Mk2 GTI 165k miles - what's my priority?

[moby dick]

Here's the story. MK2 Gti. 165k miles. Regularly serviced but nothing special done. New clutch a while back. Nothing obviously wrong at the moment and is in good overall nick and I want it to keep going for a while into the future. What should I be doing now to make sure it keeps going for a while yet?

[dubber36]

Just drive it with a bit of mechanical sympathy, and it'll keep going for ever.

[The Mighty Elvi]

Not much. Routine service. Mine just passed 170k. Hasn't missed a beat. Touch wood.  A complete rebuild and refurb of the engine is very easy to do. There's a full video on how to do it in the maintenance section.

[danny_p]

they are a long lived engine if been looked after and had enough abuse.

valve guides seem to need doing every 100k allong with stem seals, headgaskets seem to be good for 100k.

if and when the gasket goes  change the valve guides and stem seals, regrind the valves and then drive another 100k

[MBChB]

As above. Mine has 141k on the clock and pulls like a train. It has FSH and I aim to keep it that way.

My own personal habit, but I always let it warm up on the drive for a couple of minutes before moving it, and never ever rev it past 3k rpm until it's up to operating temp. Just sensible stuff for a 20+ year old engine.

[rob.043]

Check out the underside, and waxoil as needed

[Diamond Hell]

Check out the underside, and waxoil as needed

This.

[SoundillusioN]

Check out the underside, and waxoil as needed

That.... But don't waxoyl over rust!

[Snoopy]

Must admit im a waxoyl nutter and all my cars i go way way OTT with the stuff when i get them but i clean it all first as the prep is important imo. I also regular top it up a few years later. Its probably why after over 20 years of ownership my mk1 looks so good. My MOTer loves me due to the waxoyl
Its a personal thing but when mk2 GTIs get near the milage you state because i have seen so many with oil pump failure around that miles i think i may change the pump on mine next year just for my own peace of mind nothing more. Also worth checking the last time the cambelt was done.

[Mr Blue]

If it aint broke don't fix it in most cases.


I bet the rear axel bushes are shot. Those and underside protection.