I bought my GTi a couple of months ago. Being new to the scene I thought I had a bargain, paid "?not a lot" for an 89 16v.
I am a complete mechanical novice, with limited tools and even more limited knowledge!
I knew it needed work, but asked the seller if it would pass an MOT...lesson 1- DO NOT TRUST SELLERS, get it checked out properly.
Lesson learned!
As I said, I knew it needed some work, a small oil drip and a wobble under braking.
I had a couple of hundred quid spare to get things fixed!
I bought my HAYNES and some of Halfords Pro tools.
First job, new discs. I got combi (Drilled and Grooved) discs from Black Diamond. Arrived quickly and quite cheap. Unfortunately had to drill retainng screws to get old discs off.
Fitted new discs and pads, EASY JOB! No more wobble. This is easier than I thought!
Second job - OIL LEAK, not so easy. It seems to be coming from behind cam belt cover. However, the CHARLIE who had car before me was obviously no mechanic either! Just about every nut / bolt allen bolt is threaded, rounded or snapped!
I have so far replaced-
All top end gaskets and oil seals other than crank seal! All nuts bolts etc! Guess what, it still leaks! It must be the crank seal (or is it?).
Then developed a crunching knocking noise! So,
Third job-replaced the CV joints (inner and outer) on nearside- guess what, no better!
TIP-Whatever Haynes states, the job will be harder than described, you WILL need special toolsand it will take 4 times as long as stated.
Was told that the wheel bearings had probably gone! So bought a new set, jacked car up and discovered that the strut bearings had gone! AARGH!
TIP- Check all possibilities before going to Eurocarparts and ordering wrong bits!
Fourth job-Sloppy gear lever. As suggested on this forum somewhere, I bought the repair kit. Downloaded the instructions. A great step by step guide! However....this job took two of us 4 hours to complete!
Should I sell the car?
Answer - not likely. I have seen the potential of this car, and I am falling in love with it! I have no knuckles left, my wife is not speaking to me, I spend all weekend lying in oil and swearing at the underside of my Golf, I can only make out 4 pages of the Haynes manual, because the rest are covered in oil!
But, I have planned the next ?600 spend, I just need to earn it now!
New Suspension, Seats, Tyres and something to stop the oil leak, should get me happier!
Any Tips before I go mad?
