Belix's Jetta 2

Post Reply
User avatar
MikeD
Lieutenant
Posts: 1030
Registered for: 18 years 2 months
Membership No: missing
Location: Somerset West

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by MikeD »

hmmmmm.....

I got 3 steps for you to follow:

1. Light a match and burn that car!
2. Trade in Golf
3. Buy two cheep but reliable cars.

Done!! :evil:
Current Car
05 Polo 1.9 TDI Sportline

Ex
96 CTI Golf - Upgraded to EFI , 272 Cam, 60mm Drop, Brospeed Branch, s/s f/f, brake upgrade
90 BMW 318i
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by panic-mechanic »

No respectable thief will steal that car.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
User avatar
Belix
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4280
Registered for: 13 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Passat B8
Membership No: missing
Location: Randburg

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by Belix »

yeah, I'd be looking for a seriously unrespectable one ... :grin:
Hmmm, really not sure what to do now with it. Cut and run or keep it running for my mom.
Umphufu
Lieutenant
Posts: 1461
Registered for: 17 years 7 months
Membership No: missing
Location: In your moms closet...

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by Umphufu »

Belix wrote:
panic-mechanic wrote:Ok I don't want to be funny or anything. You buy an old mk2 that is in a very sad state of neglect for peanuts and the one thing you expected it to be is reliable.....? Uhm Ok then... You should have looked out for an old corrolla then. Most german cars are only reliable if they are looked after and serviced regularly. So 'keeping a hand on them'. If you let them go the smallest thing will make them break down. Toyotas on the other hand only seem to stop if something fatal happens like a rod through the block or such and they can be in the worst state of repair but still run.
peanuts. hmmm yup. Anyhow point taken, I hope this little adventure does not kill me! :grin:
or like top gear and just blow it up as nothing else seemed to work to get the car to just die
My other ride is your Mom...

CURRENT - 2004 MK4 GTI .:R - Garret GT3071R with Tial Vband Turbine housing, Pagparts casted stainless steel vband manifold, 76mm exhaust vbanded, 350hp intercooler and 63mm piping all round, Tial MVS 38mm vband wastegate


EX: 2000 MK4 GTI - SAC Conversion
EX: 1992 CITI 1.3
User avatar
MikeD
Lieutenant
Posts: 1030
Registered for: 18 years 2 months
Membership No: missing
Location: Somerset West

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by MikeD »

Belix wrote:yeah, I'd be looking for a seriously unrespectable one ... :grin:
Hmmm, really not sure what to do now with it. Cut and run or keep it running for my mom.

The amount of cash you still going to spend....
You know that you'll never going to get back if you resell it.

Sort of a catch 22 situation, its cheeper to keep and fix, but when will it end?
If you have cash and will keep it after all fixed then maybe continue...
Current Car
05 Polo 1.9 TDI Sportline

Ex
96 CTI Golf - Upgraded to EFI , 272 Cam, 60mm Drop, Brospeed Branch, s/s f/f, brake upgrade
90 BMW 318i
User avatar
SemiColon
I sparkle in the sunlight
Posts: 10456
Registered for: 14 years 1 month
Car Make: Volvo
Car Model: S40 T5
Membership No: 1641
Location: Pretoria

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by SemiColon »

Yoh, what a lemon...
八拾六
User avatar
Jetta2
Field Marshal
Posts: 14929
Registered for: 17 years 3 months
Car Make: VW, VW, Aprilia
Car Model: Mk3 Golf VR6, Mk4 Caddy, RSV4
Membership No: 1087
Location: Menlo Park, Pretoria

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by Jetta2 »

SemiColon wrote:Yoh, what a lemon...
Agreed. Sadly.

Rather sell the damn thing. In all honestly, strip it down and sell off the parts, you will most likely get some money back at least.
Ryan Demoser

1996 Mk3 Golf VR6
2017 Caddy Maxi Crew Bus 2.0 TDI
2013 Aprilia RSV4 track toy
2021 Aprilia RS660 road bike
User avatar
Belix
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4280
Registered for: 13 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Passat B8
Membership No: missing
Location: Randburg

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by Belix »

Looking like it might be the best option...

Had some grand plans for it...
My biggest issue is that i don't like the way the boot lid lines up, so I think the body is not right. If it were fine, I'd treat it as a long going project (apart from the fact my good mom has already put a couple extra dents in it...)
But thinkgs are packing up faster than I can sort out. If I'd not dished out for tyres, battey, shocks, strut mounts I'd be ready to call it quits.

Currenly on the card would be
- head
- gasket etc
- radiator flush/repair/replace and see why head blew in first place
- replace rear drums and pads, replace brake fluid
- power steering pump replacement
- starter is not sounding great.

even then, still need to sort out heater before winter, and interior fan to make it useful.

And I can't even do much myself as I have less than 1 free hour a day, and weekends seem to get packed up with crap before they even arrive...
User avatar
PoLonY
Gimme sausage. The thicker the better!
Posts: 18586
Registered for: 14 years 8 months
Car Make: Audi
Car Model: A8
Membership No: 1997
Location: Modderfontein

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by PoLonY »

Belix wrote:Looking like it might be the best option...

Had some grand plans for it...
My biggest issue is that i don't like the way the boot lid lines up, so I think the body is not right. If it were fine, I'd treat it as a long going project (apart from the fact my good mom has already put a couple extra dents in it...)
But thinkgs are packing up faster than I can sort out. If I'd not dished out for tyres, battey, shocks, strut mounts I'd be ready to call it quits.

Currenly on the card would be
- head
- gasket etc
- radiator flush/repair/replace and see why head blew in first place
- replace rear drums and pads, replace brake fluid
- power steering pump replacement
- starter is not sounding great.

even then, still need to sort out heater before winter, and interior fan to make it useful.

And I can't even do much myself as I have less than 1 free hour a day, and weekends seem to get packed up with crap before they even arrive...
decision made then...
User avatar
Belix
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4280
Registered for: 13 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Passat B8
Membership No: missing
Location: Randburg

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by Belix »

yeah...except I need a car for my mom...and as fun as the jetta has been, I'm suddenly not keen on spending what cash I don't have...
Time to search the classifieds again...
User avatar
PoLonY
Gimme sausage. The thicker the better!
Posts: 18586
Registered for: 14 years 8 months
Car Make: Audi
Car Model: A8
Membership No: 1997
Location: Modderfontein

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by PoLonY »

Belix wrote:yeah...except I need a car for my mom...and as fun as the jetta has been, I'm suddenly not keen on spending what cash I don't have...
Time to search the classifieds again...
yes well i wouldn't have let my mother anywhere near that car POS in the first place, norrafok sorry

plenty cheapies out there that won't kill you
User avatar
Belix
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4280
Registered for: 13 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Passat B8
Membership No: missing
Location: Randburg

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by Belix »

point out a few if you see them...
User avatar
MikeD
Lieutenant
Posts: 1030
Registered for: 18 years 2 months
Membership No: missing
Location: Somerset West

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by MikeD »

Belix wrote:Looking like it might be the best option...

Had some grand plans for it...
My biggest issue is that i don't like the way the boot lid lines up, so I think the body is not right. If it were fine, I'd treat it as a long going project (apart from the fact my good mom has already put a couple extra dents in it...)
But thinkgs are packing up faster than I can sort out. If I'd not dished out for tyres, battey, shocks, strut mounts I'd be ready to call it quits.

Currenly on the card would be
- head
- gasket etc
- radiator flush/repair/replace and see why head blew in first place
- replace rear drums and pads, replace brake fluid
- power steering pump replacement
- starter is not sounding great.

even then, still need to sort out heater before winter, and interior fan to make it useful.

And I can't even do much myself as I have less than 1 free hour a day, and weekends seem to get packed up with crap before they even arrive...
Oh.... oh oh, you forgot to add one of the most important things to this list!
Re-do rubbers on door and/or windows to provent a dam of water again.
Rust and smell is going to be bad!!
:sad:
Current Car
05 Polo 1.9 TDI Sportline

Ex
96 CTI Golf - Upgraded to EFI , 272 Cam, 60mm Drop, Brospeed Branch, s/s f/f, brake upgrade
90 BMW 318i
User avatar
Belix
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4280
Registered for: 13 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Passat B8
Membership No: missing
Location: Randburg

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by Belix »

yeah, think that was the lack of much of a rain tray over the air intake
User avatar
PoLonY
Gimme sausage. The thicker the better!
Posts: 18586
Registered for: 14 years 8 months
Car Make: Audi
Car Model: A8
Membership No: 1997
Location: Modderfontein

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by PoLonY »

Belix wrote:point out a few if you see them...
no prob man will do, we all buy lemons at some time
User avatar
heineken
VWCSA Member
Posts: 795
Registered for: 13 years 5 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: MKII Jetta CSL
Membership No: 2009
Location: Mumpara Province

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by heineken »

hmmm been a long time since iv read this rebuild project thread :hi: sad to see it end this way :cry:
User avatar
Belix
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4280
Registered for: 13 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Passat B8
Membership No: missing
Location: Randburg

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by Belix »

rebuild is perhaps too nice a way of putting it :bang:
Anyway, have found a replacement head and someone to replace it and recon the rad for less than R5K, so wondering if I should keep her going until I have a bit more time on my harnds...
User avatar
Belix
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4280
Registered for: 13 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Passat B8
Membership No: missing
Location: Randburg

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Need new head!!

Post by Belix »

Needed to change back brakes as drums worn beyond min spec. Picked up some drums, shoes and cylinders as Goldwagen, then added a set of sheel bearing as an afterthoughts as they were not to much.

First attempt at this! Started 10.30 am...
Firstly, getting the flaming drums off was a mission as the shoes had seated into the worn channels pretty well. I checked the net and they mentioned pushing the wedge up, but were not helpful enought to mention what that was or where to find it. After much manipulation with screwdrivers and rubber mallets, I got both off, only figuring out what they meant by the 'wedge' after getting both off :roll: If anyone is interested, it the bit connected to the one vertical spring - wedge shaped, push up to pull shoes inwards. How you do that through one of the bolt holes, I am not sure...

Then I had to figure out how to get the shoes and spring contraption out - but I found that unhooking the bottom spring made things a lot easier.

One wheels was full of a nice mix of brake dust and either brake fluid or grease I don't know which, but it was a nice gooey sludgey mix. The other just had a lot of brake dust I brushed out with a paintbrush.

The dry one...
Image

Anyway, much mess and petrol later, the drums looked relatively ok...

Luckily I took some shots of the brakes with the drums off, or I'd have not known how to reassemble the spring assembly.

Then came a major issue - I had no idea I'd have to get the top cover of the bearings into the drums, let alone needing some serious EQ to get them in. Luckily a friend had a 2 ton press, and even more lucky, he had some metals cylinders that allowed us to press the bearing "covers" into the drum.

that done, we returned - one drum went on nice and easy, but the other decided to be a pain in the butt, and even with the wedge up, the shoes seemed to be to proud, and I eventually had to bash the drum on with a mallet. The manual says to tighten the nut in tightly while rotating the wheel, then undo until just over finger tight, where the thrust washer can just move, but the 'stiff' wheel did not turn to easy.

Hope I put enough grease on the bearings....

Anyway, that done, I went about flushing the brake fluid. The one man kit valve seems to be otherwise, as I got a lot of fluid sprayed everywhere until working out the valve in the kit.

Flushed the rear brakes, still had front to do by 7.30pm...so that will get done another weekend.

Taking stock, end of day, some bashed hands, one lost bleed nipple cap, and a lot of mess.

Would have taken a nice before and after, but the day I was having, and the mess involved, I decided to avoid using the camera! Was it worth saving the R700 by DIY? Hmmmm, but at least I got it done!
Last edited by Belix on Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
heineken
VWCSA Member
Posts: 795
Registered for: 13 years 5 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: MKII Jetta CSL
Membership No: 2009
Location: Mumpara Province

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Rear brakes done

Post by heineken »

Its alive :grin:
User avatar
Scatman
General
Posts: 9432
Registered for: 15 years 7 months
Car Make: BMW
Car Model: 320d Msport
Membership No: 1773
Location: Magalieskruin, Pretoria

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Rear brakes done

Post by Scatman »

heineken wrote:Its alive :grin:
+1!

I'm glad to see this car is getting some DIY love again! Good job man!
Current:
2008 BMW 320d Msport Auto
Ex:
2006 Audi A3 2.0T
2006 BMW E90 330d Manual
*Click here*
2006 Sportline
*Click here*
Mk4 Jetta TDI - 79wKw, 256Nm atw @KAR
*Click here*
Margaret - '75 Audi 80 Restoration Project
*Click here*
2005 1.4i Citi Golf
*Click here*
User avatar
Belix
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4280
Registered for: 13 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Passat B8
Membership No: missing
Location: Randburg

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly- Rear brakes done

Post by Belix »

the poor car needs far more attention than I am able to give it, but a bit at a time...
User avatar
Belix
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4280
Registered for: 13 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Passat B8
Membership No: missing
Location: Randburg

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly-Where to get a rain t

Post by Belix »

Folks - anyone know where to get a replacement "rain tray" for a mk2? I got a part from the agents thinking it was the rain tray, but it turns out the part I got fits on the actual bonnet just under the vents. Otherwise, maybe I must bug Magster to make me one out of sheet metal or something!
User avatar
heineken
VWCSA Member
Posts: 795
Registered for: 13 years 5 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: MKII Jetta CSL
Membership No: 2009
Location: Mumpara Province

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly-Where to get a rain t

Post by heineken »

I would say go with the latter, even if you did find a 2nd hand one... probably be rusted
User avatar
Belix
Lieutenant-Colonel
Posts: 4280
Registered for: 13 years 11 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Passat B8
Membership No: missing
Location: Randburg

Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly-Where to get a rain tray?

Post by Belix »

Well I mean the plastic jobby over the interior fan motor, that keeps rain water coming in the bonnet vent.
User avatar
Tander
Brigadier
Posts: 6385
Registered for: 14 years 11 months
Car Make: Seat
Car Model: Leon Cupra
Membership No: 1713
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly-Where to get a rain t

Post by Tander »

Just read the whole thing thread. To me if you have already spent this much on it - might as well keep at it - one thing at a time?

Current Rides:
2008 SEAT Leon Cupra - Banshee

Exes:
2006 Polo 9N3 - 1.6i
2003 Citi.com 1.3
2003 Opel Corsa Lite
Post Reply