My new MK1

[Matti89]

After searching for a while for a 2 door mk1 i eventually gave up and found a 4 door which looked decent being sold by a member here. It was last registered about 7 years ago so a few things need doing before re registering it. My current plans are re registering it and using it as a daily.

Its currently running a 1.8 with a 45 weber, 020 5 speed gearbox and upgraded gti brakes.
Rust wise its not too bad. Major areas are under the rear bumper, on top of the rain panel under the bonnet and on the windshield pillar.
Ive just done the basic things needed to get it running right, oil, plugs, coolant, brake fluid etc. Im just waiting on some parts from overseas like the cambelt and a few other things.
The interior is pritty good, its got a later model dash which has no cracks and the carpet has no major stains or tears. I might look at putting later model from seats in the future.

[Water Boy]

Looks good!

[MarcusAurelius]

Mate I was so keen on this thing! Good luck and treat her well bud

[Matti89]

Mate I was so keen on this thing! Good luck and treat her well bud

Thanks mate, it's pretty well sorted just some electrical issues. I installed a new temp sender but I still get no movement at the gauge, when I ground the wire the temp rises so I don't think it's the wiring.

Also the instrument lights aren't working so I have to have a look at that aswell.

[Matti89]

I just have a quick question, if I'm going to use a 52mm vdo gauge for the water temp can I use the same sender I have on my car currently?

[dubstar]

Depends on the gauge. Rig it up and if it is wrong, you know you need a new sender

[Matti89]

Depends on the gauge. Rig it up and if it is wrong, you know you need a new sender

Yea I have ordered the gauges, I will see how I go.

I replaced the rear flexible hoses, New discs and pads and bled all the brakes but I still have a soft pedal. When the car is off the pedal feels solid but as soon as the car is started the pedal doesn't feel right.
I checked the vacuum tube according to my manual and when the pedal is pressed and the car is started the pedal does go down which according to my manual means that the servo is fine? I don't know if that's how mk1 brakes are meant to feel as I've never driven another one but the brakes work good when driving. I have the updated vented discs and calipers

[abreut]

Hey Matt, I'm glad to see old kermit golf getting some attention.

With the temp gauge in the dash, I'm taking it it doesn't work? You might want to check the wire condition in the engine bay. I did notice the wire had come off the sender, and I plugged it back on but the connection might not be good.

With the brakes, here's what I think might be happening. I think I put Seat Cordoba rear drums on that car (I have had so many mk1s I have lost track!). They are a self-adjusting type. The problem is the self-adjusting part tends to fail, and they go way out of adjustment. That's why you have a lot of pedal travel, most of your pedal press goes to taking up the slack in the now un-adjusted rear drums. On another mk1 I had I ended up getting rid of these supposed upgraded rear drums, and just went back to the good old standard manual adjustment mk1 type. You can get a very nice pedal with the standards. Or, look up how to manually adjust Seat Cordoba drums. There is a bit of a trick to it.

[Matti89]

Hey Matt, I'm glad to see old kermit golf getting some attention.

With the temp gauge in the dash, I'm taking it it doesn't work? You might want to check the wire condition in the engine bay. I did notice the wire had come off the sender, and I plugged it back on but the connection might not be good.

With the brakes, here's what I think might be happening. I think I put Seat Cordoba rear drums on that car (I have had so many mk1s I have lost track!). They are a self-adjusting type. The problem is the self-adjusting part tends to fail, and they go way out of adjustment. That's why you have a lot of pedal travel, most of your pedal press goes to taking up the slack in the now un-adjusted rear drums. On another mk1 I had I ended up getting rid of these supposed upgraded rear drums, and just went back to the good old standard manual adjustment mk1 type. You can get a very nice pedal with the standards. Or, look up how to manually adjust Seat Cordoba drums. There is a bit of a trick to it.

Yea, shes almost there I think the wiring is fine because when the wire is grounded the gauge rises.

As for the brakes, i have adjusted the handbrake so its only 2 notches now, which is what the manual states it should be. I will bleed the brakes again and see if it changes anything. If i cant get a proper pedal then i will change back to the mk1 brakes.

Heres what the passenger rear brake looks like.

[abreut]

Yea, shes almost there I think the wiring is fine because when the wire is grounded the gauge rises.

As for the brakes, i have adjusted the handbrake so its only 2 notches now, which is what the manual states it should be. I will bleed the brakes again and see if it changes anything. If i cant get a proper pedal then i will change back to the mk1 brakes.

Heres what the passenger rear brake looks like.

Yep they are the cordoba rears. See the vertical slightly tapered piece on the left-hand side of the pic that is held down with a spring? That is the adjuster wedge. The "trick" involves getting something with a point, like a screwdriver with the end ground to a point, and with the handbrake off (you may even have to loosen it back off a bit) and back wheel jacked up, take one wheel nut out and turn the wheel until you can find the bottom of that wedge. Poke the screwdriver point into the hole where the spring joins. You then lever down that wedge which has a bunch of ratchetty steps in it. You should hear it click a few times. I think the reason it goes out of adjustment is that spring loses tension.