The GTI Has Issues

[rocker8742]

Getting fed up with the problems i hae with the '6 and decided i need to get it all sorted before buying anymore cosmetic things so I've put a list of the main problems in here to ask advice and get questions answered
Any help / ideas are appricated

I realise most of these bits are probably simple to you guys but im a tard when it comes to mechanics

Rear beams gone so will be replacing it soon, Any reccomendations for extras i should change/add while its off the car

Central locking is playing silly buggers locking randomly while driving or with keys in ignition, thinking this could be a door loom issue? Whats the best way of testing + repairing the door looms?

ICV is dodgey and needs replacing i think this caused the problem i had yesterday of it not idling at all when started and just stalling - Will be replaced come payday

Radiator is rusty as anything and the coolant keeps going rust coloured even after a good flush, Want to replace this soonish really but is there any major benefit from using a nissens rad over standard replacement?

Thermostat is buggered (I think) sits at 70 when running but goes up when sat still, Plan to replace this at the same time as the radiator to save changing coolant again

The fans dont come on anymore, could this be related to the thermostat not getting up to temp to switch them on? (assuming thats how they work lol)

Got quite a judder when braking hard, which im thinking either warped discs / low pads and discs, plan to replace them soon as, are pagid discs any good?

Got a cracked windscreen but thats a fairly easy remedy lol been quoted £115 to replace it

Needs a service + Cambelt doing anyone fancy doing the belt and pump for me ? Wouldnt have a clue where to start or trust myself enough with that and cant really afford £350 i was quoted

List isnt quite as long as i thought itd be but I've probably missed a few small bits
Cheers

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PS wasnt sure where to put this so its in here, feel free to move

[spike2002]

All quite easy repairs mate
If you need any parts mate let me know have the diablo i can raid for you

[rocker8742]

Might take the rad off you if its in good ish nick?

[Oil-burner]

If you have a national windscreens near you mate windscreens are £85 fitted

[spike2002]

Will check it for you tomorrow mate. If you was going to road trip down for the beam you could of had the windscreen for free if i can get it out

[rocker8742]

Thats sounding like a good deal tbh mate

Will try national windscreen first though

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and itd be a road trip up

[spike2002]

Sorry yh ment road trip up lol will check the rad for you tomorrow mate and let you know condition

[Frosty]

If you want me and my mate could give you a hand doing some bits like the cam belt and that. I would think that it would be best to do the rad, thermostat and cambelt/water pump all together so saves keep refilling the coolant. You will have to let me know!

[rocker8742]

Cheers for the offer matt will have to wait a while until i get all the bits together though

[Frosty]

ok mate. you got an axle coming?

[rocker8742]

Yeah probably gonna be getting one from r45

[spike2002]

Yeah probably gonna be getting one from r45

I can do it cheaper if you dont want the calipers exc mate if it helps

[rocker8742]

Sounds even better mate PM details?

[laira10]

Most likely your mass air flow sensor is bad, have a diagnosis performed, cost about 150. for the sensor, 1 hour diag..

[Ed Doe]

Most likely your mass air flow sensor is bad, have a diagnosis performed, cost about 150. for the sensor, 1 hour diag..

These engines don't have MAF sensors mate, they run a map sensor and an o2/lambda sensor and adjust the fuel/spark advance accordingly.

[Jimmyboycheck]

running at 70 and going up at idle sounds right. it will take a lot for you fans to kick in, I gather its not going into the red?

[kernow_joe]

unplug the brown switch for fans going into thermostat, and they should come on constantly, give you an indicatopr if they're broken or something else (the plugs may be wrong its on the passenger side of engine)

but as said they do seem to creep up a bit in the traffic, scared me a bit

[rocker8742]

Fair enough i was used to the 1.4 sitting at 90 on the move thought the gti would be similar

Had it sat for a while last night and the fans did kick in just after 90 so im probably being paranoid about that

[Jimmyboycheck]

yep thats all fine then.

[Matt]

As jimmy said thats fine. The these cars run very hot, in the space of 5 mins mine will hit the fans twice easy

[rocker8742]

so 70 is pretty much where it should be while driving?

[Niall]

70-80 yeah

[lewisdmz]

It's an 83 degree thermostat so it should sit at 83? Give or take a bit for the dodgy gauges but there's no way it should be down at 70 during normal driving I would have thought.

[C2K]

Most likely your mass air flow sensor is bad, have a diagnosis performed, cost about 150. for the sensor, 1 hour diag..

These engines don't have MAF sensors mate, they run a map sensor and an o2/lambda sensor and adjust the fuel/spark advance accordingly.

That's the kind of sense you get from a spambot.

[Ruan]

They should literally instantly come up to 83*C and sit there, they will bump up to about 90 whilst sat idling then will fall back to 83 as the fans cool it... They shouldn't run at 70*C, that's too cold to be optimal, they'll be poor on fuel that cold, mine sits at BANG on 83*C after a new thermostat soon as you're moving... Get a new thermostat, they're a few quid...

I doubt the rad will be sending the coolant rust coloured, they're copper originally so it all goes green... However, a Nissens is much better as the core is Aluminium and will last significantly longer, the fine finned Valeo radiators are also very good, but they have the issue that you touch them and the fins crumple and look shit, they also slice the shit out your hands whilst working on them... Make sure you're using the pink stuff when changing the coolant...

Juddering brakes - yeah, new pads and discs all round will sort it...

Rear beam - if you can get a VTS beam it's a nice upgrade - solid beam mounts are a good upgrade, but do remove the passive rear steer... Depends how you like your car..

[Dangti6]

If you need a hand with anything or a second opinion I'm only up the road from you.

Remov your door loom connector, check the terminals and pull back the rubber sleeve and check for broken wires - very common. I've replacements of most things if you ever need anything.

[rocker8742]

Nice one cheers for the advice and offers of help