clutch, electrics and other niggles

[skyrocketeer]

So the missus an I are back from a 1000mile round trip to the highlands in the Ibiza we've had just over a week now.

First impressions: Storming little car. the 1.4 engine is quite gutsy compared to the Corsa we recently parted with (thank god) and makes a good 36-38 mpg on the motorways at 80 odd.

Now for the niggles. After that sort of mileage we've kinda figured out what needs to be sorted..

Clutch - As per other threads on here, the pedal bracket has torn slightly where the cable is attached. That explains the lumpy action. I'm assuming a new bracket is order of the day but folks on here are of the opinion it's a fiddly job. Has anyone got any tips?

Engine jerk This is me being picky, really, but there's quick a jerk when taking up or letting off drive, especially in a lower gear. Initially I'd put this down to worn engine mounts (front and or rear), but figured I'd ask here before changing the wrong one.. What's the gearbox like on these little cars anyhow? Is it going to give us headached later on?

Gas pedal position It doesn't bother me, but the g/f complains that it makes her ankle sore (she only has little feet). I don't like the idea of sticking something under the pedal to rest her foot on, but maybe a longer pedal that comes closer to the floor? I'm not totally sure how she positions her foot anyhow, but is there much an option for changing the position/size of the pedals?

Rear wash - doesn't. I noticed that the little elbow behind the n/s rear cluster had detached itself from the C-pillar hose. But even after putting that right it still doesn't spurt. Am I missing something somewhere else? (yes the motor does run).

Front wipers. Yup they fart and scrape, so I'll change em no sweat - Any reccomendations? Are them aero jobbies worth the effort? Also, I've notices that the fast wipe does nowt, the blades just stop. Is this likely to be a wiring issue or a burnt winding?

Mirrors. mucky mucky mucky. They seem to collect more crud in the space of 10 miles on a motorway than a white transit. Anything I can do about this? Can they be swapped for something a little less prone to collecting muck (apart from DTMs - ick) How about electrically adjustable ones? how easy is it to retrofit them? Were they ever an option?

Stiff Passenger door - you've really gotta haul on it to open or shut it. I've had a quick look and the striker has had most of the plastic chewed off of it, so I assume it's misaligned. Can a new striker be aquired quite easily?

Creaking windscreen Well, if not the windscreen then perhaps the A pillar on the passenger side. A definite creaky sound that occurs at random but always when on them move. Maybe signs of a badly fitted windscreen? How can I tell if the screen is original. I'll check the reciepts I've got bit I didn't see anything for a screen when I last looked.

Air vent - the little 'spinny thing' underneath it has disappeared on the drivers side vent. Anyone got a spare, or know of a good source of this sort of stuff in the bristol area?

And that's it, really..

So anyone got any pearls of wisdom on any of the above?

Apart from these minor issues, the g/f and I are really pleased with the car. Fast, economical, practical (we got a 6ft christmas tree and 3 passengers in it!) and a lot more fun on scotlands twisty a roads that the corsa would ever be..

Relevant info: T plate Ibiza mk2, 81k, 1.4s 3door. Blue with black n grey interior.

 

[mr.aston]

Rear wash - doesn't. I noticed that the little elbow behind the n/s rear cluster had detached itself from the C-pillar hose. But even after putting that right it still doesn't spurt. Am I missing something somewhere else? (yes the motor does run).

So anyone got any pearls of wisdom on any of the above?

Apart from these minor issues, the g/f and I are really pleased with the car. Fast, economical, practical (we got a 6ft christmas tree and 3 passengers in it!) and a lot more fun on scotlands twisty a roads that the corsa would ever be..

Relevant info: T plate Ibiza mk2, 81k, 1.4s 3door. Blue with black n grey interior.

Hi mate. The rear washer on Mk2 Ibizas seems to be a real bugger! It often detatches where you said next to the back passenegr light but it also goes under the black lining on the under side of the tailgate. If this is left untreated in can seriously rust ur boot!!

