Fired up a GTI VR6 today after a long slumber

95avblm3 · 04-30-2014, 06:07 PM

Just thought I'd post this here... figured a car crowd would appreciate it.

While I wait on my longhood tub to make it on a frame bench to be pulled, which has turned into a painfully long process (see Turning a "Boxster" in to a longhood!), I picked up an '03 GTI project a couple of months ago as a potential flip.

The car was a one-owner 78k mile example with no previous accident damage with a VR6 (BDF) engine and an 02M 6-spd manual . It had a couple of bent con rods from a submarining expedition in South Tampa during an afternoon thunderstorm a couple of years ago. It got dismantled and forgotten about, so I picked it up for a good deal and put the bits and pieces back together. Today, I put fluids and a battery to it and fired it up for the first time. It seems to purr nicely and I look forward to driving it once I sort out a leaky radiator.

Sorry for my blabbing in the video, I felt I needed to commentate for my FB friends.

...Oh, and I am not going to resell it. The plan is to drive it for a few months to iron out any kinks and eventually hand it over to my wife's Godson for his first car. We made a deal with him a couple of years ago. He has more than upheld his end of the bargain...

billybek · billybek's Garage

That will be a cool ride for your godson.

Good work!

I just put on some VR6 16" wheels that I picked up from Kijiji. Coming off the winter tires, the thing really handles like it needs another 50 hp!

edgemar · 04-30-2014, 07:50 PM

did you document the engine work somewhere?

Jays72T · 04-30-2014, 08:18 PM

Had a '95 GTI VR6 and it was one of the most fun cars I've ever owned, loved that motor. Nice job on getting up and going.

95avblm3 · 05-01-2014, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgemar

did you document the engine work somewhere?

I have photos of it in process and have receipts for parts, also wrote down the mass of the two pistons and con rods that got replaced to ensure they matched the old since I didn't replace the full set.

Thanks for the comments, I got to drive this car several years ago before this happened and recalling it being pretty fun. Looking forward to driving it again.

sand_man · 05-01-2014, 05:03 AM

I had 2002 GTI VR6. I bought it new. I voided the warranty within three months of ownership as I began to mod it...slippery slope. That car was great fun and super reliable!!! Eventually, I gathered all the parts for a turbo conversion (VR6-T). Just as I was about to locate an oil line for the turbo, that little voice inside began to suggest that maybe it was time to STOP! I sold most of the after market parts and traded the car (and $$$$$) on the 1987 930.

sc_rufctr · 05-01-2014, 05:11 AM

Great vid and story. So many cars get left in bits when there value declines. It's good to see one resurrected.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jays72T

Had a '95 GTI VR6 and it was one of the most fun cars I've ever owned, loved that motor. Nice job on getting up and going.

My Daily is a 94 VR6 Golf... Still drive OK and it doesn't blow smoke. All in all pretty reliable.

sc_rufctr · 05-01-2014, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95avblm3

Just thought I'd post this here... figured a car crowd would appreciate it. Snip...

The same car in Aus was sold as the "R32" (3.2 liter). I've been thinking about my next Daily and this is on the list.
The ones down here are 4WD and most of them are a mid blue colour, still expensive and hard to come by in good condition.

... I'd much rather buy a 10 year old German car than anything else for a Daily.

edgemar · 05-01-2014, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 95avblm3

I have photos of it in process and have receipts for parts, also wrote down the mass of the two pistons and con rods that got replaced to ensure they matched the old since I didn't replace the full set.

Thanks for the comments, I got to drive this car several years ago before this happened and recalling it being pretty fun. Looking forward to driving it again.

It would be cool to see photos of the engine torn apart and put togther...

95avblm3 · 05-01-2014, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

The same car in Aus was sold as the "R32" (3.2 liter). I've been thinking about my next Daily and this is on the list.
The ones down here are 4WD and most of them are a mid blue colour, still expensive and hard to come by in good condition.

