₦airaland Forum

Make: Volkswagen
Model: Golf 3
Engine Size: 1.8
Transmission Type: Manual
Model Year: 1993(my guess)
Specification: I don't know
Problem: 1. fuel consumption has increases, car appears to run and drive as normal. 2. Temperature always exceeding 90 but less than 110 even in cold weather. 3. New Engine oil gets low/short after 7days of replacement(top up before it gets guage again)

pafestula: Is that the approved engine oil for Golf III.? and which mechanic in Akure is handling it for you? please connect me. Thanks.

I can't assert if that is the approved oil. It was recommended by another Golf 3 user. For the mechanic, I haven't got mechanical issue with my car. I only change d engine oil regularly-any mechanic can do that.

pafestula: Which engine oil are you using for Golf?

TOTAL QUARTZ 5000

Claracuzio: Ur welcome. Try packing the socket carefully with paper so it stays firm. Do it in such a way that the contact isn't compromised. Overheating is an engine killer!

I took a further step by not using paper(as u have suggested) but steel and I believe it will be a viable solution. Thanks in a million.

Ikenna351: You need to be careful with that engine. Don't wait till the engine sound tells you that its overheating before you stop. If care is not taken, it could ruin your cylinder head, not just head gasket.

Always pay attention to temperature guage more than fuel guage. Once the temp starts going beyond the normal temp (i think 95 or so for Golf Mk III), just pull over and find out the cause.

Can you post the picture of the said socket?

Ikenna.

Thanks so much. I have also learnt that from experience.

Claracuzio: There is a major Volkswagen importer of Volkswagen parts off bypass junction at akure, his shop is on the right not too far from the road off by pass junction. Am sure he will have the said socket. Can't remember his name though. Ask for the major volks dealer when u get to by pass.

alternatively, you can check ejigbo at ado ekiti, beside kanada pharmacy, the guy there also specializes in Volkswagen parts. Good luck

I have been to these places. Infact, Austin(d guy beside Kanada) is still on it and he gave me d assurance that anytime,anywhere he spot it, he will buy it for my sake. He is so friendly and helpful among his peers.
Thanks so much for being there.

Claracuzio: I suggest u check the following to put an end to the overheating
1. Don't overfill the radiator above the max level
2. Make sure the radiator cover is not cracked
3. Make sure the fan is working
If all these are in place, u might need to check the water pump

It is d fan. It usually disconnects from d socket. Once that happened,the engine starts giving me one ugly sound(like that of frog) while temperature meter moves upward. Immediately I notice this, I will off d engine, open d bonnet and push in d disconnected socket and start d car again. Lo and behold, engine will back to normal.
All efforts at getting this situation fixed permanently proved abortive as I couldn't get d said socket in market.

Claracuzio: Seems like all has been said. But seriously I respect ur quest for knowledge. One thing about cars is that u learn a lot from experience. You are a bold person and I like meeting your type. Happy motoring "Glolomoh". Cheers

You are right. I have learnt a lot from experience. Now, I know when my car is due for service,interpretation of dashboard signs and their precautions, I know what to do when experiencing overheating(the only issue I always have with d car),when d brake pads are due for replacement etc
For those compliments, thanks

Ikenna351: Haba! I know nothing about auto transmission na! I always keep silence on auto tranny issues because i don't do guess work like most of our road side mechanics.

Ikenna.

A response of this nature could have been more golden than silence. Then, I was confused but relying on you for guidance and succour. Anyway, it is now a bygone and lets treat it as such.
And, if my previous post hurts,kindly overlook.

Ikenna351: In that case, welcome to True driver's world.

Ikenna.

