VW Golf Mk2 Restoration
Discussion
Hi everyone.
Sorry if this is in the wrong section!
I've been looking at a Mk2 that need some work as a summer project. I'm a novice to this, I can change oil and change a wheel but that about the extent of my knowledge.
Seems good all around, starts and drives but has some issues. Firstly it needs a new power steering belt.There's also quite big bits of rust and holes in nsf door skin and rear door skins under windows which are letting in water. No damage has been done except a smell of damp.
I've been thinking I'd need to replace the doors and get a full respray?
The car has no service history, no evidence of when the timing belt was last done, when the gearbox was last serviced etc.
I'm happy to spend money to get some things done but would like to do some bits myself. What do you guys think is doable by me and what I should get done professionally and how much that would cost?
Sorry if this is in the wrong section!
I've been looking at a Mk2 that need some work as a summer project. I'm a novice to this, I can change oil and change a wheel but that about the extent of my knowledge.
Seems good all around, starts and drives but has some issues. Firstly it needs a new power steering belt.There's also quite big bits of rust and holes in nsf door skin and rear door skins under windows which are letting in water. No damage has been done except a smell of damp.
I've been thinking I'd need to replace the doors and get a full respray?
The car has no service history, no evidence of when the timing belt was last done, when the gearbox was last serviced etc.
I'm happy to spend money to get some things done but would like to do some bits myself. What do you guys think is doable by me and what I should get done professionally and how much that would cost?
Good place to start is the Mk2 Club
http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/
I reckon there are people on there who've been through it all
http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/
I reckon there are people on there who've been through it all
When it comes to amateur restorations and mk2s that's me all over - my current mk2 is nearly bodyshop ready after a load of welding/new panels.
The mk2 Golf has some decent amount of protection from the factory but sadly there are a number of areas that you must check for rust before committing to a respray - nothing worse than great paint on a rotten chassis!!!
.... from front to back, consider...
Front chassis legs, remove the battery and inspect the area under it. Check all the way along the legs down to the joins at the bulkhead paying attention to the seam on the top edge for signs of rust. The legs are double skinned an can split open an rot from inside out!
Around the windscreen and the wiper blade mounting holes - to fix serious rust here requires a new scuttle panel with the windscreen and dashboard out, thus it is labour intensive.
Under the front arches, if it's a GTI with plastic arch extensions, any rust bubbles above the trim line almost guarantee under the trim will be pretty rusty.
The front jacking points and subframe mounting area.. Check the area around the jacking point is flat an no signs of jacking on the sills in the wrong places!!
End of the rear sills/rear wheel arch, the area at the bottom where the sill joins the arch is notorious for rotting an allowing crap to get in an rot the inner sill. on 5 doors the area around the wheel arch on the inside of the back doors can also rot badly.
Inside the boot, remove the rear suspension turret covers and check for rust around the mounting point and between the seat belt anchor points.
Rear boot panel , remove inside boot carpet and check the seam that runs along the back edge and the spare wheel well.
Under the rear valance also rots an do the petrol tank mounts.
If those areas seem mostly good then the rest is bolt on panels. I would always recommend getting genuine second hand panels rather than pattern stuff as the front wings, valances, bumpers never line up well without tonnes of playing around.
Engines - 8v in particular, nice an easy to work on, doing timing belts, water pumps and so forth isn't too bad and can be done without loads of specialist kit!!
Gearboxes - 2nd gear , if that's all good an no whining, it will be fine..
Electrics - aftermarket alarms/immobilisers are a pain in the ass and ive come across mk2s that have had up to 3 various s
tty alarm combos which have contributed to all sorts of crap starting/running issues. Pull the fusebox cover off (under driver side dash) and have a peak for any butchered wires an inline fuses...
Get on MK2 Golf Owners Club if you need assistance with parts/how to guides an inspiration. You'd be surprised how some of the cars have been pulled from hedges an transformed to show & shine winners by people armed with Haynes Manuals an some good contacts!!
Enjoy.
The mk2 Golf has some decent amount of protection from the factory but sadly there are a number of areas that you must check for rust before committing to a respray - nothing worse than great paint on a rotten chassis!!!
.... from front to back, consider...
Front chassis legs, remove the battery and inspect the area under it. Check all the way along the legs down to the joins at the bulkhead paying attention to the seam on the top edge for signs of rust. The legs are double skinned an can split open an rot from inside out!
Around the windscreen and the wiper blade mounting holes - to fix serious rust here requires a new scuttle panel with the windscreen and dashboard out, thus it is labour intensive.
Under the front arches, if it's a GTI with plastic arch extensions, any rust bubbles above the trim line almost guarantee under the trim will be pretty rusty.
The front jacking points and subframe mounting area.. Check the area around the jacking point is flat an no signs of jacking on the sills in the wrong places!!
End of the rear sills/rear wheel arch, the area at the bottom where the sill joins the arch is notorious for rotting an allowing crap to get in an rot the inner sill. on 5 doors the area around the wheel arch on the inside of the back doors can also rot badly.
Inside the boot, remove the rear suspension turret covers and check for rust around the mounting point and between the seat belt anchor points.
Rear boot panel , remove inside boot carpet and check the seam that runs along the back edge and the spare wheel well.
Under the rear valance also rots an do the petrol tank mounts.
If those areas seem mostly good then the rest is bolt on panels. I would always recommend getting genuine second hand panels rather than pattern stuff as the front wings, valances, bumpers never line up well without tonnes of playing around.
Engines - 8v in particular, nice an easy to work on, doing timing belts, water pumps and so forth isn't too bad and can be done without loads of specialist kit!!
Gearboxes - 2nd gear , if that's all good an no whining, it will be fine..
Electrics - aftermarket alarms/immobilisers are a pain in the ass and ive come across mk2s that have had up to 3 various s
tty alarm combos which have contributed to all sorts of crap starting/running issues. Pull the fusebox cover off (under driver side dash) and have a peak for any butchered wires an inline fuses...Get on MK2 Golf Owners Club if you need assistance with parts/how to guides an inspiration. You'd be surprised how some of the cars have been pulled from hedges an transformed to show & shine winners by people armed with Haynes Manuals an some good contacts!!
Enjoy.
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