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First time 3L ownership. The journey begins!


LeatherTan
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Good morning all!

I thought I'd start a new topic off the back of my new member intro, having just hooked myself a 3L. I've been regularly hunting the Lupo market after a friend had a GTi version, and he extolled the design genius of that model. After finding out about the 3L I was especially keen on one of those, without doing the euro-travel and importing part. Rarity is taken to a new level, it seems, with 3L's..., but I found one very local and have taken the plunge!

After browsing most (quite likely not all) 3L posts I wondered if any members would propose any 'must do's' with a new (to me) 3L. The motor is running, and I'm aware of some 'normal' fixes that are required (front disks, a front spring) but due to the suspension issue I couldn't drive her. It can be moved about fine, just the owner had it SORN'd and couldn't guarantee safety as it is. Once reliably drive-able are there any 'golden' tips...? I gather even what might be classed as standard maintenance on UK Lupo models can, apparently, become nuanced specialist tasks.

ย 

Any knowledgeable help will be very welcome๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ™Œ

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@RABย is the knowledge font on all 3L... But I have a sneaky feeling you might have bought this from him? :)ย 

Just trying to think who else is on Club Lupo and is down Kent way.

My limited knowledge says the usual things like wheel bearings (different to regular) and rubber bushes. And of course the gearbox (lube and control hydraulics). Cam belt. Camshaft lobe wear. Check for rust on subframes. Not a lot else if it's been looked after.

And it's not going to depreciate, so other than regular maintenance, it's almost free motoring. Even leccy cars have a long way to go when you take into account the overall running and depreciation costs.

Enjoy the amazing fuel economy. You now have bragging rights in the over 80mpg class ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ˜‹. Few modern cars today can even get close.

Lots of pics please!

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Hi mk2,

ย 

Thanks for those details and recommendations as well. I've tackled the odd more simple job on other cars (full brake change on my trusty old Focus ST-3) but I know this may well be beyond what I know..., for now, at least๐Ÿ˜‰

It was actually a lovely couple near Canterbury selling (I don't know if this is RAB?) and it had an, as yet undiagnosed (eek!), 'smoking' issue which caused them to put it up for sale to a new owner that's going to take care of her, and not get butchered by a breaker.

It's in nicer condition than I was expecting and I'll get some shots up when it's home. You may have seen the recent eBay add?

ย 

Cheers for now!

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Thanks, ObjectiveAway! The previous owner did quote aaallmost getting the hallowed 3L, more like 3.1/3.2L I think...., in EcoMode, naturally๐Ÿค—

ย 

Yes, get it up in the air to have a thoroughly good look at that underbody๐Ÿคž I don't think the subframe is aluminium, at least I didn't see it as one of the ali parts after perusing the VW Self Study on the body of the 3L.

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Ha!! Scratch that....๐Ÿคซ

Just re-perusing the SSP_218 Overview pdf and the subframe is, indeed, aluminium. Whoops๐Ÿคฆโ€โ™‚๏ธ

There, already getting the benefits out of others' far superior knowledge. Thank you!

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Posted this on the new members thread but copying to here too.

I have been meaning to post this find on here. But there is a load of German ex Vw videos which include the 3L

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjpam4HWSMU5EpPPgXbsdBg/featured

I do have a press pack at home for the 3L (not for sale)

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13 hours ago, lupo1.0se said:

Posted this on the new members thread but copying to here too.

I have been meaning to post this find on here. But there is a load of German ex Vw videos which include the 3L

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjpam4HWSMU5EpPPgXbsdBg/featured

I do have a press pack at home for the 3L (not for sale)

I watched through a lot of those, but still with plenty to see. The film version of the SSP_218 is pretty cool. And it must be my age making me think that millennial video effects and soundtracks seem really dated..., but donโ€™t feel very long ago๐Ÿ˜…

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11 hours ago, Mattymdm said:

Done well to find a 3L in the uk. Was it listed online or did you seek it out locally?

Morning Matty,

It was listed online, and happened to be pretty local, which was very lucky. I think the last i saw advertised in the UK was a couple of years back, maybe, and inย  Edinburgh?! I have my *distance* limits๐Ÿ˜….

The owners where as nice as pie and, for a private sale situation, you couldn't really hope for better vibes๐Ÿคž

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On 6/19/2022 at 2:00 PM, The Penguin said:

Because of global warming many areas of the UK are now frost free in the winters so rust on the sub frames can be avoided if you pick carefully, but Eastern England and Scotland still a risk

Well..., I know that some bodywork will be required eventually in certain areas but I trust it wont be anything terminal. Jacking points are a little munched and small bubbling areas here & there.

The mechanical side is the priority atmโœŠ

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Morning all...

I wanted to ask which VAG-COM/VCDS setup anyone uses, as Iโ€™ve seen comments regarding usability being โ€˜reeeaaaally slowโ€™ on preโ€™05-ish models, where I now own a 2001 Lupo 3L...., with some fixing up needed.

Any help, here, very much welcome.ย 
Have a good one!
ย 

ย 

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I just use the standard free version of VCDS on an old XP(!) laptop, with a chinese dongle. With lots of chinese spyware... but is only used for vehicle diagnostics so doesn't matter. Haven't been thwarted yet. You can do just about everything except security stuff with it. Great for live data diagnostics.

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4 hours ago, mk2 said:

I just use the standard free version of VCDS on an old XP(!) laptop, with a chinese dongle. With lots of chinese spyware... but is only used for vehicle diagnostics so doesn't matter. Haven't been thwarted yet. You can do just about everything except security stuff with it. Great for live data diagnostics.