Was your obsession for manual inspired your silence when I seriously needed your advice?
Lets be our brother's helper especially in time of need

roosebolton: I am always impressed when I see someone taking the initiative on their car. Most Nigerians use their car like an @ss (the beast of burden type) I remember talking to my colleagues about this and they made me look like an atk type. Anyway you have the right attitude, keep it up.. Just would add that you inspect your atf to see if it needs replacement. Just open ur hood and look around for the atf dip stick.. Take it out and inspect the fluid. If it's black and smells burnt then u are due for a replacement.. Ensure you use the recommended atf (very very important) other wise u would be on the path to getting a new gear box. A good mechanic is also very essential but Always ensure they school u on any issue with the car and their recommended solution. Don't allow them bully u into taking actions on the car u aren't comfortable with.. It's your money and ur car so be in charge. Nothing else I can add which hasn't already been said. Happy riding.

Thanks for being there.
The said dilemma got my gear box damaged which eventually led to the conversion of the car to manual. I have since learnt manual driving and I'm greatly enjoying my car.

Sibrah: I wonder how many party can boast of such people who will go into private sector with ease. PDP rule of SW hardly witnesses such.

Bisi Omoyeni was appointed as Ekiti state deputy governor from Wema Bank in 2005. He resigned his deputy governorship appointment to take up appointment with Wema Bank. Ekiti state was PDP state then and it is located within the south west

Lordave: as if you do pay tax.

Yes, he pays tax. VAT(Value Added Tax) was sourced from the recharge card he bought in accessing this site.

Afolayinka: It is fake n does nt last at all

Your assumption is wrong. I met my husband via facebook in 2010, we dated close to three years and got married last weekend

gogodaye: Also old/bad plugs could be responsible as well. If you indeed need to have the ATF change be sure you use ONLY the prescribed ATF grade for refill. Also the process I understand does not just end with draining out of theold ATF and refilling the gearbox with new fluid. It also involves change of filters etc. So make assurances doubly sure before proceeding as taking the wrong step could wreck your car Auto gear box which also expensive to replace. Please be there to see them undertake the task.

Advice taken. The challenge here is getting d said expert in Ado-ekiti or Akure.
All the same, thanks

I observed my car's gear don't change like b4. Also, it takes it sometime to speed effectively unlike b4. I consulted two mechanics. One said I should drain d gear oil and replace it with a new one. According to him, it will take up to 7 litres for it 2b fully guaged. The other opined that I should just top up. He went further that it is unhealthy to drain 'follow come'(factory) gear oil.
This has hold me in a dilemma. Kindly advise.
Please treat with dispatch. #siena #ikenna #other auto gurus

Siena:
I believe you mean the engine appears to "run on" briefly before stopping. Is this correct?

Sharp and sudden forward movement of the car at the point of switching off. Prior to this,the car must have be stationary.

tpacalipse: If it is the road btw Ikere and Akure, then you are wrong about the robbery thing. I travel those roads well, they are prone to armed robberies. Including Ikere to Emure road. Have you heard recently that the leader of armed robbers on that route has been arrested and taken to Abuja. Did you here the leader is a Police man? I will never wait to pick pipu on that route.

Inasmuch I will not conclude that you are wrong,I insist I have never heard of or experience armed robbery case along Ikere/Akure road. I have heard about Ikere/Ise-Emure. For the former, I haven't even as I ply it on daily basis. This doesn't means,it didn't happen. I'm only asserting from my own knowledge of the road.
As for the leader of the gang robbing on Ikere/Ise road being a policeman, I'm privy to it.

ziccoit: I think you need to wait till after you may have understood the language of your car. The car should be able to handle the stress of the long journey but there could still be some hidden loose ends that need to be tied.

The car took me Abuja without any fault, though, driven by a relative who had been handling d wheel for a very long time.
Their argument was based on my expertise on d wheel, not d car condition.