... I'd much rather buy a 10 year old German car than anything else for a Daily.

sc_rufctr, they actually sold the R32 here in the states. Neat car! I have a friend that just bought one... It's an '04 with 60k and is clean, clean, clean. Mine is 2.8 liters...

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgemar

It would be cool to see photos of the engine torn apart and put togther...

Good point... Now I have to go back and look at how well I documented it. Let me see what I can dig up and post... most will be iPhone pics.

95avblm3 · 05-01-2014, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sand_man

I had 2002 GTI VR6. I bought it new. I voided the warranty within three months of ownership as I began to mod it...slippery slope. That car was great fun and super reliable!!! Eventually, I gathered all the parts for a turbo conversion (VR6-T). Just as I was about to locate an oil line for the turbo, that little voice inside began to suggest that maybe it was time to STOP! I sold most of the after market parts and traded the car (and $$$$$) on the 1987 930.

I know what you're saying about a slippery slope. Fortunately, for my wallet, this one will stay bone stock as I don't think I would get approval from my wife, much less my wife's godson's parents to make it a VR6-T

I'm curious how different an '02 VR6 feels from an'03... I believe the change from the 12 valve AFP engine to the 24 valve BDF occurred in this time.

sand_man · 05-01-2014, 04:49 PM

It's been a while, but I think you're right...I think mine was a twelve valve and some time either mid year 2002 or 2003, there was a change. Found some crappy old pics of mine

95avblm3 · 05-02-2014, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sand_man

It's been a while, but I think you're right...I think mine was a twelve valve and some time either mid year 2002 or 2003, there was a change. Found some crappy old pics of mine

That's a sharp looking ride... Nice!

95avblm3 · 05-02-2014, 02:07 AM

Here are some pics of it in progress. After looking back at them, I realized how crappy they are and that somehow I missed most of the detail shots... I guess it's because I usually waited to pick the phone up after I had degreased my hands, typically at the end of the day. At any rate, enjoy...

Here is an example of a CV joint that I was able to clean up and repack:

...and one that had water in it and was toast:

These next two are of the fuel injector electrical connectors. The original ones were so brittle when they were removed that they all fell apart. I found an connector vendor that sell new ones... well, they are Denso for a Subaru (I think) but they are essentially the same and worked great.

95avblm3 · 05-02-2014, 02:15 AM

Here's the engine with head and timing covers installed:

...and a couple of it off the engine stand, awaiting mating of that transaxle (I don't have a shot with the transaxle, unfortunately

First shot of it back in the car:

...and with the radiator support back in:

All buttoned up, screaming WASH ME!

sand_man · 05-02-2014, 02:32 AM

Awesome work!!!!

95avblm3 · 05-02-2014, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sand_man

Awesome work!!!!

Thanks!

aigel · aigel's Garage

Nice. Does the nose have to come off or is it just easier?

I had a 93 Pas**** with a VR6. That engine was the only good thing on it.

I'd love a Golf with a VR6. It is an genius design for a FWD car.

G

95avblm3 · 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aigel

Nice. Does the nose have to come off or is it just easier?

I had a 93 Pas**** with a VR6. That engine was the only good thing on it.

I'd love a Golf with a VR6. It is an genius design for a FWD car.

G

Yes and yes... It has to come off so that you can access the intake manifold bolts. But taking it off isn't all that involved and really opens of space in front of the engine, especially when you are doing major work. Similarly, the nose has to come off to replace a valve cover gasket in these cars since the intake manifold has to come off for that operation as well. For something as simple as a valve cover gasket, removing the nose of the car seems a little excessive to me... this car got a new gasket prior to the motor going back in

There is a VW special tool that replaces two of the bolts in the metal bumper and allows you to slide the whole assembly into a "service position" for some of the simpler tasks. I made a "special tool out of really long metric bolts from Home Depot. It works but is somewhat unwieldy, especially with the condenser and radiator in the mix. Probably easier just to remove since the heat exchangers can be supported with jackstands.

sthsthzhen · 05-03-2014, 05:19 AM

did you document the engine work somewhere?