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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: MK3 Menace on 22 February 2011, 13:08

Title: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: MK3 Menace on 22 February 2011, 13:08
Hello all,

Just picked up this beauty off eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320657270530&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_735wt_1032 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320657270530&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_735wt_1032)

As you can see from the description it's got what seems to be the common stalling at junctions problem with the flashing oil and battery lights. Sometimes it saves itself, most of the time not. It is idleing around 500rpm on tick over and a bit lumpy.

I have purchased the following in a bid to cure it:
no.30 ECU relay
Coil pack
Crank angle sensor
Carb cleaner for the throttle body

I have read some people suggest you disconnect the battery for half and hour when you replace the ECU relay and some say not to bother. What do you guys think is the best option?

If that fails am I right in thinking that I need to look into the vacuum hoses and that?

Other than that I am looking to replace the missing door trim and the cracked indicator lenses which I have already picked up.

Then long term will be looking for some BBS's and lowering it a touch.

Look forward to joining in here when I can.

Thanks,
Dan

Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: Wayne on 22 February 2011, 13:14
Welcome to the forum.

Looks a good / clean car.

Do a search lots of threads on running / cutting out problems.
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: Len on 22 February 2011, 13:16
No need to disconnect battery on changing ECU Relay.
The disconnect battery thing is to reset the ECU itself.
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: Len on 22 February 2011, 13:18
Oh and good luck and welcome!
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: MK3 Menace on 22 February 2011, 13:23
Thanks both,

Do you think it would be worth doing after replacing the relay anyway to reset it or will it cure it right away if that is the problem?

Sorry to sound a bit of a noob, just used to more old school power plants.

Ta,
Dan
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: Wayne on 22 February 2011, 13:30

Do you think it would be worth doing after replacing the relay anyway to reset it or will it cure it right away if that is the problem?


Should cure it straightaway if that is the problem
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: tdi_blu on 22 February 2011, 13:33
Looks a bargain that nice colour to good luck with it and welcome  :wink:
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: MK3 Menace on 22 February 2011, 14:07
Thanks all, got a part waiting now at main stealer so will go and get it later and then try it out.

Thanks for compliments on the car, I am chuffed with it as it's mint and the interior and bodywork is spotless bar the trim.

Thanks,
Dan
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: MK3 Menace on 22 February 2011, 21:46
Hi all,

Changed the relay tonight with no joy.  :angry:

Reading on here, someone mentioned a Hall sender?

Worth getting? Or will stuff I got cover it?

Found a taped hose in front of the block heading into a black box on left of rocker box.

Any idea if this would affect it's idle.

Gonna change all the vacuum hoses at weekend too.
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: VW BUSH on 22 February 2011, 21:52
Yes mate, the Crank case breather needs to be in one piece :smiley:
Keep on the hoses and vac pipes until they are all sound, have you given the maf sensor a clean yet or tested it?
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: dumbnut on 22 February 2011, 22:21
It will drive you mad trying to find the problem. I have spent loads trying to cure the same thing and its still on going. I am just about to change the hall sender and see if that sorts it. Its the only thing left to change. :sick:
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: ashbreed on 23 February 2011, 06:24
Check the distributer, could be out of line causing it to be lumpy n not firing in time. The distributer turns through a cog which is connected to the oil pump so u may find that could be why ur oil lughts on aswell...

Just an idea, that's what happened to mine. It's all just trial and error until you find what's wrong! Unfortunatly this option can become very expensive while on a hunt for the offending part that's fooling around with ur car!
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: MK3 Menace on 23 February 2011, 08:55
Yes mate, the Crank case breather needs to be in one piece :smiley:
Keep on the hoses and vac pipes until they are all sound, have you given the maf sensor a clean yet or tested it?


OK, I am going to head down the autofactors on the way to ice hockey tonight to pick up a new lot of piping as the more I think about it the more I think it might be the issue as it might be starving itself on tickover if the pipes a dud.

What size pipes do I need for the breather and vacuum hoses? 4mm?

So my new plan on Saturday will be
New pipes all round
clean MAF and disconnect it to check it out
Replace coil
Replace crank sensor

Also got an annoying oil leak from right side of engine below the head. Seems to be coming from near a sensor which is black and round. Any ideas? or shall i just plug it with gasket sealant for now?
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: MK3 Menace on 23 February 2011, 08:57
Check the distributer, could be out of line causing it to be lumpy n not firing in time. The distributer turns through a cog which is connected to the oil pump so u may find that could be why ur oil lughts on aswell...

