Our VR6 from purchase to date, trying to bring her back up to spec......

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

OK I'm going to start this from the beginning and bring you up to date on what has been done so far:-

15 Dec 2010

I may have acquired a Golf VR6.

I haven't actually purchased it yet, however, it is in my drive awaiting further investigation. It's not taxed or MOT'd and the log book is missing but a few enquiries and HPI checks have revealed that all is in order and that the log book is simply lost.

It does have a suspect blown head gasket, however, the chap that has passed it my way has discovered that the thermostat housing assembly is in very poor condition and leaking. Also the cap was not holding pressure. There is no evidence of water in the oil or visa versa so I'm hopingÂ that the system was unable to pressurize and therefore boiling too early.

Other known problems are that the serpentine belt has snapped, there is a dent in the tailgate to the left of the number plate and a scrape to the front bumper on the N/S. The dent and the scrape can just about be seen in these first pictures taken where the car was being stored:-

[img width=720 height=540]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/74667_470891025705_579780705_6192085_3289864_n.jpg

[img width=720 height=540]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/VR6.jpg

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

15 Dec 2010

Ok so this is the state of the thermostat housing assembly:-

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3215.jpg

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3216.jpg

[img width=768 height=1024]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3218.jpg

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3219.jpg

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3221.jpg

So I looked around and found and bought this on ebay:-

[img width=1024 height=640]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/Ebay1.jpg

[img width=1024 height=640]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/Ebay2.jpg

[img width=1024 height=640]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/Ebay3.jpg

That lot should arrive tomorrow.

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

15 Dec 2010

The oil cap and head look free of any coolant contamination:-

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3228.jpg

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3231.jpg

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

15 Dec 2010

She has obviously had a cooling problem for some time looking at this brown staining below the expansion reservoir.

Cooling system looks like it needs a bloody good flush through too!

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3224.jpg

[img width=768 height=1024]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3225.jpg

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

Here are some better pics of the only bodywork problems that I can find, that tailgate dent might just pop out if I'm lucky:-

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3226.jpg

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3232.jpg

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3233.jpg

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

......must do some work, will add more later :-)

bungy · May 26, 2011

Nice start to your thread and i look forward to seeing how it progresses.

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

Nice start to your thread and i look forward to seeing how it progresses.

Thanks.....good to know that people are interested

I'm looking forward to reading through some of the other threads when I've got this one up to date.

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

15 Dec 2010

Found the lower part of the airbox and some of the induction system in the boot. This is what is under the bonnet:-

[img width=1024 height=768]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/richandhazel/Golf%20VR6/100_3227.jpg

Quite horrified to see the cone filter supported by tywraps to the fuel pipes. Not a great fan of these so I think I'll be looking to put an OEM airbox back in........ebay here I come!

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

15 Dec 2010

Serpentine belt and rad cap ordered from Eurocarparts.

Car starts and runs fine but obviously I can't run it for long without water pump turning so looking forward to the belt arriving. In the meantime I am going to drain the cooling system right down as I doubt very much whether there will be any trace of antifreeze in it.

Just found the face to the head unit of the stereo under the seat. Nice JVC unit

jimmyb · May 26, 2011

nice to see someone getting another vr6 back on the road and omg cable tied to the fuel line is not good! lol best of luck when the belt turns up, hope its not too serious!

J5KE F · May 26, 2011

great resto project! It'll be good to see it brought back!!

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

great resto project! It'll be good to see it brought back!!

I'm of the opinion that it is worth the effort and expense........more to come........

richandhazel · May 26, 2011

21 Dec 2010

Before the cold weather hit I drained the cooling system down after disconnecting various hoses to make sure the whole system drained either side of the thermostat.

The parts have all arrived and as soon as Christmas is out of the way and the weather improves I'll be back at it.

I've finally decided to purchase the car (very good of the chap to let me have such a good look at the car before making any commitment) and have been to the Post Office to get the log book application form.

A fellow enthusiast, Corin, has kindly offered to lend me his Bentley manual and a coolant system test kit that I will certainly take him up on.