Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
villie

just bought a corrado and....

Recommended Posts

it had 100k on the clock, 12 months MOT, full VW service history and looked really clean... I didnt really look at the MOT certificate when buying it but it had passed. I got it home and found that it has the following problems:

Offside front front CV Joint gaitor deteriorated

Front and Rear Brake pads wearing think

Nearside and Offside wheel bearing play in a rear wheel bearing

Front exhaust system has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Rear metal fuel pipes surface corrosion

 

I took it in to get the car serviced and they found the following:

Cambelt change is due

power steering pipe requires replacing

front pads and discs need replacing

both front brake flexi hoses are perishing

both rear axle bushes are perished

fuel pipe from pump to accumalator corroded (surface corrosion)

 

 

Have I made a wrong decision about buying this car?? I read in another post that you buy a corrado, not because its reliable you buy it cause everbody who see's it will tell you it's there favorite vw.

 

I can do the brakes maself, or will go to quickfit to get em dun coz of their lifetime guarantee (or summin like that). The CV Joint gator and the rear axle bushes I'm gonna go to a garage to sort that out, dunno how much it will cost, any rough ideas??

 

The rest, the hoses, power steering pipe and fuel pipe, anyone got any pointers or know of any links on how I can do these maself??

 

Cheers people

 

I got a pic of the 'rado, so as soon I find out how to put up a pic, i'l show y'all....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i dont have that golf any more... oh how i miss it..... :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :cry:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hiya and welcome to the forum id defo do the brakes yourself matey fairly easy! will be so much cheaper too!

 

as for the other bits a vr owner will be along soon to help im sure but no corrado's are very expensive to maintain unfortunately!

 

ah its not a vr is it coz 91?

 

what c is it fella?

 

also with the front brakes do the discs defo need replacing!

 

you may wanna change the flexi hoses for goodridge ones! as they are better and will last longer!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

how bad are these things?

 

e.g fuel pipe from pump to accumalator corroded (surface corrosion) must always happen a bit.

 

And this slightly deteriorated part what does it mean? All old exhaust systems will show some rust etc.

 

On the whole, if the body and engine are fine im sure it will be fine and welcomes you into corrado ownership :lol: :D

 

as for parts they are normally cheap form:

 

http://www.eurocarparts.co.uk

 

or gsf (google it)

 

:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

none of what you list is that bad and you could do most of it yourself, front hub nuts are very tight and is probably best to leave this to a garage but it's not that bad a job.

I'd expect that sort of list for any Corrado these days to be honest, almost routine on a 15 year old car.

The main thing is the state of the body, providing that is straight you can do most of the rest of the work on a tight budget if you are willing to get your hands dirty.

Rear bearings are cheap and not difficult to replace, they need some play in them anyway.

Power steering pipe is not that difficult just awkward to get around everything, a good nick passat one second hand is an option, I got a mint condition one for 20 quid.

fuel pipes are rusted to buggery on mine, but still ok, will do them and the filter soon, there's a how to on the site.

Rear axle bushes can be done at home, but you'll need to take the axle off and make up a puller to pull the new ones in, that's a pain of a job that may be best left to a garage with the right VAG tool, that and the front gator shouldn't be more than 3 or 4 hours labour plus parts.

Pads and hoses are cheap, easy to do and to be expected really.

 

 

David.

 

 

it had 100k on the clock, 12 months MOT, full VW service history and looked really clean... I didnt really look at the MOT certificate when buying it but it had passed. I got it home and found that it has the following problems:

Offside front front CV Joint gaitor deteriorated

Front and Rear Brake pads wearing think

Nearside and Offside wheel bearing play in a rear wheel bearing

Front exhaust system has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Rear metal fuel pipes surface corrosion

 

I took it in to get the car serviced and they found the following:

Cambelt change is due

power steering pipe requires replacing

front pads and discs need replacing

both front brake flexi hoses are perishing

both rear axle bushes are perished

fuel pipe from pump to accumalator corroded (surface corrosion)

 

 

Have I made a wrong decision about buying this car?? I read in another post that you buy a corrado, not because its reliable you buy it cause everbody who see's it will tell you it's there favorite vw.

 

I can do the brakes maself, or will go to quickfit to get em dun coz of their lifetime guarantee (or summin like that). The CV Joint gator and the rear axle bushes I'm gonna go to a garage to sort that out, dunno how much it will cost, any rough ideas??

 

The rest, the hoses, power steering pipe and fuel pipe, anyone got any pointers or know of any links on how I can do these maself??

 

Cheers people

 

I got a pic of the 'rado, so as soon I find out how to put up a pic, i'l show y'all....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah, doesn't sound like there is anything major to do there, but I can certainly understand that after buying a car the last thing you need is a whole load of 'little' jobs that together will cost money and time. But as mentioned it is becoming an old car now, so you have to expect these things, and its the same for most old cars, especially fuel lines, bearings and so on, not limited to just Corrados.

