Shantybeater's TDi Progress thread

[shantybeater]

Ok,

So recently I posted up the start of what I thought was a progress thread, unfortunately the car in question required too much attention for me to deal with at this time so I sold it at a loss. After coughing up more dough I'm hoping to have a much more reliable replacement this time around.

Here she is, an unmolested high miler with 140k on the clock!



2 previous owners, with nice full (and regular) service history. Cambelt, waterpump, brake discs and tyres on all four corners replaced within the last 12 months!

Planned on polishing/waxing but the weather has stopped me in my tracks



Already a couple of issues to attend to:
-The central locking was seen to (with receipts) just before purchase and worked upon inspection, unfortunately once I got her home the doors fail to open on key turn! I had to climb through the boot to get out!!
- Dent on Bonnet
- Front pads look very low
- Rust on boot lid
- One of the alloys appears to have excess levels of brake dust stuck to it - i'm thinking it could be a sticky caliper so will be keeping an eye on it.

[Kish]

Shantybeater, I've got another spoiler on eaby if you are interested.

and if you look at my other items i also have a gti front splitter complete!

AUTHENTIC VW POLO 6N2 GTI REAR SPOILER 2000 - 2002 IN FLASH RED 100% WORKING

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190928904575? ... 1555.l2649

Thanks,

[shantybeater]

Weather held out long enough to give the car a good polish/wax:



Paintwork is definitely in 'used' condition! Lots of scuffs here and there so she needs a bit of TLC. This might be the push I need to learn how to machine polish (watch this space)

Also checked the front pads again and it appears the Caliper design is one i'm not familiar with, the outer frame sits dangerously close to the disc which gave me the impression the pads were extremely low, wheel off and a good poke about showed otherwise. Looks like the previous owner has fully swapped out discs & pads

Touch up paint and door lock fix kits on order waiting to arrive

[shantybeater]

Passenger door lock parts arrived today. At the moment I'm going through the boot as both doors rarely open.

Disassembled the lock and found the usual broken parts and a sticky lock barrel. Gave it all a good cleaning/re-greasing and replaced broken bits



Glad to say this has 100% fixed the passenger door and the central locking itself appears fully functional. Re-ordered the same kit for the drivers side

[shantybeater]

Little update, a member was breaking his GTI so I thought it was a good opportunity to upgrade the tailgate.

De-badged immediately!



Two birds with one stone since the old one was rusting under the handle




I have properly swapped over the door lock etc.. which was incredibly fiddly!

[shantybeater]

on the list is a GTI upper grill with TDI badge added:

[alexperkins]

Need a silver D lol. The Polo only had a red I

[shantybeater]

weird, the badge on the original boot had a red D? maybe the owner changed it?

[alexperkins]

Perhaps they did lol

[shantybeater]

And another tick on the list, plenty to get fitted!

[shantybeater]

Spent most of the day getting the front bumper off, cutting away and fitting/testing the GTI headlights:



Also midway through fitting the washer bottle in the wing although I am missing wiring from the pump, anyone know where this should go to? I'm aware a relay is required (working on that!)



Finally once I offered the front bumper back up the washer caps don't fit on! infact both sides seem to be in wildy different positions!! any help on this? are they adjustable because they don't seem it!

[shantybeater]

Bit more progress, I'm trying out a transparent film for the headlights since the previous owner had VW protectors fitted and the lenses are in great shape, it's gone ok but not perfect, will see they hold up to some mile munching:




Also adjusted the washer jets into a good position. Along with the washers I also bought a matching GTI bumper (with washer inserts) and all the GTI grills & splitter. It was time to get the front end back together:

[shantybeater]

Ok so I have successfully wired up the washer jets to the windscreen washer motor, originally the plan was for this to be a temporary fix but they only activate once the washer button is held for several seconds so I can pick and choose when to use them.

I do have a problem though, both washers come out but only the far side sprays any water? I checked the piping and its not trapped anywhere behind the bumper, I then removed the hose directly below the washer jet and water was streaming out. It appears I have a blockage of some kind in the jet itself, has anyone come across this?

http://s141.photobucket.com/user/shanty ... 2.mp4.html

[shantybeater]

My latest xmas present for the polo has arrived:



It was a toss up between JOM and FK, JOM pipped it due to a longer warranty period plus a fair few owners seem to prefer them

[shantybeater]

Ok so a productive few days on the run up to xmas, suspension is now on:

Front strut comparison with new mounts/bearings in place:



Rear strut comparison with lower/upper mounts:



Strut in place:



All done, will see how it settles but I think the front needs to come up a bit, the car needs to be a bit more 'sociable' as its my daily grind: