RE: My 'new' 88 Scirocco, abused and missused (long)

["Neal Tovsen" <sixteen.volt@verizon.net>]

A couple of helpful hints...

> Rear calipers seizing/sticking, had them adjust the parking break which
> wasn't very effective. Shop recommends replacing them... $$$

IMHO, they're actually right about this one. You've already met the #1
worst-designed part on a 16v Scirocco. Either buy NEW ones and be done with
it for (hopefully) 10 years, or buy rebuilt ones and expect to replace them
every year or two. Don't be surprised if your "new" rebuilt calipers still
have broken ebrake mechanisms. I can swap out rear calipers blindfolded in
10 minutes these days...

> Now and then the car will bottom out, or rather, the body kit will scrape
> the road a bit. Normal? The car doesn't bounce any when I push down on the
> ends though. Suspension 'seems' ok.

Whoah! Really?? The body scrapes the ground??? I've NEVER heard of a 16v
doing this. Sounds like cut springs or something. I'd be replacing the
springs and shocks ASAP.

> Paintjob not in the best of shape. Some of the clearcoat is
> peeling badly on
> the rear passenger side. Some oxidization. The previous owner
> didnt even go
> to the trouble of washing the car before trying to sell it. I used some
> turtle rubbing compound and brought the shine back in the paint. Seems to
> have fixed up some of the oxidization. Bumpers are starting to fade a bit.
> Macco's or what?

Yeah, as in "Maaco already". VW didn't use clearcoat on any Sciroccos. If
the rag didn't turn red when you polished it, it's been repainted.

> Muffler has some rusty spots on it... former owner said it has a hole in
> it... doesn't seem loud to me, but does sound kind of throaty with a few
> 'poot' sounds coming from it.

Look under your car. See a hole? :) Fortunately, mufflers (except for the
OEM muffler!) are cheap and easy to replace. The rest of the factory exhaust
is mandrel-bent stainless steel. Good stuff, but be careful...it is a metric
pipe size, bigger than 2" and smaller than 2.25". Either find a muffler that
has the proper metric tubing, or make/find a pipe adaptor of some sort. The
OEM muffler is expensive and sometimes has problems with the baffling coming
loose inside. It might last another 10 years or it might last 1 (like mine).

> Passenger exterior door handle doesn't work.

The mechanism is pretty simple. Take the door panel off and have a look. It
might not actually be broken, and if it is you can fix it easily yourself.

> More info on the idle/alternator problems: The car normally idles around
> 800ish rpm.

Perfect.

> Occasional unsteady idling...700-950ish usually when
> the engine
> was cold. After I picked the car up from the shop & started her
> up... HELLO!
> Idle was going nuts.. hmm... drove to a gas station & filled up the tank,
> dropped in a fuel injector cleaner. Noticed that the alternator belt was
> flopping like mad. The idle was dropping low enough to where the engine
> sounded like it was going to die and the battery light was flashing. This
> will not do. Had them readjust the alternator, and the idle. The belt is
> firm again, and the idle is better... but now it idles unsteady regardless
> if its cold or warm. It was better before I had them mess with it. I think

Could be the oxygen sensor, as Jasin mentioned already. Pump a couple
bottles of Techron into a half-tank of gas, and don't refill until you're
almost empty. Does wonders to make sure the fuel system is somewhat clean.
If you don't know when it was last replaced, install a new fuel filter.

> I'll try a different shop next time.

IMHO, the best shop is the one in your driveway. Nobody loves your car like
you do. Just get yourself a Bentley, a few tools, and go for it! You can do
almost any repair yourself.

Ah, the beginnings of a new love. Good luck!

Neal


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