What did you do to your Passat today?
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Replaced gas springs on the tailgate. They were original(!!!), and it was time. They still worked, yes - but, not at 100%, and they kinda sucked last winter. It was time.
New wipers. New, OE wipers, straight from VW. The right blade actually follows the glass. Try that, aftermarket bits!
Re-dyed the dashboard. First attempt (last fall, when I did the heater core) came out a bit blotchy. It's a lot more consistent now. A little too glossy, though - I'll try to scuff the gloss off in a day or two.
Sorted thru color swatches, and decided what I'm going to order for Project Door Panel.
New wipers. New, OE wipers, straight from VW. The right blade actually follows the glass. Try that, aftermarket bits!
Re-dyed the dashboard. First attempt (last fall, when I did the heater core) came out a bit blotchy. It's a lot more consistent now. A little too glossy, though - I'll try to scuff the gloss off in a day or two.
Sorted thru color swatches, and decided what I'm going to order for Project Door Panel.
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Fixed the a/c on #4. I had charged it just after Memorial Day and added leak detector. My son said it was blowing warm in July, so he added R134, but did not use a gauge. Turns out it was simply the fan clutch and the system was overheating and shutting down in high temps and lower speeds. Now that it's finally cooled off a bit, he drove it up here (3 hours each way) so I could fix what I was expecting to be a torn hose from bottoming out (Austin is hilly and has a lot of speed bumps). Luckily, I even had a spare fan clutch from my old engine. I got quite nervous when I found the left side of his trunk full of water as the car has had issues with water intrusion in the past, but it turns out the spare coolant bottle had cracked and leaked over a liter a coolant into the left side of the trunk. I also noticed his CV boots were starting to tear, so that is on the list for a return visit. Then I changed the oil (not quite 5K in the year he has had the car) and sent him on his way.
Since I had such good luck on his car, I changed the oil on the Golf (well over a year, but still under 5K) and then changed the oil on my own Passat (just under 5K in the last year). I almost started to do some more work on my car, but decided I had enough for the day and I have a lot of yard work to do on Monday so I had better stop there....
I forgot to mention, the dipstick handle on the Golf broke off when I went to check the oil level. It only has 59K on it and this is only oil change #12 in the 12 years we have owned it. Time for another: http://www.gruvenparts.com/billet-1-8t-dipstick-and-tube-combo/
That's what I installed on my car when mine broke and it looks like it will fit the 2.0 (same length).
Since I had such good luck on his car, I changed the oil on the Golf (well over a year, but still under 5K) and then changed the oil on my own Passat (just under 5K in the last year). I almost started to do some more work on my car, but decided I had enough for the day and I have a lot of yard work to do on Monday so I had better stop there....
I forgot to mention, the dipstick handle on the Golf broke off when I went to check the oil level. It only has 59K on it and this is only oil change #12 in the 12 years we have owned it. Time for another: http://www.gruvenparts.com/billet-1-8t-dipstick-and-tube-combo/
That's what I installed on my car when mine broke and it looks like it will fit the 2.0 (same length).
Hit 70k on the 2002 wagon so I did an oil and filter change, plus an AT fluid and filter change. Also noticed that the passenger side motor mount is leaking so I ordered a new one. That was actually sort of a relief since I had noticed some vibrations that seemed mount related and thought I'd just change all motor and trans mounts. Since I now know the source of the problem I splurged and bought a genuine VW mount.
:thumbup: Good choice, sir.
Aside from the mounting brackets for the woofers (you DID order those, right?), and the adapter cables for them, too.... The install will be easier (read: less hacky) if you install factory-style terminals on the tweeter wires (making them plug-n-play, instead of splice-together. No splice = one less potential failure point.)
After I get home, I'll pull that Mouser invoice, and get you part numbers.
*Edit: pins!
These, 2 per tweeter:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...=sGAEpiMZZMs7eK6h2EBtKqqs/r4rU6bTwMh1p4WwdIo=
And, I just realized something. Did you order the SPS-610 (coaxial), or SPS-610C (component set)?
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878 Posts
I got the coaxial speakers. Didn't order them. I actually got them from a friend who never installed them but needed them gone. So still in factory pakaging. I am aware about needing the spacers for the front so the window does not hit the speaker. I looked on crutchfield and found a harness adapter that is listed for 98' and up vw audi and porsche. The plug on the adapter look correct to what plugs into the factory speakers but their site says it's not a fit. Found some on amazon that look identical to the one on crutchfield. When I order the spacers I'll get the harness adapter from them and hope it fits. If not gonna have to save the install for another day
replaced the wagon's expansion tank today, was blowing thru a gallon of pre-mix every week ... looks like the return line nipple was cracked 3/4 of the way around ...
and while i was in there i once again had to tighten the hose on the intake manifold up ... drove around the block a few times to get it up to temp afterwards and it's like i put a bigger turbo on it. i might need a second clamp on that ...
and while i was in there i once again had to tighten the hose on the intake manifold up ... drove around the block a few times to get it up to temp afterwards and it's like i put a bigger turbo on it. i might need a second clamp on that ...
the Valeo's i got last winter from amazon have proper offset, and have lasted 10 months in SW Ohio schizophrenic weather ... i will probably order a new set and a replacement wash nozzle (driver's side is dangly lol) next month, before winter sets in.
