daily, non-pas, windy windows etc.
Its falling apart, needs plastic arches sticking back on etc etc. but very good on MPG and has good amount of power (circa 170bhp)
Work was absolutely dead today and after a couple of hours of sitting around doing nothing I decided to take the rest of the day off! As soon as I got home I got the Golf up onto axle stands and proceeded to get the front coilovers off. While I was at it I removed both front arch trims as well. They’re G60 trims which are waaaay too wide for standard size wheels.
Once the old ones were off I got to work building up the new ones. It makes a change to be putting something brand new together
Getting them onto the car was a bit of a challenge. Trying to push the lower arm down enough to slot the strut in and then trying to get it all bolted up as well! I managed it though and soon enough the Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs were fitted
Once they were on I cleaned up both front wings where they had been covered in tiger seal for years. It’s a shame the previous owner knackered these wings really, but at least I can fit the GTi arch trims back over to hide the bodgery underneath!
While the car was in the air I decided I wanted to fit my GTi grill. When I first got the car back onto the driveway I threw away the knackered badgeless grill and bought this one.
Once that was on it was time to drop the car back onto the floor and see how much higher the front it.
Personally I think it looks much more presentable and once the back is sorted and I’ve got the right sized tyre fitted it’ll look just right
Seeing as it was still light I decided to have a quick look at why the dash illumination doesn’t work. Initially I thought it was just the speedo that didn’t light up but upon checking it’s actually the whole dash
After removing everything it suddenly got dark haha so that was it for the day. I’ll have a look at the illumination over the weekend.
All in all it’s been a productive day off. I’m still waiting for the rear bump stops to arrive and then I can swap the rear shocks over. Annoyingly the tyre fitter isn’t at work tomorrow so next week I’ll drive the car to work, get him to change the tyres and then do the tracking. Then I guess I’ll put it through an MOT to see what’s required.
Once the old ones were off I got to work building up the new ones. It makes a change to be putting something brand new together
Getting them onto the car was a bit of a challenge. Trying to push the lower arm down enough to slot the strut in and then trying to get it all bolted up as well! I managed it though and soon enough the Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs were fitted
Once they were on I cleaned up both front wings where they had been covered in tiger seal for years. It’s a shame the previous owner knackered these wings really, but at least I can fit the GTi arch trims back over to hide the bodgery underneath!
While the car was in the air I decided I wanted to fit my GTi grill. When I first got the car back onto the driveway I threw away the knackered badgeless grill and bought this one.
Once that was on it was time to drop the car back onto the floor and see how much higher the front it.
Personally I think it looks much more presentable and once the back is sorted and I’ve got the right sized tyre fitted it’ll look just right
Seeing as it was still light I decided to have a quick look at why the dash illumination doesn’t work. Initially I thought it was just the speedo that didn’t light up but upon checking it’s actually the whole dash
After removing everything it suddenly got dark haha so that was it for the day. I’ll have a look at the illumination over the weekend.
All in all it’s been a productive day off. I’m still waiting for the rear bump stops to arrive and then I can swap the rear shocks over. Annoyingly the tyre fitter isn’t at work tomorrow so next week I’ll drive the car to work, get him to change the tyres and then do the tracking. Then I guess I’ll put it through an MOT to see what’s required.
Annoyingly it’s been raining for the majority of today which has ruined any chance of working on the Golf. However it didn’t stop me from picking up a set of original rear light clusters to replace the crystal ones that are currently fitted.
I also removed the headlight switch to get the part number. I know you can’t tell much by just looking at it but it doesn’t look very old. I’ve found a replacement but it’s £25 which is a lot of money if it turns out the switch isn’t the problem.
I also removed the headlight switch to get the part number. I know you can’t tell much by just looking at it but it doesn’t look very old. I’ve found a replacement but it’s £25 which is a lot of money if it turns out the switch isn’t the problem.
Sammo123 said:
Annoyingly it’s been raining for the majority of today which has ruined any chance of working on the Golf. However it didn’t stop me from picking up a set of original rear light clusters to replace the crystal ones that are currently fitted.
I also removed the headlight switch to get the part number. I know you can’t tell much by just looking at it but it doesn’t look very old. I’ve found a replacement but it’s £25 which is a lot of money if it turns out the switch isn’t the problem.
Trying to rack my brains as to whether those clusters are the originals for a grey 90spec?I also removed the headlight switch to get the part number. I know you can’t tell much by just looking at it but it doesn’t look very old. I’ve found a replacement but it’s £25 which is a lot of money if it turns out the switch isn’t the problem.
Something is saying half-smoked was the original fitment. I might be wrong however!
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