Kevin Bacon

I was going to suggest a weak battery too but if the car turns over as quickly as normal, it's more likely to be an earth problem or perhaps the ignition switch is on it's way out? The Corrado MFA doesn't have a ni-cd batteries or anything silly like that to store data should the main battery lose connection? I only mention this because BMWs have batteries for the instruments and OBC to retain the service timer and other function's data. Just a thought, but I've certainly not heard of VW doing anything like that. Cheers Kev 94 VR6

Nice one, I'll grab one of those when I'm at inters then! Cheers Kev

Yep, that was what I was planny to do mate. I'll post the results of the coolant alone drop and then with the oil cooler. I have the original grille on mine and I opened up the other two slats up with the dremel's mini-circular saw attachment! I enjoyed that This was before I knew about GPC's grille! Is the GPC one a genuine part? I've got so much on the 'to do list' and so little time. I bought the inpro lights nearly two weeks ago and still haven't fitted them yet! Mind you, that's cause they're in the workshop (aka utility room!) being modified. I have done the Lupo wipers though but only cause it's a 10 minute job! Should get round to the G12+ changeover this weekend hopefully. Cheers Kev

Why not look for work in OZ?? Lovely place. Went there in 1999/2000 touring the coast from Brisbane to Sydney. It's real hot there right about now, so make sure pack some factor 50 or some bronzing oil if you wanna good tan 8) Back to the pesky roof, well you can but try those parts, don't take any BS from the stealer if they claim you can't get those parts because they're not officially disclosed (they want you to buy the whole assembly - £500) and I didn't tell you them :? It is a full on headliner down job, so bargain on a weekend's work. I'm looking into retro fitting a MK2 Golf slide only roof as it's a lot more reliable. Either that or a passat tilt/slide roof, again down to reliability. Cheers Kev

Thanks you knowledgeable gurus! So G12+ is the way to go then?. It's red isn't it? The corrado faqs and tips site did report an appreciable drop in temperature on the VR6, so it's worth a shot. I'm also getting an oil cooler fitted by stealth at the end of the month, so we'll see how the two mods work out. I'm aiming to reduce oil temp in the VR6 from 112-114 @ 85mph to 98-100. This will put less strain on the oil, thereby increasing it's ability to soak up heat and therefore make the oil thicker, ultimately leading to reduced oil consumption and longer engine life.....so the theory goes at least!! Cheers Kev

Rear axle bushes make the biggest difference. You feel how stiff the VW replacements are compared to your squishy 10 year old ones. I warn you though, this is not a pleasant job for either a pro or a DIYer and bargain on a replacement brake biasing valve too (£150+), as they always seize up and perhaps a brake line or two. It is worth doing though as it restores that Corrado 'tug you round the bend' feeling. As for Konis - yes definitely for the Yellows TAs with H&R springs but coilovers....hmmm. I hate them to be honest, but each to our own. They're expensive, prone to failure and too stiff for UK roads. The Corrado is not under-damped or softly-sprung as standard, but if you want really low, then they are the only way to go. For the same price as Koni coilovers, you could drive to stealth, have him fit Koni Top adjustables, H&R springs and Eibach Anti-roll bards and drive home again and I know which has the better ride quality. Kev 94 VR6

Most, if not all one-touch windows are the same. I think it's because they share the same timing circuit and thermal fuse. There is a warning in Hyundia manuals advising you not to operate both windows at once otherwise you'll screw them up! All the mod cons on Corrados are prone to failure, VW would have been better off using MK2 Golf tried and tested electronics and a manual slide only sunroof! Interestingly, the one thing you'd think would be horribly unreliable is actually very reliable, and that's the spoiler! Probably due to the fact you can actually get to it easily, unlike the sunroof and power windows! Kev 94 VR6

I read somewhere online lastnight about switching from G11 coolant to G12 which allegedley makes the engine run cooler. They tried it on a VR6, which needs all the cooling help it can get, but has anyone tried it because I hear G12 is for alloy/alloy engines whereas G11 is for iron/alloy engines? Cheers Kev 94 VR6

If a 16V is reluctant idle when cold, this is certainly indicative of a failed cold start injector. This is the case on the 1.8 16V but not sure about the 2.0. The cold start injector is blue and lives on the end of the plenum chamber. A simple test is to remove the injector, place it in a glass jar and start the car from stone cold. No juice = no cold idling! The injector itself doesn't actually fail, but rather it's earth corrodes. The earth is shared with some others on the inner wing somewhere, can't remember exactly. If it's not that, try belting the idle valve with a hammer, this usually frees them off. Check all your hoses for cracks, splits and loose fitment. The round thing under the throttle body could be a damper. VR6s have them and it basically 'catches' the throttle linkage and lowers it to rest gently. If not that, are there any electrical connections going to it? Might be a full throttle enrichment valve. It's been a while since tinkering with a 16v, so apologies for any errors. Cheers Kev 94 VR6

Gazza, snap. I just can't be bothered with it to be honest. I can guarantee if you replace all the bits, it'll just seize up again a year later. If anyone's interested, the part numbers for the cable guides (the bit that regularly sheers off) are:- Rear guides - Driver - 1H0-898-019 - Passenger - 1H0-898-020 Cable guide - Driver - 1H0-898-015A- Passenger - 1H0-898-016A Details on how to strip the mechanism are here:- http://www.corrado-club.com/faq/techtips.cfm Hope this helps Kev 94 VR6

