You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Problem 1 on my S reg polo...
Bonnet release cable is seized. Pulled the in-car end with pliers to no avail, even with some GT85 sprayed up there. Last opened about 4 months ago I think. Got a feeling my oil level might be low but can't get in there to check 🙁
Problem 2.
If the car hasn't been driven for a week or so, start up can be a little hard and when running it occasionally feels like it wants to stall for the first couple of miles. Usually OK once warmed up but it's been getting worse recently. OK starting for the few days after a long drive though.
The car is a 1.6 petrol, 96k on the clock, formally owned by Essex police for three first 85k and AFAIK well serviced throughout its life.
I have no experience looking after cars and have v little cash to spend, so don't really want to fork out £££ on a car I spent less than 500 quid on.
🙁
I've a R reg polo so same shape as yours, can't help you with the running bit but the bonnet is problematic on mine.
When you said you have put GT85 on it, do you mean on the bonnet or the pull inside the car ?
The bonnet will be jammed above the grill I reckon. If it helps, the grill is in effectively 3 parts, the main part that goes under the headlights, the actual black plastic grill, and the badge.
The VW badge can be gently prised out as it only has 3 push clips holding it in which will then allow you to put GT85 up to the bonnet catch. Than you can try pulling the cable from that end using long nosed bent pliers, or something with a hook on.
When you get the bonnet up, put plenty grease on the catch above the grill as mine sticks if it dries up.
If none of the above helps go on. www.clubpolo.co.uk and you will get help on there.
Ref the bonnet, get someone to push down on the bonnet as you pull the release cable. It'll help relieve the tension that the bonnet catch is under & it *may* just release.
Has the mechanism seized or has the cable broken/become detached?
Thanks all, will have a further exploration. The cable moves about a centimetre so I think it's the mechanism.
Well I can just shot get my hand in behind the badge but I can't find anything to move about 🙁
Re the running issue
Pull the plugs and look at the nic of the electrode
Going to ask a silly question here tom - when was it last serviced - by you or otherwise.
Well I can just shot get my hand in behind the badge but I can't find anything to move about
Can you get a torch and see the end of the cable ?
If so, push it towards the drivers side
Woo! Got in the bonnet with some energetic wiggling and some help from the gf on the bonnet. All degreased and greased up again and will keep on to of it. Oil level all good to B-)
Terry - last known service 18k ago I think so probably needs one, but work done since then (new wheel bearings etc so dunno if they'd have done other stuff then too. Still, furs if better take it in fort one soon 🙁 )
Am going to do a bit of googling into spark plugs... Wasn't immediately obvious to me where they were!