The GTI! - Alex's Thread - Leather :D

[alexperkins]

Cheers mate

Collinite 476S - the only one to use in my opinion!

[wackojackso]

heard this a couple of times now what did you use before hand? as in polish or what ever?

[alexperkins]

klasse aio polish mate

[Godderz23]

Car looks awesome as always alex.....



Vewy nice....i like.

[alexperkins]

Now for some bad news.....


The car is off the road again temporarily. I was getting some odd power surges and that, so vag-com'd it and got a lambda (precat) fault. On first investigation, i discover that the engine harness leading to the sensor has been damaged at some point and covered in electrical tape to 'protect it'. Turns out all the copper underneath has oxidised and weaked, and 3 of the 6 wires have split. Had another look this morning, and further up, under the plastic covering, another 2 wires have been damaged, and very poorly joined back together. So the car currently cant run, and im waiting on the wiring from germany!

In other news, my brand new windscreen got a nasty stone chip on the way to inters, but the clever people at autoglass managed to fill it with special resin - you wouldnt even know without really looking anymore! Im quite impressed to say the least

But oh well, itll be fixed - cars are so annoying sometimes!

On the upside, ill get better economy!

[wackojackso]

Sounds like your not having the best of luck at the minute Alex, keep up the good work though car still looks awesome!

[alexperkins]

Well, after a few hours of painful work, the wiring is fixed.

Cut the lambda socket clean off on the engine side, then removed about 6-7cm of wire from the existing damaged bunch of 6 wires. Then, things got worse. Due to the fact it had been open to the air for a while, the copper had all gone black, which means you cant solder onto it straight away. Proceeded to clean it with lemon juice (yes crazy but it works!) and wetndry paper to get the copper shiny again so it could be soldered.

Then I resoldered 6 new appropriately sized VW wiring repair wires on with new connectors prefitted to the newly stripped loom, heatshrunk each cable individually, refitted the socket, rewrapped it in insulation tape as per VW wiring loom spec, and put the plastic cover back on - job done!

Ran a full vag-com check on the sensor and its working beautifully at last. I'm hoping my economy will improve now its sorted!

So 2 snapped wires, 1 half snapped and 5 oxidised out of the six proved for a fiddly job, but now all is sorted so im happy

Problem solved!

[Bradley]

Nice one dude sounds like you did it properly unlike the previous owner.You stated you used PVC tape,just thought i'd say next time it may be worth using Self Amalgamating tape.We use it at work when we have to do and external joint (even though it will housed in a waterproof box as we are the real deal haha).It's basically a water proof version of PVC insulation tape.You can pick it up at most electrical wholesalers for a couple of quid.

Brad

[alexperkins]

Thats what the official VW loom tape is I did consider SA tape, but didnt deem it necessary due to the fact it wasnt used originally, and I used adhesive heat shrink so its waterproof in itself.

The real deal i like it

[alexperkins]

So now...plans for the rest of the summer

Remove all brake calipers and carriers, strip completely, and paint with fresh red brake caliper paint
Sort out the faulty numberplates (the glue is lifting, so not impressed!)
Get the RX2s refurbished, and maybe get the colour concepts done in white with a red lip whilst im at it for some nice winters
Attend to a few interior bits and pieces
Sound proof the front doors, or the boot (I havent decided which bit to do as yet)
Clean the engine bay thoroughly and get all the grime and dirt off it

So yes, a few things to do, but it is things that really need to be done that I just keep putting off

[Bradley]

I see thats fair play.Although it will outlast any heatshrink which is typically designed for abrasive/insulating joints whereas SA is a fully waterproof selant.

Get some on there to make me happy lol.

[alexperkins]

lol ill try some next time if i can find the right size!

[Bradley]

Lol good man you'll love it i know your type you'll use it on everything ha.

Plans sound good,ive got simular ones myself shame they're seen more as chores and are put off ive been doing the same.Although im going to get my arse into gear arches and calipers are done which im pleased about just some other bits and peices.

Be good to see how mint yours comes out you'll have to get some pictures up.Oh did you get my PM?.

[alexperkins]

Im not having much luck atm am i...

Drove down a road (unbeknownst at the start to me) that was in the process of being resurfaced, They were spraying hot tar on the new road, and managed to splatter it all over the drivers side of the car...not amused

Its taken me 2 hours to clean it all off, and i still need to repolish and rewax the affected side as its stripped all that off too, thought i cant do it now as its spitting with rain...what a bloody nightmare!!

[6N2 GTI 00]

I had that happen to me before and its horrible, I had it all over the passenger side sill, wheel arch and lower front wing and it took me hours to get off.
What did you use to get it off?