1988 VW Golf Restoration
Discussion
Needing some advice.. I just purchased a 1988 mk2. It needs the timing belt replaced as well as a new battery. So as of this moment, it does not run, but it’s a relatively short journey to do so. The thing is, I don’t necessarily want to stop there. I would like to do a fairly heavy overhaul so that eventually over the course of the next 5-7 years, I end up with a “new” car. Here’s the kicker… I know nothing about cars. I saw this car in front of someone’s house and fell in love. I knocked on his door and asked if I could buy it. I would like to start with some literature to educate myself on all of the components under the hood. Is there a book someone can recommend that I could purchase to educate myself. I’m very mechanically minded and I have no doubts about my ability to do this. I just need to gain the proper knowledge before I start dissecting. Thank you!
I use this a lot, https://clubgti.com/forums/index.php?forums/volksw...
In terms of a book, how about a good old Haynes manual for it?
https://haynes.com/en-gb/volkswagen/golf/1984-1985...
https://haynes.com/en-gb/volkswagen/golf/1984-1985...
Does the timing belt need doing because it’s old or because it’s snapped? Might be worth turning the engine by hand before you get too deep in just in case there is anything naughty going on inside.
Vast scene for these Golfs and VW in general so you should find near infinite help online. Car throttle did a light recommission on a mk2 golf fairly recently too so would be worth watching those on YouTube.
Most importantly, get a readers car thread going so we can come along for the ride.
Vast scene for these Golfs and VW in general so you should find near infinite help online. Car throttle did a light recommission on a mk2 golf fairly recently too so would be worth watching those on YouTube.
Most importantly, get a readers car thread going so we can come along for the ride.
If it needs a new timing belt (cambelt) did the current one fail and cause a lot of damage? (Head, valves, cam, pistons)
I had a mk2 8v GTi back many years ago which was a bit of a shed but fun to throw around.
Oh, buy at least one spare clutch cable and keep it in the boot. I had a couple go on the mk2 and mk1.
I had a mk2 8v GTi back many years ago which was a bit of a shed but fun to throw around.
Oh, buy at least one spare clutch cable and keep it in the boot. I had a couple go on the mk2 and mk1.
Unless you've found an absolute unicorn, it will be very rusty.
The Mk2 hides its rust quite well but the majority are now hiding some very nasty tin worm.
What engine does it have? I've had 4 of them now (16v Gti's) and they're great fun but I wouldn't fancy owning one without knowing what I do about cars.
The Mk2 hides its rust quite well but the majority are now hiding some very nasty tin worm.
What engine does it have? I've had 4 of them now (16v Gti's) and they're great fun but I wouldn't fancy owning one without knowing what I do about cars.
I can recommend the following for reading materials...
1) AA book of the car - I think it's from the 70's or so, but it covers the basics of every system of the car so well, I'd honestly recommend it to ANYONE as a starting point. It's great.
2) Watch wheeler dealers (first 5 seasons or so). Again, across a number of models/projects they often introduce concepts very easily while showing you how to do it and also how difficult or easy a job might be. That's not to say everything they do is great, but in hindsight, many many years ago watching Ed China definitely taught me a few things.
3) Haynes manual for your car as already mentioned. I suspect the Bentley is probably overkill as you probably won't want/need to do some of the very complex stuff on a 1988 golf (machining and rebuilding gearbox/diffs)
4) Go on ebay/freecycle, and get a whole stack of 10-15 year old VW magazines. There's probably 10-15% of useful educational info there, and another 10-15% of inspirational projects/ideas you can get for your own car. I also find it "easier" flipping through a magazine than trawling through forum posts.
Notwithstanding all the above, also join a forum for the model (I don't know one but would follow previous posters' advice above...) where you can ask more specific/technical questions.
1) AA book of the car - I think it's from the 70's or so, but it covers the basics of every system of the car so well, I'd honestly recommend it to ANYONE as a starting point. It's great.
2) Watch wheeler dealers (first 5 seasons or so). Again, across a number of models/projects they often introduce concepts very easily while showing you how to do it and also how difficult or easy a job might be. That's not to say everything they do is great, but in hindsight, many many years ago watching Ed China definitely taught me a few things.
3) Haynes manual for your car as already mentioned. I suspect the Bentley is probably overkill as you probably won't want/need to do some of the very complex stuff on a 1988 golf (machining and rebuilding gearbox/diffs)
4) Go on ebay/freecycle, and get a whole stack of 10-15 year old VW magazines. There's probably 10-15% of useful educational info there, and another 10-15% of inspirational projects/ideas you can get for your own car. I also find it "easier" flipping through a magazine than trawling through forum posts.
Notwithstanding all the above, also join a forum for the model (I don't know one but would follow previous posters' advice above...) where you can ask more specific/technical questions.
Discendo Discimus said:
Unless you've found an absolute unicorn, it will be very rusty.
The Mk2 hides its rust quite well but the majority are now hiding some very nasty tin worm.
