My new MK2, and its problems yay

[xAx]

So I've had my mk2 for about 3 weeks now

heres some eye candy for you all

http://www.amberthread.co.uk/images/IMG_2075.JPG

I have a few problems i need sorting. I checked the water today to find there was none in the expansion tank at all, and it needed a litre to get back up to the minimum bar. Also the water is filthy and so brown you cant see anything and the whole expansion chamber has gone brown from it. so....

where could it be leaking from, if it even is a leak? and is there anywhere i can get a new expansion chamber and what would be best to clean the whole system out to stop getting this brown slop?

another thing i noticed is the grommet holding the flying saucer thing down has been sheared off so its not actually held down onto the rocker cover its just floating about above it, when i held it down it seemed to idle alot smoother. does anyone know where i could get a replacement and what its actually called?

and on a final note you can probably see in the picture that the bumper is a little wonkey, which leads me to believe that the car has been in a shunt at some point in its life, you cant really see from the angle of the shot but the grill doesnt actually sit flush to where the bonnet is and it protrudes out about 2cm, has anyone seen anything like that before? I need to take it off and see what its fixing too i guess, but im not sure where to start.

Sorry for all the questions

Adam

[dadrathers]

The car looks excellent in the pic - nice on xAx. Can't really help you with the first two questions but can with your grill. I thought exactly the same when I first got my Golf Gti 8v. However, when you compare with others you find that they are all like that! If you stand in front of the car you can easily see the screws that hold it on. That didn't seem right to me but it is. They must have been designed that way. btw the screws that I mention are those that hold the grill on - it just clips in at the bottom. So nothing to fix.

[Leon R]

Hi, the car looks great! Nice and standard is the way to go

The coolant system has loads of components and pipe work so any pipe or any component can leak there isn't really a main area that is common. However when coolant leaks it normally leaves a white residue especially when the coolant has leaked onto something hot like the engine.
Also if you top up the system and run the engine at idle, have a look as you may see the leak spraying out somewhere.

Look around the radiator/pipes,
the metal water pipe that runs along the right hand side of the block
expansion tank pipes and cap,
check your footwells aren't wet (could indicate the heater matrix has blown
and check under your car around the water pump and thermostat housing.

to get rid of the browness you will need to do a coolant flush and it sounds like you need new coolant anyway since its winter and you've lost a lot?

My grille sat the same too. However mine definately was in a shunt! and even with a new grille it wasn't right.

[jammac]

my 8V also has a sticky outy grill. when i first got it, it had an eyebrow on and when i fitted a new grill i knew why it had the eyebrow. so if it bothers ya that much get an eyebrow and all will be concealed!

if you have knackered coolant pipes like i did try this dude on ebay tierod69. i got a full set of brand new hoses for £28! bargain i thought!
ive bought loadsa other stuff from him to....very fast postage and always great quality 

[Simon8v91]

another thing i noticed is the grommet holding the flying saucer thing down has been sheared off so its not actually held down onto the rocker cover its just floating about above it, when i held it down it seemed to idle alot smoother. does anyone know where i could get a replacement and what its actually called?

Hi Adam, Your car looks good  

For the breather grommet go to GSF http://www.gsfcarparts.com/ and ask for:

10463 BREATHER BUNG-ON CAM COV.  G2 1.8 8v F.Inj (Not G60) 8/83 >10/91  Ã‚£1.80  

I dont really think you need this but just in case   For the expansion tank:

17381 EXPANSION TANK  G2 GTI 10/82>  8.85

might as well get a new cap:

17422 EXPANSION TANK CAP  G2 8/89 >7/92  3.95

Not a lot to add to the other posts but I strongly suggest you give the coolant system a good flush and refill with a good antifreeze either G11 or G12+ or equivalent from GSF  

[nealey]

Looks very tidy

First place i would check for coolant leaks is the housings on the head, then the radiator, then just check all the hoses etc and check the heater works properly

Flush the coolant out with some cleaner and then replace the expansion tank

Replace the grommet on the rocker cover and your car will run better

As for the alignment i would just check around the chassis legs to make sure there is no disformation or creases

[xAx]

Alright thanks guys, I will pop into GSF in the week as there is one near me and grab the parts. hopefully next weekend wont be too rainy and i can try and clean out my system

[Peel]

I strongly suggest you give the coolant system a good flush and refill with a good antifreeze either G11 or G12+ or equivalent from GSF  

I've been tempted to do this myself, but as it seems to be working OK I'm afraid I'll cause problems. It might be full of crap that's keeping it watertight...

Nice clean-looking car by the way mate....

[rubjonny]

the coolant flange on the front & side of the block are a common place for coolant leaks, plus the header tank cap is a common point of failure. I'd replace both flanges & the cap too if you're going top put a new tank on there.  Also look all down the sides of the radiator for white crusty deposits.

The part number for the header tank simon gave is the wrong one, the 90 spec MK2 tanks are different plus the level sensor on the later tank is part of the tank itself and not available seperately.  What you want is this one:

17388 EXPANSION TANK G2 4 Cyl 8/89 >  9.00
17422 EXPANSION TANK CAP  G2 8/89 >7/92  3.95

[Simon8v91]

The part number for the header tank simon gave is the wrong one, the 90 spec MK2 tanks are different plus the level sensor on the later tank is part of the tank itself and not available seperately. 

oops sorry & thanks John  :embarassed: