New car...need HELP!

[arran81]

Just picked up a black Mk1 Octy VRS for a pretty decent price considering it's got full service history 79k on the clock and recently had the cam belt and water pump done!....however there's a bit of a boost problem and 1st gear makes a bit of a whirring sound (sounds like a bearing issue?). Ive also just discovered the clutch is slipping too!

I'd factored the first two issues into the price and I thought as long as the engine and turbo are good then with a bit of work I could end up with a pretty decent car!

I'm hoping the boost issue is something simple like a vacuum leak or something similar, although it could be a dodgy remap as it pulls a bit harder than I was expecting from the stock 150bhp!

As far as the gearbox I was looking at picking up a used tested one on ebay or on here. I've seen one that says its come off a 03 1.8 Octavia but doesn't say if it will fit the vrs? It comes with these product codes EHA EWU 02J300052M 02J300048DX?

I was looking at either the Valeo clutch kit (826317) or the LuK kit (417001911)? Would these kits have everything I need?

Lastly, although I like to get my hands dirty, and with a little help from Google will try to fix most things myself...I think the gearbox and clutch are a bit beyond me! Can anyone recommend somewhere south of London (I'm in Horsham) that could fit these bits at a reasonable price? Alternatively is there anyone nearby who knows what they're doing and are willing to give me a hand trying to fit them myself? I'd love to take my diy one step further by tackling the transmission, but I don't quite have the confidence to do it on my own! Unfortunately it would have to be on the drive with no ramps but we won't be short of tools, trolley jack, stands etc. Happy to cover fuel, food, beers etc!

[octyal]

Well, the vRS has 180 hp, not 150 from standard, so that's that out of the way :D Gearboxes are a known weak spot once remapped and abused, so it could be the bearings, or it may just need an oil change, I know what I would do first. The gearbox is an EHA code, so that should be fine. As for the clutch, the 417001911 is a clutch and dual mass unit, only other bit you need is the release bearing, part number 500 044 010, as it isn't included (god knows why we don't put it in the box!)

 

I would recommend Universal Clutches, but they are in Luton, so wrong side of London - avoid Mr.Clutch though.........It can be done on the drive easily (have done clutches on my drive numerous times) although I would recommend maybe hiring an engine crane for a weekend to make lifting and aligning the gearbox back in a bit easier.

[arran81]

My mistake...I knew it was 180bhp! Just got it confused with my Saab 9-3 coupe I had a while back...started off at 150bhp but ended up remapping it to 250bhp...but that's another story!

I would like to think it's the oil but it sounds a little too loud for that so I'm pretty sure it will need replacing! : (

Thanks for the heads up on the release bearing...wouldn't want to forget that!

May look into an engine crane, but may just try to make do with a trolley jack?

[octyal]

It is doable with a trolley jack, just awkward because the bottom of the gearbox isn't flat......If you can get under there first, and carve a jack adapter from a piece of wood, that may work. I have also used a long piece of timber across the strut tops before now with a ratchet strap to lift the gearbox, much easier than lifting from underneath.

[arran81]

It is doable with a trolley jack, just awkward because the bottom of the gearbox isn't flat......If you can get under there first, and carve a jack adapter from a piece of wood, that may work. I have also used a long piece of timber across the strut tops before now with a ratchet strap to lift the gearbox, much easier than lifting from underneath.

Good idea, thanks. Just hoping someone might come forward to help me? Got a quote from a local gearbox specialist who are quoting £250...but that's about £250 more than I've got! : /