What engine does it have? I've had 4 of them now (16v Gti's) and they're great fun but I wouldn't fancy owning one without knowing what I do about cars.
My first thoughts as well. If it has been left standing outside for more than a few years you really need to get someone who knows cars to have a proper look. If it was parked up and left chances are there is something wrong that at the time would have cost money to fix, it probably still will. Refurbing a car to as new condition will cost far more than buying one in that condition. If you can do all the work yourself, it might only cost a couple of £k's more than buying a finished one. If its a hobby fine go ahead, but otherwise just find a good one and use that.The Mk2 hides its rust quite well but the majority are now hiding some very nasty tin worm.
What engine does it have? I've had 4 of them now (16v Gti's) and they're great fun but I wouldn't fancy owning one without knowing what I do about cars.
Cars were very different to drive 35 years ago, so drive one before commiting to something you may not be able to live with.
I am absolutely overwhelmed with the responses - in a good way. I thought maybe one or 2 people might offer some tips. I wasn’t quite prepared for this amazing village. I am located in the US. I will look into everyone’s recommendations. I won’t say the car is in amazing condition but it was stored in a barn for a long time so it was fairly protected. However, it’s been very well loved. And it also has a couple aftermarket modifications (2 switches required to be flipped on to start it) that I don’t even know what they are or what they do. If I could figure out how to post a photo of those and the car as a whole, I definitely would.
I know this is a bit of an unrealistic goal for me. I’m a mom of a 2 yr old. I’ve never even changed my own oil before. I have changed a tire.. I have a full time job as an interior architect and almost no time to spare. I know this will be a long arduous process with some help involved, but I’m a quite determined person and I’m not sure anything has captured my attention like this car somehow has. I’m lucky to have an incredibly supportive husband that supports this crazy dream of mine - although it would be nice if he had some sort of mechanical background
I know this is a bit of an unrealistic goal for me. I’m a mom of a 2 yr old. I’ve never even changed my own oil before. I have changed a tire.. I have a full time job as an interior architect and almost no time to spare. I know this will be a long arduous process with some help involved, but I’m a quite determined person and I’m not sure anything has captured my attention like this car somehow has. I’m lucky to have an incredibly supportive husband that supports this crazy dream of mine - although it would be nice if he had some sort of mechanical background
In the US VW Vortex is a huge source of information for mk2 Golfs,
The A2 Resource - this site will help you identify your Golf model, information about standard and optional extras plus the best breakdown and explanation of the wiring/electrical components you will find , and its all specific to USA models.
https://www.vwvortex.com/forums/golf-ii-jetta-ii.2...
https://www.xjamiex.com/mk2resource/
I'd also recommend the MK2 Golf owners club on Facebook, UK based, excellent amount of experience and knowledge of all things mk2.
Personally, I've owned a dozen GTIs of various 8v/12v/16v models. I had my first GTI 8v when I was a teenager an got hooked on them. My younger brother has a 1989 GTI 16v which we restored to immaculate condition and we have a 1990 8v GTI that is due to get some refreshing after sitting dormant for 22 years .
The A2 Resource - this site will help you identify your Golf model, information about standard and optional extras plus the best breakdown and explanation of the wiring/electrical components you will find , and its all specific to USA models.
https://www.vwvortex.com/forums/golf-ii-jetta-ii.2...
https://www.xjamiex.com/mk2resource/
I'd also recommend the MK2 Golf owners club on Facebook, UK based, excellent amount of experience and knowledge of all things mk2.
Personally, I've owned a dozen GTIs of various 8v/12v/16v models. I had my first GTI 8v when I was a teenager an got hooked on them. My younger brother has a 1989 GTI 16v which we restored to immaculate condition and we have a 1990 8v GTI that is due to get some refreshing after sitting dormant for 22 years .
Thank you!! I will check out VW Vortex. I’ve ordered the Haynes manual as well as another model specific manual. Right now, I’m so uneducated, I don’t really even know the questions to ask but hopefully that helps.
In terms of order of operations, where should I start. Yes, there is absolutely rust all over the underside. Do I need to start by completely separating the body of the car from the chassis to thoroughly address that?
Also, this one is not a GTI. I’m not looking for something to renovate and then try and sell eventually and get my money back. It’s purely for joy or perhaps to expand my curse word vocabulary. However, prior to buying this car, a mechanic told me I was wasting my time if it’s not even a gti. Before I completely go for broke, is that the general conceals amongst vintage golf enthusiasts? (He was not an enthusiast..)
In terms of order of operations, where should I start. Yes, there is absolutely rust all over the underside. Do I need to start by completely separating the body of the car from the chassis to thoroughly address that?
Also, this one is not a GTI. I’m not looking for something to renovate and then try and sell eventually and get my money back. It’s purely for joy or perhaps to expand my curse word vocabulary. However, prior to buying this car, a mechanic told me I was wasting my time if it’s not even a gti. Before I completely go for broke, is that the general conceals amongst vintage golf enthusiasts? (He was not an enthusiast..)
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