Returning To The Fold

[phil19gti 0]

I've recently returned to the 205 gti fold wiith the purchase of a lazer green 1.9. It's been about six years since I owned my last gti and all the memories are coming back by the minute.

 

What I'd like, if someone can help, is a bit of an idea of what people think needs cleaning/replacing/looking at to help the car out. If there is a guide on here could someone please point me in the direction?

 

I've got it booked in at Skip Browns next Friday for a general tune up as it's currently idling quite low on cold start and then idling too high when warm.

 

Thanks in advance and I'll get some photos up as soon as I can.

[Anthony 1,003]

Without seeing the car in question it's pretty difficult to say what it needs! A few common ones though...

 

• Engine valve-stem seals - usually dead around 100-120k, leading to oil burning and puffs of blue smoke on idle/overrun
  
• Ignition timing often wrong, leading to reduced power and efficiency - usually thanks to people over-retarding it for use with unleaded
  
• Rear beam - if it's not been rebuilt in the past, it's probably dead or dying, especially if it's been messed around with (lowered) in the past.
  
• Front suspension - worn balljoints, wishbone bushes, droplinks, and strut top mounts are common
  
• Dampers - whilst they last very well on 205's compared to heavier cars, they're likely to be past their prime by now - lowered cars (on original dampers) even more so.
  
• Wiring - bad earths, particularly for the headlights/indicators, and corroded wiring/connectors for the gauge sensors and starter solenoid (leading to clicky-starter syndrome)
  
• Interior - most P2 cloth seats are ripped, and the drivers side bolster will usually be collapsed. Rear quarter window seal leaks common.
  

Plenty more than that if you browse through the forum, but there's a few things to get you started

[phil19gti 0]

It had an unleaded conversion and clutch 34000 miles ago and the engine pulls quite well.

 

To start with I'd like to have a general clean up under the bonnet of switches, sensors, etc to help it out.

[jackherer 543]

It had an unleaded conversion

 

That doesn't sound right, all they could have done is retard the ignition timing to run on 95 ron but that would make it very slow. The valve seats are hardened so lack of lead isn't an issue, its only the octane rating and the solution to that is to use super unleaded.

[phil19gti 0]

That doesn't sound right, all they could have done is retard the ignition timing to run on 95 ron but that would make it very slow. The valve seats are hardened so lack of lead isn't an issue, its only the octane rating and the solution to that is to use super unleaded.

 

That's what it said on the advert. Now you say that it does sound a bit strange. I know it had the stem seals done at 55,000 miles. I'll have a better look into the history and find out what it says.

[woodsy 0]

If your ever in the wallasey area mate i dont mind putting it on the ramp in my garage and having look over it for you.Paul at SBC will set it up very

well for you i always go there.

[phil19gti 0]

If your ever in the wallasey area mate i dont mind putting it on the ramp in my garage and having look over it for you.Paul at SBC will set it up very

well for you i always go there.

 

Got it booked in at Skip Browns next Friday for a general tune up - help out with teh cold start and warm idle. Thanks for the offer of the ramp, much appreciated. I'm not far from you so might well take that offer up. Have you got your own garage?

[woodsy 0]

Hi mate yeah i got my own garage so have pick of 4 ramps . Just let us know when you up my way and i make sure i got a quiet day and i will

look over it for you incase anything obvious sticks out.

[laser_GTI 1]

Alrite phil, your just round the corner from me, i'll have to keep an eye out for ya.

[phil19gti 0]

Where in Manchester are you mate?