The much loved and increasingly sought after daily classic that is the VW Mk2 Golf will go on forever if properly looked after. Here’s our top 10 list of service jobs to ensure its longevity…
1. No smoky joe
A cloud of blue smoke on the overrun or while accelerating hard points to the age old problem of worn valve stem seals which allow oil to seep into the cylinder bores. The good news is that a special tool allows you to replace the seals on the 8v engine with the cylinder head and valve springs in situ so you don’t have to remove the head. It would be wise on K-jectronic engines to replace the injector seal O-rings while you are at it.
2. Feeling bushed?
An irritating clunk from the front end as you mount a lowered kerb or hit a pothole points to suspension wear. The worst culprit is probably the bush in the rear mounting for the front wishbones where the rubber can peel away from the metal. Anti-roll bar bushes and tie rod ends can also fail on cars that have missed out on regular care. Fitting uprated polyurethane bushes will sharpen up handling and also last longer than conventional rubber.
3. Running rough
The jury’s out about the Golf’s original Pierburg 2E carb. Some like it and stick with it, while others grumble about its poor design and rubbish reliability and poor idle and running from its complex auto choke and electrical and vacuum connections. You can either whip it out and fit a Weber dual choke progressive 32/36 and plumb in a manual choke, or perhaps better still treat your old Pierburg to a makeover using a rebuild kit. Don’t rule out a perished rubber gasket between the carb and the inlet manifold for poor running; rock the carb with the engine running to see if any excess air is entering the system and affecting engine revs.
4. Odour eater
A thing that can ruin the whole Mk2 experience is the rank smell of damp carpets. Blocked sunroof drains can be to blame as can damaged membranes behind the door cards (especially if holes have been cut in them for speakers). Rubbish window rubbers and seals can also let water into the interior, so if they are perished why not replace them.
If the heating doesn’t work and the passenger footwell’s swimming, then it could be the heater matrix. Worryingly, fitting a replacement matrix is a dash out job.
5. Pulling out the stoppers
A much publicised fault with the Mk2 concerns its rear brake calipers which seize at the first opportunity, causing uneven braking and stretched handbrake cables. The answer, of course, is to replace them – but rather than fit more of the same, you could always treat your car to Mk3 or Mk4 alloy rear calipers instead. The conversion kit isn’t expensive.
6. Going up a gear
One of the Mk2’s most loved assets is its precise rod change gearbox, but after years of use selecting the right cog becomes less silky smooth and more like stirring syrup. This is all due to knackered gear shift rods and bushes. Thankfully, all the necessary parts are readily available here. If you accidentally hit reverse without pushing the lever down, chances are it’s the ball and socket directly beneath the lever along with its associated bushes. To return your Mk2’s shifting quality to factory, replace the plastic ended linkage rod for metal spherical items.
7. Keeping cool
The blue temperature sender that sends a signal to the ECU on digifant cars often plays tricks, causing running issues such as misfires, stalling and the tendency to drink fuel. It’s located on the coolant flange on the front of the cylinder head. Before splashing out on a new sensor, test it by letting the engine run for a while then disconnect it – the engine should start running erratically. If it doesn’t make the slightest bit of difference, then you’ve found the fault.
8. Body perfect
Needless to say some Mk2s are now starting to look decidedly scruffy and rot in the doors, bonnet and tailgate is relatively common. Worry not though because all the necessary repair panels are available here so there’s no excuse not to get busy fitting replacements where necessary. The complete rear panel here is just £102, so tidying up a Mk2 certainly won’t break the bank.
9. Belt up
It’s all too easy to get carried away with how a car looks, and whether the wheels fit nicely in the arches and the quality of the sound system. But what about the cambelt? It should usually be replaced every 40,000 miles, but if you don’t know the history of your car – do it immediately. And replace the water pump at the same time!
10. The little things in life
Often it’s the small niggly things that we tend to ignore the longest, so why not set a weekend aside for sorting all the minor faults on your Mk2. Your list might include broken seat tilt cables, broken or missing seat tilt handles, non working rear wipers (usually water’s got into the motor), saggy headlining, broken door handles and grubby carpets.
Ian
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage.