VW Bora service

Padkir · 29-10-2013 09:31PM #1

Ok folks, so I have my 2004 VW Bora 1.9tdi for the last 2 years. I bought it in August 2011 when it had 80k miles on it. Since then I have done:

90k - Oil change & oil/air/fuel filters
100k - Oil change & oil/air filters
as well as getting maintenance stuff such as brake pads / wiper blades, etc. done as they came up over the 2 years.

It now has 110k and I want to service it again. Can anyone tell me what, other than the oil and all the filters, would I need to look out for at this stage. Is there anything in particular that needs to be done on a car like this every 30k miles, or should it be ok with a general inspection and the oil / filters?

Thanks in advance!

ItsLikeThis · 29-10-2013 09:35PM

When was the timing belt done? Probaly due at 120k

Padkir · 29-10-2013 09:43PM

ItsLikeThis wrote: »

When was the timing belt done? Probaly due at 120k

Was done around 68k as far as I can recall; so should be ok for another round or 2; will probably have a gawk at it to make sure it still looks the part.

Miseryguts · 29-10-2013 09:50PM

Your Shocks?

ItsLikeThis · 29-10-2013 09:54PM

Should be ok after a general inspection so, I just do oil/filters and timing belt when they have to be done on my passat, any wear and tear parts as it needs them. Going great still at over 202k

George Dalton · 29-10-2013 09:55PM

Brake fluid change is due every 2 years.

Cabin filter change is due every 2 years.

Padkir · 29-10-2013 09:56PM

Miseryguts wrote: »

Your Shocks?

How do I know if they need changing? As far as I can feel it's still driving same as always; nice enough over bumps with no big bangs or anything...

I'm not overly handy or mechanical myself so if anything to do with brakes / suspension / steering need doing I'd let a mechanic handle it.

Padkir · 29-10-2013 11:14PM

George Dalton wrote: »

Brake fluid change is due every 2 years.

Cabin filter change is due every 2 years.

Where is the cabin filter in a 2004 Bora? Is that the pollen filter?

To be honest I probably won't go near the brake fluid apart from checking the levels... Next year when I send it to get the timing belt done I'll get the mechanic to change it.

On a side note (very minor), the under cover for the engine is mainly held on with cable ties at this stage as it was not in good shape when I bought it and got it caught on something since... Can these be bought anywhere (preferably around Galway), or if I asked a VW garage would they come up with a decent 2nd hand one for a tenner?

Thanks for all the replies so far.

George Dalton · 29-10-2013 11:22PM

Yes the cabin filter and the pollen filter are the same thing.

On your Bora it is underneath a cover at the base of the windscreen on the passenger side. There are 3 philips head screws holding on the cover.

Padkir · 29-10-2013 11:24PM

George Dalton wrote: »

Yes the cabin filter and the pollen filter are the same thing.

On your Bora it is underneath a cover at the base of the windscreen on the passenger side. There are 3 philips head screws holding on the cover.

Cheers; I remember seeing that before actually. Before I looked up how to service it myself and I just had a quick gawk under the cover and thought that was the regular air filter...

my_self · 30-10-2013 02:50AM

I wouldn't change the shocks, unless they fail the NCT. I still have my original shocks with over 250k and they still fly the NCT. Just do the basics: filters, levels, oil and make sure you get your belt done sooner rather than later. The only thing that might need attention are your front wishbone bushes, Boras are quite hard on them. Generally though, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Padkir · 30-10-2013 10:38PM

Sounds good, thanks folks!

biko · 30-10-2013 10:42PM

As said, unless shocks are causing issues or fail NCT I'd just keep them.

dooroy · 30-10-2013 11:57PM

Friend of mine has a 2000 Bora with just around 200 K mls on the clock .
I service it etc for him and it has given him great service - he bought it with 108K on the clock.
As said already if the shocks are OK for the NCT then leave them alone.
One thing I would say about shocks is that they can deteriorate over time , the driver can adapt to them and this could eventually cause problems . The NCT will show up any problems - worth having a look at the results and see how much imbalance there is between shocks on each axle (and brakes also ) Large imbalance can indicate a problem on the way - even though they pass the test.
One thing I have to change regularly on the Bora are the large bushings on the rear of the front wishbones . Have even tried VW ones and they didn't last any longer .
And as already advised - don't put off the timing belt change too long . Looking at it doesn't really tell you much.