Oil light only comes on along with battery when it stalls at junctions or roundabouts so don't think its affecting it. When the car is moving its crisp and has no problems at all. It's just when you have to stop....  :smiley:
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: geeksteve on 23 February 2011, 11:31
Oil light only comes on along with battery when it stalls at junctions or roundabouts so don't think its affecting it. When the car is moving its crisp and has no problems at all. It's just when you have to stop....  :smiley:

Have you done the throttle body clean yet? Mine was doing exactly that, 10 mins with a cloth and some nasty smelling spray and all was happy. Started like cr@p the first time and the idle might be a bit odd for a while but it evened out in mine after a few mins and a rag around the block...
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...
Post by: MK3 Menace on 23 February 2011, 12:17
Oil light only comes on along with battery when it stalls at junctions or roundabouts so don't think its affecting it. When the car is moving its crisp and has no problems at all. It's just when you have to stop....  :smiley:

Have you done the throttle body clean yet? Mine was doing exactly that, 10 mins with a cloth and some nasty smelling spray and all was happy. Started like cr@p the first time and the idle might be a bit odd for a while but it evened out in mine after a few mins and a rag around the block...

Forgot to put this on my list, I have got some carb cleaner and plan to give it a good blast when before I do the other bits. Hoping that and replacing the hoses will cure the annoying stall/rough idle.
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: tdi_blu on 23 February 2011, 12:34
Hopefully with all the bits your changing you will cure the fault failing that maybe its worth getting the timing checked as mentioned above I had my cambelt done a while back and the lad just got the timing out it kinda ticked over very low and wouldnt rev past 5k good luck any how I hope you sort it.
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: Dan_GTi8v on 23 February 2011, 12:36
Cleaning throttle body will help/fix idiling and stalling. After I got my GTi I gave it a good clean and it felt like a different car

Oil leak could be the oil temp sensor, its common on mk3's. There are 3 or 4 diffreent ones so be a good idea to take it out and have a good look or even take it down to the autofactors with you (stick some cloth around the hole though and dont drive with it out!)

They will all fit but have different working temperatures, so the wrong one will fit and stop the leak but will put the oil light on
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: MK3 Menace on 23 February 2011, 12:43
Cleaning throttle body will help/fix idiling and stalling. After I got my GTi I gave it a good clean and it felt like a different car

Oil leak could be the oil temp sensor, its common on mk3's. There are 3 or 4 diffreent ones so be a good idea to take it out and have a good look or even take it down to the autofactors with you (stick some cloth around the hole though and dont drive with it out!)

They will all fit but have different working temperatures, so the wrong one will fit and stop the leak but will put the oil light on

Thanks Dan, very useful advice regarding the oil temp sensor. I was hoping to pop it out and fix it temporary as I am just aiming to get the stalling sorted first. Do you think a good dollop of gasket sealer will keep it at bay for a couple of weeks? Looking at it it is not a huge leak but been left unattended for a while as it seems to have run down the side of the block and onto the gearbox. Have some AutoGlym engine cleaner to get all the oil out the bay.
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: harlemex on 23 February 2011, 12:51
get another sensor, about 8 quid from europrats.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: MK3 Menace on 23 February 2011, 13:17
Ok, will try pop down and get one before the weekend as where I am fixing the car has no local branch.
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: harlemex on 23 February 2011, 13:19
I dont think gasket sealer will do it, but you could try it. The leak comes from the very top of the sensor normally, so try and wedge some in there. Good luck!  :shocked:
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: MK3 Menace on 23 February 2011, 13:30
OK, I think I am going to try and pick a new one up. Not seen if its coming from top, just seen the drip on the bottom of it leaking onto the side of block and gearbox.

Is it a big job to swap? Seems to be a lot of wires linked to it.
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: harlemex on 23 February 2011, 14:04
its one wire and it just unscrews (deep socket) . Perhaps you are on about a different part  :undecided:
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: MK3 Menace on 23 February 2011, 14:17
Part I am on about sits on right side of block heading into it below the head. It's to the right of the dizzy and to the right below it is just the gearbox. Seems to be some wiring with it. thinking of taping it up after a good coat of WD as it seems a bit exposed.

Oil is dripping off it but seems nothing is above it to drip on it.

Unless the oil sensor is squirting oil upwards?
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: Dan_GTi8v on 23 February 2011, 19:46
Yep that sounds like the oil temp sensor, It should have a rubber boot on it which if pulled off will be full of oil if its the sensor thats leaking.
The sensor itself just screws in and has a spade connector on the end of it for the wires. 5 min job to change it.

 It can be quite surprising how much of a mess such a small component can make :P Once the boot fills up it can leak from all around and splash up all over the place!
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...HELP NEEDED.
Post by: MK3 Menace on 24 February 2011, 08:52
Looking again last night with the trusty torch it does look like oil temp sensor is the offending culprit after all.

Back to Euro Car Parts then...

Also struggling to find the correct size vaccum hose pipes and breather tubes. Can anyone give me a size needed for both?

I did unplug the MAF sensor last night and took it to Ice Hockey and back and it only stalled twice when I braked sharply. So hopefully a good clean of the MAF, throttle body and new pipes will cure it.

Thanks,
Dan
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: MK3 Menace on 26 February 2011, 19:31
Right, what a long day BUT the car is sorted and running sweet.

Ended up getting my mate plugging his VAG-COM into the car and had no faults, result.

So ended up replacing all breather hoses and vacuum hoses with quality replacements.

Cleaned all the breather block out and then attacked the throttle body.

All sparkling, connectted it all back up, reset ECU and it runs a dream.

Thanks for your all your advice, cant wait to give it a good workout now  :smiley:

Only thing I need to do now is replace oil sensor as the sealant didnt work.
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: mksmk3gti on 27 February 2011, 16:19
Dont mean to high jack the thread - When cleaning the throttle body - do you have to remove the whole thing, or can you do it in situe by just taking the intake off?
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: snifferdog on 27 February 2011, 16:37
Dont mean to high jack the thread - When cleaning the throttle body - do you have to remove the whole thing, or can you do it in situe by just taking the intake off?

Best to remove it if you can but it is possible to do it without removing it, it just wont be as clean as if you took it off. :laugh:
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: MK3 Menace on 28 February 2011, 09:44
I removed mine and gave it a massive clean of carb cleaner and then filled a tub carrier bag with the contents of the carb cleaner and left it to soak along with the breather pipes and that.

Then hosed down the bits after and gave them a good clean and refitted them.

Car has been faultless since and have done over 150 miles of mixed roads.

Also, the Mrs and I refurbed the badges on the front last night to start out euro style theme.

Whats the best way to get rears off? Heat them up and peel them off or?
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: harlemex on 28 February 2011, 11:41
looks very pretty if you like that sort of thing.  How did you go about masking off around the leeters of the gti badge?
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: MK3 Menace on 28 February 2011, 12:01
Thanks, yeah I am going to do all the badges that colour as I think they look good alongside the black bodywork. I am also going to colour code some other bits like the wheel centres and the like when I get some BBS' on it.

For the GTI badge, I degreased it for half hour. Washed it clean then primered it. Then added a coat of gloss black and baked it in the airing cupboard. When that was dry I masked it with 5mm masking tape and covered all black areas twice to make sure. Then painted the badge with the colour. Then baked again. Then added 2 coats of the lacquer and baked again.

Then left for day to dry out in the airing cupboard and peeled the masking off last night and with a bit of luck or skill no paint was left on the black at all...
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: harlemex on 28 February 2011, 12:21
Thanks, youi did a great job but I bet your towels all smell of paint now  :grin:
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: snifferdog on 28 February 2011, 16:01
Looks good!! :cool: Not my favourite colour but Im boring. :grin:
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: MK3 Menace on 28 February 2011, 16:49
They are more purple in the flesh, the iPhone camera is not the best for picking up colour really.

I'm going to take a few pics of the car tonight so will post them up so you can see them in place.
Title: Re: Hello all, new here and just got a MK3 8v GTi...FIXED!
Post by: mksmk3gti on 03 March 2011, 18:41
Wow, looks good. Think  mine need a coat of paint too. Dont think ill go that mad, then again my car is purple/mauve?

Ooo the possibilities