Mk1 GTi Convertible - 1988, Helios Blue

Morning all,

Mark GLS suggested I start a build post so thought I’d give it a go.

Not had the car long - my wife had one as her 2nd car and our 8 year old loves them so when we found this one. Couldn’t pass it up! Right colour, right year and good condition

To be fair, she’s in really nice condition overall, but there are definitely some things she could do with.



To give you an overview, she’s done just over 170,000 miles, I’m the 11th ownerand there’s a stack of history.

Positive points

• Drives beautifully,
• roof is in great condition
• electrics all work well
• body is straight
• Wheels in great condition
• Engine in great condition
• Interior fabric is in great condition
• Speakers sound good

Negative points

• There are some little bubbles here and there on the paint that might be the very first signs of rust?
• It dosent like running on small throttle, it gets a bit jumpy
• There’s a hole in the clear coat on the bonnet
• The carpet in the bottom of the car has seen better days - but is more than servicable
• The radio is really ugly 
• It crunches into 2nd and 3rd when cold (worn synchro?)
• Tyre DOT is 2015, and whilst they’re not cracking they look past their best
• Both front seats are a tiny bit saggy but I have no idea what to do about this! They look fine tbf, just not new anymore (outrageous I know, its only 32 years old  )
• Drivers seat adjustment is worn, backrest dosent move very well
• Steering wheel is off centre
• Gas strut on boot dosent hold it up
• VDO dials in the centre aren’t wired in

So, 1st jobs Ive decided I need to get onto;

• MOT is up in June so looking for a good dealer in Leeds to sort me out
• Order new car mats which match the blue interior
• When we can go all go out about about find a body specialist to give me an opinion on some of these paintwork bits and bobs
• Buy a head unit in keeping with the interior

I’ve posted some pictures below so you can have a look : 
































 

Work so far;

replaced accelerator pedal grommet with a MK2 Golf one and some rubberised super glue  

replaced n/s taillight bulb

Welcome James, car looks great in the pics.

I had the tip off last week from your better half that this had landed during a work Skype call and to say she was excited would be an understatement! Pics were sent via email immediately after the call so the birthday present went down a storm!

Do I need to keep the list of jobs quiet and just for the forum or does she know the list exists?

I enjoy sourcing parts and working on mine as much as driving it which is rare these days so I’m sure you’ll do the same.

cheers
Neil

Cheers Neil, thanks very much She's over the moon, although the accelerator pedal dropping to the floor the first time she got in it didn't help 😂 #grommet

She knows the list exists, however,I could do with someone on the inside convincing the boss of the clear investment opportunities that buying things for the Golf represents 😳👀

Need to find a decent MK1 specialist up my way, Google and forum searching so far yielding no results - 3 weeks to MOT!

 

Looks good for age and mileage, just shows use is better than low miles stuck in a garage and never used.

From your list 2nd gear is a feature, I had a nearly new MK2 Golf and it was like that. Try some new 75/90(?) oil in the gearbox.

Take steering wheel off and adjust it to striaght ahead. Becasue only one steering track rod is adjustable it confuses most garages and you end up with wheel out of aligment.

Tailgate strut is simple to replace too.

Engine running, make sure all pipes and hoses are intact and fit tight

Is the MOT not extended 6 months due to lockdown?

Early-1800 said

Looks good for age and mileage, just shows use is better than low miles stuck in a garage and never used.

From your list 2nd gear is a feature, I had a nearly new MK2 Golf and it was like that. Try some new 75/90(?) oil in the gearbox.

Take steering wheel off and adjust it to striaght ahead. Becasue only one steering track rod is adjustable it confuses most garages and you end up with wheel out of aligment.

Tailgate strut is simple to replace too.

Engine running, make sure all pipes and hoses are intact and fit tight

Is the MOT not extended 6 months due to lockdown?

Cheers Early,

I'll have a look at the steering wheel later - need much expertise/tools?! I think I might need to upgrade my present screwdriver/Allen key/hammer tool set 😂😳

Tailgate strut I think I can manage - found one for sale new so I can try.

Gearbox oil change I'll get the specialist (when I find one!) to do - thanks for that

MOT still showing as same due date but TBH I want to get it done anyway

Nice Cabby,

Your MOT will extend within 7 days of it due, mine just extended to November.

James Horne said

Cheers Neil, thanks very much She's over the moon, although the accelerator pedal dropping to the floor the first time she got in it didn't help 😂 #grommet

She knows the list exists, however,I could do with someone on the inside convincing the boss of the clear investment opportunities that buying things for the Golf represents 😳👀

Need to find a decent MK1 specialist up my way, Google and forum searching so far yielding no results - 3 weeks to MOT!

