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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: MowatGTI on 22 September 2008, 16:49

Title: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: MowatGTI on 22 September 2008, 16:49
Howdy-ho.  Right, my '94 Gti 16v ABF has got its MoT this week.  I have got many faults that I have seen, I would love if anyone could help me on any of these.

It runs really rough, well, sounds rough, but ive not noticed any performance change.  Still idles around 800ish when warm.

Just went out and changed the air filter + pollen filter, no probs apart from snapping the trim cover for the pollen filter.

Went to change the spark plugs, two came out fine, but the other two were very tight.  Surprised I didn't shear them, but they eventually came out, and had oil all over the top of them.  Anyone got any ideas what this could be?  Obviously its not meant to be there, only down just shy of 90k, and I dont drive fast.

Ive had an oil leak since the last oil change, but i think its coming from the filter seal, Im changing oil tonight so will clean everything up so the leak should stop.

This is the big one - Noticed the belt for the alternator is not centred.  Its starting to fray on the outside edge.  I will be changing the belt this week.  Would a worn belt cause my engine to sounds really rough??  Im not an experienced mechanic so I've no idea what the cause is.  I hope its nothing internal.  How hard are these belts to change?  Time and money wise.

Also, I posted last year about finding a plug dangling down near my alternator, and asked what it could be.  People replied saying it could be redundant as they fit numerous plugs for the different engine codes etc, but just now I noticed a socket on the forward face of the alternator that looks like the plug would fit, any ideas??

Last year, both Macpherson struts had excessive play on the top mounts, the mechanic got it through its MoT, not sure what he did, but now the top mount is not tight.  I can turn it easily by hand.  Do you think its a case of tightening it up, or do you think more needs to be done.

Cheers for sticking through the post.  Any help would be great folks.  Thanks

Chris
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: 1982.rpd on 22 September 2008, 16:55
I had oil on my plugs on my 9A, change the rockercover gasket and all should be well there. 
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: MowatGTI on 22 September 2008, 17:02
Right.  The 8v engine looks totally different from the 16v.  Not sure if its a gasket with only two of them having oil.  Im hoping they just weren't tightened enough and the oil worked its way through.  I hope.....
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: skcollob_ho on 22 September 2008, 17:50
I'm not a mechanic, but i would hazard a guess that the rough running is a symptom of the oiled plugs. Probably not sparking properly because they're soiled.

I had a similar problem on a mk4 I owned.
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: Paul86S2 on 22 September 2008, 18:08
2 of my plugs on my 16 valve used to fill up with oil. There is aninternal gasket on the rocker cover which seals the spark plug holes. You will need to change this and the outside edge rocker cover gasket, both should come as a set.

Paul
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: sharpie on 22 September 2008, 18:25
2 of my plugs on my 16 valve used to fill up with oil. There is aninternal gasket on the rocker cover which seals the spark plug holes. You will need to change this and the outside edge rocker cover gasket, both should come as a set.

Paul

that's right it's the middle bit here

(http://thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/pict/130234719968_1.jpg)

it will be obvious when you take the rocker cover off. mind you don't shear any bolts while doing so as it makes a simple job an arsy one.
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: MowatGTI on 22 September 2008, 22:48
Cheers guys.

Drove the car to a mechanic earlier for a pre Mot check.  He thinks the alternator tensioner has gone, so the belt and tensioner should be reaplced tomorro night as long as the stealer stocks the bits.

The nearside track rod end also needs replaced.  This will be done tomorrow too.  Should I get the wheels re-aligned after changing the track rod end??

The guy said the fact that the top mount turns isn't a problem, but surely its not meant to happen?  Any ideas?

Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: Rmachines on 22 September 2008, 22:54
the spring plate should turn and the bearing stops the rubber top mount from turning.  probably just a seized up bearing, which is about £6 but would replace the mounts with it.    but yea really its no big deal.  just leave it untill they wear out and replace them all.
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: kells on 22 September 2008, 23:00
oil on spark plugs is not good, any oil in the head, if so engine is fooked, it really is a sign of a worn engine is oil on the Spark plugs, car may be running too rich too, could have shot stem seals etc etc
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: MowatGTI on 22 September 2008, 23:11
Hmmm.  Doesn't sound too great!

Doing an oil change tomorrow, so i'll see if the old oil is particularly minging.  The electrodes of the old plugs didnt look that bad.  No wet oil on them. 

I'll wait and see what tomorrow holds.  Thanks again.
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: kells on 22 September 2008, 23:23
Hmmm.  Doesn't sound too great!

Doing an oil change tomorrow, so i'll see if the old oil is particularly minging.  The electrodes of the old plugs didnt look that bad.  No wet oil on them. 

I'll wait and see what tomorrow holds.  Thanks again.

cool  if their no wet on them its a good sign..... if they are a bit sort of oily and black, car is prob running too rich
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: MowatGTI on 23 September 2008, 08:47
Cheers Kells.

Do you think I need a camber check after the track rod end is changed?

Got good tyres on at the moment, and don't really want to goose them.
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: kells on 23 September 2008, 08:54
Cheers Kells.

Do you think I need a camber check after the track rod end is changed?

Got good tyres on at the moment, and don't really want to goose them.

i should if i was you just to be sure, not sure if tracking alone would be enough...more so if you are running good/expensive rubber
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: MowatGTI on 23 September 2008, 09:06
Yeah - thats what I was thinking.

Cheers Kells.

Hoping that I get to the mechanics house tonight with the dodgy belt.  I'll probably post later tonight with a heap of other problems - then again tomorrow on all the things it fails on.....

 :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh: :huh:
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: kells on 23 September 2008, 09:50
you will ge ttheir in the end and all will be good!!

we have just had to fully rebuilt a mk 4 gti engine (my dads car) due to failed piston rings which were installed wrongly at the factory, (vw know about the fault but wont admit it publicly) owned the car since brand new!!! not good, got all the genuine parts for cost so the engine will be like new at least once its done
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: MowatGTI on 23 September 2008, 22:58
Ok, now the Power Steering pump and water pump both have play in the pulley wheels.

Replacing them tomorrow.

Anyone know if they are tricky to do?

Cheers
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: MowatGTI on 25 September 2008, 09:47
Changed the water pump last night.

It failed it's mot on only a front brake hose.  So Im pretty happy.

Water pump change went well after we figure out what to take off etc.  Thought we might had to have taken the timing belt off, but removing the alternator, the access has fine.

Refilled the coolant, and im picking it up from the garage in the next couple of hours.  Cant wait to get the motor back.
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: kells on 25 September 2008, 10:26
just seen this, yea water pump is removed via removal of the alternator..glad you got it sorted...your gettin their with it :wink:
Title: Re: ABF needing some servicing. Various problems
Post by: MowatGTI on 25 September 2008, 12:27
Cheers Kells.

It runs a lot quieter now too.

I'll change the power steering pump too.  Probably not untill it gives up but I know i'll need to do it.