Is it improper for an amateur like me to drive on a long journey? I intended to drive my Golf 3 to Abuja this morning but was prevented by my parents, saying it is improper at this time. Could this be true?

shepherdO: LWKMD, Swt mama, nevr mind, its jst abt d learning experience of GOLF3...........I was 1ce like U bt I guess am mbecomin a guru 2 d extent of enlightenin new buyers in my area 2 reduce extortion 4rm mechanics. Tel me, wat appnd 2 Ur kool golf...I use an Auto 1, wit A/C n hav bn enjoyi it 4 d past 3 yrs. As a NLder, Cal me on 08060286044. GOD may use me 2 elp U. Relax, dnt regret owning golf, its d best ride U cn tink of! Pls dnt panik, relax els. U fall in2 rong hnds.
Takia

Thanks. I won't hesitate to contact u when I should.

New observation. The car jerks as I off d ignition. Could it be d fuel I bought this morning or something else? What can be done.
Pls

gogodaye: And also please I'll admonish that you do not adhere to the advise of folks suggesting that you cruise between the speed limits of 90-100 klm/h to cover specified distances within 10 minute time space (just for them to gloat & be satiated with having to see how good your face might be) without taken into cognizance the state of your car tyres. Please stick to the 80 klm suggested. I'll also suggested you stick to the monthly service routine considering the age of your car' the mileage covered, etc

I have my speed limit target. Maximum of 40 within town and rough roads. Maximum of 70 on good highway. Though,it is subject to change subsequently as I get used to driving.
Someone said this will lead to higher fuel consumption. Could this be true?

.

gogodaye: My sista woman sorry to have to learn that you car didn't come right through from the Auto electrician. Don't attempt to cruise around with his bypass contraption. Ask around for good electrician.The quest for the solution should commence from the fuse box unit which is usually beneath the steering wheel area to determine if the fan didn't stall because of a burnt/blown out fuse. And then a check for leakage,blockage etc. Pls post pix of your dashboard & engine bay areas for further assistance.

Thanks so much my teacher. Attached is the Dashboard as requested

instinctg: @ OP,

I was in dis situatn when I got my golf3 too.
The solution then was that d radiator had blocked holes and despite steam washing d radiator , d issue persisted.

It got so bad dat d temp soared to 110 Celcius !

Solution : I changed d radiator (4k) and ensured d wire dat connects to d fan was properly connected as it was observed dat d fan stopped working even at hot engine temp.

As a matter of fact, don't get too worked up wit ur car, u need to understand it better day by day till it beomes ur good pal.

Also note that not only do u need a good mechanic, u would need competent car electricians/ rewires for cars used these days.

Enjoy ur rugged german machine jare

Thanks so much for this information. I will keep to it to the letter.

Advocate sam: Are u coming to Ado on Monday? If yes, I can assist by exchorting u to Igbara Odo n d rest of d journey is straight forward. But let me give u d breakdown of d route.

When u get to Ejigbo in Ado, turn to Falegan road. The Falegan road links the road to Ilawe (ur speed shud not exceed 70km/h, it is 12km from Ado to Ilawe n it is 15mins journey). Take note dat it is just a straight road that links Ado to Ilawe to Igbara Odo to Igbara Oke in Ondo state. Ilawe road to Igbara Odo is straight n u can increase ur speed to 100km/h(10 mins drive). Also Igbara Odo road to Igbara oke road is 10 mins drive (90km/h). When u get to Igbara Oke, u are almost in Akure. Igbara Oke road links to d express which is 15 mins drive. The whole journey is 50 mins.

You can get me on 07064954609.

Thanks

Advocate Sam

This is so sweet and lovely. It makes me feel so special than the Queen. Thank you sir.
I shall be off Ado for two weeks starting from Monday. Once I return,I will let you know.
I'm a tomboy. By the description,I'll go by myself. If it becomes futile, i'm gonna call you. The description seems easy and understandale until when it proves otherwise during my trial. I hate acting dumb.
All the same,I'm indeed grateful.

Ikenna351: Its simply. The mechanic has removed your cooling system thermostat and bypassed your radiator cooling fan factory connection, for the fan to spin constantly, once the ignition is on or the engine running. The strange wires you saw is the bypassed of the fans factory connection. I knew it would happen anyway. When I call them "clowns", some people would say am being too harsh.

