LUCY ‘91 Mk2 Golf GTI Alpine White

Good read of your thread today, as a returning owner, to a mk 2 but from the days of being a yoof!

 

I agree RJ ,I would be worried about that and wouldn't drive it , remove drain plug and have a stur around with a screwdriver and see what pops out ...maybe bits from a lost speedo drive blocking the drain for example,maybe chewed up and blocking the drain but don't really know if that happens ? end of the day it needs to be checked,make sure the car is level when you refill as these boxes hang down on the LH side ,seem to remember they take 2 litres ,cheers

 

Where does the time go, almost 2 months since my last update. And to think, I used to do these almost daily.

I'll start by addressing my idiot moment. Re: the gear oil. I had undone the wrong bolt. doh! I wasn't looking far enough back on the gearbox. Not helped by the lower brace that I have fitted blocking the view of the proper drain plug. Instead, I'd pulled a bolt further forward. So there was no crisis, just me having a dumb moment. The gears are now bathing in fresh lube. It's impossible to know when (or even if) this was last changed. But I've owned the car for coming up to 5 years now.


I also hinted last time at a purchase.

There's been a love-hate relationship with my 17" wheels since I've had the car. Well mostly hate, so I eventually bought some new wheels.

I picked up a set of Sebrings from Monkey for a decent price. They seemed to be in OK nick, not perfect but decent. I wasn't sure if I wanted to paint them or not, so I decided a good clean was the first thing to do to get a proper look.

I had a conversation and somehow managed to phrase it in a way where my wife thought it was here idea to chuck them in the dishwasher



And I opened it mid-cycle just to prove it wasn't a staged photo.

Whilst the first one cleaned up OK...


... the next one, with a bit more brake dust build up on it didn't really come out that well.

So I decided by then a rub down and paint would be best. And without tyres, this was the perfect time to do it. Rather than fit tyres and regret it later.



This revealed some of the small knocks and bashes...



so I just kept sanding....



... ordered some consumables



... and decided before painting, back in the dishwasher was the best option to clean and de-grease.



And not forgetting the caps, which had quite a build-up of many years of 'quick blowovers' it would appear...





Paint day

The trusty table trusses make an appearance again.








I've only got a crappy gun, the type that comes free with a budget compressor starter kit.
I've used it quite a bit but I really should get something better if I'm going to paint anything else.

I couldn't get decent paint flow without a higher pressure, which I think resulted in the paint drying too soon. Not allowing me to get a wet finish or build up any gloss.

But I think for wheels, the satin finish I ended up with actually works ok.



So after some drying time, a Camskills order was placed for a set of Uniroyal Rainsports


Off for fitting, hoping they don't chip them


And on...

 

The other significant update is the rear bumper. If you remember, or read back a few pages, you'll know
1. I previously patched up the old bumper and
2. I purchased a replacement, but it was blue.

Well, I worked out the blue bumper has been in the shed for over 2 years.

I was going to get it painted and had a slot booked in, but after that had to get rearranged cus the painter couldn't do it, then I had to rearrange the follow up date as I had other stuff on. I decided I'd just do it myself.

So I started looking at paint guns, kicking myself I hadn't done it before doing the wheels. But then realised I had 2 unopened cans of Halfords Alpine White in the shed from when I did the welding to the arches and sills.

So using what I had, I only had to buy some white primer.

I forgot any prep pics before I started, but high build:


White primer:


And once the top coat was dried a bit of flat and polish:

Not too much as I know the paint isn't that thick.

Then some Forever Black bumper dye on the black bits:




It was pleasing to see my work on the rear lower corners and back panel is still holding out



That'll do


It dosen't just look prettier, the old bumper if you remember was a tow bar one that had had the ball cut off and the plastic patched.

The old bumper weighed in at a massive 22.3kg, compared to the genuine replacement which is only 8.6kg. So a huge 13.7kg weight saving on the back end.

 

And finally, Mk2 Owners Club National Meet ready...

Or almost, the Wednesday before the National Meet I decided to fit new top mounts



Meaning no time to get alignment/camber done for the track, but never mind. I coped.

For the first part of the journey I managed to be a passenger, as Jacob has just passed his test a few weeks prior.


Arrived


The VW Press display, Mk1 to Mk8





Friday Night, the obligatory fire pit pic


Track day, not really any pics as I was busy driving. But I did clip the grass, lol




Saturday evening, chill with a view


The 'all hands' Parade lap



and done!


Dodging the rain showers

 

My videos from my track laps are now on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@AKAeddypeck/videos

Unfortunately, camera failure meant only 3 of my 19 laps were captured. And I'm still waiting on getting my lap times back.

 

Wheels look 1000x better. Love a big bumper on sebrings

 

Great build! Reminds of my own white mk2