Golf GL - MK3 after inspection questions

[li21]

So i went to inspect another Mk3 GL tonight.

Noticed a few things.. wondering if this is normal:

a) The interior dome light does not see to have a on when doors open mode? Or atleast I couldn't find a position which would do so?

b) The steering wheel makes a rubbing, swishing noise as you turn it lock to lock.. is this common and does it have a quick fix?

c) The roof lining seemed to be a bit loose? i know its an old car but what would cause the thin cloth like lining from dropping from the roof? Common ? As long as its not a water leak or something,, but didnt look damp.

d) Is a tall clutch / friction point indication of clutch wear?
It seems to shift fine ... but while driving , I tried to rev all the way out and I noticed it would climb the revs , say hit 4500 really quickly, drop back down a little and then starts again.. all while in the same gear.. but this only really happens when i gave it a bit.
Is this a problem ?

e) The handling seemed okay.. but its not as good as I was expecting a Mk3 to be? I drove a Mondeo on the weekend and that was spot on for handling. Am I mis-informed that a Mk3 is a good handler in stock form?
The suspension still seemed firm and fresh.

f) The car had a VW key with a button in the middle. Does this button have any functionality (ie. remote locking?) as the guy said it was a remote but it seemed like just an empty button and didnt do anything.
Didnt see a way to open to change the battery either?

g) Seats were bloody hard to move back and forward. I assume its just a little oiling will fix it?

h) Can I run these things with E10 Ethanol type fuel?

Thanks all :)

[Mind's Eye]

a) Yes. Can't recall off the top of my head where you've got to flick it, but it definitely has it.

f) Yes. The button operates a little light in the key to help you find the lock at night

[peedman]

So i went to inspect another Mk3 GL tonight.

Noticed a few things.. wondering if this is normal:

a) The interior dome light does not see to have a on when doors open mode? Or atleast I couldn't find a position which would do so?

b) The steering wheel makes a rubbing, swishing noise as you turn it lock to lock.. is this common and does it have a quick fix?

c) The roof lining seemed to be a bit loose? i know its an old car but what would cause the thin cloth like lining from dropping from the roof? Common ? As long as its not a water leak or something,, but didnt look damp.

d) Is a tall clutch / friction point indication of clutch wear?
It seems to shift fine ... but while driving , I tried to rev all the way out and I noticed it would climb the revs , say hit 4500 really quickly, drop back down a little and then starts again.. all while in the same gear.. but this only really happens when i gave it a bit.
Is this a problem ?

e) The handling seemed okay.. but its not as good as I was expecting a Mk3 to be? I drove a Mondeo on the weekend and that was spot on for handling. Am I mis-informed that a Mk3 is a good handler in stock form?
The suspension still seemed firm and fresh.

f) The car had a VW key with a button in the middle. Does this button have any functionality (ie. remote locking?) as the guy said it was a remote but it seemed like just an empty button and didnt do anything.
Didnt see a way to open to change the battery either?

g) Seats were bloody hard to move back and forward. I assume its just a little oiling will fix it?

h) Can I run these things with E10 Ethanol type fuel?

Thanks all :)

Roof lining is sagging, common problem. Will need to be redone by urself or auto trimmer, costs around $300 to do i believe or alot cheaper diy.

Tall friction point is normal for these cars and u cannot adjust it as the cable is self adjusting. U get used to it in the end and isnt so bad.

Handling can be improved with new bushes and strut mounts but there is a limitation in the fact that the mk3 uses a rear torsion beam. A rear sway bar is recommended by some ppl too so u can look into that.

And yes i have run on e10 before and got 600kms to a tank with a CL but vw do recommend at least ron95.

[li21]

Thanks Peedman.. But E10 won't do any hard will it?
Is the CL 95RON recommended too?
Redbook states 91 RON.. but I guess Redbook is never right.

Mind's Eye.. I guess I didnt take a good enough look.. but can the battery be changed in the key ? Not ones of them sealed for life units?

[rayray086]

I've used E10 on occasion and I don't notice the difference on my GL. However, fuel flap should have a sticker on the inside saying you should use at least 95RON.

Interior roof light is like any other normal car - you can have it to be always on, always off, or only on when door opens. This can be adjusted with the switch closest to the driver.

I'd put a wager in that the suspension hasn't been changed since new. Mine was pretty bad when I first got it (think moving mattress) but after new mounts and a cup-kit (upgraded struts with matching springs), handling was fantastic.

