The list is slow!

[jdbubb at verizon.net (Dan Bubb)]

Been working on my 16V. The alternator bearings were making a little noise, so I figured I'd buy new bearings ($15) and fix it. Easy job.
After buying new bearings, I discovered some jackass had modified the diode plate by removing the spring contact that contacts the voltage regulator and soldering in a wire instead. Only problem is the other end was soldered to a steel bolt and it come off. Huge surprise there!
Dig out the spare alternator that came with the 16V+parts car buy and the same jackass had performed the same modifications!
Buy a rebuilt alternator at Autozone.
Install and immediately strip the tensioner bolt threads (they were already virtually gone)!
Remove, drill out, helicoil, reinstall.
Drive car to work and the engine is making way more noise than it ever did before.
It didn't sound like bearings though so I didn't know if it was the rebuilt alternator or not.
Finally, not able to isolate the cause, I cut the alternator V-belt (an AC car and not easy to just remove) and the noise was gone.
Remove alternator and can feel a little play in the drive end bearing. No big deal, I've already got new bearings!
Disassemble only to find out the bearing is loose in the housing and somebody had centerpunched the bearing seat in multiple places to attempt to tighten up the fit although unsuccessfully! Balls!
Dig out alternator with effed up diode plate, remove front housing, clean and reassemble.
Notice that new pulley nut and threads on the rotor are stripping! Cheapass nut that came with the alternator!
Dig out alternator with effed up diode plate, remove rotor, press on new rear bearing and reassemble.
Assemble voltage regulator using philips head screws instead of the torx head screws that came with the rebuild, cause who carries around a torx socket? Immediately strip out the housing. Realize the torx head screw threads are oversized and self tapping. Reinstall torx head screws and say fuck it!
The 16V lives up to it's reputation of turning every little job into a huge fucking fiasco!
Don't get a rebuilt alternator from Autozone. THE BIGGEST CLUSTER FUCK evAr!!
Meanwhile the Audi, jealous of the two Sciroccos in the garage, is starting to make some strange engine noises.
Sounds like it's the intake cam drive chain rattling around. Oh joy.
Personally I'm tired of these goddamned German cars collaborating. I'm going to ditch two of them and get a car that only speaks Japanese! ;^)
Dan

From: "Brian Spinney" <vw_85roccoZ400@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 11:22 AM
Subject: The list is slow!


> Wow has the list been slow the last two day.  Where are all you guys and 
> girl?
> What is everyone packing it in for the winter?  Come on I know someone has 
> to be out there!!
> 
> -Brian
> 85 Scirocco 8vT       01 Jetta 20vT       84 Rabbit GTI
> 86 Bronze Scirocco 8v 
>