Thanks mk2. So would this free version be kind of an impersonation of the โ€˜realโ€™ product? Fine with me if it works๐Ÿ˜… And youโ€™d recommend any old cheapy plug-in? I got the impression the whole โ€˜systemโ€™ is some pricey specialist kit.ย Any model specifics I need to cater for, especially considering the 3L niche?

Cheers!

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Something else to ask today....

Would anyone know of a link/site where the workshop manuals might be found? I dug for a long time and found a pdf of the โ€˜bodyworkโ€™ material (in English, whoop!) and a surprisingly lengthy one on tyres for different models. Iโ€™m looking for the material on mechanical, repairs/servicing procedures etc.ย 
Also, one follow up question: Can the 3L be jacked up or somehow raised to work underneath? Did I read somewhere itโ€™s not possible/advised to do that, or that it depends if it came with a spare wheel/Jack and is, or isnโ€™t, specifically built to do this? Kinda crucial if I donโ€™t own a drive-on hydraulic ramp๐Ÿ˜ฌ Discuss x.ย 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 6/17/2022 at 9:52 AM, mk2 said:

@RABย is the knowledge font on all 3L... But I have a sneaky feeling you might have bought this from him? :)ย 

Just trying to think who else is on Club Lupo and is down Kent way.

My limited knowledge says the usual things like wheel bearings (different to regular) and rubber bushes. And of course the gearbox (lube and control hydraulics). Cam belt. Camshaft lobe wear. Check for rust on subframes. Not a lot else if it's been looked after.

And it's not going to depreciate, so other than regular maintenance, it's almost free motoring. Even leccy cars have a long way to go when you take into account the overall running and depreciation costs.

Enjoy the amazing fuel economy. You now have bragging rights in the over 80mpg class ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป๐Ÿ˜‹. Few modern cars today can even get close.

Lots of pics please!

Just re-reading the posts here and was wondering if anyone might know more about the newest member of the family??โ˜บ๏ธ
I donโ€™t suppose @RABย would have any ideas, as suggested? The 3L is:

L3 LUP, in Tornado red..., and itโ€™s service book shows most services around Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne, and I have a leennnggtthhhhy Excel file of virtually every service item along with mpg and odometer readings..., very complete.., ย which may narrow down the search.ย 
Iโ€™m in the process of engaging an *intrepid mechanic to diagnose the smoking problem and wondered if there may be further experienced knowledge out there of where to start.

Happy Fridays!!๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ LT

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Black smoke will be either blocked/jammed EGR valve, or a control hose or related. Or temp sensor or air filter. Basically, not enough air to provide a complete burn- running rich (like any black smokey diesel). Unlikely to be the turbo.

Blue smoke- never good. Rings, leaky valves, turbo seal, too much oil. New engine time. 3L lumps are sealed for life- you "can't" rebuild them. See the self study guide. But usually good for 500k km. But the chain and tensioner should be changed every 150k miles. (Same as the 1.4 AMF lump).

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1 hour ago, mk2 said:

Black smoke will be either blocked/jammed EGR valve, or a control hose or related. Or temp sensor or air filter. Basically, not enough air to provide a complete burn- running rich (like any black smokey diesel). Unlikely to be the turbo.

Blue smoke- never good. Rings, leaky valves, turbo seal, too much oil. New engine time. 3L lumps are sealed for life- you "can't" rebuild them. See the self study guide. But usually good for 500k km. But the chain and tensioner should be changed every 150k miles. (Same as the 1.4 AMF lump).

Thank you, mk2! Ok, well the mechanic will be able to weigh up this guidance but hopefully some of the diesel โ€˜standardsโ€™ would be on his check list.ย 
I have long read of the guidance against beingย able to disassemble the block, leading to unpressurised parts that loose integrity. ๐Ÿ‘จ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿซ

So..., the journey, well, โ€˜journeyโ€™ continues๐Ÿ˜‰

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  • 1 month later...
On 7/1/2022 at 2:13 PM, LeatherTan said:

ย Ok, well the mechanic will be able to weigh up this guidance but hopefully some of the diesel โ€˜standardsโ€™ would be on his check list.ย 
I have long read of the guidance against beingย able to disassemble the block, leading to unpressurised parts that loose integrity. ๐Ÿ‘จ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿซ

So..., the journey, well, โ€˜journeyโ€™ continues๐Ÿ˜‰

I would very much doubt that the blue smoke is due to wear. I did have a similar problem before I sold the car and solved it by replacing the head gasket. Maybe the same problem has returned. When I delivered the car to WOM Automotive it was working perfectly. First thing to do would be a compression test. Make sure that you use the correct adaptor for the glowplug thread - if it's too long it will strip the thread.

The previous owner was of the opinion that diesel was diluting the engine oil. If it was entering via the injectors, you would have a lot of black smoke. The only other possibility is from the tandem pump, if that's possible.

RAB

ย 

ย 

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7 hours ago, RAB said:

I would very much doubt that the blue smoke is due to wear. I did have a similar problem before I sold the car and solved it by replacing the head gasket. Maybe the same problem has returned. When I delivered the car to WOM Automotive it was working perfectly. First thing to do would be a compression test. Make sure that you use the correct adaptor for the glowplug thread - if it's too long it will strip the thread.

The previous owner was of the opinion that diesel was diluting the engine oil. If it was entering via the injectors, you would have a lot of black smoke. The only other possibility is from the tandem pump, if that's possible.

RAB

ย 

ย 

Thanks RAB! This is all very helpful in piecing together the best plan of action for peace of mind with the onward work.ย 
All the best๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ

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