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Messages - Martin109

3
Engine & Gearbox / 1990 1.6 Driver Petrol Gearbox Replacement/Repair
I've been told that my Driver has failed its MOT partly on a gearbox oil leak, which the mechanic states is caused by worn gearbox bearings, which I don't quite understand, as I would have though leaks would come from failing seals rather than failing bearings??

All in all, I can understand that the gearbox is showing its age, being original, after 214.400 miles from new!

The mechanic states he can get the gearbox issue fixed temporarily but sufficiently to pass the MOT, but I need to consider what my options are.  I do have a friend who could help to remove and replace the gearbox.  Is it possible to track down a suitable refurbished 5-speed box, or is an alternative to remove the existing gearbox and take it to a gear specialist for refurbishment?

Any tips and experiences would be very useful.
4
I.C.E & Electrical / Best Coil and Lead Replacement?
I have a 1990 Mk2 Driver (1.6 petrol) and the coil is on its way out; I had a breakdown and thought it was the electric fuel pump (having had one fail previously), but the AA man identifed immediately (duh!) a loose coil lead, which he said was caused by the coil beginning to leak oil and thereby affecting the plug on the lead.  He zip-wired it in place and the engine started immediately.

Which all leads to my question – what’s the best quality coil and coil lead for my vehicle?  Someone suggested a sports one as high quality, but the man at Merlin Motorsport said best to go with VW (meaning Bosch presumably).

Very grateful for any suggestions.
5
Bodywork & Paintwork / Re: Door Opening Issues
As I don't really need a key-locking passenger side door handle, is it possible to fit a handle normally designed for the rear passenger door of a 5-door to the front instead?

My thinking is that I could then perhaps justify purchasing a genuine VW OEM one for the driver's side, which I use all the time, of course.

I know I could look for s/h original, but I feel it's a bit of a gamble.
6
I.C.E & Electrical / Options for Replacing Radio/CD Player
Currently I have quite a nice Alpine FM/AM radio/CD player, which I would like to swap for a more modern bluetooth-enabled one, presumably with DAB rather than FM.  Am I right in assuming I wouldn't be able to get one that incorporated CD capability as well, so the whole back unit would need to be changed as well?

Any advice on good units and sources with good service (such as fitting)?  If a new unit was DAB, what does that mean in terms of aerial?  Would I just get rid of the old wing-mounted telescopic one?

Lots of questions, but any advice gratefully received.
7
Engine & Gearbox / How to Identify Gearbox
How can I tell which 5-speed gearbox I have on my 1990 Driver?  This site has lots of information, but doesn't get me any further, unless the codes given are possible to find somewhere.
8
Other Problems / Re: VIN Label Unreadable
Thanks, Monkey.

I replaced the scuttle tray, so that's obscuring the stamped VIN underneath.  I suppose I could remove the tray for the MOT.

Hadn't realised that there should be a plate rivetted to the inner wing.  Is that accessible from the engine bay?
9
Bodywork & Paintwork / Re: Door Opening Issues
This issue has developed further, in that it appears the aftermarket locking door handles are not particularly good.  One partial solution was to drill a hole in the relevant moving part in the handle mechanism and then fit a little screw, which raises the profile of the tab.  This works, in that the doors can be opened, but the problem then is that they can't be locked, as the modification obviously blocks the locking mechanism.

I am wondering if the way round this is to judiciously bend the steel plate within the door, slightly raising it, so that the tab within the handle mechanism has less travel before moving the plate.

Has anyone else had this issue and how did you get round it?   It's another MOT issue, as the doors have to be able to be opened from the outside (I thought opening from the inside was sufficient for MOT purposes).
10
Other Problems / VIN Label Unreadable
My 1990 Driver was due to have an MOT but the technician couldn't even start as the VIN label in the engine bay was missing, and the labels on the door pillar and in the boot were present but unreadable. 

He said I needed to present the car along with the V5 document, in order for it to be MOTd.

Has anyone else had this issue?  Is it possible to obtain new labels, or an alu VIN plate that could be rivetted in the engine bay?
11
Bodywork & Paintwork / Door Opening Issues
My 1990 H-reg Driver (1.6 petrol) has had an issues with the front doors being sticky and difficult to open.

Some time ago I replaced both the handles and this seemed to improve things, but the issue has started up again, and my mechanic says it's the 35-year-old locking mechanisms, not the handles, that are the problem, and recommends replacement.

I ordered these:
 
"DOOR LOCK FEBI BILSTEIN 17016 A NEW OE REPLACEMENT
Price: £17.46
Item ID: 276848191418
Order number: 04-12862-49358
Seller: mas-motorstore

DOOR LOCK 17018 FEBI BILSTEIN NEW OE REPLACEMENT
Price: £16.65
Item ID: 176890164583
Order number: 04-12862-49359
Seller: ams-carparts "

Looks like the same German seller, who advised that they are not the right parts (ie front L & R), and is not able to advise what I should get.

Other sources seem to offer parts that are correct for vehicles up to and including 1989, but mine's 1990.  It seems strange that it's proving challenging to obtain parts for a less old vehicle but easier for an older vehicle.

Where would you go to get these parts new?
13
Engine & Gearbox / Various Advisories from Mechanic
While these don't all come under the heading 'Engine & Gearbox', I hope you'll be OK with me listing them here.  The vehicle is a 1990 Mk2 Driver (1.6 petrol).

My mechanic's advisories state:

1. Dipstick tube broken
2. Coolant flange on head has small leak
3. Slight leak from gearbox
4. Play in both front top mounts

What is involved in remedying these issues, so that I can plan ahead for mechanic time if necessary, being very much of a newbie with mechanics etc?
15
Engine & Gearbox / Carb Rubber Seating Indentification
My 1.6 H-reg Driver has a split rubber seating on the Weber 34/32 carb, and I'm trying to find the correct one as a replacement.

VIN: WVWZZZ1GZLW679413
Engine Number EZ861785

Looking on eBay, I found this, but I can't relate the data supplied there with my VIN and/or engine number.

On p6 of the pages of data visible by scrolling down their webpage, I see:
VW   Golf   1991   Petrol Hatch   1.6   FWD Mk II 19E,1G1   1595cc 55KW 75HP ABN;EZ

Does that mean the item is right for my vehicle?  When they state in the title "Fits VW 027129761A 050129761E", what does that mean?