Save the little cars!

Updates to driveshaft saga - got a replacement part so all good - good service from the vendor.
Left the original CV in place as it seemed to be ok. Overall the front end clonks have disappeared after fiddling with CV shafts so my assumption is that the hub end nuts were too loose for the driveshaft. now they're nicely tighted!

Have done now almost 5tkm with A2 and generally very happy with the purchase. Its making some random rattles from rear trunk liner, need to check that at some point but overall no big issues with the car.

Now as climate has gotten colder car does not heat very well, but luckily the aux heater starts when temps drop to 6'C so likely will be just fine.
I recharged the battery with CTEK last week just to keep it in good condition as daily drives tend to be bit short.
 
Interesting - When you say hub bolts do you mean the ones in the centre, holding the wheel bearing on?
 
Hi,
Sometimes if you drive the car with a loose hub nut there is a possibility the wheel baearing life maybe shortened.
Also if it's come loose once it's likely to do it again.
Grab a 12 point locking nut next time your at the auto parts shop.
20240304_085523.jpg
🙂👍
 
rotifer II said:
Hi,
Sometimes if you drive the car with a loose hub nut there is a possibility the wheel baearing life maybe shortened.
Also if it's come loose once it's likely to do it again.
Grab a 12 point locking nut next time your at the auto parts shop.
View attachment 129836
🙂👍
Click to expand...
On these cars with the Gen2 bearings I fail to see that hub nut torque or even nut existence could influence the life as the bearing races are all fixed by the bearing internal design.
 
Car was starting initially poorly on colder days so have had it with C-tek for a while.
Yesterday installed a new battery Exide EA900 90Ah. (L315xW175xH190mm).

Battery is bit highish but fits still. added the plastic terminal covers so that it doesn't collide with anything.
Old battery was likely 10years old so maybe it was time to replace it. Typically one click smaller battery is recommended for this car but thought larger doesn't do any harm if it fits.

Today cleaned the ground point behind left headlight with a file including the ground wire terminal, added new aluminum shim (filed aswell) and new RST bolt (M8x25 mm DIN933 A2 RST, although shortened it a bit as it was not tighting in neatly in original lenght).
Also put some battery terminal grease on top of that contact, maybe it protects it better from the corrosion.
 
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The A2 ground strap gets a lot of attention. I have read the copper may corrode or become detached from the end fitting. Removing the ground strap from the car and cutting away the outer plastic coating is one way to check its condition. If the cable is good cover it in spray oil and use heat shrink to repair it. Don't breathe in the fumes!

EDIT
The turbo hest shield looks great.
Good luck 🙂👍
 
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rotifer II said:
The A2 ground strap gets a lot of attention. I have read the copper may corrode or become detached from the end fitting. Removing the ground strap from the car and cutting away the outer plastic coating is one way to check its condition. If the cable is good cover it in spray oil and use heat shrink to repair it. Don't breathe in the fumes!

EDIT
The turbo hest shield looks great.
Good luck 🙂👍
Click to expand...
thanks - checking 20year old ground wires in general is not a bad idea, removes the possibility for whatever gremlins quite alot.
 
MrMorizoFan said:
thanks - checking 20year old ground wires in general is not a bad idea, removes the possibility for whatever gremlins quite alot.
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What are the plans with the turbo? Is it one of those improved-spooling "modern" turbos off something like a Volvo that are mentioned now and again on the 3PD discussion group that give better power but low down grunt as well?
 
Robin_Cox said:
What are the plans with the turbo? Is it one of those improved-spooling "modern" turbos off something like a Volvo that are mentioned now and again on the 3PD discussion group that give better power but low down grunt as well?
Click to expand...
yes VTG Volvo GTC1446vz. Not looking after full monty performance but more of better response and driveability.
I believe it should spool up little better and give also better top end.
 
MrMorizoFan said:
yes VTG Volvo GTC1446vz. Not looking after full monty performance but more of better response and driveability.
I believe it should spool up little better and give also better top end.
Click to expand...
Would definitely be interested in following what you do / buy in and how you do it (and also the map involved?) - unless yours was a 90tdi to begin with don't you have to do something with the wastegate vacuum line to control the vane actuators instead?
 
I can try to wrap up what is needed. not fully certain either if I have all the needed.
but at least following
- Turbo mounted to exhaust manifold
- N75 valve that supports the vacuum stuff
- TDI90 ecu (this was optional? but testing with this approach).
- larger injectors (using PD150)
- new bolts for injector swap
- exhaust to fit new turbo flange (will try doing 2.5'' downpipe, lets see if it fits)
- Turbo requires different oil line if fitted to AMF.
- using 4bar MAP sensor to have better headroom for pressure (could work with 3bar map too).
- maybe you also need a vacuum reservoir (happen to have old porsche one on shelf, need to see if it fits somewhere).
- Anti shudder valve from TDI90 (not mandatory but makes engine shut down neater). Requires wiring to ecu + power?

maybe missing something now. been in flu for last 1-2wks and not the sharpest mind atm.
 
MrMorizoFan said:
Car was starting initially poorly on colder days so have had it with C-tek for a while.
Yesterday installed a new battery Exide EA900 90Ah. (L315xW175xH190mm).

Battery is bit highish but fits still. added the plastic terminal covers so that it doesn't collide with anything.
Old battery was likely 10years old so maybe it was time to replace it. Typically one click smaller battery is recommended for this car but thought larger doesn't do any harm if it fits.

Today cleaned the ground point behind left headlight with a file including the ground wire terminal, added new aluminum shim (filed aswell) and new RST bolt (M8x25 mm DIN933 A2 RST, although shortened it a bit as it was not tighting in neatly in original lenght).
Also put some battery terminal grease on top of that contact, maybe it protects it better from the corrosion.
Click to expand...
Charging Volts now 14-14.2V so it appears to be improved 0.1-0.2V with ground wire cleanup
 
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