Hi Folks, any advice??

Hi All,

I'm new to this scene, although not to VW's in general as I own a 1990 T25 camper & a mkIV Golf estate diesel ops: . I wanted to ask some advice as I am looking for a mk1 or 2 cabrio and am not particulary knowledgeable. Not necessarily a gti, I'm taken more by the 1.8 Clipper. Anyway, I have been told to look out for white "mayonnaise" style gunk on the oil filler cap and to stay away if it is there. I have looked at 5 cars now, both gti & Clipper and all but one have some form of white film, not a lot but it's there…is this something to worry about? Should I be worried about the doors dropping slightly when opened and therefore needing a good push to close them? I have been told this is relatively normal, is it an easy fix or does it suggest a more dodgy past? Talking of doors, a couple I have seen have the leading edge panel gap get smaller towrds the bottom of the car, is this a problem? What's your view on replacement engines? I looked at one that had had a Scirocco engine installed, is this a known substitute? Why do some of the cars I've looked at have the 3 dials (volts/clock & can't remember the other one!) by the gear stick & others just have a blank panel?

Sorry for all the questions, I told you I didn't have much knowledge 8O . Ihope you can offer some advice.

Ta,

Matt

hi matt,
I'll try to answer your questions.
white milky film in any engine is bad, it's because water is contaminating
the engine oil. As for the doors, it could mean the car has been in an accident or like my mk1 the door was caught by a gust of wind and just needs realining.
vw engines fit in a number of different models, so a replacement engine could have come from another model.
hope this helps.

Hi Studs,

Thanks for the reply. Is the water contamination a fixable problem, or is it beyond repair?

Ta

Matt

a headgasket is fixable and quite easy to do at home just use it as a excuse to get the car cheaper

white gunk is sometimes caused when a car it sat for some time or only doing short trips (old fiestas suffer badly with this )

door gap could be where door has been lifted to get it to close

hope this helps

 luke

as for the dials some are factory fitted and they are a common aftermarket extra.
there is lots of helpful imformation and mk1 owners on this website.

Thanks Luke,

That may have put my mind at rest a little.

Matt

if its only on the inside of the cap and not in the actual rocker cover then its mainly due to condensation from more commonly short journeys so its not strictly true it always suggest's head gaskets or water leaks, if it creamy on the dip stick then yes …problems, but you do get white or creamy oil inside the rocker oil cap from just condensation which is harmless just wipe the cap clean, you'l know if its more than that cause youl see the creamy oil inside the rocker cover not just on the cap also check inside the header tank for the rad to see if there's oil floating in the water or the waters creamy and frothy :wink:

http://www.vwgolfmk1.o…viewtopic&t=61710&start=0

mk1's are fairly simple mechically, so can be fixed and maintained relatively cheaply, and also it's fun working on your own car

Hi and welcome!

I think most of the Scirocco engines are exactly the same as some of the Mk1 Golf models, like the 1.8 carb engine for example, so it would be a straight fit and 'like for like', hence why you've come across a couple that have been used as a replacement engine.

The door drop is really common for the age of these cars. Can be lifted by hand or with a jack for a crude quick fix (lots of us have done it)or new door pins can be put in. The other reason for an uneven panel gap could be a pattern/non VAG front wing which doesn't fit as well as the original.

There's a helpful Cabrio buyer's guide on the Home page. Good luck in your search for a Cabby. Feel free to ask for more advice around the forum.  :mrgreen:

Thanks for all the advice, it's good to see the help is out there when you need it. Shame I can't have you all with me next time I'm viewing  

Matt