Jims16V, yeah definitley pursue that CCNA mate, it's tough! You need 85% to pass! I somehow managed 92% and I thought I'd failed it! I did a fastrack course, not one of those exam cram jobs, but a proper class room filled with real CISCO routers and switches. It's the CCNPs and CCIEs that command the big bucks but passing the CCIE is hard work but if you've got one of those and are well sorted in Internet Security, bank on £1000+ a day! Stormseeker, might need to have some off forum chats with you mate as I'm trying to expand my knowledge in all things Security!! Vr6Storm, sorry dude but I find most Corrado drivers are in the IT field, must be something to do with needing the cash to afford 20mpg and grp 18 insurance!! Cheers Kev

It seems most of us are techies then because I'm an IT Consultant too! My main area of expertise is Networking and comms. I'm Cisco and Meridian PBX certified, currently reading Cisco PIX and internet security as Firewalls are the biggest growing IT sector at the moment. You'd do well to get into Security 8) Unfortunately I'm not working in that field at the moment but I do have a contract with a huge insurance company as a project/planning analyst, which is funding the Corrado and other hobbies, so can't complain. Hopefully the war will dust over quickly and then I'll get back into the mainstream again once the economy recovers. Hobbies include Golf, domestic Hi-Fi, Radio controlled cars, mountain cycling and of course tweaking the Corrado! Cheers Kev 94 VR6

No experience of Eibach shocks but if their springs are anything to go by, then they're sure to be good. If you want a good ride with improved handling, I heartily recommend H&R springs (not as harsh as the Eibach ones) with front and rear Koni Too Adjustables. Set the fronts to 1.5 turns + and the rears to 1 turn and you'll get a good taught ride that isn't crashy. Add the Eibach roll bars to finish it off and you'll have one sweet handler. You'll get a 30mm drop which imo is plenty as Corrados are low enough as it is (don't let the lofty looking ride height make you think otherwise) and you'll be scraping the floor over speed humps etc. I would then add a rear brace bar. Turn2 do a nice quick-release one for a reasonable price. Kev 94 VR6

Why do you need a new shaft? I've never known any VW to need a new shaft personally, but I have heard of people replacing them. Are the splines worn out at the wheel end? Surely a s/hand one from a breaker's would suffice? Cheers Kev 94 VR6

Done it. The passenger + driver's side is best imo as you get more of a sweep area, more in fact than the standard Corrado setup. Both wipers are able to lay completely flat with no fouling of A pillars. As for the bonnet fouling, you can lift it a foot or so before it catches the bonnet, so no worries. An excellent mod, thanks for suggesting it guys! One thing I noticed was the wipers are slightly slower due to the extra grip on the screen, no major hassle though. Kev 94 VR6

Supersprint make excellent exhausts. I used to use them as they're quieter than factory systems above idle.

No, VW radiators are made by Valeo, as are the G&S ones. VW parts are not as good as they used to be for older cars. Especially on plastic trim parts where the original stamps and machine tools have worn out. I bought some big bumpers from VW for my MK2 in 2001 and they were so poor in quality, I took them back. They looked like they'd been thrown around the warehouse and were warped, absolute shite. To be honest, Milton Keynes should hold a massive yard sale and sell off all remaing Mk1, MK2, & Corrado stock on the cheap, but they won't due to the huge profit they make on them through the dealers. I need some new outer window seals but I am not paying £53 each for them. Kev 94 VR6

Don't worry about it mate, just be careful with it that's all. You only need to worry about that if it rattles. You can test it by gently wobbling it left to right, there should be the smallest amount of play. If it's loose as hell, change it out. Many people weld them up but don't do this, it's designed that way for a reason. Cheers Kev 94 VR6

Plug breakdown is my best guess, I had an old Golf 16V that did exactly that, turned out that plug lead number 3 had corroded internally and was shorting out on the rocker cover. Kev 94 VR6

What's the point, the standard VR6 system is not restrictive, is stainless (so I'm told) and has a big enough tailpipe in my opinion. 6" pipes are for rice mobiles. Kev 94 VR6

I went for the driver + passenger side conversion as the passenger arm is about 3 inches longer than the drivers arm, providing more sweep area. I have a cunning plan up my sleeve which is plan B if the lupo arms go belly up. This simply involves removing the pivot points off the lupo arms and putting them on the Corrado arms. Since mine have been dremeled, pressure on the screen is not an issue. I'll do this if I can't live with the bonnet fouling problem. Cheers Kev

Sorry, your signature reads like you've taken the G60 engine out and put a 2.0 16V one in it's place, not actually changing cars!! My mistake! Cheers Kev

Yes they are indeed Santa Monicas and are 17" or 16". http://www.premier-wheels.co.uk sell 17" ones for £699 with tyres or £450 without. They are a really nice wheel. I rang Vince because these wheels are ET35 and VR6 wheels are ET46. He says they won't work well on the plus running gear, causing tramlining, bumpsteer and possible arch fouling. Arse. Anyone with a VR6 running ET35 wheels suffering any ill-effects? Kev

VR6 Mounts consist of a rubber block and a seperate cartridge bearing. Interestingly VR6 mounts don't suffer from failed bearings like MK2 Golfs do but deformed rubber! It doesn't lift the car 10mm as I fitted VR6 mounts to my Golf Mk2. They are the same height as the standard mounts. I'll get you the part numbers when I get home. Do it, they last forever. Kev 94 VR6

Montys hasn't got a website, so I'll grab a PVW or something tomorrow. Cheers anyway Kev