Golf GL - MK3 after inspection questions

[li21]

So i went to inspect another Mk3 GL tonight.

Noticed a few things.. wondering if this is normal:

a) The interior dome light does not see to have a on when doors open mode? Or atleast I couldn't find a position which would do so?

b) The steering wheel makes a rubbing, swishing noise as you turn it lock to lock.. is this common and does it have a quick fix?

c) The roof lining seemed to be a bit loose? i know its an old car but what would cause the thin cloth like lining from dropping from the roof? Common ? As long as its not a water leak or something,, but didnt look damp.

d) Is a tall clutch / friction point indication of clutch wear?
It seems to shift fine ... but while driving , I tried to rev all the way out and I noticed it would climb the revs , say hit 4500 really quickly, drop back down a little and then starts again.. all while in the same gear.. but this only really happens when i gave it a bit.
Is this a problem ?

e) The handling seemed okay.. but its not as good as I was expecting a Mk3 to be? I drove a Mondeo on the weekend and that was spot on for handling. Am I mis-informed that a Mk3 is a good handler in stock form?
The suspension still seemed firm and fresh.

f) The car had a VW key with a button in the middle. Does this button have any functionality (ie. remote locking?) as the guy said it was a remote but it seemed like just an empty button and didnt do anything.
Didnt see a way to open to change the battery either?

g) Seats were bloody hard to move back and forward. I assume its just a little oiling will fix it?

h) Can I run these things with E10 Ethanol type fuel?

Thanks all

[Mind's Eye]

a) Yes. Can't recall off the top of my head where you've got to flick it, but it definitely has it.

f) Yes. The button operates a little light in the key to help you find the lock at night

[peedman]

So i went to inspect another Mk3 GL tonight.

Noticed a few things.. wondering if this is normal:

a) The interior dome light does not see to have a on when doors open mode? Or atleast I couldn't find a position which would do so?

b) The steering wheel makes a rubbing, swishing noise as you turn it lock to lock.. is this common and does it have a quick fix?

c) The roof lining seemed to be a bit loose? i know its an old car but what would cause the thin cloth like lining from dropping from the roof? Common ? As long as its not a water leak or something,, but didnt look damp.

d) Is a tall clutch / friction point indication of clutch wear?
It seems to shift fine ... but while driving , I tried to rev all the way out and I noticed it would climb the revs , say hit 4500 really quickly, drop back down a little and then starts again.. all while in the same gear.. but this only really happens when i gave it a bit.
Is this a problem ?

e) The handling seemed okay.. but its not as good as I was expecting a Mk3 to be? I drove a Mondeo on the weekend and that was spot on for handling. Am I mis-informed that a Mk3 is a good handler in stock form?
The suspension still seemed firm and fresh.

f) The car had a VW key with a button in the middle. Does this button have any functionality (ie. remote locking?) as the guy said it was a remote but it seemed like just an empty button and didnt do anything.
Didnt see a way to open to change the battery either?

g) Seats were bloody hard to move back and forward. I assume its just a little oiling will fix it?

h) Can I run these things with E10 Ethanol type fuel?

Thanks all

Roof lining is sagging, common problem. Will need to be redone by urself or auto trimmer, costs around $300 to do i believe or alot cheaper diy.

Tall friction point is normal for these cars and u cannot adjust it as the cable is self adjusting. U get used to it in the end and isnt so bad.

Handling can be improved with new bushes and strut mounts but there is a limitation in the fact that the mk3 uses a rear torsion beam. A rear sway bar is recommended by some ppl too so u can look into that.

And yes i have run on e10 before and got 600kms to a tank with a CL but vw do recommend at least ron95.

[li21]

Thanks Peedman.. But E10 won't do any hard will it?
Is the CL 95RON recommended too?
Redbook states 91 RON.. but I guess Redbook is never right.

Mind's Eye.. I guess I didnt take a good enough look.. but can the battery be changed in the key ? Not ones of them sealed for life units?

[rayray086]

I've used E10 on occasion and I don't notice the difference on my GL. However, fuel flap should have a sticker on the inside saying you should use at least 95RON.

Interior roof light is like any other normal car - you can have it to be always on, always off, or only on when door opens. This can be adjusted with the switch closest to the driver.

I'd put a wager in that the suspension hasn't been changed since new. Mine was pretty bad when I first got it (think moving mattress) but after new mounts and a cup-kit (upgraded struts with matching springs), handling was fantastic.

The button on that key has no function unless the car was optioned with remote (I don't even know if VW ever offered that?). You can pry open the plastic sides using a small flat-head and you'll find a battery.

With the seats, either not enough grease or the plastic guides are no good. You can get replacements for these plastic guides fairly cheaply from VW. We could find out the part number for them so you can ask for a quote from VW.

[li21]

Thanks rayray .. Was it expensive to get suspension refreshed?

What about kms for timing belt change? is it every 100k aswell?

[coons88]

b) Probably the power steering making noises as you have hit full lock, normal

c) Common problem on many cars. The foam behind the fabric starts to fall apart, and the glue no longer grips it so the fabric sags. $300ish to get done at a Auto Trimmer, $100ish if you do it yourself (plenty of DIY's on the internet)

d) Sign of an ageing/worn clutch. Mine is the same, just look after it

f) Activates a little light in the key to help find the door lock. If it doesn't work, the battery is probably flat, or blown bulb, or perhaps it's even missing the bulb/battery/other circuitry

[rayray086]

Thanks rayray .. Was it expensive to get suspension refreshed?

I bought a set of Koni shocks + Koni springs for $1060 from a local distributor. Spent another ~$100 for new mounts. Installed everything myself with the help of a mate. Totally worth it.

[Brisben]

I bought a set of Koni shocks + Koni springs for $1060 from a local distributor. Spent another ~$100 for new mounts. Installed everything myself with the help of a mate. Totally worth it.

I owned a mk3 in the UK 2ltr GTI, wasn't impressed with the handling either, prefer MK1 then MK2.But like anything can be improved, I would just go and get a decent VR6 instead....

[Shteifen]

steering wheel making a scraping noise, if thats what your hearing, is probably the steering wheel slip ring, so allow the horn to work while being able to turn the steering wheel. might be worn out or damaged or something

[li21]

steering wheel making a scraping noise, if thats what your hearing, is probably the steering wheel slip ring, so allow the horn to work while being able to turn the steering wheel. might be worn out or damaged or something

Hmm.. i didnt test the horn.. Maybe I should have..
I'm guessing its not such an easy fix with an airbag steering wheel?

[coons88]

If the slip ring is buggered it's not too hard to fix. I had to reassemble one the other week after it exploded apart when I took off the steering wheel

Otherwise I would say it would be pretty easy and cheap to source a second hand part if it was needed

Where does the noise sound like it is coming from? Under the hood? or from the actual steering wheel?

[VR6child]

a) The interior dome light does not see to have a on when doors open mode? Or atleast I couldn't find a position which would do so?

b) The steering wheel makes a rubbing, swishing noise as you turn it lock to lock.. is this common and does it have a quick fix?

c) The roof lining seemed to be a bit loose? i know its an old car but what would cause the thin cloth like lining from dropping from the roof? Common ? As long as its not a water leak or something,, but didnt look damp.

d) Is a tall clutch / friction point indication of clutch wear?
It seems to shift fine ... but while driving , I tried to rev all the way out and I noticed it would climb the revs , say hit 4500 really quickly, drop back down a little and then starts again.. all while in the same gear.. but this only really happens when i gave it a bit.
Is this a problem ?

e) The handling seemed okay.. but its not as good as I was expecting a Mk3 to be? I drove a Mondeo on the weekend and that was spot on for handling. Am I mis-informed that a Mk3 is a good handler in stock form?
The suspension still seemed firm and fresh.

f) The car had a VW key with a button in the middle. Does this button have any functionality (ie. remote locking?) as the guy said it was a remote but it seemed like just an empty button and didnt do anything.
Didnt see a way to open to change the battery either?

g) Seats were bloody hard to move back and forward. I assume its just a little oiling will fix it?

h) Can I run these things with E10 Ethanol type fuel?

a) yes there is a position to have the light come on when a door is open

d) high friction point on the clutch is not necessarily a sign of wear. it's the same on all mk3's, it annoyed me when I first got mine. I got used to it eventually I'm sure you will too. I replaced my clutch last year, and it still as the same friction point.

g) seats moving mechanism can be repaired to brand new in under an hour, I need to do mine. Needs more grease but mostly needs a replacement because this bit is too old:

[li21]

If the slip ring is buggered it's not too hard to fix. I had to reassemble one the other week after it exploded apart when I took off the steering wheel

Otherwise I would say it would be pretty easy and cheap to source a second hand part if it was needed

Where does the noise sound like it is coming from? Under the hood? or from the actual steering wheel?

It's coming from the actual steering wheel.. Like there's something inside that's rubbing as I turn the wheel. Its not too bad..but get annoying after a while

[li21]

g) seats moving mechanism can be repaired to brand new in under an hour, I need to do mine. Needs more grease but mostly needs a replacement because this bit is too old:

Will WD40 do the trick or do I need that really greasy stuff

How much can I get that part for?

Where are people getting their parts from these days other than general wreckers?

thanks