Parts to replace 10 year old 2.0 litre Golf? - Don't say engine ...;)

[RolfGolf]

As my 2.0 litre Golf "Rolf" is around 10 years old, I've been slowly replacing parts to get that 'new car' feel back ... Recently I replaced the stock suspension and performed a front suspension refresh, which has sharpened up handling.

I'm now looking for input as to what parts to look at next. On my to do list currently are:

New rotors all round - last service they were surprised my brakes weren't screeching as the rotors are pretty worn.

Temp sensor - some mornings the temp indicator lights up and flashes at me whilst beeping for about 30 seconds - the thing is all fluids are topped up and my radiator fan is running, so I'm not sure why this is happening.

Any other sensors/ areas I should be looking at? My fuel economy has been dropping and I generally go through a fair amount of oil between services.

Best Wishes,


Lachlan.

[Speed]

Maybe have it scanned, Clean out your TB.
Changed your air filter lately?

Re the oil, your engine burning it or is it leaking?
Compresison test might be worthwhile. Could need new rings.

Depending on the kays, timing belt/tensioner and also water pump at the same time

[h100vw]

Come and see me if you want it scanning. I might have a temp sender in my tool box as well.

Gavin

[RolfGolf]

Thanks for the replies and your suggestions Speed and Gavin ...

I think scanning is a good idea Speed and I'll give you a call to arrange that Gavin.

Also, to my knowledge the throttle body hasn't been cleaned in 10 years so I'll look at that too and see if it makes much of a difference cleaning it out. I'm not sure when the air filter was changed last or whether it's due at this service, so I'll check it out.

re. the oil - my Golf is one of the strange ones that goes through a fair bit. I did notice when I was under the car doing the suspension that there was a bit of seepage around where the sump seals to the block - I've never noticed it on the ground anywhere though, so I'm not sure if it leaks or is burned or where the heck it goes ...

In the past, I've had to top up my oil between service intervals after encountering the oil light on the dash - it would be great to get to the bottom of the issue.

I had the timing belt, tensioner, pump etc. done a couple of years ago by German Auto, so I'm sorted there.

I'm around 115,000 km's at the moment and my thoughts are to replace the thermostat, the temp sensor, and maybe the O2 sensors and see if that helps with the fuel economy.

Thanks again for the replies.

[ben]

In the past, I've had to top up my oil between service intervals after encountering the oil light on the dash - it would be great to get to the bottom of the issue.

Manaz explained this issue somewhere on the forum a while ago. its basically some sort of ring that was put in upside down i believe, and hence causes the excess oil use. in terms of fixing it, from memory it required a lot of work (i.e pulling apart the engine), so didnt seem worthwhile. your not alone though, i top mine up every month or so haha

[RolfGolf]

Manaz explained this issue somewhere on the forum a while ago. its basically some sort of ring that was put in upside down i believe, and hence causes the excess oil use. in terms of fixing it, from memory it required a lot of work (i.e pulling apart the engine), so didnt seem worthwhile. your not alone though, i top mine up every month or so haha

I seem to remember Jmac explaining it too, perhaps before that. I'm not sure if that is the issue with mine or not, and whether it would explain the fuel consumption or whether it's just a combination of things that's causing the engine to be so thirsty. If I eliminate the things people have pointed out so far and it's still an issue, then I guess when the engine needs rebuilding I'll have it checked out, but probably not before that due to the cost factor as you say. I'd be pretty curious about it - maybe if I total up the cost of the extra fuel I'm using and times that by another ten years it'll seem worth investigating sooner rather than later

[Speed]

I'm not sure what ring Manaz and Jmac may have been reffering to but if your engine is burning oil due to piston rings, then i'd suspect your engine compression would be reduced. Is easy enough to do a compression test but doubt that will have anything to do with fuel economy.

Maybe just get someone to give it some revs while you stand behind it and check for blue smoke.

Thermostat, temp sensor and O2 sensor would be a good start and not too costly, all things considered.

Good luck and please let us know how you go.

[RolfGolf]

Maybe just get someone to give it some revs while you stand behind it and check for blue smoke.

I'll do that thanks Speed - might check the oil level first though as it's hard to burn it when you don't have any