 

Go for some long drives in it, should put a smile back on your face!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest
front hub nuts are very tight and is probably best to leave this to a garage but it's not that bad a job

 

borrow an impact driver, that sorted mine, would have been impossible without one.

 

nothing sounds too terminal mate, as said, if the body and engine are good then the rest can be sorted.

 

I just had to replace pads and discs front and back, and that was 140 quid (I think) all in.

 

what model do you have? Valver, G60, VR?

 

good luck anyway mate, hope you get things tidied up, and welcome to the forum :)

 

Dave

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't panic!

 

Having paid top dollar for my G60 I took it to my local VW specialist for a lube service and a good old inspection. This is what came back:

 

Rear engine mount slightly weak

Brake balancer weeping

worn rear bushes

worn fron wishbone bushes

Deteriorated rear bump stops

 

 

So they did the work and also fitted some new top mounts too.

 

Total £400 inc. VAT all in. Not bad as they had to make up new rear brake pipes too and did the service.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

wow!! didnt realise i get responses this quickley..... i LOVE you guys!!! i know its only been a couple of hours but hey, it can happen.

 

Back to the car, I was thinking that, most of the hoses i was thinking about doing myself, as for the cv joint gator and the rear bushes, im taking the car to a garage on sat, its a mates dad, hopefully he'l tell me exactly whats wrong with it.... then sunday it'l be attempting to sort it out.

 

found another problem today. the dash lights, backlights on the dials, its blown a fuse again. first using a 10amp, then a 15amp. both blown. I think i'l spend this evening tryin to remove the dash surround an all.... should be fun... they similar to the mk2 golfs??

 

p.s thanks for all the info people, i dont feel as if i've made a bad choice in the car. How do i put pictures up in the forum??

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I guess the take home message is these things do happen with the old corrado, but keep a smile on your face and you will love her all the same :D

 

oh and let have some pics!

 

edit: to take the pof out you just need to take the surrond off aroud it, not the whole dash as mk2 golf. just 4 screws :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

cool. cheers. i just found out that the leccy windows go up when i put my alarm on.... result...... then found out that theres a short circuit sumwhere in the dash lights. i've gone through a 10amp fuse and a 15amp fuse in 2 days..... i be taking the motor to a friend's dad to find out what exactly needs doin to the car coz i know main dealers wanna rip you off... does anyone know of any good electricians who'l be able to tidy up the fuse box area and find this damn short circuit.

 

i've narrowed it down to either the instrument cluster or the main light switch with the dimmer.... gonna have to find a spare switch from somewhere....

 

i live in slough..... (for the electrician)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
the rear bushes

 

you will need a puller to re fit the new bushes into the rear axle mr villie, there is a piece in the knowledge base ( on the nav bar ) about doing the rear bushes, i take it you have a valver or a g as you mentioned a cambelt in your original post, if the brake pipe that goes across the rear of the car from the bias valve to the offside caliper is rusty then it will be the best opportunity to replace it with the axle removed, on my vr i had the same brake pipe corroded but it runs underneath a heatshield, the exhaust has to be dropped and the heatsheild taken down just to fit one poxy pipe, welcome to the club fella

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'de be a bit concerned because some of the things you have listed are MOT failures. I'de be thinking about reporting the garage that MOT'D the car myself.

Have you checked if the car failed it's last MOT on the DVLA website?

 

Those marked with * in your list are MOT failures

 

Offside front front CV Joint gaitor deteriorated *

Front and Rear Brake pads wearing think

Nearside and Offside wheel bearing play in a rear wheel bearing *(debatable failure)

Front exhaust system has part of the system slightly deteriorated *

Rear metal fuel pipes surface corrosion (some Mot inspectors would fail a car for this)

Cambelt change is due

power steering pipe requires replacing *

front pads and discs need replacing*

both front brake flexi hoses are perishing *

both rear axle bushes are perished *

fuel pipe from pump to accumalator corroded (surface corrosion)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
I'de be a bit concerned because some of the things you have listed are MOT failures. I'de be thinking about reporting the garage that MOT'D the car myself.

Have you checked if the car failed it's last MOT on the DVLA website?

 

Those marked with * in your list are MOT failures

 

Offside front front CV Joint gaitor deteriorated *

Front and Rear Brake pads wearing think

Nearside and Offside wheel bearing play in a rear wheel bearing *(debatable failure)

Front exhaust system has part of the system slightly deteriorated *

Rear metal fuel pipes surface corrosion (some Mot inspectors would fail a car for this)

Cambelt change is due

power steering pipe requires replacing *

front pads and discs need replacing*

both front brake flexi hoses are perishing *

both rear axle bushes are perished *

fuel pipe from pump to accumalator corroded (surface corrosion)

 

I concur with that point, I myself got mine in full working order from a garage 6 years ago, these things im doing now mostly myself and other bits.

