Finally bought one!!

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Hello all,

 

I recently purchased this 205 CTI a week ago. I have wanted one for well over a decade now as this has been my dream car since I was a teenager! It all started when I was 17 as I had a 205 XS which I modified to look like a GTI as much as I could! Ideally I would have preferred a GTI now, but this came up at a really good price and condition that I could not turn it down. A year's MOT with 2 advisories and no major rust on it at all. 137500 miles on the clock, newly refurbished wheels, 4 new tyres, new exhaust, new calipers, braided brake hoses, new brake pipes, new rear window and much more. When I test drove it on the Isle of Wight there was a knock from the near side front suspension and I noticed the MOT said 'front oil leak but not excessive' which I took a gamble on due to the rest of the good condition overall. It was bought from a private trader who sells classic cars. He said that the previous owner had died but he kept it up together and in a garage when not in use. There was a folder given to me which shows pictures of the car that the previous owner took at what looks to be a car show/meet. It also contained the invoices for the work and parts he had bought during his ownership. On my journey back from the IOW I received so many comments about the car and this reassured I had made a good decision to purchase. Upon inspecting it this week, I have managed to get it on a ramp in a dealership I work at and found some things that need attention (as I suspected!) Being 31 years old (the car not me!) it's not that bad. So, back story told, here is what I plan to do to keep the car in working order as a daily runner: 

 

1)Clean front sub frame and lower engine of years of grime to identify where the oil leak is coming from (this has now been done) and waiting to find so I can fix.

2)New front number plate as the current one is cracked. Eventually replace with some classic ones that would have been put on it originally. (This has been done so classic ones next!)

3)Remove the horrid tow bar.

4)install missing rear bump stop.

5)Apply an inhibitor coating and stone chip to the underside boot floor to ensure it doesn't go scabby. 

6)Make the NSF speaker work

7)Remedy the intermitant knock over major bumps (think a top mount or ball joint).

8)Clean and restore paintwork and hood.

9)Tidy or replace any parts that NEED to be replaced to keep it working as it should.

10)Get 2nd Key cut.

11)Fix the coin tray lid so it stays shut. (Found clip on ebay)

12)Blank off the window winder holes as electric windows have been retro fitted.

 

As you can see, a number of jobs to tackle. There are some optional ones later which I would like to do but only if I have the time and money:

 

1)Yellow front fogs. 

2)Pininfarina badges on the side replaced with GTI badges.

3)Rallye grille decal.

4)1.9 Wheels (once the tyres have worn out on the ones I have on now).

5)Install original GTI seats

 

All this depends on money, time and life in general. I am generally thrilled that I have bought my dream car (albeit a soft top not hard top) and have enjoyed driving it this week in the 'honeymoon' period. But now I suppose, it's time to think of the future and long term investment to get it to a condition I am happy with.

 

Anyway, here's some pictures for you all. Feel free to comment and thank you for reading whilst I rambled on! 

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

And a few more pictures I have just found ....

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Another task I have just remembered:

13)Get the wheels balanced as there is horrific wheel wobble at motorway speeds!!!!! 

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Got the wheels balanced today. Had to have wheel weights put on the inner and outer of the wheel as they were badly out. It would appear the refurbs were done and then wheels not balanced after! However, after driving on the motorway today the wheel wobble is worse now! Try again I think!!

[DamirGTI 342]

"Pepperpots" are a bit dicky to balance , need to find the right shop who still has equipment/adapters to do them ..

 

If still no good , check alignment .. and check for play in the steering column joints both top and bottom one , as they commonly wear .

 

D

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Thanks Damir. I got them balanced using the specialist equipment as the have no centre cap hole (to my surprise!) The wheels have a lot of dried mud stuck to the inside of them so I am going to try and remove this 1st tomorrow and see how I go. There is a dull knock from the nsf over bumps but the car has JUST had an MOT with no mention ...  ??

[DamirGTI 342]

NSF - help me out bit please ! , that means left right ? (i mean left not right !!)

 

If so , might be worn bushing in the steering rack .. also kinda common these days especially , or inner track rod , or drop link .. grab and hold with one hand and tap with rubber or plastic mallet with another hand , if any of those is loose you'll feel vibrations on/trough you're hand .

 

Mainly think it'll be steering rack bush , especially if it went unnoticed by the MOT inspector .

 

D

Edited September 22, 2021 by DamirGTI

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Thank you for your help Damir. Gonna check tomorrow. Ps. NSF - nearside front.

[Richard309Sri XU5JA 205GTi 8]

11 hours ago, Steve K said:

Thanks Damir. I got them balanced using the specialist equipment as the have no centre cap hole (to my surprise!

I remember now when I used to take mine in they had a four bolt attachment that went over the single bolt 

spindle for standard wheels with centre holes on the balancing machine. 

 

Nearside is the side nearest the kerb - when looking at the car when driving from the left hand side of the road - so that's the passenger side in other words - yeah that's left; that's right LoL    (N.S. = left side) 

[DamirGTI 342]

Right , means left !

 

D

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Took the wheels off today to clean the mud off the insides ....

 

Swapped the wheels front to back but still wobble above 50mph.

 

My mate is re-balancing them tomorrow. 2nd time lucky hopefully.

 

[DamirGTI 342]

Looks like a lot of weights on , might be the tyres are bad (possibly stored/left standing with them deflated ?!) thus needing a lot of weights .

 

 

D

 

 

[Richard309Sri XU5JA 205GTi 8]

I remember now I used brake cleaner and some wire wool - gently - when mine got bad -

 

I was told the black stuff was dust from the brake pad wear but not sure if that's true, I guess if it's only like that on the front that must be true. 

 

Must be some special alloy wheels cleaners also that can be used.

 

Yeah mine haven't got that many weights on - that looks a lot? are they opposite/under the valves? 

 

[sub reddit - what is the difference between static wheel balancing and dynamic wheel balancing?] 

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

So had them re balanced yesterday after cleaning them up. 90% there now. Little bit 65-70 and above 70. I will settle for that as the chances of me doing more than 60 regularly are very slim! Looking to put 1.9 wheels on it eventually so on to the next items. Oil leak and knock over large bumps .........

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Treated myself to a 2nd key today. Was kind of no brainer. Cannot risk just having 1 key!!

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Took the wife and kids to the farm today with the roof down (as the weather was beautiful!) and now there is no wobble there is definitely a 'loose' feeling in the suspension that can be felt via the steering wheel. I noticed when reversing off the drive it 'clunked' as I applied the brakes and over some bumps the clunk happens too. My gut says top mounts as the only play I can feel when the car is on the ramp is NS track rod end ball joint. Any thoughts peeps? 

Edited September 26, 2021 by Steve K
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[E933LVN 2]

Hi Steve, lovely CTI, I'm in a similar position to you having recently bought one too. I can't really help you with the mechanics of your car, I'm better with the aesthetics of them. Mine has the 1.9 wheels on it, I might buy some of the 1.6 ones as well, as they were standard on all CTI's. I think the 1.9 wheels look better though. Mine has had a full respray, new roof and all plastic trims, so it looks factory fresh. Since I bought it I've mainly been cleaning the inside, the seats didn't look bad but I used a professional carpet cleaner on them and they were filthy! I've also fitted out the boot as it was bare metal in there so it's now got the correct floor matting and wheel arch carpets. I've also bought a full set of mats for it with the CTI logo on them, they weren't cheap but they are excellent quality! Mine also has a small oil leak, I've found a localish 205 specialist so I'll take it in to him now that the weather is turning and it'll be tucked up in the garage for the winter. 

[E933LVN 2]

Hi Steve, lovely CTI, I'm in a similar position to you having recently bought one too. I can't really help you with the mechanics of your car, I'm better with the aesthetics of them. Mine has the 1.9 wheels on it, I might buy some of the 1.6 ones as well, as they were standard on all CTI's. I think the 1.9 wheels look better though. Mine has had a full respray, new roof and all plastic trims, so it looks factory fresh. Since I bought it I've mainly been cleaning the inside, the seats didn't look bad but I used a professional carpet cleaner on them and they were filthy! I've also fitted out the boot as it was bare metal in there so it's now got the correct floor matting and wheel arch carpets. I've also bought a full set of mats for it with the CTI logo on them, they weren't cheap but they are excellent quality! Mine also has a small oil leak, I've found a localish 205 specialist so I'll take it in to him now that the weather is turning and it'll be tucked up in the garage for the winter. 

[E933LVN 2]

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

She's a beauty! I much prefer the 1.9 wheels. Just finishes it off in my eyes. 

[Reebmit 51 4 Cars]

18 hours ago, Steve K said:

Took the wife and kids to the farm today with the roof down (as the weather was beautiful!) and now there is no wobble there is definitely a 'loose' feeling in the suspension that can be felt via the steering wheel. I noticed when reversing off the drive it 'clunked' as I applied the brakes and over some bumps the clunk happens too. My gut says top mounts as the only play I can feel when the car is on the ramp is NS track rod end ball joint. Any thoughts peeps? 

I spent many happy years in a Cti with our kids going to the beach etc…..they loved it… great cars…..

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Found the knocking noise. Flat anti roll bar bushes. Being done tomorrow so fingers crossed! 

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Anti-roll bar bushes and the car is transformed! However, water pump and rocket cover gasket leaking to sort now and then fingers crossed she's good for the winter!! 

[ALEX 98 1 Cars]

Nice looking Car! 

[Steve K 5 1 Cars]

Cam belt, water pump and rocker cover gasket installed. Rocker cover gasket was solid and very old. Cam belt, no troubles. Water pump .. not so easy. 4 bolts should hold it in place. Only 2 present. No wonder it was leaking! Tried to insert the other 2 .. no thread in the block!!! Re-tapped and 4 bolts now holding it on! Well happy. He even secured the air pipes back on with jubilee clips too rather than the tacky cable ties that were there already. Hopefully that's it until next year now. :-) 

Edited October 8, 2021 by Steve K
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