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21
Heating & Cooling / Re: Monkeys guide to AC in your Mk2.
Last post by Monkey -
Crikey, that's a long list of parts!

It looks like you have most of the pieces worked out, but you'll also need a AC specific shallow glovebox and lower dash trim as the ac evaporator housing is much larger than the stock mk2 one.

23
New Members Say Hi! / Hello
Last post by Golf1272 -
Hi. Just acquired a 1990 Golf 1.3 4+e, almost a years MOT,not perfect but it goes not too bad, not sure about the coilovers a bit firm for me. It brings a smile to my face. ;D  ;D
24
Heating & Cooling / Re: Monkeys guide to AC in your Mk2.
Last post by ryanpeel -
Hi mate, this is a great writeup.  My son and I are restoring a 1989 golf syncro rhd.  We want to put a/c in it.  We plan to use an electric compressor and fit that somewhere on the car that makes sense.  Thus, we don't need the compressor that normally fits on the engine.  As far as the dash parts are concerned for RHD, does this chat-gpt response seem pretty accurate?  I gave it all the etka diagrams for my car's VIN and asked it to produce an oem list.  I know these rhd mk2 a/c parts are more  "uncommon"  because I think maybe only South Africa market got them, maybe??

Anyway, you seem to have a good handle on this from at least the perspective of getting your hands dirty and doing the job, even though yours is a different car slightly and also you took donor parts from other models/years - which is really cool. 

I was just wondering if you could give some input on this list whether it's accurate and any other thoughts you have.

# VW Golf Mk2 RHD OEM A/C Conversion Shopping List

**Vehicle:** 1989 Volkswagen Golf Syncro RHD
**VIN:** WVWZZZ1GZKW493527
**Original engine:** GU — 1.8 EA827
**Factory A/C:** No

## 1. Highest-priority RHD A/C parts

These are the parts I would actively search for first because they are either specifically RHD or difficult to substitute with LHD pieces.

* [ ] **358 820 103 — RHD evaporator with expansion valve**

  * ETKA position 19.
  * This is explicitly the RHD evaporator.
  * LHD equivalent is `357 820 103`.
  * **Very high priority.**

* [ ] **358 820 021 — RHD A/C fan/blower assembly**

  * ETKA position 5.
  * Explicitly marked RHD.
  * LHD equivalent is `357 820 021`.
  * Do not confuse this with the ordinary non-A/C RHD heater fan `192 959 101`.

* [ ] **192 819 081 — RHD intermediate piece**

  * ETKA position 12.
  * Connects the HVAC assembly into the RHD air-distribution system.
  * LHD equivalent is `191 819 081 A`.

* [ ] **192 819 151 A — RHD footwell vent**

  * ETKA position 24.
  * RHD-specific outlet from the HVAC/distribution assembly.

* [ ] **192 820 353 — RHD connection box**

  * ETKA position 29.
  * ETKA calls for **quantity 2** on the RHD A/C installation.
  * LHD uses `191 820 353`, quantity 1.
  * This quantity/layout difference makes this one especially worth obtaining with a complete donor box.

* [ ] **192 820 593 — RHD cover**

  * ETKA position 34A.
  * RHD counterpart to `191 820 593`.

* [ ] **192 819 837 — RHD temperature-control flap cable**

  * ETKA position 36 on the A/C diagram.
  * Do not substitute the LHD `191 819 837`.

* [ ] **192 820 154 A — RHD intake duct**

  * ETKA position 38.
  * One of the important large plastic pieces between the body intake and HVAC assembly.
  * LHD equivalent is `191 820 154 A`.

## 2. Main RHD A/C heater/evaporator box

* [ ] **Complete RHD Mk2 A/C HVAC housing/box — verify actual molded part number before purchase**

  * This is what I would search for rather than attempting to assemble the housing from scattered plastic pieces.
  * Ideally buy it complete with:

    * evaporator;
    * blower;
    * flap assemblies;
    * vacuum actuators;
    * drain;
    * expansion valve;
    * thermostat;
    * brackets;
    * seals;
    * RHD connection pieces.

