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Skezza's Flash Red OEM+ Daily Workhorse SDI (Projector Retrofit)


Skezza
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Cheers Amber, still some more work to do but considering the daily pounding it takes it is doing very well. I'll never be able to keep it in show car spec because I smash at least 70 miles a day on it. It's now up to about 120300 miles (so I've done approx 28300 since I bought it), which means I'm roughly doing 2000 miles a month. It's actually a real compliment to Volkswagen and their build quality, that a 14 year old car can take such a pounding without really showing any serious signs of failing just yet (touch wood of course). When I get to 30k, I'll change the air filter and fuel filter and perhaps the gearbox oil. The intervals are actually 40k for both of these, but better to do them slightly earlier in my opinion. No interval on gearbox oil, just take your knackered gearbox to VW for a new one ;)

I'm keeping an eye on the weather next week (I'm off work yay :) ). Unfortunately, Saturday and Sunday are set to rain and possibly Monday. I'm hoping to detail the inside of the Lupo. Take both front seats out, steam clean them. Hoover the floor, steam clean it, freshen it up using some chemical air freshener spray. Perhaps 'new car smell'? Steam clean all the mats. Clean the dash using some special cleaner I bought and last but not least, clean the exterior :P

Then I've got a few plans, so watch this space :P

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Do these few plans include taking a day trip to mine? :P

Probably. You need to take a day trip to mine, then up the scrappies!!

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This caught my eye, what do you mean?

Since the late 90's, Volkswagen have claimed their gearboxes are 'sealed for life' and never need an oil change. Of course, head to Club Lupo, Club Polo and other VW forums are full of threads about catastrophic gearbox failures, partly as a result of not changing the oil. VW are of course happy to replace your old knackered gearbox, at a heavy price, but will not change the oil in a working one. It's just me being a bit cynical about VW.

Anyway, there isn't much detail on changing gearbox oil for an SDI so I might get it up in the air and have a look. I imagine there's a drain bolt and then another bolt which is for filling. I have heard you shouldn't change your oil unless it's broken because it's hard to get the levels right, anyone know if this?

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Gearbox oil for yours is VW part number G 060 726 A2, etka reckons it holds 2.5litres (£6.62 +vat per litre)

I've added a picture I found for your car that shows where the gearbox drain/fill plug is!

post-795-0-77238300-1396536282_thumb.jpg

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Gearbox oil for yours is VW part number G 060 726 A2, etka reckons it holds 2.5litres (£6.62 +vat per litre)

I've added a picture I found for your car that shows where the gearbox drain/fill plug is!

Brilliant, so can I pick that up from any VW dealer then?

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Drain plug and filler are the same, so you may need to 'suck' the old oil out somehow....

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  • 1 month later...

Drain plug and filler are the same, so you may need to 'suck' the old oil out somehow....

Definitely not the same! :censored: Here's the simplest guide on the forum, which is identical for the SDi:

http://forums.clublupo.co.uk/index.php?/topic/78608-how-to-guide-how-to-change-gearbox-oil-on-14s/

Two quick tips.... (1) ALWAYS make sure the fill plug can be loosened before draining the box, otherwise you're stuffed, and (2) if possible, safely raise the drivers side when draining the oil to ensure it is fully drained.

HTH

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Standard is the way to go, It's like seeing some peoples builds on here. Start with a nice car, several pages later BANGIN BRUV.

2k miles a month geeze

Edited by danoid
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Standard is the way to go, It's like seeing some peoples builds on here. Start with a nice car, several pages later BANGIN BRUV.

2k miles a month geeze

Yup. I want to keep it as standard as possible. I won't lie i'm tempted by a set of lowering springs, but only because currently, a set of lowering springs is actually cheaper than stock replacements lol!!

That 2000 miles a month is about to go up even more!!

Lupo is a little bit poorly at the moment, it needs a new drivers side rear shock absorber and a new drivers side front coil spring. I've been trying source second hand but I can see myself having to replace the entire system. I was thinking maybe time to go the coilie route but I'm not actually that interested in coilies whatsoever. I like the stock suspension!!

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I won't lie i'm tempted by a set of lowering springs, but only because currently, a set of lowering springs is actually cheaper than stock replacements lol!!

It may be worth giving your local TPS ( http://www.thetradepartsspecialists.co.uk/ ) a call... some will offer cash sale to Joe Public ;)

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I recently replaced both front springs, top mounts etc. could have got cheap lowering springs but the ride is too nice for me to spoil with crappy springs. Oem suspension is good for those who are grinding out the mileage.

If you lowered it and hated the ride imagine doing 2k miles in it.

Also how much are shocks? Buying second hand shocks is a gamble. Plus you would be better replacing both sides at the same time.

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@Norn, I'll give them a phone. With a bit of luck, they'll give me a decent deal, if not, I'll have to think about it.

@Dblock, I phoned Volkswagen this afternoon and asked them how much they would sell me a single rear shock absorber (Which I know is naughty, but I just wanted to know how much it would roughly cost) and a front coil spring. Astonishingly, the shock absorber was £65 each and the coil spring was £91. You can get a set of Monroe rear shocks for £75 and aren't they considered some of the best? It is a hell of a lot of money when Volksmine have offered me a full front strut, spring and all, with only 60k miles on for £25.

I appreciate it's a gamble. Just not sure what to do. I was thinking maybe going down this route:

2 Replacement Coil Springs :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Replacement-Coil-Springs-VW-Lupo-1-7-SDI-1998-2005-SUP03132-/141013452253?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3ALupo&hash=item20d50e85dd

2 Replacement Shock Absorbers :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-SHOCK-ABSORBER-REAR-GAS-PRESSURE-VW-VOLKSWAGEN-LUPO-1-0-1-416V-1-4TDI-1-7-SDI-/371059498368?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3ALupo&hash=item5664de9d80

Then at least the ride will be balanced. I'm a bit nervous about changing one spring and putting a brand new one on. Surely the ride will be a bag of ****, especially as these springs can take a month odd to settle. Help me out here Dblock :P

Edited by Skezza
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Those ebay ones are abit cheap looking but they might do the job. I'm not knocking ebay stuff but you get what you pay for sometimes.

I'd personally check out carparts4less. I got my springs from there and they are Sachs. I trust Sachs as they are a good company and make OEM suspension for alot of cars. It will tell you the make before you buy them.

My thing with the replacement is yeah it could work out great but say you only get 10k miles? That for most people would be a year but its only a few months for you. Also the shock could be about to leak plus the labour or your own time to fit them could make it a waste of time but if money is that tight then you have to do what you have to do.

Your car could ride wonky with only one side but it could be ok. I've always done both sides so I can't really comment on that.

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Unfortunately DBlock, you're right. I rely a bit too much on the old Loop, so it's quite important it's going good. I might try those ones off eBay, 50 quid for two. I'm going to be doing mainly motorway miles so that works in my favour. More so than usual because I usually do A34 miles :P:D

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