 

can talk you through the CV joint gators are peice of cake when you know how... did mine in an hour :lol:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

when i got the car serviced on tuesday, i asked the guy at the dealer, these points listed would they have passed MOT. He looked at me and said no. Can I go back to the garage it was MOT'd at and say something? Have I any rights on things like this?? To answer your question Valerian, yeah it did pass it's MOT last year, 94k and I've got the MOT cert to prove it. Hopefully tomorrow most of the pipes will have been sorted out and the brakes will have been replaced.... hopefully....

 

think i've sorted out how to upload a pic.... here goes....img_0844_178.jpg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

By last MOT i mean the one it had this year .Go to http://www.motinfo.gov.uk and check to see if it failed on anything. Just because you have an MOT certificate for it now doesn't mean it didn't fail before it was issued.

If it checks out that it didn't fail at all the garage are at fault.

If it did fail on some of the faults that you have found since then they obviously didn't repair any of them.

Either way....don't go back to the garage because i have a feeling they will either deny any of the faults or they might tell you where to go.

I suggest you get VOSA involved....in some cases the police will get involved.

Technically whoever sold you the car has sold you an unroadworthy vehicle and that is an offence.

Seeing as it has so recently been MOT'd i don't think they will prosecute the seller but they will prosecute the garage through VOSA.

 

However ....the car looks good by the way.

 

At the end of the day it's up to you if you want to pay for all the work that needs doing but i don't see why you should.

 

I think you would be doing other members of the public a favour if you report the garage ....at worst ....some of the faults they passed you car with could result in loss of life.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've just looked on their website and here is what they say....

 

Date of test:18/04/2006

Certificate issue refused (Fail) Odometer reading:103,224 Miles

 

Reason(s) for refusal to issue Certificate

Nearside Front windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Rear registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Rear brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Rear tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.C.1b)

 

Advisory Notice issued

Offside Front front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Front brake pad wearing thin (3.5.1f) Rear brake pad wearing thin (3.5.1f)

Nearside Rear rear wheel bearing play in a rear wheel bearing (2.6.2)

Offside Rear rear wheel bearing play in a rear wheel bearing (2.6.2)

Front exhaust system has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Rear metal fuel pipes surface corrosion smoke slightly when cold dipearse on warm up

 

Date of test:21/04/2006

Certificate issued (Pass) Odometer reading:103,228 Miles

 

Advisory Notice issued

Offside Front front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Front brake pad wearing thin (3.5.1f)

Nearside Rear rear wheel bearing play in a rear wheel bearing (2.6.2)

Offside Rear rear wheel bearing play in a rear wheel bearing (2.6.2)

Front exhaust system has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Rear metal fuel pipes surface corrosion smoke slightly on cold dispearse when warm up

 

It looks like some of the items were not picked up during the MOT. Could this be VAG trying to get more money outa me??

 

Tomrrow, a friends Dad is going to have a look at the car for me. I'm taking the advisory notice with me and the report with me so that we can go through the list and properly find out what needs replacing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When I bought my C (had done nearly 80k) I replaced pretty much all of the things that you listed Many of the parts were showing signs of wear, and they could have waited but i wanted to get them done while i had the money so I did it all in one hit and what a difference! New Bushes, wishbones, brake lines, discs, pads etc - plus threw in some shocks, springs, milltek exhaust, magnecor leads and a remap!!!...came to in excess of 3 grand. :oops: They are a money pit, but still love 'em!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

villie......i don't really understand what they mean by "deteriorated".

To me that means perished, holed or plain and simply broken.

If the CV gaiter is split or has a hole then it should fail. (scratches head)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome to the club bud ;)

Over the last 4/5 years think i have done nearing every item on your list bud, just keep on crackin > doent matter what is wrong with it now, get it fixed and sumthin else with break tom, nature of the beast i think.

Before you do too much have a good look with the search on here ~ i.e if your gona start changin brake lines and stuff loose the rear calipers and replace with MK4 ones + replace the lines with the BFG conversion ones.

>> Learn a bit and ul save time and money in the bigger picture :)

Every1 on here will help if you need advise

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

deteriorated prolly means by the like of the vw people ''we want more money outa u'' I took it to to a garage, had it checked over. It seems ok they said. The cv joint gator is still there, theres a small split in it so in a couple months i'l get that replaced. but all in all it seems fine. (keeps fingers crossed) (apart from the possible overheating problem, and the short circuit somewhere in my instrument cluster lights and the puddle in the passenger footwell......)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't reckon they were trying to rip anyone off giving advisory notice - they could have easily ripped the previous owner off there and then and replaced it as part of the MOT. Advisory notice means it needs sorting soon - they aren't forcing you to take it back to them though.

 

Obviously MOT's have to be done at a garage, but otherwise general maintainence can be done by you. Go on and get your hands dirty mate, you'll feel better for it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Sign in to follow this  

×
×
  • Create New...