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New Cabby Owner - Leaks?

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Clutch Fluid & Water - Help if you can?

Hi All. Owned a cabby back in 2010 but sold it due to some repairs and I couldn't afford to fix them at the time being a young whipper snapper.

Now I'm older and not minted but can afford to spend a little I decided to purchase another as a weekend toy.

Bought in Birmingham from a nice guy and drove back to Newcastle Upon Tyne with zero issues.  After being parked on my drive for an hour noticed what I thought was oil. However after closer inspection I think its Clutch/Brake fluid? This is where I need your help. Also a small water leak but I need you to identify what this part is and if it's just an o-ring? few picks below. Any help is would be fantastic :) IMG_2456.jpg

The images below is the water leak. Leaks from where this part joins the head, I'm guessing a new o-ring if not and I require a new part then what is it?

20220617_180856.jpg 20220617_180917.jpg

The other fluid leak seems canny bad. Not sure where it's coming from but it's everywhere so any advice or help please please chuck it my way.

20220617_180741.jpg 20220617_180750.jpg

Thanks in advance :) 

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Welcome Grolly.

It's hard to tell what is leaking as it's wet everywhere, common fault of gearbox flange seals leaking could also be your problem. Have you smelt the fluid dripping on the floor as gearbox oil has a very distinctive smell compared to engine oil and brake fluid has a different feel to engine oil…

Are you losing any brake fluid from the reservoir?

Start the car and hold your foot hard on the brake pedal does the pedal slowly go down to the floor?

Sorry can help much with the coolant leak as I don't have that type of set up on my car but that is a sensor.
Do you know what coolant they have used? If it’s VW G12 pink stuff modern coolant as that can cause leaks to an older coolant system.

Another thing I've noticed is the sliver nut on the the clutch cable should be at the top of thread not at the bottom as yours is, you may find with the locking nut down there the cable will slowly adjust it self…
 

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Thank you so much Mark1gls for the information.

It does smell like brake/clutch fluid rather than oil. The guy I purchased it from was so nice and  told me he'd topped up the fluids etc… knowing I was doing a 3 hour drive so at the moment only having it just over a day I haven't been able to spot any levels dropping yet.

As for the brake peddle dropping I checked this and it's didn't budge. The info on the silver nut is helpful… I shall fix this straight away. There is some play on the peddle before it actually makes any connection.

I'll try and inspect it a bit more over the weekend. Thanks again for your quick response mate.

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keep an eye on the levels and give the engine and gearbox a good clean with some Gunk de greaser


There should be some play in the clutch pedal, you need adjust the cable so there is 10mm of free play  :thumbs:

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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The water outlet flange is prone to leaking, they make replacement Metal ones and well if you buy plastic ones buy two.

What do Divorces, Great Coffee, and Car Electrics all have in common?

They all start with GOOD Grounds.

Where are my DIY Links?

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New Cabby Owner - Leaks?

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll get a new flange ordered and do some gunk cleaning. Monitor the levels and see which drops.

Sent from my SM-F916B using Tapatalk

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Update… I found out what was leaking. It's coming from the gearbox. NOT a seal or something loose. See the picks below. Totally gutted and feel let down. I honestly thought the guy was spot on. Nice house… young family and a decent job. Just shows you that not everyone is honest. Comments and ideas on what I need to do would be helpful. I'm guessing a new gearbox? or can you purchase the outer shell or can it be repaired? Sick as a mo-fo. 20220618_165726.jpg 20220618_165734.jpg 20220618_171109.jpg 20220618_171225.jpg 20220618_171244.jpg 20220618_171435.jpg

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Hmmmmm that's not good, someone knew it had a hole in it to fill it, I've never seen one looking like that before….
 I'm sorry you've had such dealing with someone who did not tell you or mention the problem but unfortunately there is some rouge's out there… I guess the car was sold as seen?

You'll need a different gearbox but the 020 gearbox is fitted to loads of VWs from a Scirocco to Mk2 Golfs, stripping it down and swooping the case involves lots of special tools and not really for the home mechanic.

Check the gearbox code underneath possibly a AUG?
You'll have 100mm drive flanges being a late car.

Prices for gearbox vary and maybe post up a wanted add in case someone can help you out as most people on here are honest and happy to help.

The main problem with the 020 gearbox is a worn syntro from 1st to 2nd so it crunches when changing gear especially when the oil is cold, as ask if that's ok..

Info on everything 020 gearbox

Welcome to BrokeVW.com

To see what's involved with stripping a box down have a look at this thread…

https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=helllllpppp%2Fgearbox-drive-flanges&kfs180=30
 

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Thanks again mark1gls yeah I'm gutted.
I'll check the link and see if it's still available.
Fingers crossed.
Is there any step-by-step guide on here that you know of for removing the gearbox?
Thanks

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I don't know of any online guide, maybe get your self a Haynes manual.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/134135189257?hash=item1f3b148f09:g:~KQAAOSwrLBiijhb

Or the Mk2 Scirocco manual covers later mods to the running gear etc (same floor pan etc as Golf)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314040792016?hash=item491e4a33d0:g:QlEAAOSwhjNiUbCQ


You'll also need a 12 spline tool to remove the drive shafts from the flanges.

It's not the difficult to remove the gearbox if things come undone smoothly and easily done in a day on the drive with the car on axel stands.

Before fitting the next gearbox it's worth replacing some of the seals and bushes as it's a lot easier with the gearbox on the bench. The broke VW website is brilliant at showing what's involved if you need to fit new seals.

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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sorted mate

Do not know a lot but willing to help if possible

1989 Sapphire Blue Mk1 Cabriolet KR
1985 Atlas Grey Mk2 GTI 2.0 ABF
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