Trev16v

On further inspection, the reservoir really is above the minimum mark. I just could not see due to discoloured plastic. So please ignore that one.

Hi, On our Corrado 2L 16V, I had to replace a corroded brake pipe that sits on the rear axle driver side (the one that goes along the axle between the two flexible hoses). While I was replacing this pipe, I had a proper brake hose clamp firmly on the first flexible hose. Despite doing this, I went back outside to find that the bugger had still dumped lots of fluid onto the floor. The brake reservoir tank had run empty, probably below minimum. When I came to bleed the brakes, we were initially able to get some fluid out of the caliper, but then it stopped. Even with the nipple fully open, nothing would come out and the pedal remains rigid. I most definitely do have the rear brake regulator held open. I have even disconnected the brake pipe from the regulator to see if any fluid comes out of there, to rule out a problem with the regulator or blockage in the pipe that goes from the regulator to the caliper via my new pipe. Even with the pipe disconnected at the regulator, I still can't push any fluid out. If we apply pressure and undo the nipple on the caliper on the passenger side (opposite to the side I fitted the new pipe to) fluid will freely rush out. I believe that the ABS system on this car is the Teves 04 or something. When the ignition is turned on and car started, the ABS light goes on for a few seconds and then turns off just like it should. Is it possible that the ABS unit has completely shut off the supply to that pipe? Other thing I have just noticed (and adding to this post afterwards) is that even though the reservoir looks fully topped up now when looking from the top, the fluid doesn't appear to be anywhere near the minimum mark on the side. It could be because it's an old and discoloured tank, but it actually looks like the back part of the tank is right to the top (I think there's a separate section inside it) but the front part seems to sit well below minimum. But the fluid in the top is literally just a few mm down from the top. We ensured that the pedal was not pushed too far (I know it should not be pushed to the floor, so that seals aren't damaged) and once the problem is rectified I shall use an Easy Bleed which I've just found. Desperate for help here as this is an apparently simple job gone bad. Car needed for tomorrow. Thanks Trev

Gents, Many thanks indeed, it's great to hear that someone has already done the conversion. I shall search for the thread shortly as I'm keen to see the pictures. I removed the blower box assembly from the Passat this morning. Unfortunately someone had already been along to remove the compressor, and this was the type of cretin who has to destroy the rest of the car just to remove the component he wants. As a result, the pipework to the evaporator within the blower box was destroyed. So I have only come home with the complete (and undamaged) blower box and controls; I shall need to source another evaporator, compressor, etc. I forgot to take note of the condition of the condensor at the front; I shall have to go and look at that. But I'm quite happy though as it's the RHD blower box assembly that's probably the most difficult thing to get hold of. Sourcing another evaporator, pipework, compressor etc. shouldn't be a problem. It is a shame, however, that the RHD engine bay pipework was also damaged. However, no doubt I can source replacements. There doesn't look to be much wiring associated with it. From what I could see, one small loom from the fusebox to the blower unit, and I could see another going to a valve of some sort on one of the compressor pipes. Couldn't see any wiring for the compressor; wonder if it had been removed. Cheers, Trev

Hello all, Today I discovered an N-registration 8V Passat at the scrapyard which has got air conditioning. I immediately wondered if the blower box unit, and the rest of the parts, could be retro-fitted into my wife's 1993 Corrado 16V. When I say this, I am mainly concerned with the RHD blower box, which is the 'holy grail' part. (I realise that different brackets, pulleys and so forth would be required to mount the compressor to the 16V engine, but not being LHD/RHD specific I'm not worried about obtaining those.) I fired up ETKA, hoping to compare the part numbers for the A/C blower box unit for a RHD Corrado and RHD Passat. However, ETKA doesn't seem to show air conditioning parts for the RHD Corrado, only LHD. I am a little confused about this because I've actually sat in a RHD Corrado with A/C - I wonder if that had an aftermarket system? Anyway, instead I compared the LHD part numbers for the main A/C blower box units, and they are different. Corrado AC blower housing: 191 820 024A, 1995 Passat AC blower housing (LHD): 3A1 820 024B. I just checked ETKA and found that the Golf MK2's A/C blower box is exactly the same part number for LHD; the RHD one is 191 820 024B. So looks like the Corrado and Golf MK2 share the same blower box. Does anyone know if the Corrado and B4 Passat blower boxes - AC or non-AC - are physically very similar anyway? I have A/C on my Golf G60 Syncro and my Toledo, and it'd be nice to have it on the Corrado! Many thanks Trev

Sorry to read about this, but at least it can be repaired. The collision that recently wrote off my wife's Corrado was also not entirely the fault of the person who went into the back of her, but more so because of some idiot who chose to stop in a very stupid bloody place.

Shaun, It was just the wife driving and he has whiplash, but she's okay. With regards to the shell and cutting out metalwork, thank you for this offer. This is certainly worth considering. How much do you think you'd want to do this? Also, could the shell that you have be used complete, or is it damaged? I have seen a few apparently perfectly good Corrados being broken, and presumably perfectly good shells are being scrapped. Anyone have any opinion about whether replacement of the quarter panel and straightening of the inner quarter and rear panel will be the end of the story, or is there likely to be more serious damage? For instance, as you can see, the door gap has been greatly reduced. When I look at the quarter panel, because the impact was very low down on the rear bumper, the quarter panel has been kind of pushed fowards, and kind of twisted anti-clockwise, if that makes sense. So I am hoping that this is all just distortion of the quarter panel and rear panel, and that nothing has happened to the chassis leg itself. Regards Trev

Good evening! Yes we're in Wantage and it'd certainly be good to meet anyone local. If I could get a quarter panel I would be prepared to do the welding work myself; I'd just have to get a body shop to paint it. I fancy the challengine of doing it. But you are right - a new shell will always be cheaper and less hard work! Trev

Hi all, This is my first post on this forum, although I have been registered for a year or so ever since buying my wife her 2L 16V Corrado for her birthday last year. This was a lovely low mileage example (in the order of 65,000 miles) with immaculate fully documented VW history. Last week someone went into the back of it. If that wasn't awful enough, this happened on her birthday this year! So exactly twelve months later, it's dead. We're both absolutely bloody gutted. Fortunately the other driver is insured with Direct Line and has admitted liability straight away, but I'm dreading the process of trying to justify a decent payout from them. I'm hoping to be able to get something in the order of £2500 at the very least, because looking at adverts on here, Autotrader and Pistonheads shows that you certainly cannot get a decent 2L 16V for much less than that, unless it's one that has been driven to the moon and back and full of fag burns! And there are one or two nice looking 2L 16Vs I've enquired about that could be a suitable replacement. I know this is a totally pointless idea really considering I could probably find a bare Corrado shell somewhere for dirt cheap, but I did try to find the price for a replacement quarter panel. I reckon that the shell itself is probably still straight in terms of the chassis arms and so on. If I could have obtained a new quarter for reasonable money, I would fit it myself. But a phone call to VW gives a price that's well, well over £500, and I can't find anyone doing them aftermarket. So I don't know - maybe I could find someone who'd cut a quarter from an old knackered shell (one that's even more knackered than ours?! :eek:) or just find a bare intact shell from somewhere, and re-home all of the low-mileage components from our car into it. Ah well. Anyway, thought I'd share the woes! Trev (Oxfordshire)