309 GTI buying tips!?

[RallyeS1]

Hi,

Im thinking of buying a 309 gti 3dr. Just wondered if anyone here knows anthing too look out for? Ive owned 205s and 106s and a 306 and know the 106s and 205s suffer from rust in the boot floores, are the 309s the same? Any help would be much appriciated.

Thanks

[otolith]

There is a pipe carrying power steering fluid, which runs across the back of the engine bay. If it ruptures, it can spray power steering fluid all over the hot exhaust manifold.

I was glad I had a fire extinguisher handy, put it that way.

[RallyeS1]

Thanks. Hopefully a new pipe wouldnt be a massive cost and have it put right before it blows.

[otolith]

RallyeS1 said:

Thanks. Hopefully a new pipe wouldnt be a massive cost and have it put right before it blows.

Absolutely - unfortunately, I picked mine up in Manchester, drove it back to where I lived at the time in the Lake District, and it ruptured as I put full lock on and drove onto the drive. I had noticed a pinhole leak on the way home, but thought it would be fine until I got it back - big mistake!

[Old Merc]

Seized or collapsed rear radius arm bearings are common.Have a look back to an old thread on here,jord294`s "a proper GTi" He should put you straight

[Simes205]

Look for the same things as a 205GTI - the front end is mechanically identical except that the wishbones and driveshafts are longer.
Rear beam suffers in the same way as a 205.

309's suffer badly from rust, inside the rear door pockets are normally a tell tale sign, leaky window and boot seals and all that kind of thing etc.. the list is endless!

www.309-gti.co.uk

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[jord294]

have a look here

http://309ownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php/714...

[shalmaneser]

otolith said:

There is a pipe carrying power steering fluid, which runs across the back of the engine bay. If it ruptures, it can spray power steering fluid all over the hot exhaust manifold.

I was glad I had a fire extinguisher handy, put it that way.

might be worth checking but its certainly not a known fault!

[otolith]

shalmaneser said:

might be worth checking but its certainly not a known fault!

More of a stupid design decision to route a rubber pipe of flammable fluid that way than a fault, though I expect that car had been badly maintained. I was young and foolish, though, and I really wanted that car.

[jord294]

otolith said:

More of a stupid design decision to route a rubber pipe of flammable fluid that way than a fault, though I expect that car had been badly maintained. I was young and foolish, though, and I really wanted that car.

phase 1 309 gti had the p/steering pipe looped up against bulk head.

that's how it was on my restored 309 gti. but as it looked untidy, i opted for fitting the phase 2 set up, which takes the p/steering pipe down the back of gearbox and fits snuggly on front subframe