Brakes and clutch and washers,

[ju suis le fromage]

Bit of a strange one,

A few problems seemed to have reared their ugly heads at once, (They say things come in threes)

Breaks - Today I noticed when I pulled up at a junction there was a grinding noise coming from the breaks, I had a quick glance and there seems to be loads left on the front, should a warning light come on if they need doing?

Clutch – A couple of times last week when driving at motorway speeds in 6th gear I put my foot down and when the engine hits 2k rpm its like the clutch slips and then engine over revs to about 2.5k drops back down and then the car speeds up it only seems to happen in 5th or 6th and if I accelerate slowly the problem doesn’t seem to happen?? Anyone heard of this before sounds a bit worrying to me.

Washers – have stopped working, front and rear both have the smallest trickle coming out, seems to have happened with all the clod weather we have had recently, as the front jest washers got stuck in the out position on an exceptionally cold day, Does anyone know if it sounds like a simple change of a pump and is it hard to DIY?

[Rhyso]

1) could be the inside pads that have worn 

2) clutch slip and its exactly the way mine went - it will only get worse - start saving for a new clutch

3) check the washer pump thats fitted to the washer bottle - it might have stopped working or you've popped a pipe off

[ju suis le fromage]

Great!!!! Just the news I wanted. just after i have replaced the cluch in my camper which was not a nice job, and before you think its my driving style i only had the camper for 1500 miles before it went.

As for the golf, its only done 64,000 miles. Shouldn't have gone yet, but any idea on cost for a new one fitted? I am guessing its not as simple as the camper and shouldnt be attmepted by a novice.

I'm happy to the breaks myslef, but I think the clutch might be a far strech.

I had a look at the water bottle yesterday and cant see any thing obvious loose, is there much involved in fitting a new pump?

[Rhyso]

urm new one will cost in the region of £500-£700 fitted and yo MAY need a new flywheel which is an extra £250 +.....

i had a quote from VW of nearly £1100 to fit a new clutch and flywheel.....so don't take it there!!

In the end i sourced all the parts for a Sachs uprated clutch to cope with my remap.  That came in (with flywheel) at just about £900

Washer pump should be a case of remove and refit - not sure if its at the front of the bottle or not 

Don't think they are cheap mind so check to see if you're getting power to it first before condemning it

[ju suis le fromage]

  Do you remember how many miles you got out of it before it really needed doing?
Is this a common fault with the derv?

I got qouted £500 for the clutch on the camper, and got one from GSF for £100 much better price! although I dont fancy taking on the golf, bit more room under a camper.

The pump must be getting power as there is a small trickle coming out of the jets, i thought it could be a blockage, but couldn't see any thing obvious to remove.

I think a haynes manual might be coming my way.

[Rhyso]

mine went 2K miles after i had it remapped - think it was approx 85K

My own fault - using the new found power but without changing down to limit the hit on the clutch

Its not really a common fault to be honest - take Steve's - remapped for around 30k and still on his original clutch and he's close to 120K miles

[ju suis le fromage]

Thanks for the advise. I guess i will just have to monitor it and see how it goes.

Any ideas on what I should sell a fully loaded 150bhp, 52 plate with 64k on the clock, fsh (and a clutch on the way out) thinking about getting something a bit more interesting like a mark I or mark II GTI.