GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: maaarcooose on 07 April 2006, 11:53
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Hi everyone,
I thought it was about time I got some other opinions on the problems with my 1990 8v and this seems like a damn good place.
I've wanted a Mk2 since I was a kid and last year, I got given (yes for free) A 1990 8v. It had sat on someones drive for 18 months doing nothing and he was about to scrap it.
Cost me £500 to get in MOT'd and on the road. Last MOT was £80.
I do have a few things bugging me though, any opinions would be greatly received.
1. Collant light flashes all the damn time. Wont stop. I've added to someone elses post about this so probably skip it.
2. My MFA MPG reading constantly reads 99.9 so I'm guessing that the fuel flow indicator is not working. Where can I go to get instrutions on fixing this?
3. I'm sure that there is something up with the rear nearside suspension. Whenever I hit a right hand bend, it just starts to feel like I'm loosing the back end, but only of right handers. I can take a left hand bend and it sticks like glue, but right just feels wrong.
A short while after getting the car I did slide it sideways round a roundabout and It wasn't like I threw it into it either. Left bends at the same speed are fine. I've checked out the tyres and they are fine.
I'm considering a full shocks and springs rebuild as this is really spoiling my enjoyment of the car.
Linked to this, it feels like the steering works better in one direction than the other. Not sure this makes sense.
Any opinions would be greatly received.
I look forward to using the forum.
Marc
!m!
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I think I can answer one of those problems
With the coolant level it actually does 2 jobs....one being it tells you how much fluid is in the system, the second being that it tells you when the car is too hot.....
This is controlled by a seperate sensor in the engine bay. Under the hood, there are 2 sensors side by side at the front of the the block. One is Blue, the other is black.
Try replacing the BLACK sensor and see if that solves the problem :smiley:
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actually mfa petrol consumption works off of manifold absolute pressure. so check all your vacuum hoses are intact in the engine bay and that they arent split etc etc also check its connected to the back of the clocks. cos a reading of 99.9 indicates a leaky vacuum pipe.
also try replacing your coolant filler cap cos sometimes this is the problem. only get genuine vag tho cos gsf ones i have had were crud.
other than that u are a jammy git!!!
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As for the strange behaviour of the back end, this could be due to either a knackered shock on on one side, or worn rear beam bushes.
The steering seming better on one side than the other could be rack mount bushes or maybe a knackered top mount
What do people think? Johnny?
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ok i would agree with the knackered rear shock/spring/bushing thing but as for the steering get under the car and check that the 'boot' that stops crap getting in the rack is intact and not being drawn into the rack when u steer. sometimes they can get twisted when the tracking is done and then they fowl in the rack and make it feel like it is harder to steer one way than the other. u will be able to tell if this has happened cos the boot will be ripped to shreds
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^^^ Good point, learn something everyday ! :smiley:
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trust u learn from doing. took me ages to work out wat it was! also if i went thru a puddle the rack would sort of 'load' up and i wouldnt be able to steer very well at all cos of the hydraulic force of the water in the rack. by the time i worked it out it was absolutely shagged. costly mistake lol
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1. Unplug the level sensor & bridge the pins. If the flashing stops then you need a new level sensor, if its the early type you can just buy new & swap over, if its a late round tank you need to replace the whole tank! If the flashing continues either the wiring or control relay are dodgy or the dash clocks/temp gauge is shafted.
2. Will be a vac leak at the vacuum tube from the brake servo hose to the right of the inlet manifold, usually its caused by the vacuum hose being disconnected from the back of the dash clocks.
3. Another thing to check is the front camber, my passenger wheel had lots of positive camber (stuck out at the top) which resulted in the wheel being off centre and a dodgy steering feel. Once I fixed it the wheel was straight again and all was well. Are the front tires at the same pressure and the same make, and make sure the rack is centred properly!
TBH I'd replace all the track rod ends, top mounts & bushes on all 4 corners and see if that helps. If the back end is still doddgy then its most likly the bushes that are shot! Its a strange feeling indeed, like the back is seperate from the rest of the car, feels like it kind of catches up with you when you go through chicanes 'swiftly' :grin:
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'swiftly' :grin:
:grin: :grin:
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Excelent ideas all round.
Thanks guys.
Looks like I'll be spending my week off under the bonnet.
!m!
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Fixed the coolant light problem.
:tongue:
My coolant was down. Didn't expect this cause I'm pretty diligant on topping it up.
Then I cleaned out the pipes from the rocker cover to the injector.
No I know why my coolant is down.
Lovely creamy gunge.
I'm suspecting a blown headgasket. Oh well. Might as well replace everything that needs it at the same time.
How I hate head gasket jobs.
One more thing.
How difficult would eveyone say replacing the shocks and springs on the back end is.
I'd kind of like to do it myself, but if it's a massive job, I'll let someone who knows what they are doing do it.
Cheers...
!m!
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One more thing.
How difficult would eveyone say replacing the shocks and springs on the back end is.
I'd kind of like to do it myself, but if it's a massive job, I'll let someone who knows what they are doing do it.
Cheers...
!m!
Not a very big job at all. Just jack up the rear and undo a couple of bolts and you're done. You don't even need the haynes manual but if you get stuck it will definitely help you out!
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Creamy gunge in the breathers is not uncommon, especially in the winter and when you are doing short journeys, it's just condensate.
Any creamy gunge on the dipstick?
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None on the dipstick at all.
Only the breather pipes seem to be a bit damp.
!m!
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Talking of haynes manual, is it just me or do the new ones suck?
I rememmber doing a full headgasket job on an old Renault 11 using the haynes manual, and it showed every step. The new style Golf one I have is terrible.
Anything better out there or even a manual I can get that shows EVERYTHING about a MK2?
!m!
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The green manual is much better than the red one :)
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The Bentley manual is even better apparantly.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0837603420/qid=1144586220/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/203-1765693-3768768