 

[EssexIbiza1985]

I have the same problem with the jerky acceleration on my 1.4i. Not sure what causes it but my old car done it aswell (Not an Ibiza). My engine does seem to move around on the mounts quite a bit tho. Tend to find if you are really smooth on the gas and clutch and ease off with the iron foot accelerating technique it doesnt jerk. Annoying when you want faster acceleration tho! Iv heard that the gearboxes on the 1.4's (085 code i think) arent very strong. Mine has only done 66K and the second and reverse gears crunch-suspected syncro ring wear!!

 

[Mckellar]

Hi mate. The rear washer on Mk2 Ibizas seems to be a real bugger! It often detatches where you said next to the back passenegr light but it also goes under the black lining on the under side of the tailgate. If this is left untreated in can seriously rust ur boot!!

yeah its literally a 2 second job, open the boot, the black lining where the high level brake light is, it will be quite stiff but jus give it a wee shoogle an tug an it should come off no bother, u'll possibly see straight away there wil now be 2 pipes, an all u need to do really is pop em back in, it will need to be squeezed in as it needs to be air tight.
2 minute job

 

[Neomancer]

also run the read washer.. and see if water drips out from anywhere.. i found my ibiza had water leaking from a connector in the engine compartment... next to the water bottle...

 

[skyrocketeer]

Cheers all for tips, I had a look this morning (in the rain) and the little right-angle connector that comes out of the back of the wiper shaft has parted company, leaving the hose flapping in the breeze. I disconnected the hose from then engine, to prevent further leakage, while I go about locating a replacement elbow thingumy.

I downloaded a copy of ETOS and it lists the part I need as 6K6 955 985 which is the whole jet & pipe assembly, I suspect this will be expensive. Don't suppose anyone's breaking a mk2 Ibiza?

 

[Cupra Kid]

Superglue is normally good enough to stick the washer pipes back together in my experience.

As for the clutch jerk i have had two VAG 1.4's of the same type as yours and they've both done it.

Pedal position????? give the mrs a fiat seicento to ride around in for a week and she'll shurrup. I have driven a few cars and find the VAG's positions to be most comfortable, but all personal preference i guess, Wouldnt go sticking anything under the pedal etc as you could loose performance or it could get stuck and cause an accident.

Fast wipe issue is probably a failed wiper switch, new switches from a scrappy are below £20

Finally the airvent, this must be the crappest piece of design on the car, the spines behind the vents work loose really easily and either come out or go down into the ducting and rattle. The side airvents on the dash just prise out of their locations if your gentle. My scrappy let me have a few spines for free, you can get them off MK2 ibiza's or MK4 Polo's

Hope this helps

 

[skyrocketeer]

I'd try superglue but part of the little elbow has gone missing totally, so I think I'll have to get creative with some washer hose :-(

I like the pedal position personally, but she has little feet and occasional issues with her ankles. She did say she's getting used to it though, so time will tell. It does look as though I could probaby bolt on a larger gas pedal though, as it's quite high above the footwell floor.

I'll look at testing the switch when it's all apart for the dreaded pedal-box swap (see my other thread)..

Airvent, I'll have another look when I get down and dirty there, but I suspect a trip to the scrappy's will be in order. Assuming I can find one local with the bits I need.. Any reccomendations anyone?

 

[Ducaticam]

Engine Mount - get someone to put the car into 3rd gear with the handbrake on as tight as poss ( without snapping the cable ), let the clutch up fast while avoiding to stall the engine and have a look at which mount is giving the most movement, should be pretty obvious.

Wiper Blades - best you can buy are Bosch, expensive but worth every penny we sell them, don't buy teflon tipped blades there pretty poor and tear after 1-2years

breakers yards are a gem for little bits of trim missing and cheap too, only thing is you need to remove most of the things yourself, no probs if your mechanically minded.