To be honest with you, if you continue to use that car in the state he has put it, give it 2 years, 1 year or less, the engine will start emitting blue smoke. In that case, you either replace the engine or rebuild it.

Call the man, ask him to keep the thermostat he removed from your car, that you are coming to collect it back, before he throws it away. And pray that he gives you the one he removed from your car because their must be a lot of them lying in his workshop that he removed from other people's car. Even if you are not putting back that one in, you can use it find another one (new one) to put in. You need the exact thermostat or part number to find it in the market, unless all Golf 3 use the same Thermostat, irrespective of engine size.

Also, if you choose to use the car with the radiator fan spinning constantly, be prepared to be replacing the fan every now and then. Why? Because the fan's motor wasnt designed/made to run for a long time without a break, just like our Brendas/electric grinding machines in our Kitchen.

When you get back the thermostat, I will guide you on how to test it, to know if its still working or not via a pot of boiling water.

Do you really know what it means for your coolant temperature to remain at the lowest level of temp gauge constantly? It means severe friction will be going on in all the lubricating parts inside the engine.

I chose not to comment before because am not a VW expert. But I picked the same Golf 3 for a family member 2 weeks ago. I just got it registered today. Will be driving her to Anambra next week or so to give to the owner I bought it for. Even though its a city car, I could see the Germans quality in the ride. Its really a nice car!

Ikenna.

I requested for the Thermostat as u suggested,he claimed it was not tampered with not to talk of been removed. Could you help me confirm this if I send u d engine pix?

gogodaye: My Sista woman, Hi & a warm welcome to the world of auto-owners.Please put the ugly incident of the car owning & riding you behind.Is the car out from the mechanic yet? My contributions relate to basic maintenance tips:-
(a)Prior to setting out every day, spend about 5 minutes, routinely checking the water level in your raditor; oil level with the dip-stick; car tyres (to ensure they well unflated);the hydraulic level, the level of the ATF,etc.[All of these you can conveniently do from the hood of your car];
(b)Since on the average you do about a 100 kilometers to & fro your home and work-place daily, I shall modestly advise you to do & carry out your car-service, i.ie.,(change of engine oil, oil-fiter,)at least once every month.[This ain't expensive, a 4 litre can of Engine oil goes for about N2,000 & Oil filter N250 & the labour cost for the mechanic is N500 here in Abuja];
(c)I'll equally advise you subsequently change all the four tyres and the spare with new tyres and do wheel balancing & alignment as well[You may have to do this within the next 3 months as its capital intensive and I'll advise in the interim you keep your speed within 80klm per hour). When procuring the new tyres ensure you buy tyres produced this year. Do not go for any otheer tyre made beyond 2012[tyres come with a 4-5 year life span. Every tyres has its' year of manufacture embossed on it. This is a 4 digit figure, the first two digits indicating the week in the year it was made and the last two digits the precise year of its manufacture.Thus, 0513 embossed on the tyre shows it was manufactured on the fifth week of the year 2013; change the spark plugs, your car was delivered with and keep an eye also for a battery change as well in the future.
(d)If you're car has an injector never let its fuel level go down beyond quarter tank level before you refill your tank.
(e)Do not leave you car in the Drive position in the traffic jam (hold-up).i.e., with its engines running whilst you are in a stationary position for too long, i.e., about [8-10] minutes as its an automatic gear shiift system. Leave the car in either Park or Neutral position.And engage it in the Drive position when the traffic begins to move.
(f)BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR OUR REVERED MECHANICS/ELECTRICIANS.ENSURE THEY DO NOT CUT OFF WIRES, REFUSE TO REFIT PARTS SAYING THEY ARE NOT NECESSARY.Ensure what ever is taken out is repalced.
(g)Get the following set of tools in your car, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 spanners, either ring or flat,Plug spanner; flat and star shaped screw drivers, plier, Torch light (possibly the rechargeable type)etc.
(h)Get Tyre Jack, Fire extinguisher.
More tips to follow shortly. cheers

Wow ! This is my purpose of opening this thread. You got it as I want it.
As Oliver Twist, I'm asking for more.
Thank you very much. God bless you.

