In case anyone with a VW group Manual Transmission car has difficulty adjusting the Gear Change Mechanism, this video has useful tips if the Gearbox Locking Pin is fucked like mine is:
Fellow A2 owner here, had it for a couple of years. Mine is an '05 TDI90. They’re excellent little cars.
I watched Tom Cunningham adjust the gear cables on mine not long after i got it, also without the benefit of a functioning pin on the gearbox. A fiddly job!
FoL 2 has one the same year and spec as yours. It’s a great car and a hoot to drive with all that torque in a light shell 
Agreed. They also respond well to a few simple tweaks.
It looks fiddly, but even this angry Meatman was able to do this within ten minutes in a cold, wet ASDA Carpark…
My favourite tool is a Hammer! Anyhoo, Alison is once again a pleasure to drive!
Very grateful for that video though! 
aka ‘persuader’, as in “All this needs is a little gentle persuasion” 
Alison is a TDI 75; I would really like to have a go in a '90 however! 
The difference might be as simple as a new fuel map / secondhand ecu from a 90? Speculating a bit, but they are old enough that it’s possible
Edit: @enbee23?
I’m not sure; I think the engine code is ATL and that they have a Variable Geometry Turbo, different Injectors and of course a different ECU, but that’s just guesswork!
I’ll leave Alison as she is; she’s no slouch! 
Yes, the 90 is an ATL code. Has variable geo turbo and slightly different associated plumbing and electronics.
I get to drive a TDI 75 regularly and it suits the car well. The 90 feels more obviously boosted apart from having a bit more power.
Both versions can be re-mapped sensibly and inexpensively through A2OC.
MOT next week. So as well as the normal clean, I cleaned and inspected the Engine Bay.
Apart from a weep of oil from the EGR, all is well!
Looks mighty clean for the miles on it.
Cheers @enbee23! Engine Bay is cleaned about four times a year. Benefits are when I adjusted the Gear Selector Mechanism, I had clean hands afterwards!
Wheel arches are also cleaned up properly every time she’s washed.
Helps identify any problems early. Prolongs the life of the front Control Arms which are the later Pressed Steel type.
These rot from inside out and then fail.
Contemporary VW Polo; SEAT Ibiza and Skoda Fabia drivers beware!
That’s the way to do it. Wish i had the dedication!
Strut top bearing failure was a nuisance FoL had to deal with - she didn’t realise immediately and ended up replacing both complete struts after a spring broke.
I’m guessing you’ve probably already had this and dealt with it Stu, but worth keeping a close eye on if not.
Thanks for this information @husky981,
Allison’s have been replaced twice in almost exactly 11 years.
First symptoms are a rough feel and twanging noise when steering at low speeds when parking.
That’s the bearing sticking and springs torquing up…
That then stresses the springs and they then break eventually. Normally in the winter!
I had them changed back in 2022 when the Struts were replaced as advised by Faircrouch… 
Wouldn’t have happened without this chap:
In the comments, I’ve already suggested A2 was missed out…
MOT, followed by trip to Wales.
Well that was the plan; until spring had sprung it’s last:
Happened on way back from station yesterday. Will be leaving late.
I know shit happens; Faircrouch are pushing it through; it must be said that our roads are fucking shit.
Sorry to hear it Stu, hope it doesn’t take too long to get her rolling again!