The button on that key has no function unless the car was optioned with remote (I don't even know if VW ever offered that?). You can pry open the plastic sides using a small flat-head and you'll find a battery.

With the seats, either not enough grease or the plastic guides are no good. You can get replacements for these plastic guides fairly cheaply from VW. We could find out the part number for them so you can ask for a quote from VW.

[li21]

Thanks rayray .. Was it expensive to get suspension refreshed?

What about kms for timing belt change? is it every 100k aswell?

[coons88]

b) Probably the power steering making noises as you have hit full lock, normal

c) Common problem on many cars. The foam behind the fabric starts to fall apart, and the glue no longer grips it so the fabric sags. $300ish to get done at a Auto Trimmer, $100ish if you do it yourself (plenty of DIY's on the internet)

d) Sign of an ageing/worn clutch. Mine is the same, just look after it

f) Activates a little light in the key to help find the door lock. If it doesn't work, the battery is probably flat, or blown bulb, or perhaps it's even missing the bulb/battery/other circuitry

[rayray086]

Thanks rayray .. Was it expensive to get suspension refreshed?

I bought a set of Koni shocks + Koni springs for $1060 from a local distributor. Spent another ~$100 for new mounts. Installed everything myself with the help of a mate. Totally worth it.

[Brisben]

I bought a set of Koni shocks + Koni springs for $1060 from a local distributor. Spent another ~$100 for new mounts. Installed everything myself with the help of a mate. Totally worth it.

I owned a mk3 in the UK 2ltr GTI, wasn't impressed with the handling either, prefer MK1 then MK2.But like anything can be improved, I would just go and get a decent VR6 instead....

[Shteifen]

steering wheel making a scraping noise, if thats what your hearing, is probably the steering wheel slip ring, so allow the horn to work while being able to turn the steering wheel. might be worn out or damaged or something

[li21]

steering wheel making a scraping noise, if thats what your hearing, is probably the steering wheel slip ring, so allow the horn to work while being able to turn the steering wheel. might be worn out or damaged or something

Hmm.. i didnt test the horn.. Maybe I should have..
I'm guessing its not such an easy fix with an airbag steering wheel?

[coons88]

If the slip ring is buggered it's not too hard to fix. I had to reassemble one the other week after it exploded apart when I took off the steering wheel

Otherwise I would say it would be pretty easy and cheap to source a second hand part if it was needed

Where does the noise sound like it is coming from? Under the hood? or from the actual steering wheel?

[VR6child]

a) The interior dome light does not see to have a on when doors open mode? Or atleast I couldn't find a position which would do so?

b) The steering wheel makes a rubbing, swishing noise as you turn it lock to lock.. is this common and does it have a quick fix?

c) The roof lining seemed to be a bit loose? i know its an old car but what would cause the thin cloth like lining from dropping from the roof? Common ? As long as its not a water leak or something,, but didnt look damp.

d) Is a tall clutch / friction point indication of clutch wear?
It seems to shift fine ... but while driving , I tried to rev all the way out and I noticed it would climb the revs , say hit 4500 really quickly, drop back down a little and then starts again.. all while in the same gear.. but this only really happens when i gave it a bit.
Is this a problem ?

e) The handling seemed okay.. but its not as good as I was expecting a Mk3 to be? I drove a Mondeo on the weekend and that was spot on for handling. Am I mis-informed that a Mk3 is a good handler in stock form?
The suspension still seemed firm and fresh.

f) The car had a VW key with a button in the middle. Does this button have any functionality (ie. remote locking?) as the guy said it was a remote but it seemed like just an empty button and didnt do anything.
Didnt see a way to open to change the battery either?

g) Seats were bloody hard to move back and forward. I assume its just a little oiling will fix it?

h) Can I run these things with E10 Ethanol type fuel?


a) yes there is a position to have the light come on when a door is open

d) high friction point on the clutch is not necessarily a sign of wear. it's the same on all mk3's, it annoyed me when I first got mine. I got used to it eventually I'm sure you will too. I replaced my clutch last year, and it still as the same friction point.

g) seats moving mechanism can be repaired to brand new in under an hour, I need to do mine. Needs more grease but mostly needs a replacement because this bit is too old:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2009/06/Dsc04928-1.jpg

[li21]

If the slip ring is buggered it's not too hard to fix. I had to reassemble one the other week after it exploded apart when I took off the steering wheel

Otherwise I would say it would be pretty easy and cheap to source a second hand part if it was needed

Where does the noise sound like it is coming from? Under the hood? or from the actual steering wheel?

It's coming from the actual steering wheel.. Like there's something inside that's rubbing as I turn the wheel. Its not too bad..but get annoying after a while

[li21]

g) seats moving mechanism can be repaired to brand new in under an hour, I need to do mine. Needs more grease but mostly needs a replacement because this bit is too old:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2009/06/Dsc04928-1.jpg

Will WD40 do the trick or do I need that really greasy stuff

How much can I get that part for?

Where are people getting their parts from these days other than general wreckers? :)

thanks

[li21]

Roof lining is sagging, common problem. Will need to be redone by urself or auto trimmer, costs around $300 to do i believe or alot cheaper diy.
.

Hey Peedman, do you know of any DIY guide for doing the roof lining?

Also anyone know if water dripping from exhaust is a bad sign?
I read it could be nothing (condensation) or major (head gasket or cooling issue)? What is it likely to be in a Mk3 GL? Its not like its gushing .. just dripping most of the time.

[gldgti]

oooohh kids, heres some realities about the clutch.

1) if its revving up a little when you floor it, then dropiing back down again, thats the clutch slipping because its worn or contaminated and needs to be replaced. no question....

2) the friction point is TOTALLY adjustable because the clutch is cable operated, and the 12-15 year old 'self adjusting' clutch cable is definately buggered. a replacement is worth less than $40 from HSY autoparts and is the adjustable type as is similar in operation to those fitted on both mk1's and mk2's, and allows easy installation and adjustability of the foot-felt friction point.

OP - its very likely that the clutch in your test drive car is worn or contaminated with oil (usually engine oil from the rear main seal). clutch kit is worth around $300 and a bunch of labour, or a days work if your set up for that kind of thing and competent. if you are keen on the car, i'd be asking for a grand off the asking price for that reason.

sounds like the car is gonna cost you upwards of $1500 to get it running properly (new suspension, fix little things and a new clutch) so if your ok with htat, go or it. if not... well :-)

[li21]

sounds like the car is gonna cost you upwards of $1500 to get it running properly (new suspension, fix little things and a new clutch) so if your ok with htat, go or it. if not... well :-)


Hey gldgti.. I ended up buying this car.. the suspension on 2nd drive wasn't as bad as it seemed.. but the clutch definately needed to be replaced. I got a clutch kit from Golf Loon and its going in tomorrow...

The body has heaps of scratches .. but on the bumper not the body.
Overall the car seems good .. cept for the sagging roof line which is starting to drop dried up foam on the dash.. hope its not toxic when breathed in! :)

I only paid $3900 for it and its a 1997 GL.. I think i didnt do too badly?

Oh the central locking seems to be making a noise from the rear.. like its stuggling to lock the back.. big job/small job to fix?

[peedman]

Hey gldgti.. I ended up buying this car.. the suspension on 2nd drive wasn't as bad as it seemed.. but the clutch definately needed to be replaced. I got a clutch kit from Golf Loon and its going in tomorrow...

The body has heaps of scratches .. but on the bumper not the body.
Overall the car seems good .. cept for the sagging roof line which is starting to drop dried up foam on the dash.. hope its not toxic when breathed in! :)

I only paid $3900 for it and its a 1997 GL.. I think i didnt do too badly?

Oh the central locking seems to be making a noise from the rear.. like its stuggling to lock the back.. big job/small job to fix?

central locking is normal, its vacuum operated and that the noise is from the module itself. the roofliner is pretty easy to do, u can search on vwvortex.com for the guide. $3900 seems pretty good price, just hope its only small things that need fixing. How many k's did it have?

[li21]

central locking is normal, its vacuum operated and that the noise is from the module itself. the roofliner is pretty easy to do, u can search on vwvortex.com for the guide. $3900 seems pretty good price, just hope its only small things that need fixing. How many k's did it have?

Hope so too! Well ive had it a few days.. will see what the mech says when he puts the new clutch in.. It has 207,000 which i thought was ok.. not low .. but not that high either?

[rayray086]

Hey Peedman, do you know of any DIY guide for doing the roof lining?

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=31256

[gldgti]

seems alright. have fun with it :-)