Mk5 GTi Questions
Discussion
Hi all,
Just bought my first VW, it's a 2008 Mk5 GTI and have a few q's regarding repairs/maintenance that some owners might be able to help me with.
I've noticed that the thermostat gets stuck at 1/4 and only will go up to 90 once you give it some then drop back down again. I assume this is a thermostat fault, does anyone know a rough cost to have this done?
I'm also sure that the PCV valve needs changing as when I remove the oil cap when the car's running it idles rough.
Finally, I believe my car needs a cambelt change. It was last done in 2015 so according to VW guidance, probably a year overdue at this point? What should a good independant/specialist be charging?
Any help would be hugely appreciated as well as any tips on other things to look out for
Just bought my first VW, it's a 2008 Mk5 GTI and have a few q's regarding repairs/maintenance that some owners might be able to help me with.
I've noticed that the thermostat gets stuck at 1/4 and only will go up to 90 once you give it some then drop back down again. I assume this is a thermostat fault, does anyone know a rough cost to have this done?
I'm also sure that the PCV valve needs changing as when I remove the oil cap when the car's running it idles rough.
Finally, I believe my car needs a cambelt change. It was last done in 2015 so according to VW guidance, probably a year overdue at this point? What should a good independant/specialist be charging?
Any help would be hugely appreciated as well as any tips on other things to look out for
Yadizzle1 said:
Hi all,
Just bought my first VW, it's a 2008 Mk5 GTI and have a few q's regarding repairs/maintenance that some owners might be able to help me with.
I've noticed that the thermostat gets stuck at 1/4 and only will go up to 90 once you give it some then drop back down again. I assume this is a thermostat fault, does anyone know a rough cost to have this done?
I'm also sure that the PCV valve needs changing as when I remove the oil cap when the car's running it idles rough.
Finally, I believe my car needs a cambelt change. It was last done in 2015 so according to VW guidance, probably a year overdue at this point? What should a good independant/specialist be charging?
Any help would be hugely appreciated as well as any tips on other things to look out for
Congrats on finding a mk5 GTI - I'm sure you'll enjoy it! Just bought my first VW, it's a 2008 Mk5 GTI and have a few q's regarding repairs/maintenance that some owners might be able to help me with.
I've noticed that the thermostat gets stuck at 1/4 and only will go up to 90 once you give it some then drop back down again. I assume this is a thermostat fault, does anyone know a rough cost to have this done?
I'm also sure that the PCV valve needs changing as when I remove the oil cap when the car's running it idles rough.
Finally, I believe my car needs a cambelt change. It was last done in 2015 so according to VW guidance, probably a year overdue at this point? What should a good independant/specialist be charging?
Any help would be hugely appreciated as well as any tips on other things to look out for
1. The thermostat isn't the most expensive part BUT it's pretty labour intensive. I'd look at getting that done with the Cambelt & waterpump. I'd budget about £350-£400 for the cambelt & waterpump and maybe another ~£100 for the thermostat to be done with it.
2. The PCV is actually working correctly if the starts to idle rough when the oil cap is removed. If it was idling rough anyway, then it'd be worth replacing, but it sounds like yours is working as it should.
3. Check the DV - most people recommend the Rev G DV. This is available for ~£50 and a fairly easy DIY.
4. Check the Cam Follower - This is a small thimble type bit of metal behind the High Pressure Fuel Pump. Chances are it's fine as they're only really known for wearing through when modded, but it's better to be safe then sorry!
Hope this helps!
7heGeneral said:
Congrats on finding a mk5 GTI - I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
1. The thermostat isn't the most expensive part BUT it's pretty labour intensive. I'd look at getting that done with the Cambelt & waterpump. I'd budget about £350-£400 for the cambelt & waterpump and maybe another ~£100 for the thermostat to be done with it.
2. The PCV is actually working correctly if the starts to idle rough when the oil cap is removed. If it was idling rough anyway, then it'd be worth replacing, but it sounds like yours is working as it should.
3. Check the DV - most people recommend the Rev G DV. This is available for ~£50 and a fairly easy DIY.
4. Check the Cam Follower - This is a small thimble type bit of metal behind the High Pressure Fuel Pump. Chances are it's fine as they're only really known for wearing through when modded, but it's better to be safe then sorry!
Hope this helps!
Thank you mate, immensely helpful. It was hard finding one that was in semi decent condition and good spec, quite happy with what I've ended up with bar the little bits and bobs that need seeing to. Any thoughts on suspension upgrades? It's currently on cheapo coilovers and it's horrendous around town. 1. The thermostat isn't the most expensive part BUT it's pretty labour intensive. I'd look at getting that done with the Cambelt & waterpump. I'd budget about £350-£400 for the cambelt & waterpump and maybe another ~£100 for the thermostat to be done with it.
2. The PCV is actually working correctly if the starts to idle rough when the oil cap is removed. If it was idling rough anyway, then it'd be worth replacing, but it sounds like yours is working as it should.
3. Check the DV - most people recommend the Rev G DV. This is available for ~£50 and a fairly easy DIY.
4. Check the Cam Follower - This is a small thimble type bit of metal behind the High Pressure Fuel Pump. Chances are it's fine as they're only really known for wearing through when modded, but it's better to be safe then sorry!
Hope this helps!
I see you're also around London, have you got any recommended specialists in the area?
R.e PCV thank you! I think I misunderstood the volkswizard vid on it but glad to know it's working as intended! Yes, planning to check the cam follower too and replace if needed
The most important things to check on these are the HPFP cam follower , and also the oil pick up pipe.
Those will cause you big issues if they fail.
I would also just change the PCV and DV just as a precaution.. they are cheap items and will cause running issues if they fail even slightly.
I have just had my cambelt and pump done at AKS tuning. £375. Bit of a drive for you I suppose
Those will cause you big issues if they fail.
I would also just change the PCV and DV just as a precaution.. they are cheap items and will cause running issues if they fail even slightly.
I have just had my cambelt and pump done at AKS tuning. £375. Bit of a drive for you I suppose
Yadizzle1 said:
Thank you mate, immensely helpful. It was hard finding one that was in semi decent condition and good spec, quite happy with what I've ended up with bar the little bits and bobs that need seeing to. Any thoughts on suspension upgrades? It's currently on cheapo coilovers and it's horrendous around town.
I see you're also around London, have you got any recommended specialists in the area?
R.e PCV thank you! I think I misunderstood the volkswizard vid on it but glad to know it's working as intended! Yes, planning to check the cam follower too and replace if needed
No worries I see you're also around London, have you got any recommended specialists in the area?
R.e PCV thank you! I think I misunderstood the volkswizard vid on it but glad to know it's working as intended! Yes, planning to check the cam follower too and replace if needed
With regards to suspension upgrades - coilovers are pretty rubbish unless you're spending at least £600 on a set. I've had 2 mk5's. On one I installed AP coilovers and the other I installed KW V2's. If I was doing it again, I'd probably opt for the AP's - only because I don't go on track and if set at a decent height they rode better then worn shocks / crap coilovers. The KW's were brilliant, but I'd be lieing if I said the additional benefits over the AP's was worth the expense for a road car.
Alternatively I'd recommend a good set of shocks Bilstein B6/B8 (or even B4's for that stock like ride) with some Eibach or VWR springs.
In addition to the above I'd fit a Anti Lift Kit - this massively helps with the "Wheel hop" when accelerating hard / launching. I only mention this as if you fitted it with the above it'd save you from having to get the alignment done twice.
I'm on the East side of London / West Essex. For bigger servicing jobs I tend to go to AMD tuning at Lakeside. They're pretty competitively priced and they used to race a mk5 GTI in the BTCC so they know their way around one. For everything else I tend to do it myself. I get genuine VW parts from TPS and I can get a full service done for ~£120 and an a couple of hours of an afternoon.
The boys at AKS (Mentioned by thebraketester are very good too - I've used them before but they are in Bedford so not the closest.
Feel free to shoot me a PM if you need anything - I don't frequent on here too much!
Yadizzle1 said:
Hi all,
Just bought my first VW, it's a 2008 Mk5 GTI and have a few q's regarding repairs/maintenance that some owners might be able to help me with.
I've noticed that the thermostat gets stuck at 1/4 and only will go up to 90 once you give it some then drop back down again. I assume this is a thermostat fault, does anyone know a rough cost to have this done?
I'm also sure that the PCV valve needs changing as when I remove the oil cap when the car's running it idles rough.
Finally, I believe my car needs a cambelt change. It was last done in 2015 so according to VW guidance, probably a year overdue at this point? What should a good independant/specialist be charging?
Any help would be hugely appreciated as well as any tips on other things to look out for
Congratulations, I bought one just before christmas too. Had the cambelt and pump done today at £425, that’s for a genuine vw kit. The common things have already been mentioned and are all simple bar the thermostat simply due to labour to get to it, some cars have two, I think this relates to DSG cars although I could be wrong. What colour, spec etc is yours? Just bought my first VW, it's a 2008 Mk5 GTI and have a few q's regarding repairs/maintenance that some owners might be able to help me with.
I've noticed that the thermostat gets stuck at 1/4 and only will go up to 90 once you give it some then drop back down again. I assume this is a thermostat fault, does anyone know a rough cost to have this done?
I'm also sure that the PCV valve needs changing as when I remove the oil cap when the car's running it idles rough.
Finally, I believe my car needs a cambelt change. It was last done in 2015 so according to VW guidance, probably a year overdue at this point? What should a good independant/specialist be charging?
Any help would be hugely appreciated as well as any tips on other things to look out for
England87 said:
Yadizzle1 said:
Hi all,
Just bought my first VW, it's a 2008 Mk5 GTI and have a few q's regarding repairs/maintenance that some owners might be able to help me with.
I've noticed that the thermostat gets stuck at 1/4 and only will go up to 90 once you give it some then drop back down again. I assume this is a thermostat fault, does anyone know a rough cost to have this done?
I'm also sure that the PCV valve needs changing as when I remove the oil cap when the car's running it idles rough.
Finally, I believe my car needs a cambelt change. It was last done in 2015 so according to VW guidance, probably a year overdue at this point? What should a good independant/specialist be charging?
Any help would be hugely appreciated as well as any tips on other things to look out for
Congratulations, I bought one just before christmas too. Had the cambelt and pump done today at £425, that’s for a genuine vw kit. The common things have already been mentioned and are all simple bar the thermostat simply due to labour to get to it, some cars have two, I think this relates to DSG cars although I could be wrong. What colour, spec etc is yours? Just bought my first VW, it's a 2008 Mk5 GTI and have a few q's regarding repairs/maintenance that some owners might be able to help me with.
I've noticed that the thermostat gets stuck at 1/4 and only will go up to 90 once you give it some then drop back down again. I assume this is a thermostat fault, does anyone know a rough cost to have this done?
I'm also sure that the PCV valve needs changing as when I remove the oil cap when the car's running it idles rough.
Finally, I believe my car needs a cambelt change. It was last done in 2015 so according to VW guidance, probably a year overdue at this point? What should a good independant/specialist be charging?
Any help would be hugely appreciated as well as any tips on other things to look out for
The mot ran out on mine today (you may remember it failed on emissions) so I've got it booked in for Thursday to see whether it has a decat on sports cat, also having an oil change and doing pcv valve and diverter valve while it's in there. How are you finding the car now you've got the cambelt sorted?
thebraketester said:
The most important things to check on these are the HPFP cam follower , and also the oil pick up pipe.
Those will cause you big issues if they fail.
I would also just change the PCV and DV just as a precaution.. they are cheap items and will cause running issues if they fail even slightly.
I have just had my cambelt and pump done at AKS tuning. £375. Bit of a drive for you I suppose
Yep planning to check the cam follower as a DIY along with DV and PCV. Those will cause you big issues if they fail.
I would also just change the PCV and DV just as a precaution.. they are cheap items and will cause running issues if they fail even slightly.
I have just had my cambelt and pump done at AKS tuning. £375. Bit of a drive for you I suppose
I did reach out to AKS but they came back with a quote of £230 to have the thermostat changed on top of the cambelt and waterpump at £395 so a bit more spenny than I was hoping!
7heGeneral said:
No worries
With regards to suspension upgrades - coilovers are pretty rubbish unless you're spending at least £600 on a set. I've had 2 mk5's. On one I installed AP coilovers and the other I installed KW V2's. If I was doing it again, I'd probably opt for the AP's - only because I don't go on track and if set at a decent height they rode better then worn shocks / crap coilovers. The KW's were brilliant, but I'd be lieing if I said the additional benefits over the AP's was worth the expense for a road car.
Alternatively I'd recommend a good set of shocks Bilstein B6/B8 (or even B4's for that stock like ride) with some Eibach or VWR springs.
In addition to the above I'd fit a Anti Lift Kit - this massively helps with the "Wheel hop" when accelerating hard / launching. I only mention this as if you fitted it with the above it'd save you from having to get the alignment done twice.
I'm on the East side of London / West Essex. For bigger servicing jobs I tend to go to AMD tuning at Lakeside. They're pretty competitively priced and they used to race a mk5 GTI in the BTCC so they know their way around one. For everything else I tend to do it myself. I get genuine VW parts from TPS and I can get a full service done for ~£120 and an a couple of hours of an afternoon.
The boys at AKS (Mentioned by thebraketester are very good too - I've used them before but they are in Bedford so not the closest.
Feel free to shoot me a PM if you need anything - I don't frequent on here too much!
I was definitely thinking more the spring/damper route. I've done the coilover thing before on a daily and ended up really regretting it! B8's and H&R's are in the running atm. With regards to suspension upgrades - coilovers are pretty rubbish unless you're spending at least £600 on a set. I've had 2 mk5's. On one I installed AP coilovers and the other I installed KW V2's. If I was doing it again, I'd probably opt for the AP's - only because I don't go on track and if set at a decent height they rode better then worn shocks / crap coilovers. The KW's were brilliant, but I'd be lieing if I said the additional benefits over the AP's was worth the expense for a road car.
Alternatively I'd recommend a good set of shocks Bilstein B6/B8 (or even B4's for that stock like ride) with some Eibach or VWR springs.
In addition to the above I'd fit a Anti Lift Kit - this massively helps with the "Wheel hop" when accelerating hard / launching. I only mention this as if you fitted it with the above it'd save you from having to get the alignment done twice.
I'm on the East side of London / West Essex. For bigger servicing jobs I tend to go to AMD tuning at Lakeside. They're pretty competitively priced and they used to race a mk5 GTI in the BTCC so they know their way around one. For everything else I tend to do it myself. I get genuine VW parts from TPS and I can get a full service done for ~£120 and an a couple of hours of an afternoon.
The boys at AKS (Mentioned by thebraketester are very good too - I've used them before but they are in Bedford so not the closest.
Feel free to shoot me a PM if you need anything - I don't frequent on here too much!
I was thinking of going the same route as you r.e maintenance. I'm more than happy to do the DIYable stuff like suspension and general servicing but would like to have the cambelt done by a specialist for the documentation and peace of mind! Can you get TPS parts without a trade account? I'll definitey give AMD a call about the Cambelt.
Thanks mate, much appreciated! I may drop you a PM about TPS if that's okay?
scoey1001 said:
England87 said:
Yadizzle1 said:
Hi all,
Just bought my first VW, it's a 2008 Mk5 GTI and have a few q's regarding repairs/maintenance that some owners might be able to help me with.
I've noticed that the thermostat gets stuck at 1/4 and only will go up to 90 once you give it some then drop back down again. I assume this is a thermostat fault, does anyone know a rough cost to have this done?
I'm also sure that the PCV valve needs changing as when I remove the oil cap when the car's running it idles rough.
Finally, I believe my car needs a cambelt change. It was last done in 2015 so according to VW guidance, probably a year overdue at this point? What should a good independant/specialist be charging?
Any help would be hugely appreciated as well as any tips on other things to look out for
Congratulations, I bought one just before christmas too. Had the cambelt and pump done today at £425, that’s for a genuine vw kit. The common things have already been mentioned and are all simple bar the thermostat simply due to labour to get to it, some cars have two, I think this relates to DSG cars although I could be wrong. What colour, spec etc is yours? Just bought my first VW, it's a 2008 Mk5 GTI and have a few q's regarding repairs/maintenance that some owners might be able to help me with.
I've noticed that the thermostat gets stuck at 1/4 and only will go up to 90 once you give it some then drop back down again. I assume this is a thermostat fault, does anyone know a rough cost to have this done?
I'm also sure that the PCV valve needs changing as when I remove the oil cap when the car's running it idles rough.
Finally, I believe my car needs a cambelt change. It was last done in 2015 so according to VW guidance, probably a year overdue at this point? What should a good independant/specialist be charging?
Any help would be hugely appreciated as well as any tips on other things to look out for
The mot ran out on mine today (you may remember it failed on emissions) so I've got it booked in for Thursday to see whether it has a decat on sports cat, also having an oil change and doing pcv valve and diverter valve while it's in there. How are you finding the car now you've got the cambelt sorted?
England87 said:
Congratulations, I bought one just before christmas too. Had the cambelt and pump done today at £425, that’s for a genuine vw kit. The common things have already been mentioned and are all simple bar the thermostat simply due to labour to get to it, some cars have two, I think this relates to DSG cars although I could be wrong. What colour, spec etc is yours?
Thank you! Congratulations on your purchase too! I've got a BWA with a manual gearbox so believe it's just the single thermostat thankfully. I ended up getting quite lucky with mine. Went for a 5 door in Black, spec wise it's got heated tartan seats, electric folding mirrors with the puddle lights and a sunroof which is a big must for me. I do wish I could've found one with Xenons and Cruise control, however looking at depo projector headlights for the Xenon look and cruise control is apparently easily retrofittable.
Not keen on how low it is, so a spring and damper kit is high on the priority list!
Edited by Yadizzle1 on Tuesday 5th January 23:21
Looks tidy, getting hard to find a good one. Mine hasn’t got as much spec but the important part for me was colour, shadow blue in 3 door with blue glass. I plan to add cruise control and also been looking at those depo projector headlights, with led bulbs they are meant to be much better.
England87 said:
Looks tidy, getting hard to find a good one. Mine hasn’t got as much spec but the important part for me was colour, shadow blue in 3 door with blue glass. I plan to add cruise control and also been looking at those depo projector headlights, with led bulbs they are meant to be much better.
I agree, a lot have been ruined and ill maintained. Was very lucky to pick this up with full VWSH and an unmodified engine which was a big rarity in the marketplace. Shadow blue is very cool and I would've preferred a 3dr tbh!Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff