dr_mat

The new Golf is a 1.5 tonne lardy git, and the suspension bushings are designed to work with the size and weight of an 18" wheel. Plus, in fact using larger rolling radius gives you a better ride - the Golf with 18" wheels has a much higher profile tyre on it than a Corrado with the same size wheels. The Corrado would need, what?, 205/35/18 tyres? Insanely low profile...

.. around £140 plus VAT .. Not good news. Make absolutely 100% sure that the garage is not just seeing the "no signal" error before handing over the cash. As stated, the engine speed sensor ALWAYS shows no signal error if the engine is not running.

handling != top speed unrelated subjects.

Can't argue with that being a good modification.. VW just didn't get the adjustable column right till much later, they appear to be a bit of a liability. Did you get a new column shroud too, Kev? What did you do with the slot for the adjuster mech otherwise?

Or ... drive on the motorway for 1 minute at 60mph and 1 minute at 80 mph ..?

You can't really tell if it's damaged. It is, essentially, a magnet with a coil wrapped round it. But all this stuff is encased in a solid plastic casing so you can't see it. The cable for it is clipped to the front engine mount, and the sensor itself is bolted into the face of the block in line with the flywheel, more or less. You can test it electrically: it should be reading between 500-700 ohms resistance iirc. Even better if you can break-out the cables and attach an oscilloscope (obviously at the same time as having it hooked to the engine's wiring loom!). You should see a nice sharp square wave when the engine is turning. If you can do this, let the temperatures build up - typically a failing sensor will lose resolution when everything heats up - and be good again once it's all cooled down. (I.e. after 20 minutes!)

If you're just ticking over I'd be very very surprised if the oil temp ever climbed over 100 ish. If you're talking about driving along then yes, 114-120 is not unusual on an unmodified car.

Sounds like classic engine speed sensor symptoms. Trouble is it's hard to diagnose... Bear in mind that if you let the car stall, and THEN read the engine error codes, you *will* see "engine speed sensor - no signal", but this does NOT mean anything - it's just telling you the engine isn't turning. The only way to diagnose for sure is when the car has kangarood a few times, leave the engine running and get the ECU straight onto the VAG-COM - DO NOT TURN OFF THE IGNITION. If the error code scan says "Engine speed sensor - implausible signal - intermittent" - that's your proof... Replacing it is easy peasy, but as stated it's an expensive part. Also note that I had similar symptoms and it turned out to be my piggy-back rechip ECU failing. If you have anything like this try bypassing it.

Many insurers put the Storm in group 19. The "plain" VR6 is group 18.

Fit a Rolls Royce engine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympus_593_Mk610 20,000 lbf!

Great, lucky git! :)

No, this is the point - it's *not* a CAT1 alarm, it's been delisted because it doesn't have the right security features. It *was*, but it isn't. Even if you had the original certificate they should ask for make/model of alarm and they'd know straight away that it's not cat1. They might accept the alarm ANYWAY, but cat1 it ain't. As it turns out, Jim's insurer will accept the word of VW that the device is working ok, but they won't be stating that it's CAT1, because it isn't.

IIRC the dealers usually tell you to go to an alarm specialist and get the alarm recertified .. which you won't be able to do .. And I sincerely doubt they will keep a copy of the original certificate. Sorry Jim, I've been round this loop before. There's really not a lot of choice.. Either find an insurer that is prepared to take your word for it the car is secure or get a new device fitted. :(

It's a pain, true, but I've lived with having an alarm and separate immobiliser. You can do it .. Particularly if you get one of the recent ones where you just need to have the "key" close to the sensor to unlock it, they're no big deal...

Just another thought - since your alarm works fine, leave it alone, but get a CAT2 immobiliser fitted *aswell*. That shouldn't cost much more than £100. Your insurer will probably be happy with that. (Particularly in conjunction with your original alarm!)

Can't recertify because the rules for certification have changed. If your insurer requires a CAT1 it has to match the *current* CAT1 requirements. There is *some* overhang when the requirements change, but certainly not enough to get a 1994 alarm certified in 2006. I'm afraid it's all true... I found a link once all about it, take a look at the thatcham site, they have a list of alarms and their ceritifcation status. The OE Scorpion alarm that VW fitted to Corrados was delisted in 1998.

THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT. NO NEED TO SHOUT. ;) Will - sounds to me like oil must be pooling somewhere and then dropping off when you move the car. I note, however, that since *you* changed the sump gasket (I'm guessing it never did it before right), that's the first place to start looking. No offence, but it's easy to overlook something..

"It's the poor [speeding] motorist who will pay the price." While I see no justification for cameras or even speed limits on our motorways and dual carriageways when they are not busy, I can see justifications for reasonable limits and cameras on suburban roads. Meanwhile, I'm waiting for my rear number plate to become illegible due to moisture ingress.. :)

Aiming for the full Murray Walker effect there, VR6 ... ?

RHS but as viewed from which direction front or back? Which part of the engine is the oil seeping to/from? What colour oil? How much? EXACTLY where are you seeing the oil under the car?

Maybe you found the secret?

Let us know how you get on ... No doubt the oil pump is not available on it's own from VW, and you need to have an entire new block.. ;)

Lambda is tricky apparently. Crank sensor is easy. Both are expensive, so only do 'em if you're sure it needs done ...

Sounds like your thermostat is stuck open.