Warrior193

I have Bosch Aerotwin A 860S listed for my Mk3 fronts...which also appear to be listed for Mk7 Golf.

Have you had the starter battery tested? Battery voltage dropping below a certain threshold while vehicle is locked can activate alarm. Suggest a good load test is done.

I suspect this A1 has been sadly neglected - 1 litre of oil to bring level to minimum mark! SWMBO's Fabia with almost exact same engine (CHZC) at uses practically zero oil between annual services, currently at 25K miles.

OP did mention considering MPI, may not require Euro 6 and older vehicle may be all that is needed for intended use.

Hello, welcome to the forum. Looks pretty damn good externally. How does the engine sound?

I'm not sure I'd trust those seat belts to remain locked in the event of a serious crash!

Merc G-wagon? 😁

Only problem with that plan is the cost of the 'restoration' would exceed the VED savings, with the break-even timescale possibly being longer than the restored vehicles lifespan. There was a guy who wanted to own the very last Moggy Minor ever constructed, it was built from stock parts and cost (I think) 10 times the OTR price of a factory build!

Which is why I suggested that a MPI might be best choice.

When was it last serviced, has it ever been serviced?

Ask your friend when was the last time the oil level was checked.

When you say your pollen filter had been mounted 'upside down' which way was the directional arrow pointing?

Presumably your au pair disabled SS in the jam 😒 Suggest first checking coolant for combustion products, I'm a little concerned that the head or block may have suffered a crack from cold shock when coolant was added - I did that once after cooking my mini - even after allowing more than 30 mins from shut down.

It's not necessarily safe to assume that a garage mechanic knows what is required - especially where a particular vehicle may not be familiar to them. There are often specialist tools or procedures required to perform certain service functions, not all mechanics or garages have that knowledge.

It could be either, I don't know if there's an easy way to distinguish between the two failures - but probably better to replace the easiest first (master cylinder if fitted with concentric slave) It's quite possible that the Mk2 is not fitted with concentric slave cylinder.

Hello cobber, welcome to the forum, how's the weather down there? Does your stop/start (idle stop) not operate? Does the fan operate? Odd that the temperature gauge doesn't register overheating - was cold water added to engine while it was overheated?

TSI is far better suited to short runs than TDI, but they will benefit from regular longer trips. Perhaps a MPI would be better suited to you if very short runs are almost sole use - but engine wear is greatest in the first 5 to 10 miles of any trip, regardless of fuel type. The main issue with TDI short runs is DPF not being regenerated sufficiently.

I rather suspect state of OCU battery does not affect GPS - and it also may not affect SOS capability in normal conditions, it is a backup to enable coms if the vehicle loses 12 volt power, for instance, in a collision. There's a good chance that the Dealer suggesting OCU battery replacement wants to fire the parts cannon.

I too do PH tests on my coolant, level was borderline high when I tested it in December - total coolant change (G13) was last done 5 years ago. Second change last month.

Did not quote any price for coolant change. Agree, have not seen coolant change interval on any VAG site yet, but have used online research. Contrary to some information out there, coolant is not 'for life' - it is not just the anti-freeze levels that can drop, there are anti-corrosion agents that deplete over time. Protection against corrosion in engine blocks is critical - especially in alloys.

Another point to check - does your coolant expansion tank have 'Mit Silicat' printed anywhere on it? If so, definitely replace it with one that does not have the silicate 'teabag' in it - this is an easy (and cheap) DIY job that will not require complete drain of the coolant. Specify G12 evo to be used when the coolant is changed.

Hello, welcome to the forum. IIRC, coolant change interval is around 5 years - at least that's what I currently stick to. I'll take a look at current recommendations for you. Update - It appears to be recommended at 3 to 5 years - yours is well overdue. NB. the EA211 coolant system is particularly prone to airlocks when draining and refilling the cooling system, it is recommended to use vacuum filling method or similar.

Doesn't brake bleed require VCDS or similar to operate ABS module while performing it?

Another suggestion might be to check the oil cooler matrix is clear of debris - especially considering there does not appear to be a problem with coolant temperatures while towing.

Further research suggests that my original answer regarding OCU backup battery is AI generated and incorrect. Still believe that failing OCU battery (if true) is not contributing to your GPS location error.