Belix's Jetta 2

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Belix
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Belix's Jetta 2

Post by Belix »

Hi folks
got a Jetta 2 for the old lady over weekend. Since I don't know my ass from my elbows with cars, I probably got dupped, but hey.
Can post some pics of the nasties I found thus far for you fellows to laugh at. Still not decided whether to leave as is and do the basics to keep is running, or put a bit of cash in....hmmm
  • Need to change all four shocks. Keen to do a DIY, but not sure if a navice should try it. Seems like rear shocks not too difficult, but gather front need some specialised stuff like spring compressors etc. Any specific shocks recommended?
  • car has zero security. Any good ideas how to make the car immobile? Since it's a cheapo car, don't think I'm going to get some alarm place to drop in something expensive.
  • Door handles as per just about every mk 2 playing up. Are polo handles worth the effort, or should I just get another stadnard set from the stealers? My understanding is that the GW and Autosyle one don't cut the mustard?
  • Dash cracked to pieces - can't imagine scrap yars would have any, anyone have some gems of where to get one? Is it "relatively" easy to change?
  • Anyone got an electronic workshop manual?
  • Can you drop Citi seats in without to much stress?
Thanks folks!

Edit running list of fixes:
* New battery
* 4 x new shocks and full set on bump stops
* Boot lid spring
* Spare tyre and rim
* drain, replace power steerings fluid
* 4 x new Hankook 185/60 14s
* New non OEM front door locks
* rear drums, bearings, shoes, cylinders
* new water pump (thanks Morne!)
* new oil seals (thank Morne, again)
Last edited by Belix on Mon Oct 21, 2019 8:17 am, edited 29 times in total.
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Re: Jetta 2 - some questions

Post by panic-mechanic »

•Need to change all four shocks. Keen to do a DIY, but not sure if a navice should try it. Seems like rear shocks not too difficult, but gather front need some specialised stuff like spring compressors etc. Any specific shocks recommended?
- need spring compressors for both. Normal Gabriel oil shock is fine

•car has zero security. Any good ideas how to make the car immobile? Since it's a cheapo car, don't think I'm going to get some alarm place to drop in something expensive.
- seeing that you had to replace this due to theft I would actually spend the serious bucks here...

•Door handles as per just about every mk 2 playing up. Are polo handles worth the effort, or should I just get another stadnard set from the stealers? My understanding is that the GW and Autosyle one don't cut the mustard?
- please don't do the polo style handles - they are utter crap. Yes stock VW handles by far the best

•Dash cracked to pieces - can't imagine scrap yars would have any, anyone have some gems of where to get one? Is it "relatively" easy to change?
- Mission - take a whole day if it's your first one.


•Can you drop Citi seats in without to much stress?
yes
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Re: Jetta 2 - some questions

Post by Dealer_1 »

Hi Belix

If that are the only things that need work on the car, then I would say you got yourself a good buy.

I have bought 2 Jetta's already and I am still sorting problems out.....6 mnths later....lol.
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Re: Jetta 2 - some questions

Post by Belix »

Thanks for all the info panic! Yup, I see the 'difficulty' rating in the haynes manual showes the rear shocks to be more difficult than the front but does not mention compressors. anyhow, will likley get the compressors anyway.

Dealer_1 - well finding more stuff as I go along...getting a bit scary!
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Re: Jetta 2 - some questions

Post by Belix »

Some pics of the damage :(

Munched wheel arch - ouch
Image


Slight dent and what happened to exhaust opening??
Image

Not sure what this means but is looks a bit ugly
Image

Evidence of overspray
Image

Boot lock - had a bad day somewhere?
Image

Cracked dash
Image

Radiator all loose
Image

Console in pieces
Image

One lug nut missing!!
Image

and no spare - just three tires??? Anyone got a spare 14" 4x100 steely I can buy
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by MadMax101 »

ok the seats is a direct swop, shocks are a bit tricky you need spring compresors, the dash can be fixed but wat ever you find in the scrap yard will be the same, i would say keep it put some money into it make it you project make her look good again so good luck
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by Jetta2 »

I honestly hope you didn't pay a cent over 10K for that Jetta.
It obviously was not looked after.

Congrats on getting it.
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by Belix »

Jetta2 wrote:I honestly hope you didn't pay a cent over 10K for that Jetta.
It obviously was not looked after.

Congrats on getting it.
Er, no, definately not a cent over R10K, er no, definately not :bang: :oops: :cry:
MadMax101 wrote:the dash can be fixed
How do you repair them?
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by Scatman »

Jetta2 wrote:I honestly hope you didn't pay a cent over 10K for that Jetta.
It obviously was not looked after.

Congrats on getting it.
My friend bought a 1.8carb Jetta 2 about a year and a half ago, and he paid R13 000 for it. Just had a little dent in the bootlid, the rest of the car is perfect. Bought if from a 73-year old lady who wanted something faster... So she bought a Subaru Impreza!!! :cool: :grin: :lol:
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by SHAUN »

Nice base for a project car if you are good with a compressor and a welding machine.
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by Belix »

SHAUN wrote:Nice base for a project car if you are good with a compressor and a welding machine.
HAH! er no. You mean cut out the wheel arch and weld in a new section? I guess I'll learn soon enough!
Scatman wrote:My friend bought a 1.8carb Jetta 2 about a year and a half ago, and he paid R13 000 for it. Just had a little dent in the bootlid, the rest of the car is perfect. Bought if from a 73-year old lady who wanted something faster... So she bought a Subaru Impreza!!! :cool: :grin: :lol:
I bought it from a 45 year old dood that used it to pull wildebeest out of muddy ditches and plough fields by the looks of it...
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by Scatman »

Belix wrote: I bought it from a 45 year old dood that used it to pull wildebeest out of muddy ditches and plough fields by the looks of it...
:crazy: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by Belix »

Sigh! the ONE thing I was looking for in the car was reliability. Was not concerned on looks... get in car this morning after a week of it sitting there, turn key, and nada. Engine imobiliser and alarm light come on, and not much esle.

The wiring in the engine bay is a complete shambles with plenty wires leading no-where. Can't tell if the standard imob/alarm has been ripped out, but given that central locking in kaput, I would imagine so...

What a disaster! If you ever need anyone to find a car you should definately NOT buy, I'm your guy :mad:
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by Belix »

multimeter reads 9.8V - so dead battery of something draining it. I hoping just a dead battery as a power drain is such a pain int the rear to find...
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by panic-mechanic »

Ok I don't want to be funny or anything. You buy an old mk2 that is in a very sad state of neglect for peanuts and the one thing you expected it to be is reliable.....? Uhm Ok then... You should have looked out for an old corrolla then. Most german cars are only reliable if they are looked after and serviced regularly. So 'keeping a hand on them'. If you let them go the smallest thing will make them break down. Toyotas on the other hand only seem to stop if something fatal happens like a rod through the block or such and they can be in the worst state of repair but still run.
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad, the very bad, and the downright ugly

Post by Belix »

panic-mechanic wrote:Ok I don't want to be funny or anything. You buy an old mk2 that is in a very sad state of neglect for peanuts and the one thing you expected it to be is reliable.....? Uhm Ok then... You should have looked out for an old corrolla then. Most german cars are only reliable if they are looked after and serviced regularly. So 'keeping a hand on them'. If you let them go the smallest thing will make them break down. Toyotas on the other hand only seem to stop if something fatal happens like a rod through the block or such and they can be in the worst state of repair but still run.
peanuts. hmmm yup. Anyhow point taken, I hope this little adventure does not kill me! :grin:
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & ugly - seat swap?

Post by Belix »

MadMax101 wrote:ok the seats is a direct swop, shocks are a bit tricky you need spring compresors, the dash can be fixed but wat ever you find in the scrap yard will be the same, i would say keep it put some money into it make it you project make her look good again so good luck
Given that Citi had folding seats and Jetta has fixed bench, what is needed to make citi seats fit. Or should I look at somethng else to replace the current seats. WOuld imagine replacement is easier than recovevering the current ones.
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly - Rear shocks done...

Post by Belix »

So got the rear shocks done without to much hassel (assuming I did everything right). Not a big job at all, although I had to repaint the shock top and bottom cover as they were starting to rust...

The shocks with plenty leaking evident
Image

Jacking er up!
Image

space in boot over strut top very small - not enought to work in so...
Image

remove the rear seat, and back board. Much better!
Image

This is what need to be undone - you can use grips to hold the centre bit (the shock) still whicle undoing the nut or let the car doen off the jack a bit so the pressure holds it tight.
Image

The new shocks!
Image

Old rear socks removed
Image

Bumpstocks look like they have had it! crumbled in my hands - time to find replacements. (Yes I know what they look like...)
Image

Stealers had replacement bump stops in stock! So no waiting at least...also got a new boot spring (after much dropping of boot on my head) and power stearing bottle (both the last in stock in the country)
Image

The boot has a notch to easily screw in the new bumpstop - if you don't see that, it makes it rather difficult!
Image

New shock, cleaned up, vs old
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly - Rear shocks done...

Post by ShardOfJade »

N1 Good to see that she's on the mend then. :wink:
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly - Rear shocks done...

Post by heineken »

Funny enough the dents on your fender, under the rear tail light and the cracks on the dash and bodywork is very similar to my jetta 2 :lol:

I also had Gabriel Gas Ryders fitted 2 weeks ago, all four with alignment for R1,810.00, the ride is still harsh but a big improvement in handling.
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly - Rear shocks done...

Post by Belix »

heineken wrote:Funny enough the dents on your fender, under the rear tail light and the cracks on the dash and bodywork is very similar to my jetta 2 :lol:

I also had Gabriel Gas Ryders fitted 2 weeks ago, all four with alignment for R1,810.00, the ride is still harsh but a big improvement in handling.
Would have been easier to have it done, but wanted to try myself - looks like front shocks more of a challenge although manual says it's easier than rear.
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly - Rear shocks done...

Post by heineken »

Nah, i think you done the hard part because the guy who did my shocks struggled more with the rear then the front.

After removing the back board, the passenger side of the mounting screw was corroded. Took him over an hour just to get that out.
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly - Rear shocks done...

Post by GTiDon »

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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly - Rear shocks done...

Post by EX-DOHCTOR »

gtidon wrote:[img]http
??? :lol:
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Re: Jetta 2 - the bad & downright ugly - Rear shocks done...

Post by GTiDon »

Cant delete posts :oops:

I looked at the new shock and thought it was longer, but then had a better look
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