wanted - advice

[marcogolfo]

Hi I just took my newly aquired car to the vdub independant specialists today to fix an oil leak and find out if it needed anythingelse doing he gave me a list which reads:

water pump and thermo housing need replacing,
n/s/f/ strur bolts loose,
n/s/f/ outer CV boot,
Oil leak and timing belt,
Gearbox mounting,
steering rack boot,
O/S/R front wishbone bush
metal brake pipes to rear,
excessive play rear wheel bearings,
shock absorber bump stops,
gear selection (ball housing)
Rocker Cover Gasket + Cam seal
Dipstick tube (top)

How much of this is really serious?  How much at an estimate would this cost?  Can anyone supply the parts that I need? Can anyone help me out here with the labour side of things?  Should I just buy a new car??

Thanks for your help
regards marc

[modulater]

The bit you want to worry about is the strut bolts loose as that sounds dangerous to me. Get that sorted out as soon as possible. Also the brake pipes should be sorted out straight away as if badly corroded they may leak fluid and thats not good.

Next would be the timing belt and if the oil leak is dripping onto the belt then sort that out too.

I am assuming you meant to put O/S/F rear wishbone bush as the rear of your vehicle has a beam and so doesn't have wishbones. This bush is fun to fit and is best left to a garage if you don't have access to a press or at least a decent vice and large scaffold pole.

Everything else on the list you have is just normal wear and tear items and most of the money will go on labour costs as you need to strip a lot down to get to them.

You can get the parts from most motor factors but I personally like to get my bits from VW as I have had bad experiences with pattern parts, original parts keep your golf the way it was built and in all honesty they aren't that much more expensive compared to cheap and nasty parts.

I think you would be looking at approx ?500 to get that little lot done, thats mostly just labour mind as a lot of the bits you need aren't expense but take time to get off the car and a garage will milk it for all its worth.

I'm sure a few people on here might be willing to help you out in your quest for a tidy golf.

Let us know what area your in and what car you got.

[GavG60]

I'm no expert mechanic, but I've managed to change my water pump and thermo housing myself, it's quite straightforward if you've got an afternoon to spare. shout if you want to know how. (water pump cost me ?23 from Volkspares)
 

G

[marcogolfo]

thx very much guys for your response its much appreciated.  Im in Kendal in the Lake District (north west for anyone that doesn't know) i reckon i should probably keep the car coz its grown on me a hell of a lot, pleased to hear that its just normal wear and tear, lol I aint never owned a car this old but then again i aint never owned one this nice
thx
if anyone is willing to lend a hand and live somewhere near me, i'd appreciate it, trouble is i have no decent equipment
regards
marc