### Important ETKA anomaly

The VIN-filtered A/C page supplied here lists:

`191 820 024 A — housing — LHD`

but does **not** show a corresponding RHD housing number.

Therefore:

* [ ] **Do not purchase `191 820 024 A` assuming it will fit RHD.**
* [ ] Ask sellers for photographs of the actual RHD Mk2 A/C housing and molded numbers.
* [ ] Prefer an intact RHD donor HVAC assembly.

## 3. RHD refrigerant pipes and hoses

For your **GU engine**, these are particularly important because the refrigerant routing changes across the firewall on RHD cars.

* [ ] **192 820 741 — RHD refrigerant pipe, condenser → evaporator**

  * ETKA position 22.
  * Explicit RHD counterpart to LHD `191 820 742 A`.

* [ ] **192 820 743 — RHD refrigerant hose, compressor → evaporator**

  * ETKA position 30.
  * Explicitly marked RHD.
  * This is one of the major pieces I would try hard to obtain from an original RHD Mk2 A/C donor.

### Not applicable to your GU unless configuration changes

* [ ] `192 820 741 D` — RHD fluid-tank → evaporator pipe

  * ETKA associates this version with **1P**, not your GU.

* [ ] `191 820 743 E` — refrigerant hose, marked RHD but also specifically **1P**

  * Not the primary hose for your original GU configuration.

## 4. RHD condenser

* [ ] **192 820 413 E — RHD A/C condenser**

  * Explicit RHD version.
  * LHD version is `191 820 413 E`.
  * For a factory-correct restoration, this is the condenser ETKA calls out for RHD.

## 5. RHD dashboard / air-distribution parts

Your car is already RHD, so some or all of these may already be present. Inspect what is currently in the car before buying duplicates.

* [ ] **192 819 363 A — RHD air-guide housing for centre vent**
* [ ] **192 819 723 — RHD left air hose**
* [ ] **192 819 724 A — RHD right air hose**
* [ ] **192 819 043 A — RHD air-guide channel**
* [ ] **192 819 045 A — RHD fresh-air/heater controls assembly**
* [ ] **192 819 353 A — RHD air-distribution housing**
* [ ] **192 819 831 — RHD control-lid cable, 668 mm**
* [ ] **192 819 835 — RHD defroster-flap cable, 448 mm**
* [ ] **192 819 837 — RHD temperature-control cable**
* [ ] **192 959 263 A — RHD series resistor**
* [ ] **1H2 819 031 B — RHD heater core**

These are RHD-specific pieces, but many belong to the ordinary RHD heater/ventilation system rather than being unique to A/C.

## 6. RHD A/C vacuum-system routing parts

The A/C HVAC box uses vacuum-operated functions, so don't overlook the vacuum plumbing when buying a donor setup.

* [ ] **N 020 139 1 — 4 × 1 vacuum tube**

  * RHD installation uses a **700 mm** section.

* [ ] **191 823 567 — black clip**

  * ETKA specifies **2** for RHD.
  * LHD uses a different bracket (`811 611 797`).

Also obtain the shared A/C vacuum equipment:

* [ ] `191 820 601` — vacuum reservoir
* [ ] `171 820 609` — reservoir grommet
* [ ] `433 862 117` — non-return/check valve
* [ ] `2D0 129 737 A` — 4-4-4 T-piece
* [ ] `058 127 561` — Y-piece
* [ ] `191 820 605` — vacuum hoses with connections, if available
* [ ] associated small vacuum hose

## 7. A/C-specific HVAC pieces that are not marked RHD but should come with the donor box

These are not RHD-specific part numbers, but they are part of the factory A/C system and are easy to miss when buying only a bare housing.

