Various Questions...

[LMJ]

1. Under the passenger dash, where the fan motor / heat resistor is located, is there meant to be a tray covering all of this up? There's two tapping screw tabs each side to hold something...

2. Also - there's a connector - a 2 pin connector roaming about under the dash - any ideas what this is?

3. When my car idles - it sounds fine with the clutch depressed in. When I release the clutch and let it idle in neutral - it does a crappy rattley noise... this is not all the time - but it is pretty often.

4. Since I've fitted my new multispokes - the rear wheels humm when I go round corners - and tend to humm too on new tarmac roads? Bearings?

5. At 60,000 miles - If I recall correctly - it says in the Haynes manual to CHECK your timming belt for wear and tear, I'm just short of 76k now, is it maybe an idea to change it soon?

6. Got myself a High-visibility Brake light the other day - 2 wires, I split from the break don't I? Is there an earth point near the light cluster in the back?

7. Thick and thin brown cable just under my fuse box - not going anywhere - both with connectors, any ideas? Pics will be available on demmand.

 

[Fl@pper]

1. Under the passenger dash, where the fan motor / heat resistor is located, is there meant to be a tray covering all of this up? There's two tapping screw tabs each side to hold something...

i seem to remember a foam flat cover piece being ripped out from under there in the past btu nothing substantial

2. Also - there's a connector - a 2 pin connector roaming about under the dash - any ideas what this is?

gis a piccie then ?

3. When my car idles - it sounds fine with the clutch depressed in. When I release the clutch and let it idle in neutral - it does a crappy rattley noise... this is not all the time - but it is pretty often.

sounds like clutch release bearing is worn out, time for a new clutch?

4. Since I've fitted my new multispokes - the rear wheels humm when I go round corners - and tend to humm too on new tarmac roads? Bearings?

could be bearings but more possible the fact you changed to bigger wheels with lower profile + new tyres by chance ?? they are inherently noiser than 'standard' road tyres

5. At 60,000 miles - If I recall correctly - it says in the Haynes manual to CHECK your timming belt for wear and tear, I'm just short of 76k now, is it maybe an idea to change it soon?

if you don't know for sure it's been done already why haven't you done it yet ??? get it done asap

6. Got myself a High-visibility Brake light the other day - 2 wires, I split from the break don't I? Is there an earth point near the light cluster in the back?

yes loads of em and a few bolts sticking out all over the boot that you could get a decent earth off too

7. Thick and thin brown cable just under my fuse box - not going anywhere - both with connectors, any ideas? Pics will be available on demmand

pics would be cool - can't remember seeing anythign like that but i can look and see

 

[LMJ]

Flapper Thanks!. It's just had a new clutch though, then a new gearbox after that, at easter. I'll give you some pics now...

These are the brown wires -

(Thin wire just behind it.)

 

[LMJ]

"if you don't know for sure it's been done already why haven't you done it yet ??? get it done asap"

Because it said in Haynes to check for wear and tear - not to change it.

 

[Kai_1600]

I think its generally accepted that it should be changed at least every 60k, considering the kit is about £40 + a couple of hours labour vs the possibility of blowing your engine to bits its worth it for the peace of mind as much as anything else.... I can assuse you it'll look warn after 70k!

 

[LMJ]

Yeah I am definatley changing it asap, does it NEED to go to a garage for it? I assume it does with the timing etc, not something you can do yourself is it with a haynes by your side?

How much approx. will it cost me? Dad said like £150

 

[Fl@pper]

if you have ever done a belt before then the 1.4 is easy - have a look in ya haynes manual and see


brown wires look like earthing points,mine has about 6/7 all clipped in that frame, can't bend down enough to see if they are actually connected though - too old now

 

[LMJ]

haha Flapper you're useless ... nah kidding - thanks

Yeah I'll have a look, never done it before mind. Pretty risky if I get it wrong lol, any website linkage for the timing belt?

 

[M1KEH]

Euro car parts should be able to sell you your timing belt kit etc. Pretty easy if youve got haynes by your side i would imagine.

 

[LMJ]

what happens if you get the timing wrong lol?

 

[betamike25]

Firstly it wont start. Then maybe your valves will hit the pistons and you could end up with a knackered engine. If you do it yourself then turn the engine over first by hand just to check before turning the key to start. If you have never done one before it should take about 3 hours. Just keep referring top the haynes manual and you shouldnt go wrong. If i still lived in Llanberis i would have popped over. Cornwall a bit far from there now though.
Good luck and give it a go

 

[LMJ]

Ah gutted! You used to live in Llanber?! No way!... Yeah I'll ask my dad, see what he says. Just, if it means jeopardising my engine then he might not be that happy, but we'll see.

 

[CraigW]

I highly recommend that you get your timing belt changed if you dont know when it was done, just to give you piece of mind.

Mine was changed not long before a bought my car at 72K-73K miles. I got mine changed again at around 104K-105K and Im glad I did. The first time the tensioner hadnt been changed and the belt had stretched with it not being in tension. It was hitting the plastic cover when the engine was running because there was no tension. My mechanic didnt know how it hadnt broken and how I didnt end up with a knackered engine.

 

[Fl@pper]

loads under mine and yes all plugged in to a main earth it seems so yours has one loose for starters so plug it in

i bent down on my knees for these 2 ya scamp so go fetch me slippers, there's a good lad

 

[LMJ]

wow that's a lot of wires... GTi is it?... Where does the loose one go into? Anywhere on the block?

 

[LMJ]

Holy sh*t, mine's rubbing the plastic too, crap - better get it sorted asap!!

 

[LMJ]

Bought some locking wheel nuts today for the alloys. Fitted them all - perfect. When I turn right now though, the passenger front wheel seems to be doing a funny noise... like a rhythmic ticking noise as it spins... strange?... Ever since I fitted the nuts this morning... fine on other wheels though...

The length was fine - fitted in ok, and threaded in perfectly...

 

[CraigW]

Bought some locking wheel nuts today for the alloys. Fitted them all - perfect. When I turn right now though, the passenger front wheel seems to be doing a funny noise... like a rhythmic ticking noise as it spins... strange?... Ever since I fitted the nuts this morning... fine on other wheels though...

The length was fine - fitted in ok, and threaded in perfectly...

I was going to say did you get the correct seat for the bolts?? Im guessing the Ronals will have a dome/radius seat. Although you would think it would happen on all the wheels.

 

[Fl@pper]

wow that's a lot of wires... GTi is it?... Where does the loose one go into? Anywhere on the block?

yes it is - and yes anywhere as all the pins are connected it seems by my multimeter

 

[LMJ]

I know, interesting - it's still catching as I go around corners... but only if I turn the steering wheel say 45'... after one revoulution of the steering wheel there's no sound... Going round a roundabout say e.g... hmm