16v servicing advice please!

[gti190]

Hi there,

We plan to give my car a bit of a going over tomorrow and part of that will be some service parts.

Our car is a '97 Mk3 and is the 16 valve version.

We are new to both VW and the Golf so Im sorry if these are dull and repeated questions! 

So.......

1.  Spark plugs - stick tor can improvements be made with other brands/types? 

2.  Air filter - stock replacement, uprated panel filter (ie K+N).  I dont want to drill holes in the airbox or fit an induction kit as the car will remain factory standard.

3.  Oil change - easy enough but any Mk3 'quirks' I need to know about to make the job easier?  Oil type?

4.  Recommended brake pad brands.

5.  Dizzy cap, rotor arm and HT leads - any recommended brands or general advice?

My plan is to get the car running as well as possible but still keeping it factory standard but I dont have an issue with changing to non OEM parts if they offer a superior performance.

A.J
gti190

[Paul86S2]

Spark plugs - stick to what is standard - most performance ones are just talk and offer no performance gains.

Air filter - stick to standard paper replacement and change it often. K&N etc claim more air flow but not really going to make much differance. Change the paper one frequently and it'll still be cheaper than a K&N panel filter.

Oil change is easy enough. Sump plug in usual place, if you have the 16v alloy sump it wil need the larger washer. As for oil use 10w40 semi synthetic, the VW stuff isn't bad and not too expensive.


Brake pads I would stick to the OEM spec type.

Dizzy cap rotor arm and leads you should be ok with most oem spec stuff. The 16v rotor arm is glued onto the shaft and you will need to carefully break it off with a pair of pliers etc. Mine hasn't been glued back on and I have had no problems with it.

Consider giving the throttle body a good clean with carb/ brake cleaner, and check / replace all the vac pipes.

Most of the service stuff from Euro Car Parts is good.

Good luck

Paul

[axewielder]

as for oil i use vw fully synth, i deff would with 16v as its higher revving, you can get it pretty cheap from trade parts specialist