things wrong with your mk1

hey i thought it would be fun to list the problems if any  we are all currently experencing with our pride n joys from major headaches to the little things that niggle (not looking 4 answers)

heres mine …
A RIVAGE
1. pass window only works when it wants to not when i want it to
2. ambient temp sensor missing (just found that 1 today)
3. have to keep spinning n/s roof hook straight each time i put roof up
4. some times fires straight up other times turns over about 5-6 times (getting quicker each time!!!) till she starts
5. cd jumps if i drive over a small pebble
6. changed oil today n must of spilt some, so each time i run it the engine smokes like its on fire
7. no matter how many times i try i cannot get the jack/jack handle…etc back in that black plastic thing correctly
8. the accerator cable hook that goes on to the pedal keeps slipping out needs bending back over again
9. sometimes loses power on a long run only happend twice in 2 year and seems to go away after 15 mins
10. glove box always slams shut on my hand when trying to reach for a cd
11. failed mot today on 3 brake pipes 2x steel ones n 1 flexy (?100 on monday)
12. oh and the fuel pump as just started buzzing 20 mins ago!

sure there is more but now i've listed them has depressed me a little, suppose i could sell it n get a focus (*looks out of window at car*) NO WAY!!!! ……. I'd sell my bowel first!!

Damien.

I think after gassing the car out today my missus would rather I sell my bowel too!!

3 main things spring to mind:

1. Simply too fast for UK roads (never really use the full power of the engine conversion!!!)
2. Needs a respray, bits of paint now flaking off etc
3. It does this on corners if I go too fast!

rot, rot lots of rot!!!!!!

At least yours has old rotten bodywork to measure up! On my 'other' Mk1 Golf (long term project now) this is what the rear corner looks like. Measurements against another car reveal there's at least a couple of inches of stuff missing….

Blimey, i thought the rust on mine was bad(it pretty good actually). you got your work cut out there paul, jelly, your doing a spot on job with your mk1.

As for me,
car in bits,
engine won't fire/wiring loom shot,
new suspension needed,

i'm sure there plenty more, but i won't know til i get it back on the road(rattkes and knocks etc.)

holeinmk1 said

Blimey, i thought the rust on mine was bad(it pretty good actually). you got your work cut out there paul, jelly, your doing a spot on job with your mk1.

As for me,
car in bits,
engine won't fire/wiring loom shot,
new suspension needed,

i'm sure there plenty more, but i won't know til i get it back on the road(rattkes and knocks etc.)

That's the worst bit - when its just that little bit more work needed before it starts up/can be MoT'd/can be used day-to-day. It means that you spend a bunch of money and do some work, get so far, then need to do some more, then some more again, etc. At least with a major project you can plan it out, strip a lot of stuff off to make space, combine jobs to make ones which are harder to later access into easier jobs, etc and you kinda know it will cost something, but also you can take it as slow or as fast as you want. Keeping on top of a daily driver which wears out or breaks down, sometimes gets tricky!

Golfnuts, I had a Rivage and I had NONE of those problems, but my Quartet (French equivalent, except with central locking instead of heated seats), has had soooo many of the same problems. Including

golfnuts said

1. pass window only works when it wants to not when i want it to (same)
3. have to keep spinning n/s roof hook straight each time i put roof up (same)
7. no matter how many times i try i cannot get the jack/jack handle…etc back in that black plastic thing correctly (same)
8. the accerator cable hook that goes on to the pedal keeps slipping out needs bending back over again (ARGH, don't get me started)
9. sometimes loses power on a long run only happend twice in 2 year and seems to go away after 15 mins (hmm, similar - mine just cuts out then starts again no problems…possibly heat-related)
12. oh and the fuel pump as just started buzzing 20 mins ago! (same - mine has done it ever since buying this car)

My glovebox in my Rivage was broken completely (but still locked at least) so it never bounced back on me…just kind of fell off.

Other problems with my Quartet:
- my seat has stopped angling
- MFA sometimes sticks on overall reading instead of short trip
- two of the rubber/plastic pedal covers are breaking; the other one fell off the day I bought it (hmmm, coincidence)
- 'heartbeat' idle once warm (both Golfs)
- passenger door doesn't easily close (stays ajar unless forced)
- boot pops open IF forced! Have to be gentle
- 'fast' windscreen wiper setting is almost exactly the same speed as normal setting

Whinge over. Feels better.

1. rear arches
2. straighten van panels and refit
3. get engine running
4. sort little bits out on body
5. paint
6. mot

not a lot really, but i'm sure the list will get longer as i go along!

MFA only works when the key is in
Temp light keeps flashing
Roof leaking both sides now (needs replacing)
The catch that stops the drivers door from swinging right open missing
Bonnet, clipper kit and wings need paint
Glovebox spring is in the glovebox not attached to it
Jumps out of 5th
Dent in drivers door
Drivers door dropped a bit
Rust under the windscreen
Front seats have green mould (from leaking roof)
Carpet needs replacing
Inverted dent under passenger seat (someone must have jacked it up??)
Backbox blowing
Slow leak in rear tyre

Ok im bored of writing lets just say work needed  :mrgreen:    :mrgreen:

1) rev limiter needs re-wiring, as the "temp" wiring has now been in a year  

2) fag lighters stopped working so I cant plug in the sat nav

3) rear brakes are a bit lively at times, needs the bias looking at and replumbing,

4) poss need a new master cylinder as the one fitted groans a bit,

and thats about it, other than the rust on the rear aches and drivers side rear corner…but im not too bothered about that  

1: Cigarette lighter dosent work:
2: Back window needs re sealing:
3: New interior & carpet:
4: Re Spray:
5: Suspension bugared so if i hit a little hole feels like my wheel has broke:

Thats it

1. Starts to misfire now.
2. Big rust found under the rear seats.

Nothing too major i suppose, always fancied giving an engine rebuild a try and rust will be sorted by a bodyshop and then a respray.   

i don't know if i want to start this list…
lets see how we go.

bodywork:
o/s front door keyed
o/s rear door keyed
o/s wing keyed, dented and rusty
n/s front door rusty
n/s rear door dented
n/s wing dented and rusty
sunroof rust spots and seal is about dead
front panel dented
rust spots on sills
rear panel rust spot behind number plate

respray!!!

rear bumper twisted
chrome trim on both bumpers faded

roof lining ripped multiple times

instrument panel only has one light working
handbrake light comes on and off at will

reverse lights not working

engine running sweet.

ahhh, i feel better now.
basically i am in need of a makeover.

ash

Raffles said

MFA only works when the key is in  

I'm pretty sure thats normal, mine only works with the ignition on?

Dom123 said

Raffles said

MFA only works when the key is in  

I'm pretty sure thats normal, mine only works with the ignition on?

My old GTi had a clock no matter what and this cabby doesnt. When you put the key in the clock says 0.00.

- sunroof seal gone, leaks really bad.. car full of water

- idle still lumpy but not stalling as much now

- fuel lines need replacing asap

- rust around sunroof and lots of other places

- battery needs charging up

- windscreen seal, window seals and boot seal weathered and need replacing

- exhaust manifold gasket is blowing

- rev counter not working

- passenger window does not open and has dropped a few mm's
  (although good ventilation for condensation from leaky roof )

- interior light not working

- a thousand stone chips on the bonnet, paintwork in general showing      'patina'

still love it to bits  

Rust, rust rust.

Lumpy idly (used to stall but new injector seals sorted this for little money)

Dosn't heat up properly

Camber alignment

Big dent in the door

Door lock mechanism stiff

noisy radiator fan motor

damp carpets at the front (rust?)

Broken lumbar support on drivers seat

incorrect colour passenger seat


Still love it though.

Needs the lamp post shape taking out of the front end of the car. :cry:



There's some other bits like rusty arches and paint but I don't know if I'd get rid of all that character.

yradave said

Needs the lamp post shape taking out of the front end of the car. :cry:

TOP TIP
you could weld a lamp post in. not only would it fill the gap, but also provide your own personal security lighting wherever you parked.  :y:

ash