a few questions about my Mk3, hopefully you guys can help

[Liamuk]

hiya everyone

I apologise in advance as newbies can be a pain , but everyones gotta start somewhere havent they, I own a 1993 golf ryder (3dr 1.4), and well, i know this car is pretty basic but im wondering just how basic it really is. I've always thought it had no PAS for instance, but then ive had people advising me to check my PAS isnt faulty........ because it should have it etc, im not sure who to beleive... all i know is that parking it outside my small rented terraced is a pain as the student accodation on the other side of the street seems to have the richest students ever as they all own cars lol, very cramped!, is there anythin i could look for to see if the car has PAS ? (like a motor?)

also, it seems to be running quite lumpy when idle, but as soon as it revs a little it seems fine anyone got any idea's as to what to check ? ( ive checked the spark plugs, 1 seemed to have a strange build up around it, changed that plug, still the same though )

ive also been having trouble trying to work out what shade of red the car is, ive looked everywhere for the colour code, its not on the vin plate as far as i can tell, also not in the boot near the spare wheel bay (no white sticker there at all, had everything out of the boot yesterday), anyone got any idea's lol ?

and also, 1 last question lol, the car only has a 4 speed gear box, now i suppose i could just sell it and get a newer model with 5 speed etc, but im a bit hard up for cash atm (this is my first car, ive had it since march and tbh... i love it lol ) well anyway back to my last question, i was wondering if a 5 speed gear box would fit into this car or is it a completely different mounting ? , and also what else would need to be changed with a gear box ?

i dont have to worry about the labour costs as my bro is a mechanic, its just getting hold of him to ask these questions etc after work.... he's also trying to get me to buy a rover 200si from him at the moment which is tempting but i love my golf and would prefer to keep it as i like the drive.

anyway, thanks in advance and any help at all on the mess above would be very appreiated 

[boneybradley]

I think I can help on the lumpy idle....these engines seem to suffer from vacum (air) leaks...Check at the rear of the engine there should be a rubber pipe which has a plastic valve with 2 cap's sticking out of the side (normally with green bung's fitted to it) ..sorry I can't fully remember exectly where this goes but i think it's from the rocker cover to the injection unit.... start your engine and slowly run your hands over the pipe, If the engine start's to run more even you can tape this part of the pipe up (I have found the green bungs have a habit of letting air escape and have used insulation tape in the past with no problem's),
and as for power steering    Not all mk3 Golf's came with this as standard but to make sure check on the passenger side of the car under the bonnet and to the rear of your battery tray at the side there will be a small black reserviour with a simple twist top and this will be marked Power Steering Fluid , If not then it is simple old manual steering.....
   

[golfpro]

my car is the same model and the same year and no it doesnt have power steering. You get used to parking it, although it doesnt get any easier. Mine has wide 17s on and realy is a pain in the arse but on a plus, your arms get a good work out!

With the 4 speed box thing, you're just as good to leave it well alone. It just isnt worth changing it. Im sure there is a 5 speed box somewhere that would go on there but - this is where i show how little i understand about my own car - i think there is somethng to do with ratio's and torque but it would make it even slower. Dont quote me or have a go if Im wrong, but i think its the case.

My 1.4 has now done 139k and *touches lots of wood is still going. Dont let people tell you its not worth spending any money on as its only a 1.4. I have bundles of joy out of mine, its cheap as you like to insure, looks quality, economical and essentially, a golf!

Enjoy and welcome to the site!

[richellis8valve]

midland VW fitted a 5 speed box to my j plate 1.4.
When I go down next will ask.

[Liamuk]

ooo thanks for all the replies, ive just got home from work, will try the insulation tape investigation/trick after my tea as the gf has been hard at work making it for me .

also i also have the need to top up the oil quite often, usually after ive been driving on the motorway, its a bit strange cos 1 day it will be fine and the oil level wouldnt have moved a bit, and the next day the dipstick is completely dry, quite worrying as ive been told it can sieze etc, is that anything to worry about or is it just because the engine is old now ? , any oil recommendations ?

thanks, Liam

[boneybradley]

Couple of question's regarding your oil useage.....Are there any visible leak's or even drip's? Does the car smoke? When the engine is hot and again when cold get someone to stnd behind the car while you give it a few rev's and see if they can see any white or black clouds from the back....

[Liamuk]

there seems to be a leak near the front left side of the engine, nearest to driver side headlight, doesnt seem to be drips, more just shiny blackish gunk, doesnt seem to be any smoking from it though.

anyone got any ideas where else the paint code could be ? , got a key scratch along the drivers side

[Rich 2]

the colour will be dogs cock red.

a five speed box goes on but the fifth will do nothing unless you change the ecu and the driveshafts to get the ratio's right.

if you've got an oil leak then it's probably around the filter. Get that changed.

Basically a Ryder is the complete budget model of the mk3 range. It comes with none of the usual features like power steering, originally it didn't have a stereo and won't have speakers in the back or door's, it will have a sunroof if it's a true ryder. They did make four speed cl's though.

I used to have a 1.4 and can completely dismantle one and put it back together again. Had to change the engine three times. Then I figured what the hell and bought a colour concept.

They're still great though.

Rich

[bustersballs]

chances are if the oil leak is from the left hand side of the engine and quite high up its the head gasket leaking round the oilway that feeds the cylinder head, that runs there and i've changed quite a few head gaskets to cure it. Will get worse on a run as the engine is constantly revving harder hence making more oil pressure thus making it leak more. i've got a 1.4 Mk3 with a 5 speed box so surely you could use the same type of box, wether its worth it or not is up to you, having driven  a 4 speed and many 5 speeds i would say leave well alone.