Hello. i'm about to service my car, a 1990 Mk2 Golf GTI 16V, and wondered what are the standard spark plugs for it. Also it is worth getting performance/better plugs than standard; will i notice the difference? The car's done 93k miles, are there any extra checks need doing like ignition timing, timing belts etc. Does anyone reccommend any oil and/or fuel additives to make the engine cleaner and run smoother? Cheers, Wahid.
I would say that the standard plugs are prob the best for it. i get mine from gsf. bosch super plus. oil is also good from there.
well, do you have any service history? if so, what did they change at the most recent service, and how long ago/how many miles ago was it? do you have documentation as to when the cambelt was last changed?
Get single electrode plugs - the 3 electrodes are crap. Synta silver oil as above, check the timing as it can drift a bit. I add a litre or so of ATF (auto gearbox fluid) before I change the oil, and drive it for about a week. Very detergent stuff, takes off all the old varnish that's built up inside your engine. You can put it in the petrol too, but about a litre to a full tank. Beats Redex. Redline do a good one, if you don't mind paying for it. Take the cambelt cover off and have a look at it - you don't want any cracks, perishing, etc. If you can see the outline of the teeth from the outside of the belt, it's due for changing!
Just went through the service history and found: 1. Drive belt, timing belt and alternator belt replaced 12/11/2003 @ 84k miles (250 ) 2. NGK7873 spark plugs used at last service (any good?) Also to: TheSecondComing Do i drain a litre of engine oil before i put the ATF stuff in and why is it you recommend single electrode plugs?? Cheers, Wahid.
All your belts will be fine then, it just needs an oil and filter service. Cost you about 25 if you do it yourself. I don't bother draining oil before I put in the ATF - would be different if the car has a cat. I prefer single electrodes because they work beter - the only reason three electode plugs are about is to give a longer plug life. Multiple electrodes give "flame shadow" when they spark, which isn't really too good for power. They only spark to one electrode at a time, anyway!
to: TheSecondComing sorry for what might sound like a dumb question mate: So if add a litre of ATF to my engine oil won't that bring my oil level above max. on the dipstick creating higher oil pressure; isn't this bad for the engine? Also what brand of SINGLE ELECTRODE spark plug do you suggest?
It'll bring it above the max mark if you are at the max mark, but a pint or litre won't create any problems. Your oil level isn't related to oil pressure, the worst it'll do is smoke if you were to thrash it (which you shouldn't do with the ATF in anyway). As for plugs, I use NGK mostly, or Champion - no huge difference between the two.
i wouldn't get too obsessed with what typre of plugs you use...whatever somewhere like avs - http://vwspares.co.uk supply will be fine. you're not gonna feel any difference if you pay more for plugs. any ideas on how long the coolants been in there for as well? think its 2years for normal blue stuff, or 4 years for pinky long life stuff.
Any coolant shouldbe fine. Just to confuse you, your car started it's life using G11 (blue). Then they started putting in "lifetime" coolant, G12, which is pink. Then the new coolant is G12+, which is purpley. Just don't mix the blue with G12 (not really available, but you might find it somewhere) without a complete coolant system flush with a hose. Chances are you can just drain yours, put in the purple G12+ and be fine.
Well your spark ignites the mixture, and if you have multiple electrodes it ignites less evenly - the 2 or three electrodes on the plug which are not sparking "shadow" the spread of the flame.
you would put atf in the petrol tank?i find that unusual, does it help. would you recommend the water through the vacuum pipe after the atf has been in the car for a week?
G12 from GSF what I used for both my cars when I serviced them a couple of months ago. Not sure on the price though, probably alot cheaper than VW dealers anyway! Think I used 12 bottle of G12 per car. TSC, when you say G12 is "lifetime" coolant, do you mean it never needs changing ?!? Cheers, Andy
Yep, just as a detergent - no massive cleaning effect, but any varnish it shifts from the fuel system is a bonus! You can put a lot more in a diesel, it's a pretty common trick - but petrol cars are fine with it too. When you'll be changing the oil anyway, it's the ideal time for water through the vacuum pipe. Any bits of scum that manage to get down into the oil will be got rid of. It'll also mean your car doesn't have to heat up to evaporate the water which naturally passes the rings when it turns to steam!
That's what VW claim - though they do say the same about the gearbox oil, so I'd take it with a pinch of salt!
