1995 mk3 16v 280mm to 288mm brake conversion + minor oil leak

[carlitoB]

Hi all,

I have a 1995 N reg 16v that i'm about to do the 280mm to 288mm front brake conversion on. I got a really nice set off an R reg 8v i found in the local scrap yard for a bargain. It was missing one caliper off the rear so i have left those for another day. MOT not due till September so i'm not really in a rush to sort the rear out yet. I will do the rear when a nice set turn up. My front brakes, however, are really bad. Only just went through the MOT last time. also got an oil leak i need to sort out. its really doesnt lose much oil, maybe a drip or 2 overnight each night. the pictures below show quite a bit of oil, but this was due to my oil pressure switch/seal going and it pissing oil everywhere. this is now sorted, guess i need to clean the engine to find this little leak though.

i will probably have a go at doing the brakes this coming weekend, just wondering if i need anything i've overlooked? will these hoses fit without needing new ones? any tips anybody? thanks in advance.

here's the pics of my golf, the brakes on the car, my new set, and the underside of the engine to see if anyone has any idea about the oil leak.



































edit:
i dont know how to sort out the stretched pics, just click on them to see original none stretched. weird.

[Therusterman]

When undoing the brake pipe hose from the solid line, make sure you've got a proper brake pipe spanner. Last thing you want to do is round the fitting off! And give the fitting a good soak in a penetrating oil to help get it off.

[boneybradley]

looks like rocker gasket leak to me (They are not that expensive but don't buy cheap! b.t.w I sell them by Elring Germany or £13.50 plus p&p)

also you don't really need to do the rears unless the old callipers are seizing (they are same size but later models have a different mech to slow the seizing process down (not stop it as even mk4 rears seize and they are the upgrade everyone goes for!))

[spikenipple]

Yeah looks like the rocker cover gasket is leaking as boney said. Took me ages to work out where mine was leaking from until I cleaned the engine bay and had a good look over it once I'd been out for a spin.

If you ever get new brake lines make sure you get banjo-type lines as the 280mm calipers use bolt-on type.

[boneybradley]

I didn't say anything about hoses as it looks like there attached to the ate callipers in the pic

[spikenipple]

I was just pointing it out in case OP ever types in the year/reg of the car on a site and the bolt-on types come up 

[carlitoB]

thanks everyone for the replies, especially about the oil leak. i will steam clean the rocker cover at the weekend and keep an eye on it. i'm sure you're right though looking at it. really hope its not raining all weekend like it has been the last few...

started cleaning the rocker cover for an hour or so, should get alot more done tomorrow



edit:
edited topic title as i guess this is going off topic lol