Due to the VW deciding that it wants to die, I was forced to finally get moving on the SDL today.

I got the injectors back in, and that all put back together. I also took out all the vacuum connectors that had anything to do with the ARV and EGR. The engine bay is a lot cleaner, and I have a pile of worthless vacuum crap. Anyone have the part number for that three way connector handy?

Then I put the battery in and got it started and played with the steering a bit. I'm still not sure exactly what is leaking, but it looks like the pittman shaft seal and maybe one of the plugs along the bottom. So I drained the fluid and removed the gear box, this week in between working two jobs, and 4 midterms I'll rebuild it, somehow...

Then onto the interior, I couldn't figure out how to get the ignition back in without screwing up my new collar with pliers. So I ended up removing half the drivers side dashboard trying to get the wood off that is connected to the plastic/rubber cover. Then I said F it and broke the escutcheon. So I'll have to get a new one and glue it on. Wow that was dumb, if I did that in the first place I would have saved a ton of work. So I figured while it was off I might as well change the evap drain line. Which was a bit of a PITA, the old one almost needed to be vacuumed out, half of it was dust!

So now I just have to get cracking on the steering box and I can drive it at least, and get the new tires put on. Which is good, because the Jetta ain't going to last much longer; its a race lets see if I win! Once I get the engine clean and really run it I will get to see if I will be pulling the IP, my fingers are crossed that the lower cover seal holds for another season. Also I'm hoping that trans works, I may be pulling that. Last spring 4th gear was MIA for the first 10 miles, so its a crap shoot.

The game plan is to power through the gear box rebuild, and get it in by the weekend, then drive the car and see what stopped working over the winter. Hopefully the Jetta lasts that long...

Then I am going to barrow my uncles D8 and run over that GD tin can of a car. I have instructed my friend to shoot me if I ever mention getting another one.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Keep the VW, and if you ever consider buying a new one, drive the old one first.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff