Servicing

Looking to service the Golf. I have before but I thought I would just ask if anyone has any pointers on best parts, plugs, filters, oil type/make  etc
Cheers

They're not critical really, just avoid really cheap rubbish, go for something with a known brand. Oil is a bit of a debate because you'll probably see semi-synth cheaper than the (specification) mineral multigrade. I switched over to semi-synth years ago with no issues.

What I use….

MANN or genuine oil filter, 10W40 semi synthetic oil but avoid Castrol oil.

Don't forget the fuel filter.

Good place for genuine VW oil filter and Quantum Synta oil which VW would use.


AVS Car Parts - [The VW - Audi - Seat - Skoda Parts Specialist]

Euro car parts / carparts4less sell MANN oil filters, I also use the Euro car parts home brand oil in my cars.


If you want to do a major service might be worth thinking about gearbox oil, it's often over looked and I find it best to change the oil every 40,000 or 4 years. I use fully synthetic oil in my gearbox.

lots of threads on which oil etc on the site so have a search or google.    

If you are doing a major service, along with the gearbox oil, consider changing the brake fluid and coolant.

Both get forgotten, esp on cars with low annual mileages. When I got my Cabrio I gave it a good going over and the brake fluid was like black sludge and the coolant rust coloured muck. Don't think either had been changed for a decade.

Coolant every 2 years for me.
G box oil every 5 years - I do very few miles in the golf.
Brake fluid every 2 or 3 years especially if dot 4 as it is hydroscopic
Plugs when they look like cr*p
Dizzy cap if looking rough or every 3 or 4 years
Cam belt - 3 to 5 years. Tend to do mine more often as it sits idle for so long I worry it cracks on points I contact with tensioner etc.
Air filter not too often for me as it is not used much
Oil and filter every year
Rocker cover casket every 2-3 years to get it before it leaks
Wiper blades every couple of years or when smearing
Check all lights and change bulbs as needed.
Check tyres for perishing signs
Check vacuum advance by sucking on pipe and make sure you can’t suck air.
Check rotor arm and replace if looking rough.
Listen to water pump for excess noise
Replace alternator belt
Check fan operates at temperature.

Should keep you busy.


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Thats one hell of an inventory and it'd reminded me that I probably am neglecting a few things.
Great guidance from everyone.
What about the plugs? I have in the past tried the triple spark performance plugs but at the moment I am using the normal Bosch ones.
I have also been looking at the brake servo upgrade as per the MK2 golf, any thoughts

I’v never noticed any difference with triple contact vs normal other than price.

Servo I am looking to get one they are about 90 second hand then a 22mm master cylinder on top.

Apparently a good upgrade and anything to improve those brakes.


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I will take a look around and se if I can find some prices

Stuff I use, some people don't like Bosch but I've never had any problems with them.

HT leads
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HT-Leads-Ignition-Cables-Set-0986356338-Bosch-803998031-B338-Quality-Replacement/233475348321?_trkparms=aid%3D1110012%26algo%3DSPLICE.SOIPOST%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200603054315%26meid%3Dd871a3523e0e49f191d18ffe0511c639%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dnone%26sd%3D233545540043%26itm%3D233475348321%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DPromotedSellersOtherItemsV2%26brand%3DBosch&_trksid=p2047675.c101196.m2219

Spark plugs
£3.89 each with discount…

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/bosch-spark-plug-408330010

Rotor arm
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/bosch-rotor-arm-405330140

Dissy cap.. it's hard to find a Bosch one but Bremi are a good make.. lots to chose from so might be worth shopping around, euro car parts don't sell Bosch or Bremi any more…

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ignition-Distributor-Cap-For-VW-Audi-Seat-80-POLO-GOLF-III-3-PASSAT-CORDOBA-100/184244249175?epid=1972039628&hash=item2ae5d02257:g:1o0AAOSwaZRdXVm3

Noted, thanks for the links

hantsgolf said

What about the plugs? I have in the past tried the triple spark performance plugs but at the moment I am using the normal Bosch ones.

I got 3 sets of Bosch Triple plats that were bad 2 sets for one cabby, as the new set had 2 bad plugs out of the box and the replacement set had 1 bad plug…. the 3rd set was for a different car, but it too had 2 bad plugs, (its good to measure the resistance of the plug prior to putting it in.)….. The only thing bad with the VW originally was a bad HV lead to number 2 plug.  But with the first new set of plugs, I had 3 badly running cylinders… Oppps…

I took a hint and started using NGK Iridium plugs, and the difference was night and day…. A good set og HV leads and the NGK and I could swear by the seat of my pants I had gained 200HP .    

The only thing that saved me time and monies in the diagnosis was that I had 2 good running cabbies prior to "tuning" the one up.. So a quick swap of the plugs  and a change over of the cap lead me to the issues I was having, once I measured the resistance of the plugs I could see where my Issues were with them…..

So I only use NGK triple or dual plats or single Iridium now.  I haven't been dissapointed in years with their perf….

I have used NGK before in the distant past and you have reminded me how good they are, so they are going back on my list of parts for the next service.
Cheers