MrP's GTI Rivage

Hello All.

My first MK1 Golf and it's a 1991 GTI Rivage in Classic Green with an alleged 63k on the clocks and only 4 previous owners. I've always had the hankering for one ever since a friend owned a Rivage way back in 2002.

The cars history: The car was registered October 1991, the 2nd owner owned the car from 1995 to 2011 and apparently the car sat without turning a key for almost 10 years from early 2000's to when it was sold. The 3rd owner bought the car a a non-runner and started restoring the car, a painter by trade so he gave the car a really nice respray in the original colour where I was told using genuine VW paint. He pulled the engine out for a once over, headgasket, belts, service, paint the block etc, he also fitted a rear disc conversion, apparently all the work was though trader mates and cash in hand (I rub your back, you rub mine, kind of work). He swapped the leather interior for a cloth one then fitted matching Corrado front's for the extra hug. The car waas being restored for his son as his first car. June 2014 and his son passed his test then couldn't get insured on it! Come December 2014, he came on hard times and sold the car cheap to a friend of his who was a small time trader in cars and VW parts (apparently goes to all the show autojumbles etc), here is where the kicker comes in - The history goes missing, I've been led to believe the 3rd owner was a bit disgruntled about letting the car go for less than it owed him. The chap I got the car from had a camper, bora, Leon Cupra, etc on his drive and a die hard VW man; you know the type. He got the car at a good price and sat on it till spring to make some money, the only reason he had he car - at least he was honest! To be fair, he was a really nice guy. I had my reservations about the car, due to the fact that the car had no service history. But, the car's obviously had a lot of work and far too clean to pass up.

Pictures from the advert:





I poked around the car prior to the sale and it was clean, very clean, The engine had obviously had a bit of work, new belts, filters etc and the headgasket was clearly new. The car was honest and the underside very very clean, sills look like they've never seen a jack. The car was as described and I had no reason to doubt the history and work done, it was either a 63k car or very well looked after, in all honesty I'd say both. I buy on condition, not history so a deal was struck. He also threw in the leather interior and trim and also the Rivage front cloth seats - result!

I drove the car home, in the rain (sod law) and the car didn't miss a beat. Loved every minute of it. Then parked it up for the night.


Then tonight I took the car to a good mechanic friend and got it in his garage for a once over. Wow, the underside was immaculate, the sills are awesome. Rear brakes look brand new, calipers look refurbished, new flexi-hoses and copper lines, new handbrake cables. All the bushes look to have been renewed including the ARB clamps. The front end was just as nice, all bushes look new and the wishbones still have the 1991 stamp - try finding one of those on a higher mileage car - same for engine mounts and suspension componants. The engine and gearbox was very clean and it looks rebuilt, new hoses in places, metering head looks refurbished, new fuel filter, coilpack, dizzy, plugs, HT leads, dizzy cap and rotor arms and the list goes on. It's got Goodridge stainless hoses on over the rear axle and front calipers. The exhaust is brand new from the manifold back. The only thing on the car which looks like i'd want to replace is the solid fuel lines around the accumulator as they are a tad rusty, but the tank itself and filler pipe looks in great order.

I got my MOT tester friend to give it a look and we found a few issues, but for a car which has covered around 500 miles in 4 years was impressive. Front outer CV boots are starting to crack, still in one piece though and not a concern to change straight away. The rear bearing have some play and we believe the taper bearing just need nipping up. The backbox to center pipe was blowing at the joint (clamp just needed a nip up) and one of the bolts for the lower suspension strut wasn't tightened up fully (it was seriously tight and needed the air gun). All minor issues. The engine emissions were  high and it sounds a little gassy around the AAV (is this normal?) and it was a little tappetty. Either there is a vac leak or a timing issue in my opinion as the car feels like it's holding back on full throttle. My friend just said it probably needs an Italian tune up. We found out the tapping sound is the release bearing as it goes away with the clutch in, no biggy.

Anyway, pictures:









Chuffed isn't the word to describe how I feel, the car is seriously good. 

Glad you went for it looks a good one

Whats the next plans?

Pleased it has turned out well for you, you've got a really good looking car there.  I like the Corrado seats if as you say they match the rears., wouldn't be in a hurry yo put the old ones back in.

jellybelly said

Glad you went for it looks a good one

Whats the next plans?

Me too, was a bit of a gamble but appears to have paid off!

Lot's of plans, first is the few little niggles to get it reliable. then slowly working through the car in no specific order, i'm sure i'll find more as I go along, I'm starting a list, watch the next post.

RichardHall said

Pleased it has turned out well for you, you've got a really good looking car there.  I like the Corrado seats if as you say they match the rears., wouldn't be in a hurry yo put the old ones back in.

Thanks, me too. I'm the same, although it's making me itch knowing the car should have a cream leather as original. In the ideal world I'd like a re-trimmed original leather interior but with some Corrado Recaro's up front. Best of both worlds. This might have to wait for my next bonus at work though! For the time being I'm going to fettle the current interior as the Corrado seats appear to be from a LHD car (the tilt is on the passenger side of this car) so I'll either swap the bases over or find an old seat and swap the material over so both seats will tilt. I'm then going to try and fit the heated elements to the Corrado fronts. Just like OEM just lower and more hugging. 

So i've come up with a to do list, it's growing by the minute!

Exterior:

• Sort the paint defect on the n/s rear quater
• I've noticed a very soft impression on the bonnet, looks like some ones lent on it, it'll pop out in 30 seconds with the right tools
• Early style grill, single lights with VW roundel and chrome trim. Brand new Hella headlights as mine are faded. Might as well get the headlight loom upgraded at the same time
• New aerial as this one drops when extended
• Amber side repeaters

 Interior:

• The corrado front seats appear to be from a LHD (the tilt is on the passenger side) so either swap the bases over or find a new UK driver side base and swap the material over. The seats themselves are mint. Also I might have a go at turning them into heated seats like the original Rivage had.
• Decide what to do with the leather, it's been stored for a good few years and seen better days, all the leather is very dry and cracked, the door cards are falling apart etc. Possibly re-trim it in new leather, but I've always fancied a Harris Tweed interior. TBC.
• New gearknob as this has a bit or wear
• Needs a rear view mirror as the one supplied is a suction jobbie and keeps falling off.
• Sort the stereo. I have a nice Alpine unit and speakers from my old Corrado I want to fit. Either that or find something modern but period looking.
• Sort a few trim pieces
• Fit some floor mats (Just ordered some from here)
• Sort the boot out, the carpet fits poorly and it's missing the offside arch carpet, think half the tool kit is missing.
• Get a second key cut, I only have one but it works on all locks
• Fit central locking
• The interior B Pillars need sorting, they look to have two random bolts instead of the coat hooks, for some reason.
• The glovebox rattles, I think the latch on the dash has chipped so needs replacing.
• The dash creaks with a clutch press and something in the rear is knocking.

 Running Gear:

• Fit a 9" servo and a 22mm master cylinder
• Bigger front brakes? Feeling an adaptor bracket with some original VW 280mm. I like overkill brakes.
• Paint the calipers black or silver, possibly red but don't want to scream chav or ****head. I like clean and subtle
• Find a pair of stainless Goodridge hoses for the rear disc conversion fitted.
• Tighten the rear bearings, replace if required
• Upper brace bar (painted in the body colour for subtlety) - It has a genuine K-bar already fitted
• ARB's - Looking at H&R - Thoughts anyone?
• Coilovers, I fancy some KW V3's but not sure if this is overkill for a fast road car?
• Find some BBS RM's. 8" all around I think. Classic silver centres, polished lips with gold bolts; maybe?
• Get the tracking sorted

 Engine Bay:

• I think it has a vacuum leak as it's very hissy around the inlet side of things
• Give the engine a good tune, check timing etc
• Fit a new release bearing
• Clutch is stiff, not sure if this is just me not being used to cable clutch or if it is actually stiff - look into.
• I think the speedo cable is worn as I can here ticking/whirring behind the clocks.
• Just give it a general once over for piece of mind
• Needs new strut top covers
• New expansion tank - current one is fine, just yellow.
• Engine upgrade. Something period which will look factory standard-ish. I've found a TSR Donnington lump but just waiting for better pictures and confirmation it is what it is. Either that or I fancy a 9a.
• Fancy a stainless exhaust system, unsure what to go for? Any recommendations? I want subtle and sporty on full throttle, nothing boomy, chavvy or on part throttle. Slash cut tailpipe.

 I think this is it for the time being. A good few weekends work to be getting on with. All little niggles really and doesn't detract from the car at all. 

