James.

Can't get VCDS to work so wouldn't mind a little help from anyone please. 96 8V Corrado (ADY engine code) Installed VCDS lite to the laptop (From Ross tech). Connected the cable to the car/laptop. Turned the ignition on. Options - Test - Save. Auto Scan - Chassis type: 50 VW Corrado - Turned the ignition off and on when prompted (airbag check) - Scan 01 02 03 15 25 - End------ Didn't bring anything up. So I went into: OB11 functions - Dialogue box. Test status: Test complete. Result: Car is not ISO/OBD11 compatible. If this car is a VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda - Try: Select - 7 individual controllers. Really confused as I thought VCDS was pretty much plug and play. Closed the laptop with a pen on the keys. Result: Cracked screen = I am an angry man. I now have no laptop. A car that still doesn't work and no further on. Please help before I set fire to the damn thing. NB: I'm two minutes from Jct 26 of the M6 if anyone is in the North west and would like to help.

If the 8v is running by then, I'll be in for a bit of this.

VR6 bonnets are faster aren't they ?

Great news and great progress considering it's binned it down for the past few days. Can't be doing with safari parks though, monkeys just wind me up.

J66 SUD, Dark VR6 at Orrell post, Lancashire. Today (3rd July 2011). Spotted by the Mrs. Shame I don't see them..

It's all good. Seems that all the information surrounding these is word of mouth. Making contact with VW UK and Germany was fruitless so it looks like it's down to the owners to pool the information themselves. We really need more pictures though, past and present. So come on people, post them up (any old pictures taken that need to be scanned in etc). Someone somewhere must have recently spotted one !

Aye and easy. I'll put it down to driver fatigue. Bet he got as many "what are you doing" looks, as "now that's funny" ones though.

I've always had a lot of time for Audi coupes but the Disco just cracks me up.

It does. I was under the impression that it was a press fit bush that wouldn't move, but will give that a go when all the bits turn up on Tuesday. Cheers Tom Bad news is that the car won't fire up. The engine turns over. I've checked that the engine's getting fuel. Tried a new 67 relay along with a host of other basic checks. Just not tried changing the ecu relay. Really frustrating as I thought I'd cured one problem and then another pops up. Grrrr...

A minor success this morning. Looped the belt over the alt pulley and then wrestled it into place (as opposed to fitting the belt last). But had to use a pry bar to keep the tension in the belt as I just couldn't get the alt to fit with the spring in place. May chop a spare spring I have down to put my mind at rest. New bolts and belts coming on Tuesday so we'll see if that improves fitment a little.

Thanks for sharing. That last picture's a little belter. Tres bien.

Yeah, it's a Bosch/VW unit so no fear there. I've thought of something, so will report back when I've checked it out.

Too late, but thanks all the same David. £17 from VW so not too bad. I really don't know what to do if the belt is the same size. The alt is fully compressed and touching the bracket metal to metal. I'll wait till the belt arrives before commenting further. Thanks once again, James.

I've now spent the last three nights trying to get the belt on. So I've packed it in. I've tried standing on it, levering it between the alt and bracket, tried the old broken bracket, removed the spring and generally pushed, pulled, filed, swore and given it a right good telling off. Still won't go on. It's about 5mm short of going on. I really don't know how they got it on before but maybe this helps explain the broken/bodged alternator bracket. The only thing I can think of is that the belt is the wrong one and too small. Off to VW to get a genuine one and hopefully put this story to bed. I'll keep the thread updated with an outcome.

Thanks for the reply chaps. Thought as much about standing on it as it seemed the only possible solution. Will try the crow bar on it as well and report back with the outcome. How about a service manual for ADY ? Haynes Vento/Golf ?

Took the alternator off for a rebuild. Replaced the bracket and went to re-fit the alternator. Can I get the belt back on ? Not a chance. I've compressed the spring underneath by even going as far as standing on it but still the belt won't go on. Could some kind soul please enlighten your dear author as to the best solution. I'm feeling somewhat deflated by a job that shouldn't take more than half an hour. PS: Which Haynes (or similar) does everyone buy to cover the ADY engine ? Thanks in advance James

Why am I not surprised by that !

Following on from a previous post. When I bought Arthur, he had a noisy alternator and a broken alternator bracket. So after I successfully obtained a second hand bracket from "the bay" I moved onto the dark science of auto electrics. After catching my breath from my recent visit to to mein stealer for an eye watering quote for a new and re-conditioned alternator. I thought it prudent to allow myself an attempt at fixing the old thing. Off I went and bought the bearings from Abex power components in Pemberton 6203-2RS 6303-2RS Just short of £11 for the both. SKF units so none of this Chinese fudge metal. Broke out the pullers on the bearings, put it all together and was quite pleased with myself. Until I realised I'd managed to break one of the brushes on the regulator when re-assembling. £10 for a new one. Still, £21 all in for an alternator rebuild as opposed to £200+ isn't bad in my eyes. Here's a handy link I found ( http://www.3dzubehor.com/Rover/Boschrepair.html ). It's for another cars alternator (still Bosch though), but the internals and process is the same. I'll be doing the same to the VR alternator... ... some time this millenium.

Ahhh nostalgia. The surest way to empty ones wallet. As Richard Madeley used to say "Welcome back".

And a damn sight easier to clean.

I'll have this please Zak. Pm me the payment details when it's ready and I'll sort you the pound notes out. All the best, James.

Selling on behalf of my Uncle. http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2945446.htm The car is located in Standish, Lancashire. Ring the mobile number on the advert if you need any more information or to arrange a viewing. Thanks for looking James

Bang... ...and the rash is gone.

Probably a belt and braces solution. Can't see the trims falling out of their own accord, unless prompted at high speed ? I'd be tempted to resist bonding them in also.

Very nice period wheels Andy. Many moons ago there was a bordeaux red 16v near here with them in 16 inch guise. This has just reminded me how much I liked them then, and now. What are the dimensions and offset, if you don't mind me asking ? Looking for an everyday 16 inch wheel that is easily cleaned, so this may well be the solution.