Little update. MK2 passed its MOT with no issues and clicked 240,000 miles this weekend. And I finished the Grey Ronals, and got them on the estate.
Swapped some wheels around and washed them, and give them a couple of services - nowt else has happened really. I’ve got the bug again, just as winter hits. Loads of little things I want todo and i just need to use them more and get back to meets and shows. Mk2 is on 241k now and the MK3 120k - Work from home life has really slowed the mileage down. Now it’s time to fight the grey, washed out trim issues.
Both looking great. How is the estate? Love the high mile hero status now. I'm the same with WFH and barely any miles these days. If it wasn't for the school run I'd drive no where on a regular basis.
Here’s an arty photo, but It’s a ‘state on the driveway. Need to sort some welding out, but it does the job of moving mountain bikes, camping trips, ikea runs and the dog loves it. If you heard the engine you’ll not believe it’s done 205k. I’ve tried to replace it, but nothing fits the bill and the floor to boot lip height is important for the dog (American Akita) to jump in and out.
I honestly can’t believe the state of the roads, picture ^ above was Saturday Today, 14 miles later… why do we bother. It looks like I’ve been on recce at WRC Sweden. (the picture doesnt do it justice either) after the return trip home from work, it’s a lot worse. Btw thats just around the M60.
Attacked the welding on the Estate this weekend, still loads of jobs i want to do, and take advantage of it being off the road, and not needing it. Next task is to sort some wings out and get them painted. Front subframe mount repaired and reinforced, where the wing, meets the arch /door area common on nearly everything, and a jacking point repair. (Canyon red paint is on order) Also trying to up the picture game, as rubbish images does nothing for a decent build thread.
Got the Estate steam sealed and stone chip last weekend Next job was make it all body coloured, now this isnt a concourse car or concourse repair, neat / safe and rust free is the only objective so it passes the MOT. Happy with how its come out, next step is two new front wings and on to the MOT.
Waiting for pattern wings to arrive from Poland (i think) for the Estate. I’ve gone for pattern over OE, 1 due to cost, 2 due to the life this thing lives 3 plans for the future and driving the thing a long long way north on gravel roads. So whilst the wings are making their way across Europe, doing a better job than cucumbers and tomato’s, I decided to give the MK3 Hatch a good bath, and the weather was great this weekend too. Plan of action.. Autofinesse - Christmas Pudding Scented Snowfoam Maguiars - All wheel cleaner Autogylm - Shampoo on the body Gyeon - Preserve on the bumpers and side trims Meguiars - Tyre gel on the tyres Body - had a quick hit with Autofinesse Glisten Mixed bag of brands and products, I’m running down the supplies to restock with some new products and brands to have a play with over the summer. The MK2 had a bath last weekend and moved about 2 yards this week.
Wish I'd your patience, best mine get is a bucket of hot water and some Fairy Liquid... I can hear the sharp intakes of breath already.
Wings arrived this week, fetching shade of NATO Grey/Green. It’s primer but i do like the colour - call me weird. Next step just as the weather is going colder was to paint them and fit them, but it was 5ºc a mine too cold to paint them badly at home. Strip down and test fitment, see if any bolt holes need extending to tweak All looks good in there and I’ve cleaned everything off, followed by offering up the first wing. For pattern wings they fit really really well, I’d say 98% on fitment - just need to extend the upper holes to push the top in slightly to close the wing to bonnet gap. Wing to door lines up so happy. And we’ve got a car. It’s only a shade or two out on the colour match, no one will notice. Best refurb those wheels now, also what you don’t see is the chaos behind me and every tool i own spread all over the drive way.
Problem slowing this weekend, from nowhere the headlights (Twin Chamber GTI Jobbies) on the MK3 Hatch turned in to what can only be described as tea lights in a jam jar, now I know the issues with the H4 lights and voltage drop, wired up a quick relay loom like the MK2 to test them and it’s literally night and day different. I swapped out the 6 years + night breakers for standard bulbs that helped output some what, but there is defo a voltage drop somewhere. I wasn’t aware of MK3’s having the issue, it might just be old bulbs - have some new ones on the way from Amazon. This is the before and temp relay loom being wired in.. Alternator is cranking out over 13.5v… confused. The Estate got a bath, scrubbed behind its ears and between its toes ready for the MOT on Wednesday.
mk3 have the same problem as MK1 and MK2. All the voltage for the lights comes from ignition switch, through headlight switch, then flasher switch, then fuses before finally making its way to the lights. CE2 is actually slightly worse than CE1 as it makes 2 extra trips through the fusebox as well