 

I'll keep Mrs H aware of the need to maintain the investment for sure, she knows how much I've been spending on mine and how much I've been working on it too so you should be good.

Can't help on the VW specialist in Yorkshire I'm afraid but there are plenty of really helpful people here so somebody will be able to recommend a specialist when they spot your request.

I'll keep an eye on progress and the boss knows where I am if you need any help and I can help in anyway

better of doing it yourself least you know
it has been done nice car
cheers paul

Is this normal!?

For the steering wheel, a big socket, not sure exact size but an imperial one in my acient socket set fits ok. Set wheels straight ahead, pull plastic horn ring off, undo nut, pull wheel off, replace in correct position. refit nut and horn push.

One of the advantages of the MK1 that most jobs are DIYable with basic tools and a bit of common sense.

Agree with MOT, I'm on 12 weeks lock down which looks like its being expended and MOT was due in April but would like to do it ASAP if poss.

James Horne said

Early-1800 said

Looks good for age and mileage, just shows use is better than low miles stuck in a garage and never used.

From your list 2nd gear is a feature, I had a nearly new MK2 Golf and it was like that. Try some new 75/90(?) oil in the gearbox.

Take steering wheel off and adjust it to striaght ahead. Becasue only one steering track rod is adjustable it confuses most garages and you end up with wheel out of aligment.

Tailgate strut is simple to replace too.

Engine running, make sure all pipes and hoses are intact and fit tight

Is the MOT not extended 6 months due to lockdown?

Cheers Early,

I'll have a look at the steering wheel later - need much expertise/tools?! I think I might need to upgrade my present screwdriver/Allen key/hammer tool set 😂😳

Tailgate strut I think I can manage - found one for sale new so I can try.

Gearbox oil change I'll get the specialist (when I find one!) to do - thanks for that

MOT still showing as same due date but TBH I want to get it done anyway

For GB make sure they use GL4 and not GL5; (see Welcome to BrokeVW.com for all thing MK1 gearbox)

Proper fill capacity on all the 020 trans, regardless of the manufacture date, is 2.1 US Quarts or 2.0 Liters.

VW calls for hypoid oil API GL4, MIL-L2105 SAE 75 or G50 SAE 75W90 synthetic lubricant.

Hi, thats a nice looking Cabby, exactly the same as mine  

Good to see you have started a build thread.  Gearbox gear crunch. Try new fully synthetic gearbox oil, the oil in gearbox's is very often forgotten about and never changed so try new oil 1st. It made a difference on my gearbox..
 I used this oil.
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/triple-qx-ep-75w90-transmission-fluid-fully-syn-1-litre-522776022

Video with the car running, yes that's not normal, sound like it's running rich?
What fuel are you using? Best to use super unleaded..

If you take the steering wheel off leave the nut on a little so when you have to hit it off from behind it does not hit you in face… it’s painful hitting yourself in the face with a steering wheel I know… Jack up the front of the car and count the turns lock to lock then back to centre, from memory it’s about 1 and 3/4 turns from centre to full lock?
 

Welcome along.

Looks like a good one from here. With a few jobs to do it'll also keep you busy when you have nothing to do. You can always try that line of thought on the wife 'you go out shopping/bungee jumping/white water rafting dear, and I'll stay home and 'work' on the car'.

As for the expense, if I die and my wife sells all the bits for what I told her I 'paid' for them then someones in for a hell of a bargain  

Enjoy

Ian

Hi James,

I owned this car from 2000 to 2011. She was my first proper car as a 20 year old, and I loved having her! The engine and drive were always exceptional. 

I’m delighted she’s still in great condition, and has arrived at such a good home, thanks for sharing.

Enjoy!

Gareth

spinemeddy said

Hi James,

I owned this car from 2000 to 2011. She was my first proper car as a 20 year old, and I loved having her! The engine and drive were always exceptional. 

I’m delighted she’s still in great condition, and has arrived at such a good home, thanks for sharing.

Enjoy!

Gareth

Haha, wow! Hi Gareth 🙌

Great to hear from you, I've got all of your old invoices in order - I think you spent a small fortune!  

If you're ever passing up this way, we're just off J47 (Garforth) Leeds, if you want to have a look around it (or a drive even?!).

Its a very well maintained car - its a credit to all of its former owners so I'm trying to keep it in the best condition I can!

James

Hi James,

Would you consider selling the VW Golf? As a previous owner I'd love to buy it back.

Let me know! garethgriffiths me .com

Thanks,
Gareth