Paul64

More work today - condenser in over lunchtime but left sealed as it included the dryer. Once the compressor is in, I'll arrange to get the system gassed up and then close everything up and mount the bumper again before leaving for the workshop. Photo included also shows the somewhat reluctant headlamp washer mounting screw that had to be ground off - to be replaced with a stainless hex screw when going back together... The other side was perfect. The ESP sensor for the steering column is ready to go back on after refurbishing in Germany - still to arrange with a local agent to complete the set up of the software. With the wheel arch liners out, I can see the underside is completely like new - no corrosion at all. I replaced the side indicator bulbs as the orange coating had failed on one side. After this, I think a Bluetooth installation to get streaming and a USB connection in one of the blanks in front of the gearlever. Then it's finished - I hope...! Paul

Following on from above, since all my parts arrived, it's been raining constantly here so no install yet! When the time comes to fit the refurbished ESP steering sensor, do I have to have someone flash the software immediately before driving it or can I fit it then drive to my local VW independant and have them reset the system? Thanks Paul

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Ah well, I guess I'll make a best guess with measuring it and seeing how it goes... I had to grind the head off the nozzle securing screw on one side - as expected, reading the forum - so will use a stainless hex-head screw to replace it and grease up the other side... Thanks for the info - is ETKA available to all, even as a paid service? Paul

Good morning all, Does anyone have an OEM part number (or new o-ring dimensions) for the seal on the extending part of the headlamp washer nozzle unit? I'm just refitting a new A/C condenser and compressor to fix a leaking heat exchanger and, replace a 20-odd year old compressor seal whilst everything is in bits. I do however, need to replace the o-ring in the nozzle to stop a leak from there when it's used but the old one is too worn to measure correctly. Is there somewhere online a parts catalogue for the Lupo that people are using?? Thanks! Paul

For my car - French original sale - with parts from Autodoc their references are as follows: Continental Fanbelt - 6PK1153 Mahle Condenser - AC2860008 (matches size correctly) and supplied with attached dryer but not sold with o-ring seals for the pipe fittings... Mahle Compressor - ACP61000S The o-rings were reference 9GR 351 288-871 The condenser on my car has a larger surface area than those suggested by the website initially - use the measurements to confirm the length, height and thickness of the core. The o-ring references were found using the chat-bot on the Autodoc website and seem to match what I measured with a vernier. Looks like next weekend will be quite busy - let's see how it goes! Paul

Many thanks - sorted. P

I need to replace the condenser on my GTI and looking on Autodoc for example, there's various options of similar models. Does anyone know the significance of the 'A' at the end of the original part number (6XO820411'A')? There are several choices online to replace it using the 6XO820411 but I wonder if A is for the region the car was originally sold in - larger version condenser perhaps for hotter climates? Many thanks Paul

I found the car just north of Nantes and drove back to Nice, but it was a weekend of storms over France and I had to stop overnight in the end. Snow, rain, wind and hail in the North, sunshine and blue skies towards the South... I sent the steering ESP sensor off to Germany for refurbishment and that's come back this week, I had the paint machine polished then I did a ceramic coating at home, had a couple of small windscreen chips fixed on insurance for 15 Euros and replaced the dodgy (already replaced) Lucas starter motor with a Bosch unit from Autodoc. Today, I had the A/C diagnosed - the condenser is leaking and needs replacement but with the price quoted, I think I may get the parts and fit them myself - new condenser and dryer/filter. About 800 Euro for a specialist to do the work! 190 in labour, 320 for the condenser, 100 for the dryer. Autodoc to the rescue here I think...! Can the condenser come out without removing the front bumper I wonder, anyone?? A busy weekend ahead methinks at some point, before the heat of summer comes on, that's for sure...

So, I'm now the owner of an excellent condition 2001 GTI, having driven it 800 miles on the first day seeing it to get home...! There are a couple of smaller issues, one of which being that the single disc CD player is kaput whilst the radio and tape are working fine - I'm not too bothered about losing the CD player but I wonder if there's a single DIN replacement unit that would connect to the CD harness and give streaming from my phone whilst keeping the original radio / tape player operational? Many thanks Paul