Hi from Newark, Nottinghamshire. My golf gti story.

[Gtcpaul1971]

Hi, Paul here.
I have loved the golf gti ever since I was a lad. Had a few golfs and polos in my time but never a gti.
Have been on forums from time to time when I was  thinking of buying one, then last week I took the plunge. I am a right nerd / geek and like to research lots and know as much as I can lol.
Anyway, buying a house so didn't have a lot of money and this is going to be used as a second car so my budget was tight 2 - 3 grand!
Well I nervously bid on eBay on a 54 plate with 113,000 miles and full service history and cam belt done twice.
I knew the tailgate didn't open and the alloys needed refurbing. Eventually got it for £2500. Previous owner had it for 2.5 years and just spent £1000 getting it through its MOT. The car seems to have had routine maintenance and safety, MOT stuff done but not a great deal of tlc or engine stuff. The body work had a few dents and scratches and my thoughts were if I spend another £500 On it and it lasts me a couple of years I will have had my enjoyment.
Anyway it had a knocking noise on the way home over bumps and potholes etc - will come back to that! And the climate was only blowing hot on my side.
On closer inspection the next day the interior was in desperate need of a proper valet. Owner said it had just had one! Yeah right! Defo not to my standard!
I decided to book it in to my local vw specialist.
The result was:
It needed a full proper service, spark plugs, brake fluid, filters etc
The turbo dv "something" had worn completely off and needed a new one. He told me the power will be down.
The front mount needed replacing.
Maybe a new cam follower but he said it sounded ok.
Sump had been off so he thinks the pick up will have been done but I am getting a new one anyway.
The small radiator fan was bent and not working and he didn't think the bigger radiator fan was working either. He said that could be my problem with the climate?
Anyway, full service, filters, spark plugs, brake fluid, front mount, dv thing, check cam, investigate boot, £320.
Which I thought great.
So, it seems it is not dog and it is Defo not a show car. Maybe somewhere inbetween?
That's my story so far...... I will keep you guys updated.

[Gtcpaul1971]

Needs a thermostat too 😣

[f00glee]

Welcome! You'll find plenty of info here to satisfy your geeky side

In terms of the cam follower - I would ensure this was physically removed and checked as just listening to it wouldn't be enough to properly diagnose wear. Google "cam follower stages" and you'll see what you're looking for. Anything other than stage 1 - it should have already been replaced.

Enjoy the car 

[Gtcpaul1971]

Hi, thanks.
Yes I am having the cam follower done anyway and something else dvc? Not sure lol

[owdi]

Hope the car works out well for you. Which specialist did you use? Can you recommend them?

[owdi]

And welcome, new boy here also myself.

[f00glee]

Hi, thanks.
Yes I am having the cam follower done anyway and something else dvc? Not sure lol

Diverter Valve ("DV")? It actuates when coming off the throttle to recirculate the buildup of boost pressure from the turbo. If damaged, you can vent boost pressure constantly when accelerating, causing an unwanted loss of boost and therefore loss of power. The rubber diaphragm can tear over time, more likely with earlier revisions of the part, the newest "revision G" is much better. If yours is actually damaged, you should feel a difference when its been replaced. 

The other option is "PCV" (Positive Crank-case Ventilation) valve which manages the gas flow between various parts of the engine under different conditions (i.e on the throttle and off) and can cause a bad idle and loss of power if damaged. Again, due to a check valve wearing out. Newer revisions are much better.

This PDF is great for explaining these, and giving a general overview of our engine:
http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/ssp/SSP_337.pdf
Going back a step in the url yield lots of other interesting PDFs too.

[Gtcpaul1971]

Hi, thanks.
Yes I am having the cam follower done anyway and something else dvc? Not sure lol

Diverter Valve ("DV")? It actuates when coming off the throttle to recirculate the buildup of boost pressure from the turbo. If damaged, you can vent boost pressure constantly when accelerating, causing an unwanted loss of boost and therefore loss of power. The rubber diaphragm can tear over time, more likely with earlier revisions of the part, the newest "revision G" is much better. If yours is actually damaged, you should feel a difference when its been replaced. 

The other option is "PCV" (Positive Crank-case Ventilation) valve which manages the gas flow between various parts of the engine under different conditions (i.e on the throttle and off) and can cause a bad idle and loss of power if damaged. Again, due to a check valve wearing out. Newer revisions are much better.

This PDF is great for explaining these, and giving a general overview of our engine:
http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/ssp/SSP_337.pdf
Going back a step in the url yield lots of other interesting PDFs too.

Hi,
Yes had both done. The DV and PCV. I had to have a different PCV as vw had non that were a direct replacement they were on back order. Definitely better. Miles more power

[Gtcpaul1971]

Hope the car works out well for you. Which specialist did you use? Can you recommend them?

Used Gareth from  VAG autocare services Lincoln. Seems very knowledgeable and good

[Gtcpaul1971]

Right, got car back.
Here is the list.
Oil change with fully synthetic oil.
Air filter
Pollen filter
Fuel filter
Spark plugs
Brake fluid.
Gearbox fluid
New oil filter housing
Anti roll bar drop link
Cam follower
Turbo divertor valve
PVC
Repaired boot that wouldn't open and fixed interior boot light.
Replaced interior rear view mirror housing
£525 cost, which I thought was good?

[Gtcpaul1971]

Next.....
New turbo pipe
Engine thermostat
Radiator fans.

Hope to god that is it............(fingers crossed)

[owdi]

Hope the car works out well for you. Which specialist did you use? Can you recommend them?

Used Gareth from  VAG autocare services Lincoln. Seems very knowledgeable and good

I heard he does really good work. Does a lot on the R32s as well, known for doing the 3.2 cam chains on A3/TT/R32 etc

[owdi]

PS I'm new here myself but if this is going to be your build thread I think it should be moved by a forum moderator to this section - http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/board,8.0.html
 

[Gtcpaul1971]

PS I'm new here myself but if this is going to be your build thread I think it should be moved by a forum moderator to this section - http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/board,8.0.html
 
[/squote]

Yes good idea. Not sure my thread will be very exciting mind lol

[Gtcpaul1971]

Hope the car works out well for you. Which specialist did you use? Can you recommend them?

Used Gareth from  VAG autocare services Lincoln. Seems very knowledgeable and good

I heard he does really good work. Does a lot on the R32s as well, known for doing the 3.2 cam chains on A3/TT/R32 etc

Yes, he had 2 r32 's in when I have been. He has just finished a mk2 G60 for someone after 2 /3 years I think.
Knows his stuff 👍