FR85 · 31-10-2013 12:53AM

dooroy wrote: »

Friend of mine has a 2000 Bora with just around 200 K mls on the clock .
I service it etc for him and it has given him great service - he bought it with 108K on the clock.
As said already if the shocks are OK for the NCT then leave them alone.
One thing I would say about shocks is that they can deteriorate over time , the driver can adapt to them and this could eventually cause problems . The NCT will show up any problems - worth having a look at the results and see how much imbalance there is between shocks on each axle (and brakes also ) Large imbalance can indicate a problem on the way - even though they pass the test.
One thing I have to change regularly on the Bora are the large bushings on the rear of the front wishbones . Have even tried VW ones and they didn't last any longer .
And as already advised - don't put off the timing belt change too long . Looking at it doesn't really tell you much.

I was about to say wishbones, have had to do these a few time on various Alteas I've had and I'd imagine they are the same part.

Padkir · 31-10-2013 01:05AM

dooroy wrote: »

Friend of mine has a 2000 Bora with just around 200 K mls on the clock .
I service it etc for him and it has given him great service - he bought it with 108K on the clock.
As said already if the shocks are OK for the NCT then leave them alone.
One thing I would say about shocks is that they can deteriorate over time , the driver can adapt to them and this could eventually cause problems . The NCT will show up any problems - worth having a look at the results and see how much imbalance there is between shocks on each axle (and brakes also ) Large imbalance can indicate a problem on the way - even though they pass the test.
One thing I have to change regularly on the Bora are the large bushings on the rear of the front wishbones . Have even tried VW ones and they didn't last any longer .
And as already advised - don't put off the timing belt change too long . Looking at it doesn't really tell you much.

On the bushings, how often in your experience do they need changing? How can I tell and is it a job that I could do myself or would I need a mechanic? How much, roughly, do the parts cost? Thanks.

dooroy · 31-10-2013 02:53AM

One way to test is put a wheelbrace on a wheelnut and when trying to turn it see if the wheel moves much back or forward .
They seem to be an annual event for the NCT - another guy I know has a 99 Golf and the same bushings wear out .
The bushings aren't that expensive - under €20 each ( can't remember exactly) but fitting them takes time .
I take out the wishbone and then use a press to fit the new ones (possibly could be done in a vice or using a long bolt and spacers etc .)

Padkir · 31-10-2013 08:13PM

dooroy wrote: »

One way to test is put a wheelbrace on a wheelnut and when trying to turn it see if the wheel moves much back or forward .
They seem to be an annual event for the NCT - another guy I know has a 99 Golf and the same bushings wear out .
The bushings aren't that expensive - under €20 each ( can't remember exactly) but fitting them takes time .
I take out the wishbone and then use a press to fit the new ones (possibly could be done in a vice or using a long bolt and spacers etc .)

Ok I might get my brother to take a look with me; he used to have a golf and did almost all of the maintenance on it himself so he'd probably know his way around it. Thanks.

my_self · 31-10-2013 09:56PM

dooroy wrote: »

Friend of mine has a 2000 Bora with just around 200 K mls on the clock .
I service it etc for him and it has given him great service - he bought it with 108K on the clock.
As said already if the shocks are OK for the NCT then leave them alone.
One thing I would say about shocks is that they can deteriorate over time , the driver can adapt to them and this could eventually cause problems . The NCT will show up any problems - worth having a look at the results and see how much imbalance there is between shocks on each axle (and brakes also ) Large imbalance can indicate a problem on the way - even though they pass the test.
One thing I have to change regularly on the Bora are the large bushings on the rear of the front wishbones . Have even tried VW ones and they didn't last any longer .
And as already advised - don't put off the timing belt change too long . Looking at it doesn't really tell you much.

Yeah they eat them bushes, changed mine several times too. I am considering poly bushes the next time, might last longer, what ya think?

dooroy · 01-11-2013 02:26PM

Polybushes could be the answer - hadn't thought of them .

VW Bora service

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