Improving several details

Hello guys

I'm making small improvements in my Golf Cabrio to have it as perfect as possible and as original as possible.
It is a 1.8 DX of the year 1991

I would like to know your advice.

1- I want to paint the engine cover. Now it's red and I guess it should go in black matte?
2- Remove the union bar from the turrets. I suppose it's removing the screws and taking out the support from below where the shock absorber is?
3- The MFA oil temperature clock does not work. It doesn't mark anything. Could you indicate which is the sensor in the engine or what could be the problem?
4- Fuel consumption measurement does not work for me. I think I could have disconnected the tube behind the speedometer when I mounted the radio. Before dismantling it all again, could it be another reason?




Thank you very much for your help.
 

1. Yes it should be black.

2. The strut brace should just unbolt, 2 of the bolts, 12 and 6 o'clock are standard fitment for the top mount so don't lift the car when you remove these or the front strut will fall off, the 3rd bolt someone has fitted that when fitting the brace, might be worth having a go at removing that 1st as you may need to lift the car to get underneath it, then lower the car and remove the 2 other nuts, remove brace and refit the 2 nuts each side…

3. Oil temp sensor is ontop of the oil filter (I think it's a green and white strip wire but not sure… ) the 1 nearest the radiator, the sensor behind it is for oil pressure.
Should look like this and has a spade connector fitted to it, the oil pressure sensor usually has a rubber boot over it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK2-GOLF-Oil-temp-sender-White-1-Pin-M10X1-T4-Golf-Caddy-Corrado-049919563A-/182610381550

4. MPG could be the white vacuum hose is lose, did it work before you messed about with the dash?
Other than that could be a poor electrical connection to the instruments…

mark1gls said

3. Oil temp sensor is ontop of the oil filter (I think it's a green and white strip wire but not sure… ) the 1 nearest the radiator, the sensor behind it is for oil pressure.
Should look like this and has a spade connector fitted to it, the oil pressure sensor usually has a rubber boot over it.

I have already located the sensor, thanks to your indications. I have sanded it because it was bad enough. I still have to try to see if it works or I have to change the oil temperature sensor.

I have removed the bar but I lack the supports. When going to remove them I have not seen how to do it.
Does it seem that the shock absorber has to be removed?

I have taken pictures with my mobile phone even though they are not well done,

http://marcet.cat/golf/Golfillo17web.jpg

http://marcet.cat/golf/Golfillo18web.jpg

http://marcet.cat/golf/Golfillo19web.jpg

http://marcet.cat/golf/Golfillo20web.jpg

I had a Strut bar on my 90 Cabriolet that was similar to yours, I had to modify it a wee bit as well as trim the expansion tank mount for clearance.



The other thing I noticed is that some of your strut mount studs have been replaced with bolts.  This happened to me on an install of a new strut and mount, that the studs spun in the mounts pressed fit.  It was only after the mounts nuts were half way down making it impossible to remove the nut or tighten it fully. Couldn't get anything up the strut tube to hold the stud firm.

I ended up Snaking my Wire Welder up the strut tower, and tack welding the studs in place so I could remove the thing and weld them proper.  I have since learned to Tack weld all my studs on all my strut replacements out of hand as whether they are new or old…Doesn't matter on which mounts I buy…I do it out of hand.

Oh and BTW here is a new way to re-enforce the new mounts besides filling the void with window weld.

https://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?9278083-Another-way-to-reinforce-Mk1-strut-mounts

These furrows (grooves) are normal?

Seillamk1 said

These furrows (grooves) are normal?

Yes the layers of mesh are spot welded together. These are often gunged up and pressurise the crank case giving symptoms of a knackered engine, blue smoke out of exhaust, leaking oil out of seals etc. Try and wash out with petrol or I've had to remove the mesh, drill out spot welds, burn off the gung, clean up and re-weld everything back together

Just a warning over painting your engine cover, be very careful if you have it powder coated, the breather gauze inside can get clogged up it happened to me and caused too much pressure in engine, blew my oil cooler and damaged engine. always make sure it's cleared out.

Thank you very much everyone for your advice. I've taken them into account.

The engine spare parts came this week.

I already have the rocker cover painted and assembled with the new gasket. The camshaft looks very good and the oil is perfect.

I have already placed the new oil temperature sensor.

Now everything is looking better, as it's similar to the original one.





The engine before.



I do not see any cam with excessive wear or scratching.



The lid has been sanded, primed, painted and lacquered.



The engine after.



I also improved the air intake manifold because the foam was destroyed.