Ikenna351: Hey! I apologise. I didnt know my comments were that harsh to you. Its just that i didnt feel comfortable when i saw "I regretted owing it", because i get that a lot from people. I was only trying to make you realise its not ideal to say such things within two days ownership of the car. Am just the type that doesnt know how to use sweet words to express my opinion when it come to cars. I just say it as it is, which people do find harsh. Anyway, i apologise.

If you check my first few posts in Nairaland, you would see how my 505 seriously dealt with me when i first got it, which later turned me into a Peugeot expert. Lol!. But all those while, i never wished i never got the car. I never let that hindrance get me. It was my problem and i dealt with it. Now, am enjoying the car since then. Whenever i come out from my house, i would look at the car and smile. Sometimes, we would both wink at each other. Lol! Dont mind me and my Baby. We simply understand each other. I treat her the way she wants to be treated and in return, she put smiles on my face whenever am behind the wheel. Thats how i want you to see your ride. Thats the only way you will enjoy it, against all odds.

As for the state of your car now, there is nothing i could say in my previous posts in that regard. Its now in the hands of the mechanic. So, we can only hope for the best. After all, its natural for one to want his/her car fixed, even if it gets small abused along the line. Because, i bet you, the mechanic may, if not will, remove the thermostat and connect your radiator fan to run constantly. Thats their simplest way of fixing overheating issues. I wished there is anything i could do to prevent that. But there isnt.

Next time you are driving that car, pay more attention to temperature guage than the fuel guage on the instrument cluster. Its what i do. Though, i could tell when a car is overheating by mere acceleration and sound of the engine. But with observing the temp guage all the time, i wont let it gets to the stage of acceleration and engine note. Never let an overheated car stalls by itself without your input. At that stage, it could cost you a head gasket, cylinder head or the entire engine. Stop as soon as the temp guage exceeds 100 degreee celsius. Something must have gone wrong.

How do i make it upto you. Had it been you are in Abuja, i would have ask to take you out. And who knows were that would lead us. After all, we are both single. At least, you wont need to come to Car talk to receive harsh words anymore, since you already have an in-house mechanic 24/7. What do you think?

Ikenna.

Apology seen and accepted without any reservation.
As your 505 is your baby is what I want my Golf 3 to be. Hence, my coming to this forum in the first instance is to get DIY knowledge. I love adventure and trying out new thing as well practicalising new knowledge. I wish I could be my own mechanic.
I guess the mechanic has done his expertise on the thermostat cos I could see a strange wire passing from d battery to a device. When I enquired about d wire, he reply that lawyers are too inquisitive for his liking. He added that what should be my headache is whether d fan is working or not and if d temperature is low or high. Seeing him becoming unfriendly,I paid and got my key. I'm still trying to get an expert who will interpret what d wire means and it effects on the car.
According to him, the temperature meter will permanently be zero/extremely low. I don't know d effect of this too. When I get an expert, I will know better.
But I strongly believe that if professionals like you have come handy when I raised d alarm of risen temperature,I might have evade this situation. Though, i'm not in anyway apportioning blame to anybody. I'm responsible for my woes.
Now,how do I solve overheating problem by myself? It seems over heating issue is common with Golf.
As for our being single and eventual in-house mechanic,I can only laugh and say thanks for the compliments. Anyway, I shall be in Abuja for some Appearances between 10th&16th April. Within my idle time,I MAY get in touch with you to know the man who like saying it raw. Honestly, it is pleasant to say unpleasant thing in a pleasant way.