Redrado93

Just a little update to all those who had any input into this or are interested none the less, I have my green paper!!! Welded the CAT on (cheers Neal), so it's pretty much permanently on but works, and whilst a bit quieter, still sounds as sweet as a VR6 should. Headlight problem was that it was a LHD glass?! So the fluting in the glass went the wrong way, distorting the correct light line. I'm not sure how exactly it passed last time but anyway, got some RHD glass from Shaung (Thanks again mate!) and jobs a goodun, passed :D Also, worth mentioning those 90% brighter bulbs from Halfords, got a set anyway, very impressive! Maybe not 90% brighter, but noticeably better. Cheers Aki. Nice to be on the road legally again.. Chris

Ok managed to get hold of a Cat today (Thanks Neal!) The old bypass pipe came off ok. It was only then that I realized the cat is actually shorter than the bypass, strangely. So, taking off the original 'extension' of pipe that connected the bypass to the backbox end of pipe, I went about bodging some pipe about that would bridge a bigger gap. To cut a long story short, there is still a small leak, which developed after a few miles of driving. Which pissed me off to say the least after all that work. It seems stretching and squashing a pipe relatively easily and quickly with a hammer, vice, grinder and a few other bits is a bit trickier than I first thought! Anyway, I've got the CAT at-least, so I think I will just get the garage to fit it again, and properly, on monday and pay for it. Now I'm here, anyone got a passenger headlight kicking about, just incase they don't pass the lights again with just a replacement bulb... Thanks everyone. Chris

Thanks everyone for your replies, it's interesting to know the exact limit on the emissions. Apparently mine were not too far above the max figure. The plugs were done not too long ago, throttle body has been cleaned out to try and improve emissions, and although I'm not sure how to test the MAF sensor, it seems pretty conclusive that I just need to go ahead and fit a CAT anyway. That surely has to be the problem here by the sounds of it. Now just got to get hold of one... Aki I think you are right about the (apparently) dimmer nearside headlight. I will buy a pair tomorrow and try just the one at first to see how it fairs in comparison to the drivers side. The trouble is that i can't really notice much difference between the 2 of them myself! Just the annoying tester man with his super eyes. So, I'm not actually sure I will be able to give a fair judgement as to weather it's been fixed or not! Aaanyway, best i can do is try, then book the retest. Thanks Critical mass, I did see your post, I can't really justify a sports cat for the moment so I'll just settle for a standard and take it off afterward i think. Corozin and Aki, replies much appreciated and very helpful. Ta! Chris

Sorry Admin, this post seems to have been doubled up in here for some reason? Chris, the strength of the light itself was the issue, alignment was fine as far as I am aware. Is the output tested by machine too? They only noticed because one was ever so fractionally dimmer than the other. Stupid amount of difference in my opinion. Interesting to know that for the Cat Converter. How do they expect cars to pass then without a cat! I need mine to pass without a cat!! Thanks alot for your reply. Very helpful. Chris

Also, would a new bulb help bring the nearside headlight up to standard of the opposing side? Chris

Ok thanks. That helps. It is separate yes, but I was told that it all works with each other for a properly working system, therfore I'd need the whole lot? So in theory it should just be an add on just to the front section, no shims needed for the pipes? Was trawling ebay - I take it this is the sort of thing i need http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Catalytic-Converter-VW-CORRADO-2-8-V6-07-92-08-96_W0QQitemZ200374326518QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2ea73d94f6#ht_5377wt_861 Thanks :)

Thanks for you reply. If I could borrow one, that would be amazing good thinking. will pay for the favour - do you happen to have one Dukest?! I'm in Guildford, if anyone has one... Would a standard CAT fit my Magnex system? Chris

Hi, I got back from a long day at work today to hear that my Corrado failed it's MOT. Problems are - Exhaust emissions too high. Nearside headlight (apparently) needs replacing. Headlight is annoying,especially as they only judge them purely by eye?! But not too bad to replace. Main issue, is that I need a Cat Converter...It's a de-cat system (which is legal as such, yes???), and I knew that, BUT it had passed it's last MOT test fine, which was like a month before I actually bought the car. When studying receipts etc, the decat Magnex exhaust has been on for a few years. So I can't figure out how it managed to pass last time?! What I would be INCREDIBLY appreciative of is any tips (ie - cheats) I can do to bring the emissions down. Even if only for the MOT, I just need it to pass, and quick, the car will be illegal as of tomorrow... The join between the pipes underneath the car was a loose until 2 months ago, possibly letting some gases out, would this have aided a pass? Are cat converters for aftermarket exhausts easy to get hold of/fit? Can't it just be wound back a bit, letting less fuel in? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give all the advice/experience you have, i really need to get this sorted, just can't survive without a car. Thanks guys. Chris

Hi, I got back from a long day at work today to hear that my Corrado failed it's MOT. Problems are - Exhaust emissions too high. Nearside headlight (apparently) needs replacing. Headlight is annoying,especially as they only judge them purely by eye?! But not too bad to replace. Main issue, is that I need a Cat Converter...It's a de-cat system (which is legal as such, yes???), and I knew that, BUT it had passed it's last MOT test fine, which was like a month before I actually bought the car. When studying receipts etc, the decat Magnex exhaust has been on for a few years. So I can't figure out how it managed to pass last time?! What I would be INCREDIBLY appreciative of is any tips (ie - cheats) I can do to bring the emissions down. Even if only for the MOT, I just need it to pass, and quick, the car will be illegal as of tomorrow... The join between the pipes underneath the car was a loose until 2 months ago, possibly letting some gases out, would this have aided a pass? Are cat converters for aftermarket exhausts easy to get hold of/fit? Can't it just be wound back a bit, letting less fuel in? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give all the advice/experience you have, i really need to get this sorted, just can't survive without a car. Thanks guys. Chris

Hi, I got back from a long day at work today to hear that my Corrado failed it's MOT. Problems are - Exhaust emissions too high. Nearside headlight (apparently) needs replacing. Headlight is annoying,especially as they only judge them purely by eye?! But not too bad to replace. Main issue, is that I need a Cat Converter...It's a de-cat system (which is legal as such, yes???), and I knew that, BUT it had passed it's last MOT test fine, which was like a month before I actually bought the car. When studying receipts etc, the decat Magnex exhaust has been on for a few years. So I can't figure out how it managed to pass last time?! What I would be INCREDIBLY appreciative of is any tips (ie - cheats) I can do to bring the emissions down. Even if only for the MOT, I just need it to pass, and quick, the car will be illegal as of tomorrow... The join between the pipes underneath the car was a loose until 2 months ago, possibly letting some gases out, would this have aided a pass? Are cat converters for aftermarket exhausts easy to get hold of/fit? Can't it just be wound back a bit, letting less fuel in? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give all the advice/experience you have, i really need to get this sorted, just can't survive without a car. Thanks guys. Chris

Ok so having done a search, what I needed was a piston windback tool. Doesn't really help now, especially if I've buggered it up but isn't hindsight a lovely thing to dwell on... Anyway, if they went back, with some clockwise turning, (which there was) is there a chance they are ok??? How do I check? I will re assess the wheel bearings tomorrow evening with that handy little screwdriver test. Thanks. Chris

Oh, crap!! So they literally just need to be turned clockwise to go back? What tool would you use for this? They did rotate a bit, but not all that much... Hope they are ok! I dismounted them to an extent, as you have to in order to get the disk off. Then re-greased all threads I could see. Why? I feel like a right idiot now. Really hope I haven't knackard anything. I pressed the old bearing cups into the new, they have been fine for the time I've had the car so... Thanks for your replies guys, appreciate it. Chris

Hi all. I replaced my rear disks and pads yesterday, and having found the preload nut seemingly quite lose initially (literally only finger tight). I'm wondering if this is actually the correct kind of set up or should they have been tighter? I know they are only preload nuts but still, don't want a saggy bearing if I can help it... I did them up a bit tighter (very light pressure with nosey pliers) but am now a bit paranoid as to whether they will overheat! Also, my handbrake is basically not functioning! The pistons seemed to be seized before hand but I managed to free them up using a G-Clamp to push them back in, so I'm pretty sure it's not that. I am aware that most corrado handbrakes barely pass the MOT, but I'm pretty sure this won't even manage that...And the MOT is due in 2 weeks :S. Any tips/advice on this? Will simply adjusting the cable solve this? Thanks in advance for all your input :) Chris

Yep - I had to unclip the long grill section first to gain access to the clips, pull the retaining 'wedges' out from the center of the clips first, which allows you to then squeeze the two sides of the clip together, thus allowing them to push through the rectangular hole in the bumper iron. Simples :) That's annoying mate, who told you that then!?

How'd you manage to remove the bolts holding the bumper irons without jacking the car up!? :scratch: :cheers: Yesterday i attempted to change the thermostat, but got as far as removing the top radiator hose and lost all confidence - taking it to garage next week. :( Gave the car a damn good wash down with the jet wash, get all that nasty salt off. Magic! Na, didn't need to touch the iron, 'just' unclipped the bumper from the back, then 'simply' pulled it off ;) I chickened out of my thermostat too, it's a long old bitch of a job, apparently.