New brakes, front and rear yesterday. I had plenty of pad, but they were rumbly, and didn't stop the car very well. Much better now. :thumbup:
And, checking the tire pressures at the end of the job, found a new problem: Cracked wheel. Cracked a spoke, no less. :thumbdown:
So, because my wheels are aftermarket, and quite discontinued... Ordered a set of wheels today. Rah.... :|
And, checking the tire pressures at the end of the job, found a new problem: Cracked wheel. Cracked a spoke, no less. :thumbdown:
So, because my wheels are aftermarket, and quite discontinued... Ordered a set of wheels today. Rah.... :|
Finally figured out what was causing the oil dripping on the driveway. There was some sort of issue with the gasket on my Mann W940/25 oil filter and it was dribbling out between the filter and the oil cooler. Only took 3 days worth of looking, cleaning and swearing to figure it out. Next up, front pads and rotors.
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10 Posts
Attempted to remove the rear CD Changer to help diagnose why it has no power and is not working -- no joy yet. Back at it tomorrow ... need more information because just removing the screws does not seem to release it. Wish me luck.
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75 Posts
Hehe cuppie that sounds cool. Have you Tried the Bosch ICON blades? There is a 21A and 21B that is for the 2000 fitment. Both track the glass flawlessly. Expensive suckers but they're the best wiper's I've ever had. YMMV. Might want to give them a try. Cheers!
Replaced the passenger motor mount, as it was leaking purple goo all over my belly pan. I did it with the 'remove all mounts but leave sub-frame intact' method. The driver side was easy (I took it out to inspect it, it looks OK) but to get the passenger side out I had to really get the engine up against the firewall and had to loose the clamps on the AC lines and one wire to the start solenoid (or something...). I don't know which way I would do it if I had to do it again. Neither side of my alignment holes was 'aligned' and at least now I don't have to get an alignment.
Because the car is layed up, waiting for new wheels -and, I had time, too.... Started Project Door Panel this weekend. Managed to get both rears done!
I'm sure that most of you are familiar with this sight:
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Eeewwww.. old gooey glue and foam......
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What felt like forever (and, frankly, was probably 2 hours per door panel) of scraping with a putty knife, and a small screwdriver, followed by an acetone wipedown:
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Became this.
Left-rear, first panel (because, well, I have to look at it the least.) Slightly wrinkly:
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Right-rear. Second panel. Better:
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And, the wife unit gave the pull handles an alcohol bath, to remove the sticky soft-touch paint.
Funny thing: She didn't get all of it off - but, it isn't sticky anymore. Win!
I'm sure that most of you are familiar with this sight:
Eeewwww.. old gooey glue and foam......
What felt like forever (and, frankly, was probably 2 hours per door panel) of scraping with a putty knife, and a small screwdriver, followed by an acetone wipedown:
Became this.
Left-rear, first panel (because, well, I have to look at it the least.) Slightly wrinkly:
Right-rear. Second panel. Better:
And, the wife unit gave the pull handles an alcohol bath, to remove the sticky soft-touch paint.
Funny thing: She didn't get all of it off - but, it isn't sticky anymore. Win!
Thanks to the cracked wheel.... New summer wheels:
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Did I want to spend the money on a full set of wheels? No!
Upsides, though:
1- they're new. They look decent (old ones were, well, beat.)
2- they're lighter. A lot lighter. Maybe the MPGs will improve....
Refurb'ed rear door panels reinstalled:
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Did I want to spend the money on a full set of wheels? No!
Upsides, though:
1- they're new. They look decent (old ones were, well, beat.)
2- they're lighter. A lot lighter. Maybe the MPGs will improve....
Refurb'ed rear door panels reinstalled:
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26,198 Posts
No pics, but hastily repaired a driver bolster tear with the 3M leather repair kit. It will work for now and i can always scrub it off and redo.
While drying, I took my Chemical Guys(c) leather cleaner and leather scrub brush and went to town on the seats. Unbelievable. They look like new except for the wear areas! Not bad for a 14yo (by date) car. Never realized a good brushing in of the soap would make that much of a difference.
While drying, I took my Chemical Guys(c) leather cleaner and leather scrub brush and went to town on the seats. Unbelievable. They look like new except for the wear areas! Not bad for a 14yo (by date) car. Never realized a good brushing in of the soap would make that much of a difference.
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