Back in an A2 - ebay project

K

Kaz

Member
Hi Guys and Gals

So after about 10 years or so, I'm going to be back in an A2 75 TDi which I purchased as a project from ebay.

Not seen the car yet, but hoping to pick it up over the weekend. Car is a Silver/Blue SE with a power steering and gearbox issue (difficult to engage 3rd and 4th, and pops out of 5th). If the gearbox issue is not an easy fix, I will go down the JDD route.

Once that is sorted, I'm hoping to run it on a blend of 50% diesel, and 50% veg oil. Ive made my own bio in the past and ran is successfully on a Passat B5.5 TDi, MK1 and MK2 Octavia TDI (mk1 was also run on 100% veg oil) and also a MK5 Golf TDi. Theres a guy over on the veg oil forum who has run his polo 75tdi on 100% veg with no major hiccups so I'm confident that the A2 should run it too. Maybe in the future i'll switch to a 2 tank system? Who knows - lets get it running first!

Kaz

Moved todo list to this page so its easy to navigate for me:

To Do:
--------
Install floppy wiper
Replace front bumper
Replace temp sensor
Aero mods
FSI rear tailgate
Fit coilovers / replace shocks
-------------
Done so far:
--------------
01/05/19 Fitted JDD Gearbox and new valeo clutch
01/05/19 Service using PD oil and Mann Filters
01/05/19 Febi OIl Pump Chain and sprockets
01/05/19 Dayco Timing Belt & Water pump kit
03/06/19 Fitted double din stereo
03/06/19 Fixed drivers side window
10/06/19 Fitted Team Heko wind deflectors
10/06/19 Repalce front discs and pads
22/06/19 Wire in rear speakers and fit them
22/06/19 Adjust handbrake shoes
10/07/19 Remap done
15/07/19 Replace G65
15/07/19 Replaced Thermostat
17/07/19 Fitted Front Bilstien B4 and Eibach Springs
17/07/19 Fitted replacement passenger window switch
20/07/19 Replaced Front Wheel Bearing with Motoquip unit
20/07/19 Fitted Rear Eibach Springs

***Running of Veg oil :eek:)*** (15-20 litres veg, top up with diesel)
 
Last edited:
bretti_kivi said:
the biodiesel does not go down well with the pipes... it's too aggressive...

- Bret
Click to expand...
Which pipes? Its been fine in the other VAG cars ive been using - Passat PD130, MK1 & MK2 Octavia and MK5 Golf - ive done over 20k miles in each.
 
The ethanol content is a bit much for fuel pipes to the standard used when our cars were made (6). There are higher specs (7 or9) which are more resistant.
It’s probably more to do with vapour permissibility and accelerated degradation of the tubes than any immediate danger. I’ve seen older vw petrol engines burn when the hoses split in the engine bay but I suspect they run a fair bit hotter than our diesels. Also the hoses with supplies from higher pressure fuel pumps are going to struggle more.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I had an AFN engined A4 from new, took it to 230K miles and dumped any, past its use by, cooking oil from the kitchen in the tank. Even bought it and put it in when it was cheaper than diesel. Never had an issue.

The A2 AMF though is a completely different beast; watching with interest.
 
I remember there being a massive discussion at the time. Apparently in the mean time there many actually be approvals (search the German forum for biodiesel). Thinking further, the tandem pump was also an issue, but I really didn't pay attention to the details.

- Bret
 
So, I picked up Alvin the A2 (named by previous owner) over the weekend -

[placeholder for pic]

As advised in the advert, it needs the power steering issue resolved. I think this might be caused by the blob of weld noted in another thread as the oil sensor error is also showing. Can anyone tell me where the big fuse is for this please.

Other things I need are a JDD gearbox, front bumper in silver, and rear passenger tail light. (anyone on here selling these?) I will also need a remap file to go with the gearbox.

The car itself needs a good clean, but it has a more modern headunit already installed (will change this for a handsfree unit later), climate control, and the raised floor at the back which was a bit of a welcome bonus.
 
Kaz said:
So, I picked up Alvin the A2 (named by previous owner) over the weekend -

[placeholder for pic]

As advised in the advert, it needs the power steering issue resolved. I think this might be caused by the blob of weld noted in another thread as the oil sensor error is also showing. Can anyone tell me where the big fuse is for this please.