* [ ] **191 820 676 A — vacuum unit for control valve**
* [ ] **191 898 013 — mounting parts for vacuum unit**
* [ ] **191 820 677 B — vacuum unit for temperature-regulating flap**
* [ ] **191 820 677 B — vacuum unit for intake duct**
* [ ] **191 820 679 — expansion valve**
* [ ] **191 820 692 — expansion-valve insulating piece**
* [ ] **191 959 281 — evaporator thermostat**
* [ ] **191 820 281 — thermostat reinforcement plate**
* [ ] **191 820 119 A / 191 819 418 A — condensate/water drain valve**
* [ ] **191 820 139 — seal**
* [ ] **191 820 129 — evaporator/HVAC seals**
* [ ] **191 820 845 — tensioning strap**
* [ ] **191 919 383 A — A/C fresh-air/heater-control trim**
* [ ] **321 959 511 A — blower switch**
* [ ] **191 959 513 — blower-switch knob**

## 8. GU-specific compressor installation

These are not RHD-specific, but because your car originally had the **GU**, ETKA gives a very clear factory compressor arrangement for it.

* [ ] **027 260 881 — A/C compressor bracket**

  * GU/GX/RH/1P application.

* [ ] **027 260 917 A — angled compressor bracket**

* [ ] **034 903 555 B — associated bolt**

* [ ] **049 903 149 — bush**

* [ ] **037 260 921 — threaded bush**

* [ ] **027 260 937 — eye bolt**

* [ ] **068 260 849 G — 12.5 × 947 mm V-belt**

  * GU application.

* [ ] **191 820 805 — A/C compressor**

  * ETKA lists this compressor for GU/GX/RH/1P.

* [ ] **191 820 811 — electromagnetic clutch**

  * GU/GX/RH/1P application.

Plus the listed mounting bolts/washers.

## 9. Shared refrigerant-system parts to collect

* [ ] `191 820 191 A` — receiver/drier, R12/R134a listing
* [ ] `191 820 721` — compressor → condenser refrigerant hose for GU group
* [ ] `321 959 483` — pressure switch
* [ ] `321 959 139 A` — low-pressure switch
* [ ] `161 971 988 C` — 2-pin connector housing
* [ ] `161 971 989 C` — 2-pin flat-contact housing
* [ ] `191 820 422 A` — condenser bracket, right
* [ ] `191 820 405` — condenser bracket
* [ ] `191 820 409` — bonded rubber bush
* [ ] all appropriate hose clamps and mounting clips
* [ ] all refrigerant O-rings — replace with new compatible material rather than relying on old donor seals

## 10. My preferred donor-parts purchase

If you find a breaker with a factory-A/C **RHD Mk2 Golf/Jetta**, I would try to buy the following as one package rather than item-by-item:

* [ ] Complete RHD A/C heater/evaporator box
* [ ] RHD evaporator
* [ ] RHD A/C blower
* [ ] RHD intake duct
* [ ] RHD connection boxes
* [ ] RHD intermediate piece
* [ ] RHD footwell duct
* [ ] All vacuum actuators
* [ ] Vacuum reservoir and plumbing
* [ ] Thermostat and wiring
* [ ] HVAC/A/C control panel
* [ ] All flap-control cables
* [ ] Both refrigerant pipes/hoses passing through the firewall
* [ ] RHD condenser
* [ ] All line-retaining brackets and clips
* [ ] Condensate drain parts
* [ ] Firewall grommets/seals
* [ ] Every screw, clip, stud and bracket attached to the HVAC box

The **complete RHD HVAC box and the RHD refrigerant lines are the pieces I would pursue first**. They are much harder to reproduce correctly than the compressor, condenser, receiver/drier, switches, O-rings and generic hardware.
25
New Members Say Hi! / New
Last post by Johnny16v -
Hello All,

New to the group, I'm the owner of a 1987 VW Golf GTI 16v with a 2.0 swap, it was a daily driver for a very long time, broke down sat for many years trying to bring it back to life, had the engine completely rebuilt top to bottom. I'm stuck on the CIS and wiring; I'm in SoCal if anyone has any suggestions. I'm all ears!!!
26
Members' Cars / Re: G135EPB 8v GTI
Last post by ianmac86 -
June/July 2026 – Bedford Autodrome and More Repairs

Following the gearbox f**k-up, I booked a day at Bedford Autodrome with Dan in his 20v.

As usual, we made an early start, meeting at Tesco for a meal deal and fuel before cruising over. Obligatory car park photos!


And a few from the day

Dan managed to snap one of his rear arm bolts. Luckily, the on-site workshop had some high-tensile bolts in stock and kindly helped us out.




I also had a few passenger laps in Dan’s 400+ bhp 20v. Not much was passing him all day!


A couple of the professional photos:

Looking at the photos, I think some stiffer front springs might help reduce the body roll. However, I don’t want to compromise it too much for road use, so it needs to remain a sensible balance.

Dan’s car only suffered the snapped bolt, which was fixed quickly, and mine was good all day. My oil temperatures were a little higher than I would have liked, although it was a hot day. I might look into fitting an oil cooler further down the line.

After we packed up and started driving towards the exit, I noticed the steering wheel shaking from side to side quite aggressively. We stopped, jacked the car up and discovered that the front-right wheel bearing had given up. The driveshaft flange nut also seemed to have worked loose. I tightened it up and, rightly or wrongly, carefully limped the car home.

When I started stripping it down, I couldn’t remove the track-rod end for the life of me. In the end, I chopped it up and pressed the remains out.

With a fair bit of effort, it eventually came out.

The DS2500s didn’t look too clever either. This is now the second set that has done this to me!

The wheel bearings were also extremely difficult to remove. I eventually gave them to Dan to do at work, and it took 12 tonnes of pressure to get them out.

New bearings and drive flanges fitted on both sides:

Wheel studs correctly torqued and secured with Loctite

Mintex M1144s came recommended as a good alternative to the Ferodos, so I decided to give them a try.

I also raised the front BCs by a few millimetres. I had noticed a small amount of tyre scrubbing through hard left-hand corners, and this was the ideal time to sort it because the alignment would need redoing after replacing the bearings anyway.


July 2026 – Mk2 Owners Club National Meet at Curborough

Next up was the Mk2 Owners Club National Meet at Curborough Sprint Course near Lichfield.

I go every year and it’s always a brilliant weekend. The people I originally met through the club have now become friends, and it’s a great opportunity to drive the car to its limit in a relatively safe environment.

Plenty of passenger laps were given and received. It never gets boring seeing people’s reactions, and it was nice to receive a few compliments about the car along the way.

No prizes for me again this year! They went to Dan and Woz, and both were thoroughly deserved.

My car behaved perfectly all weekend. The new Mintex pads have a really strong initial bite and I’m very impressed with them so far. Hopefully, they’ll also last better than the DS2500s.

I made a couple of minor alignment tweaks on Saturday, but otherwise I just drove it within an inch of its life all weekend and it didn’t complain once. I’m very happy to have seemingly overcome all the self-inflicted problems!

The plan now is to enjoy the car while the summer is here before deciding what comes next over the winter.

Back to the weekend itself, driving Dave’s 3.2 was a massive highlight for me. I also took Ash’s track-prepared ABF out, which was wild. It’s a seriously fast car considering it still has a standard engine and gearbox with no LSD!

Woz last minute repairs

Helmets made mandatory even for cars without cages now

Pushing Dan back to the pits after he snapped a driveshaft. He had to drive home to collect spares, but returned, repaired it and continued racing for the rest of the weekend without any further problems!

Mine and Da's with Paulina's 3.2 Corrado in the background

Parade lap

BBQs and bonfires and a few quiet beers to wind down in the evening

Cheeky Rallye came along

Another brilliant National Meet and a faultless weekend for the Golf. After all the recent self inflicted problems, it felt good to just drive it hard and enjoy it again.
27
New Members Say Hi! / Golf Driver GL 1.6 4 door model
Last post by g417gji -
Hi all,
I have golf driver GL 1.6 petrol 4 door.
It's been standing for 15 years plus,
Tried to fix engine after spark plug snapped, but didn't succeed, I putting it for sale, it's all original and someone with the ability can get this car back to prefect standards, can send photos and videos if required, needs to go, due my disability con not finish.