My 8v in spain woes - Cam, dirty oil, no pressure and more!

[bradholland]

Hi Guys,
Just signed up as ive been reading this forum for a few days now and its really cool to learn what people have to say about everything.
I live in denia, alicante in spain and have a LHD 1990 Golf Gti 1.8 8v ( have i written that all the wrong way round?)
So anyways, HI!!!
Ok, its been off the road for a while now but having reluctantly just sold my mk41.8t (as its on english plates) I am wanting to fix her up as im sick of walking to work!


A while back the oil buzzer came on constantly so I took her to the garage, he said that the oil pressure was low but that the oil pump was fine, he made a few bodges changed the oil and destroyed the buzzer!! He didnt really want to go taking the engine apart as he was busy with other jobs at the time and I think he wanted it out of the garage!
About 3 months later it started sounding tappety, so i took it to another mechanic who said the oil was really really dirty and really thin (even though it had been changed, along with the filter etc) again it seemed to be ok for a while but became really tappety again.

Its sat on the drive for a while but I recently decided to start doing a bit of investigating on my own, I took the rocker cover off and the plastic underneath and was horrified to see such an awfull gungy mess, a lot of the oil had almost calcified on the metal and on the cleaner parts had caramelised on to things it really did look a right old mess and im sure its not meant to look like that!.
there were literally clumps of crap in there that looked like thick mud!

So ive started cleaning everything off as best i can and at the top of the engine at least, everything looks 90% better than it did.
I bought a star driver to try and get the head off and i just cant get it off, im also now a little reluctant to as a read a few posts on the forum and it looks like maybe i could have saved myself the bother of taking it apart this far....

One guy on here mentioned putting automatic transmission fluid in the engine which will give it a right good clean out, is this true?
If it is, i would put the car back together and try this, i would have thought it is beyond an engine flush!!

Anyways if this is an option, then i will need to put the camshaft back on, and due to all the cleaning i did ive gone and cleaned all the marks i made off!! (DOH!)

is there a guide hanging around here that i cant find that will explain how to get it all lined up? Right now i dont hav e the luxury of a haynes or bentley!

Im not massively worried if i fook the whole engine up as i will get another one or scrap the car, but i would like to at least try

I realise im asking a lot of questions here so any help or ideas are much appreciated, also if anyone is local and know of a good source for spares etc then let me know!

Cheers
BRad

[DarnPB]

TBH, it does sound as if your engine is passed its sell by date and will probably need replacing. But don't try to swap it for something extravagant like a 16v or 1.8 turbo. The Spanish authorities will not wear it. Any mods on a car need hormoligation and it sucks.
I have just returned to the UK from Spain and I brough back with me my G60.
For a replacement engine, try La Torre. They are on the A42 from Madrid towards Toledo and I believe they either deliver or they can send anything you need. But make sure you get the right engine code. If your car runs a digifant, then your engine code will be PB. They offer a 3 month warranty on used engines. Hope this helps.

[danny_p]

next engine time

[bradholland]

i feared you would say that! haha

any ideas what i can expect to pay for an engine here?
as with everything like that its generally more expensive that back at home!

Cheers
Brad

[Wayne]

Only thing I can suggest is to drop the sump and clean the oil pick up pipe out.

[DarnPB]

The last time I was at the scrap yard there, an engine from a car will have no warranty and would cost you about 60-100 euros. One off the shelf is warranted for 3 months and would cost you about 250 euros.

[danny_p]

sounds about the same as the ones here,  and you don't have to transport it as far

[bradholland]

Hey DarnPB just read your entire rebuild thread,(while i should be working)
all i can say is wow!
its very inspiring mate!

your never over this way anymore??

[DarnPB]

I was there last weekend. Shorts. T shirt. BBQ.
G60's can be bought for very reasonable money there, but they will need work, like mine did. I am thinking very seriously about buying another one and bringing that back to the UK too, to rebuild, import and sell.

[bradholland]

Ok Guys,

I have been offered this for 400 euros, its a runner as it is, but its RHD and British.

I cant tell from the photos what engine it is, the guy says its a 1995 gti. but just what exactly from this car as a doner will fit straight onto my mk2 without any hassle?

Obviously i would mainly want it for the engine so thats important.

but what about the  interior? seats etc? I would basically get this car to my place rape it for everything i can to make mine nice and then scrap it!

Thanks evryone!

here are some photos,