Nice purchase

Vw still
Stock the original
Gear knobs

If you need the part number give me a shout

 

P0jy said

Nice purchase

Vw still
Stock the original
Gear knobs

If you need the part number give me a shout

 

I really fancy the genuine golfball knob, I don't know why!  

Thats a monster list 

jellybelly said

Thats a monster list 

Is it!? I've not even scratched the surface, looking at ripping the running gear off for powdercoating and new bushes (maybe poly) whilst I'm at it.  

Seeing your total enthusiasm for this car you will have that list all finished by the end of the Easter weekend!    

If I had 10% of your energy and time there wouldn't be a single thing for me to do to mine!    

lovely motor, after seeing your description and the pics of the car it definitely seems like a top buy.

look forward to seeing the progress!

So today has been a bit of a roller-coaster. Standard old car fun and games.

I fist checked the physical timing, all spot on as far as I can tell.



The only uncertainty was the cam sproket, the rear mark was lined up with the top of the head, but it had a O.T on the front which was at 12o'clock and then a dot which was around 7o'clock. Any idea what these are for?


The good news is that the cambelt and tensioner look to be fairly new, I'm inclined to believe the seller that this was recently changed. I was going to change it, but I really don't see the point


I then set about with the ignition timing and playing with the metering head, idling much better now and seems a little more eager. Still not perfect but I was only going by ear. I still think there is a light air leak around the AAV. Once again, the dizzy cap, rotor arm, leads and coilpack all look brand new. Good times.

Next on the list was removing the armour door plates. I was concerned I will find some horrors lurking underneath and I'll have to leave them on. I hate armour door plates.

Not perfect around the cutout, more than likeyly they had been been attacked with a screwdriver at some point, I remember in the 90's they were targeted, a lot. But it appears they were rectified in the respray.


I'll take that. With the handles back in they are perfect.



Only issue is that I don't have gaskets for the larger part of the handle, I'll have to get some ordered. I left the plates on for the time being.

Nice little bonus, polished locks.


Spotted what looks like new top mounts too. The guy must have thrown so good money at it.


I then cracked on with the suspected knocking release bearing. Gearbox was nice and clean underneath:


Plate off and showing old bearing:


Old and new, the old one rattled when shook, the new one didn't.


All done with a new cap, shame it doesn't have the VW emblem, I quite liked that.


Whilst under the car I noticed a few things had been refreshed really impressed with whats been done.






l also noticed the original stamp on the wishbone from 1991, surprised this is still here, I suppose it's more evidence that the mileage is genuine.
.

Started the car up, and the knocking is still there. It goes away with the clutch pressed. It's a classic release bearing noise. Could it be the clutch plate? Any advice welcome.

Finally, I inspected the rear axle, the car has been making a metallic knocking noise over bumps and getting increasingly louder, then started making a different nose when braking. Anyone spot the issue?


Then disaster, the car has locking wheel nuts on the rest of the wheels, I don't have the key. I have a extractor socket but the nuts have the spinning outer so the extractor doesn't work, spent two hours on it. Great. Gave up for the night and i'll attack it tomorrow.






 

Overall it looks like you have found a cracking MK1 there!    It looks in good condition and that it has generally been cared for.

One of your oil sump bolts are missing, if you hadn't noticed? Keep an eye out that it's not leaking but it would be worth fitting a replacement.

Not sure on your clutch and brake issue to be honest - you've had a rear disc upgrade though as that's not standard. Oh hang on!!! Another bolt is missing!!

Look at the bottom of the bellows on the hand brake cable - then left a bit - the bolt to the hub is missing!! That will need sorting rapidly! lol

Great work so far  

Also ref general tuning, take a look at rubjonny guide here - http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=14915

It's for Digifant not K-jet but it should still be useful

Ref the door handle gaskets, give Mark funk-star a shout, he'll help you  

oh sh**, you're lucky you caught that missing rear brake carrier bolt. probably wouldn't have ended well!

with the timing marks you have a late car so it has the OT marker on the outside, once find an upper timing belt cover and inner half moon piece you'll note the inner pie3ce has the matching OT marker arrow you can use to line it up.

then with ignition timing you set it to 6 degrees BTDC at idle with the dizzy vac pipe disconnected and plugged. use the diamond 6deg marker on the flywheel with a bog std non-advance timing light this thread covers all the basic kjet stuff, ignore the 16v parts obviously:
http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=25972

as for gearbox noise it soundfs like one of the input shaft bearings, the release bearing isnt spinning when the clutch isnt pressed on these gearboxes so it isnt that, though the old one wanted replacing by the sounds of it anyway

Hairyarse said

Overall it looks like you have found a cracking MK1 there!    It looks in good condition and that it has generally been cared for.

One of your oil sump bolts are missing, if you hadn't noticed? Keep an eye out that it's not leaking but it would be worth fitting a replacement.

Not sure on your clutch and brake issue to be honest - you've had a rear disc upgrade though as that's not standard. Oh hang on!!! Another bolt is missing!!

Look at the bottom of the bellows on the hand brake cable - then left a bit - the bolt to the hub is missing!! That will need sorting rapidly! lol

Great work so far  

I didn't notice the sump bolt, good spot! I have a few spares so I'll get that sorted.

Yeah, not standard but all new parts, not a fan of drums, if only for the looks. And yeah, actually both bolts! The rattling noise was the calliper moving abut over bumps and evenetualy working lose so everytime I but the brakes on the rear calliper gripped the dics and roated till it hit the hub!!! Lucky I caught it so quick.

All sorted now and all brake bolts double checked and loctited. I believe being a project car for the last chap quite a few bolts were "i'll get back to that". Oh well.

rubjonny said

oh sh**, you're lucky you caught that missing rear brake carrier bolt. probably wouldn't have ended well!

with the timing marks you have a late car so it has the OT marker on the outside, once find an upper timing belt cover and inner half moon piece you'll note the inner pie3ce has the matching OT marker arrow you can use to line it up.

then with ignition timing you set it to 6 degrees BTDC at idle with the dizzy vac pipe disconnected and plugged. use the diamond 6deg marker on the flywheel with a bog std non-advance timing light this thread covers all the basic kjet stuff, ignore the 16v parts obviously:
http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=25972

as for gearbox noise it soundfs like one of the input shaft bearings, the release bearing isnt spinning when the clutch isnt pressed on these gearboxes so it isnt that, though the old one wanted replacing by the sounds of it anyway

Very lucky, glad I'm OCD and I investigated the noise quickly.

All timing marks look good then I timed it to 6 degrees BTDC, I actually found your guide the other day which I followed, thanks very much! The car is much healthier, not perfect but has a bit more go.

Gearbox doesn't sound that bad to be fair. Is this an easy fix or gearbox apart jobbie? The gearbox is otherwise perfect.  Maybe an excuse to fit a close ratio box.

So today's activities, last for a few weeks as i'm off on holiday. Shame. One of my favourite early VW upgrades. 99 Relay for the wipers.


Then I set about stripping the rear door cards out:


Time for an upgrade.



Also gave it a bot of a hoover and fitted a 300mm sterring wheel - Workout when parking, go kart on the move, win win:


Then out came the hose pipe:


All clean:





And here is the paint defect on the rear quarter:



It's not too bad to be fair, only visible under certain angles here is a another to show my point:


And finally, swapped the wing bolts for some stainless ones I had lying around:


Oh, took it for a drive and the rear knocking and noise has gone, replaced with a mettalic sound on the overrun, it sounds like a exhaust clamp is loose and rattling. All fun and games, but getting there.


 

the box needs to be split to fix that bearing, but it probably wont get any worse so long as the oil is clean and topped up. my old 1.6 driver did the same and I never bothered to do anything about it.

a 16v box would give you a shorter 5th and so higher revs cruising on the motorway, its not a massive difference but for this reason i wouldn't fit one over a good 8v box

I've got a 16v box in mine and am planning to swap the 5th gear over at some point, when I'll get round to it though I dont know

rubjonny said

the box needs to be split to fix that bearing, but it probably wont get any worse so long as the oil is clean and topped up. my old 1.6 driver did the same and I never bothered to do anything about it.

a 16v box would give you a shorter 5th and so higher revs cruising on the motorway, its not a massive difference but for this reason i wouldn't fit one over a good 8v box I've got a 16v box in mine and am planning to swap the 5th gear over at some point, when I'll get round to it though I dont know

So, do I either have that bearing replaced or buy a replacement box.. Hmmm.. The noise is grating on me so I want it sorting.

On that note, will a MK2 GTi gearbox fit? I currently have a AUG so I believe it has the 100mm flanges and should be a straight swap, can anyone confirm?