Alex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKDec 27

Although #SouthMimms service station was near empty on Christmas Day, I arrived at #Caversham only to find some blighter had nicked one of my fox head centre caps from the rear left #alloy #wheel - I had parked in a quieter corner near the back to avoid other cars being too close, maybe next time I should park nearer the EV chargers as there's more foot traffic there which might deter such things.

You would have to have been carrying a 4mm hex key *and* own the same set of alloys to even want this - its the kind of petty #crime that would have happened back in the 1990s (probably from someone coming back from a rave who had overdone the drugs)

At least they didn't nick the red anodised alloy bolt I ordered from up North (but I have spares of those anyway)

#bladibarsket #cars #GolfGTI

Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKNov 27

Cleaned up terminals with #Draper #battery #terminal cleaner (very useful tool), used 2 cable ties as temporary measure to stop battery cables falling back into space where you are trying to lift 21kg battery into.

Fitted without too much drama (other than having to lift it up again battery in tray to blow out small bits of polystyrene from box battery came in, I didn't want those in engine bay and some had even got into holes at flanged bit at bottom of the battery - #bladibarsket )

Hold down bolt torque 15 Nm, terminal bolts 6 Nm.

Reconnected BMS control wire and put covers on + and - including warning about not connecting external chargers, boost packs direct to - (they must go to terminal provided on car body because of BMS)

#CarMaintenance #VW #GolfGTI #GolfMk7

Alex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKNov 26

Got 20A #SmartCharger for lead-acid (and 12V #lithium) #batteries - also has 13,6V constant supply for #coding #car #ECU (so starter #battery doesn't run down whilst getting data from #OBD2)

It works well - but confirmed my suspicions in recent weeks (alas) that battery in my #GolfGTI is goosed (installed 2021 by #VW dealer, presumably as warranty replacement with 0 record on service history, only worked this out from date code)

I'd noticed slower cranking in the cold, battery losing charge quickly and OBD2 scans showing "low voltage warning" codes from LED lighting control.

Will replace it before it bites me in the arse during #winter - #EFB unobtanium but got #AGM on order for fairly good price (will have to change coding when it arrives!)

#CarMaintenance #bladibarsket

Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKNov 9

#LiquidEngineering (if you are of a certain age, you will get the reference)😄

Hadn't intended to make this mess whilst emptying the #oil extractor (good thing I put down the cardboard) but it is tall and more awkward to keep control of than I realised (it also cannot be tipped more than 90° or oil ends up in the wrong chamber and then has to be purged out of the tank)

#CarMaintenance #cars #bladibarsket

Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKOct 28

Replacement bearing is #SKF VKBA7011 (easiest to get at a reasonable price, Schaeffler can be unobtanium here or double price, probably due to #Brexit) - hoping front left is OK for few more months (so if I have to do this again its in better weather and longer days), at least I know what's involved now - am also getting 400-600mm telescopic ratchet which should make work on axle stands easier (there was a "rent-a-ramp" place in the next town along - alas; it closed recently)

I didn't take any photos of the actual job as I wanted to get it all done during available light but this is the noise the bad bearing makes (rattles as well)

Curiously it had 0 makers markings/ID on it, maybe replaced before with cheap aftermarket part?

#VW #GolfGTI #CarMaintenance #AutoRepair #bladibarsket

Alex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKOct 28

Had this aircraft noise for some months in #GolfGTI (had thought at first "maybe its supposed to sound like that because its fast?") but it was a goosed #WheelBearing

#CarMaintenance #Cars #AutoRepair #VW #bladibarsket

Alex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKAug 20

Loose #seatbelt buckle in #GolfGTI (had been there since I got the car in May) had been annoying me (even though it must have passed MOT inspection, which was done in April).

This video is from yesterday - spent part of that evening researching how the buckle 5G4 857 756 E YLZ fits to the seat, and how on earth to get at nut N 989 24 301 (which I suspected had worked loose)

This afternoon started with a trip to Euro Car Parts for a set of #XZN / #TripleSquare / #spline bits (widely used on #VW as well as Torx, but I didn't have any - they seem to have 3 names for the same thing)

#CarMaintenance #bladibarsket

Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKMay 24, 2025

checked rear wheels and #brake discs/pads (there was more meat on the pads than I thought, still about 6mm left which is good,). Also took the opportunity to correctly line up the centre caps (the centre of the VW logo should point towards the valve).

Alas, discovered 1 (one) nail in rear left #tyre

#VW #GolfGTI #CarMaintenance
#bladibarsket

Show threadAlex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKApr 11, 2025
@vwdasher I often add the hashtag #bladibarsket to my car repair toots, its a mild Malaysian English swear I learned from my late father (who was Malaysian Chinese) when he was working on cars in the 1970s (particularly a classic Mini van which was his first car in 1978) - the term was derived from the Australian English "bloody bastard" 😁
Alex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKApr 10, 2025

*5 hours* out in the yard today to install new microswitch unit for #VW #DSG gear selector - whole entire centre console of #VWPolo had to come out - a bear of a job, especially removing a fiddly connector for the USB and getting it over the handbrake lever). Switch fitted and then it all has to go back together.

At least now I don't have "error: workshop! Leave vehicle only in position P" randomly appearing and USB music playback still works #CarMaintenance #AutoRepair #bladibarsket