MK3 GTI Clutch

[rmeese5]

hello everyone,
well I posted to the welcome area so now for the business part! I have a newly aquired 95 GTI 2.0 8v.  The clutch is slipping.  How much work goes into replacing the clutch?  Im trying to decide if it is worth it to me to pay somebody to do it or to do it myself.  I have access to a shop and lifts and all the tools I'd ever need.  I just really dont feel like getting into too big of a project right now.  I was quoted $860 american dollars, roughly 530 pounds,  here on my base for parts and labor.  I dont know about you guys but to me that is too expensive especially since thats darn near half of what I paid for the GTI. Does anyone have any links on DIY guides for this procedure?  Any personal experiences?  I have changed a clutch on an American pickup truck which was not very hard since it had been made for easy access and replacement.  I have not replaced a clutch on a front wheel drive car before.
Well another problem that is starting to occur is a rough idle.  the idle jumps from 1000 to 800 rather roughly.  Im going to check the air filter and clean the throttle body and do some snooping around tomorrow on it. Plus i got to inspect the power steering as something shady is also going on here.  I will let you know what I find.  I look foreward to hearing from all of you! Yes I may have gotten shafted on this car, but hey its so beautiful and after I fix the problems I will have a good working car that I love.
thanks
Randy

[Leebob]

As regards the power steering.If it occasionally goes heavy in particular on damp or wet days more than likely the belt is due to be changed,will probably already be fully tightened and the belt will be cracked.Got mine changed not long back and wasnt to expensive really,so worth doing.Lee

[Sii]

Hi there!
Yes £530 for a clutch replacement does sound expensive! If you have access to thes tools and workshop is there anybody else around who could help you out for some beers?

The rough idle may well be sorted out by cleaning the throttle body but if not also consider changing the air filtre, spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor arm (possibly the coil too) as these. Oil and filtre change would be good to do anyway.

The power-steering can get 'screechy' if the belt is worn or slipping so a new one of those may help.

Good luck with it!  

[Leebob]

Look here.Brilliant thread---> http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=101400.0

[rmeese5]

Thanks
I found a place that would do the clutch for 484 Euros. Its a business that specializes in VW only so Im sure thats why I got a better deal.  So im going to save some curse words and some punching of random objects and let somebody else have that fun.! As for the power steering I reached down and felt the belt and it was so loose that I almost could have pulled it off.  I tightened it up and it did the trick.  I also replaced my door lock today pretty happy about that.  I can finally lock my doors. 
I still got to check out the rough idle. Gonna get some carb cleaner and check the air filter.  Im wondering if it isnt the ecu temp sensor.  Is it normal for the car to get up to normal temperature then as soon as I drive it it jumps down to 70C? I know its not good to drive them at autobahn speeds when they are not warmed up but my cars temperature drops down as soon as I get up to speed. When I drive to work the car never fully seems to warm as I get on the autobahn right away and head for a 30km trip.
Thanks for all the help guys!
randy

[thai-wronghorse]

€484 is still a lot of money for a clutch, especially considering you're based in Germany where these cars and the replacement parts were made!!

[thai-wronghorse]

as for the temperature jumping around id get that ecu temp sender and thermostat changed.