Hi,

I've got a 97 Marea 1.8 ELX which I purchased from an auction for a bargain price of £560 a few months ago to use as a 2nd car so I don't ruin my New Beetle.

I've got a few Questions now tho,

Its only covered 74k yet the engine is quite knocky, i've been told its the tappets, does anyone know how much these would cost to replace? And is it difficult, could I do it myself?

The temp guage seems to be all over the place, when going fast it sits at about quarter temp but as soon as you hit traffic it goes up to half way and the fan cuts in fairly often, is this normal as my Beetle doesn't do that?

The airbag light is on, does anyone know a cheap way to cure this? As i'm not overly worried will it fail its MOT with the light on?

My gear lever is quite squeaky, any ideas how to cure it?

How do I get the front headlight out as a stone went through my drivers side one?

If I cant get a new front headlight does anyone know if a pair of Bravo/a headlights would fit instead?

Cheers for any help guys!

Hi billybug and welcome to our forum.

Tappets will not be a cheap job, you can get an oil additive that will quiet them down. Try a drive chain cleaner first then a tappet quietener if that doesn't work.

You will need to replace your cam belt very quickly, you are in the risky mileage band.

Check that you do not have an airlock in your coolant system. Does the heater blow hot or cold?

Airbag light requires resetting by a dealer, some dispute as to whether its a fail if its on, but they don't check to see if there is a bulb in it.

Front headlight is only two/three bolts.

Good luck.

Cheers for the reply, the cambelt was changed at 64k so i'm hoping is okay for another few miles!

The bulb might fall out the dash for the airbag then

Have you gots names for the drive chain cleaner and tappet quietener.

The heater works fine, and the car doesn't use a drop of oil or water. If it goes thru the MOT okay, due September 21st! (and it doesn't cost more than the car cost to get it thru!) then I might get the tappets replaced and have a full service including changng the water, that might sort it out.

you didnt get it from cannock aution did you

No I bought it from Manheim auction in Bristol last April.