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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Golf mk3 how to guides + info => Topic started by: shelaghmk3gti on 27 June 2011, 19:42
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hia, you may have already ready read my thread about the windows, but i need a dumb asses guide as to what i should be doing mechanically! all very well fixing the windows if the cam belt goes :rolleyes: ( have spent 2 days on the windows)
so the car ( mk3 16v gti) has 141k on the clock, as far as a service history goes, i have every old MOT and a few receipts but thats about it ( deffo cant find one for a cam belt change)
so could someone very kindly offer up what i should be doing first , im on a tight budget,so has to be in order of importance,and if youd be so kind as to let me have an approx price that i should be looking to pay,no offence to anyone but some mechanics see a bird walk into the garage and rub there hands with glee!
also, been critised alot by mates for buying a car with such high mileage.. please someone reassure me that m not throwing good money after bad coz i love her lol,so much i want to do :)
anyway thanks in advance for your suggestions, will be very much appreciated
shelagh x
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OK...FREE CAR WASH TO ALL REPLIEEEES lol
u pick me up and ill do it in my underwear!! or yours ;)
ONLY JOSHING OF COUSRE.. NOW GO READ MY THREAD
LOL
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Shelagh, I dont need my cars washed thanks! :grin:
It would be prudent then to get the cambelt done. As for cost well shop around as it can be anything from 80 to 150.
Then look at the oil on the dipstick and if its really black you need an oil and filter change.
You should be capable of doing that yourself. But will need a filter wrench.
If you can take the plugs out then check them to see how much is left of the central electrode.
141k is not a high mileage for these cars, mine is 148k and going well.
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wonderful, thanks very much :)
shelagh xx
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Welcome, anytime! :kiss:
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As Len said, your milage is not high and if serviced regularly, will go on for another 100k. Oil and filter changes are the most important thing when looking after the engine. Some do it as regularly as every 6k or every 6 months. I think every year or 10k is fine though tbh. You have all the old MOTs, but that wont tell you if it has been serviced regularly or not, You need the service history for that. If you dont have any service history, its probably in your immediate interest to get your cambelt done. If this lets go, bye bye engine. :sick: If you get a bloke friend to phone around first, that may help stop people mugging you off when you get there. You can do almost a complete service using very few tools and very little experience. As mentioned, oil and filter change (most important), Coolant flush and change, spark plugs, air filter, and cabin filter are all very easy to do. Other than brake fluid changes and greasing routines, that is about it apart from the regular checks that you are do anyway. Get a haynes manual and that will help you out alot to begin with. These cars are quite forgiving so dont be afraid to get stuck in and have a go yourself. Hope this helps a little. :wink: :smiley:
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OK...FREE CAR WASH TO ALL REPLIEEEES lol
u pick me up and ill do it in my underwear!! or yours ;)
ONLY JOSHING OF COUSRE.. NOW GO READ MY THREAD
LOL
My cars getting a bit dirty! Now I've replied! Lol!
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thankyou seanL
have booked the car in for the cambelt to be done on wednesday. gonna cost £80+VAT ( that was when my son asked, when i asked i was quoted £130 :huh: )
gonna grab a haynes manual tommorow, get the oil change done.. no idea what the coolant is but ill suss it out lol..and cabin filter? :embarassed: ah well, i'll get there over the weekend :)
really appreciate all the help xx
eh ash, pm me your addy, got my best frillies all ready ;) lol
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Coolant is G12++ - get it from VW, should be bright pink
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thankyou seanL
have booked the car in for the cambelt to be done on wednesday. gonna cost £80+VAT ( that was when my son asked, when i asked i was quoted £130 :huh: )
gonna grab a haynes manual tommorow, get the oil change done.. no idea what the coolant is but ill suss it out lol..and cabin filter? :embarassed: ah well, i'll get there over the weekend :)
really appreciate all the help xx
eh ash, pm me your addy, got my best frillies all ready ;) lol
No worries! Thats a pretty good price actually for the cambelt. Ask when you turn up if that includes the tensioner as well. (will also make it seem like you know what your talking about. lol). This should really be done at the same time as well. Haynes has a section dedicated to servicing so you can do everything if you want to. Coolant keeps the engine cool (clue in the name :grin:) It also has anti corrosives in it so its good to change it regularly as well. The tank is on the right of the engine bay as you look at it. It will have either a blue or a black cap. Should be a pinky colour but if it looks like water, or if its grey and has a bit of a film over the top, it really needs changing! G12++ from the dealer is obviously recommended. Dont get halfords sh!te. Oil is obviously best from the dealer as well. 10w40, and get a new sump plug and washer with that too. :smiley:
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bloody nora i put water in that bottle 2 days ago :lipsrsealed:
gonna google me a dealer right now :undecided:
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Dont panic it is a mixture of coolant and water! :grin: 2 bottles of coolant, then topped up with water is recommended by vw. If you lose a bit then topping it up occasionally with water is fine. Its just when its not been changed for ages that problems start to occur. Dont just bung it all in when doing it though, take it very slow and walk away for a minute in between every half litre or so, so that any air locks rise to the top. Make sure you get rid of airlocks (known as bleeding the coolant system) after refilling. Guide in haynes I think and there is one on here too if you do a search. :smiley:
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Cabin Filter, also known as the Pollen Filter.
This is a flippin pain to change!
Its under the front scuttle on the passenger side.
With bonnet open there is a plastic panel where the wiper arms come out.
There is a rubber seal across the engine bay, just pull that off and carefully lift up the plastic scuttle panel, it has bits that fit around the bonnet hinge etc.
You'll probably find a load of leaves in there! :grin:
But there is also a panel filter that you just pull out and fit a new one.
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cool, cheers Len xx
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Have a look for pink bits around gaskets and pipes - I had pink bits in a few places and kept using coolant additive to seal the system...it worked for a while but eventually it gave up and this led to a new radiator and waterpump and thermostat while they were at it.
£80 is such a bargain for the cam belt especially if it was tensioner too.
Other common faults are things like the coil pack going...a symptom of which is the car refusing to start! You can pick these up on ebay for pretty cheap so having a spare in the garage may not be a bad call..they are easy enough to replace.