Other things I need are a JDD gearbox, front bumper in silver, and rear passenger tail light. (anyone on here selling these?) I will also need a remap file to go with the gearbox.

The car itself needs a good clean, but it has a more modern headunit already installed (will change this for a handsfree unit later), climate control, and the raised floor at the back which was a bit of a welcome bonus.
Click to expand...
The location of the power steering fuse was asked in another recent thread and I have cut and pasted Tom's(Timmus) reply below.

"The power steering pump draws a huge electrical current. It is fed by a dedicated 80A fuse that's located in the front-left (passenger) footwell, just in front of the CCCU. It's definitely worth lifting the carpet and ally panel and verifying that this fuse isn't blown. However, if it is blown, there has to be a reason that's happened. This reason could be a failed pump, a chafed wiring loom, water ingress, etc."

Andy
 
Ok - so as I didn't have time to do anything, I did put Alvin up for sale - but im happy to say that ive changed my mind and he's a keeper.

The power steering issue is resolved - thanks to the power of this forum, I disconnected the A/C valve connector (g85 rings a bell) and voila - no more popping fuses.

I did notice on my 20 mile test drive that the temp gauge didn't go up at all, and the temp was only luke warm - so any suggestions for that would be appreciated.

Also, the interior is a state - so I am looking for a black interior if anyone has one for sale.

I have also managed to find a bumper to replace my cracked one in the same colour locally, so waiting on the seller to get back to me on that - nothing happens in months then all of a sudden, a revelation - lol!
 
> I did notice on my 20 mile test drive that the temp gauge didn't go up at all, and the temp was only luke warm - so any suggestions for that would be appreciated.

thermostat - the old one has failed in the open position so the coolant is going through the radiator and dumping what little heat the engine is making before it's been allowed to warm the engine up to the efficient working range. Circoli thermostat from Eurocarparts should be fine - 209440040 is the part number. If in doubt stick a new dual coolant temperature sensor (green) in as well, but the symptom you've described so far is almost certainly the stat. With the recent cold weather this question has come up several times here in the past few days and matches my exact experience a calendar year ago. If you need any further assistance / questions on tools / or links to the other recent threads please by all means ask. Good luck!
 
Right - so the interior has been changed to soul black thanks to scrirocco, and an ebay seller - (false floor kit in grey for sale), and I also purchased a double din climate panel, 2 wheel caps, and the newer style wiper arm.

I need the connectors for the speakers if anyone has them spare.

I also managed to get hold of the same colour bumper, so that will need fitting in a few weeks.

The clutch has arrived so the car is with my mate for the gearbox change, oil pump chain change (found it for £113 for a febi kit off ebay), and timing belt kit and service

That's all for now
 
Right - several months on, I have finally got my car back - engine wise I have had the timing belt and waterpump changed, engine serviced, oil pump chain and sprockets changed, and also had the JDD gearbox fitted with a brand new valeo clutch - clutch is nice and soft, gear change is much better then it used to me and no longer crunches in third, and I am doing 2100rpm@70mph in 5th.

The car drives ok and there is a bit of a drop of power when engaging 3rd to 4th due to the gearbox change - but its perfectly driveable - this is without the remap though so it can only be better once I have this done.

Oh yeah, and I mixed in 15 litres of veg with what was in the tank already to give me a full tank of fuel to the brim.

Will see how it runs now :)
 
Good to hear that you're making progress. My project Cosmo has the combined steering / oil sensor issue - which fuse was going on yours (the big one seems to be intact in mine, so I assume it is the one in the fuse box that powers the steering controller and a few other things that may have tripped)? The air-con valve connector is a new one on me despite all of the reading I've done so if you've got any advice on whereabouts this is and how to get to it (any dismantling needed etc.?) it would be appreciated - does this impact on aircon function at all?. Bear in mind I've also got what I am certain is a leaking diesel pump on the top of the engine so my issues could also be secondary to diesel running over wires below- I have the Bosch replacement and gasket but it is too dreich to get out and perform the swap at the moment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top