Things to check on a diesel

[CFMopar]

I might be going to look at a vw Jetta diesel  for daily driver. Never owned a diesel or a vw for that matter. What are some things to keep in mind when looking at one? Anyone owned one / know common problems?

[1969chargerrtse]

I dunno?   Not a big VW fan.  Diesels are motors that run at a low rpm and have great torque.  They last a long time and are usually well built.  I would hit the net for info other forums etc....   Good Luck.
Oh, by the way have you checked diesel fuel prices lately?

[PocketThunder]

timing belt needs to be changed in those vdubs on a religious basis!

[CFMopar]

diesel is on par with gas here now we're paying $1.20 a L and diesel is $1.23 or so. But you get double the milage amost so its worth it

[Todd Wilson]

Check to see how easy it starts right up. Preferably a cold engine. Also how it idles.  It should start up very little cranking.  It should idle smooth. If it has to crank for a few seconds or it doesnt idle at a constant level walk away from it. Kinda a surge up and down up and down is a good indication it has some problems. Diesels are great and run a long time but when something is going bad on them it can get expensive real fast.



Todd

[suntech]

I have a lbuddy that had 2 vw trbo diesels, and on both he blew the turbo. I have a 93 golf, with a non turbo, with 180 K on the meter, and works great, with app 48-50 mpg!!
Do the timing belt every 60 K miles or so, and you will be fine.
Drive 118 miles every day for work, so using the Dually for that would be kinda stupid!!
PS: nobody in their right mind buys a car like that because they like it!!! But works great to get from A to B cheapest possible

[CFMopar]

PS: nobody in their right mind buys a car like that because they like it!!! But works great to get from A to B cheapest possible

Thats why im looking at it

[six-tee-nine]

As a daily I drove nothing but VW's so far (remember.....Europe before you start looking  ).
Never had trouble with them.

What year of car are you looking at? So I can form an image of the engine type thats in it?
Turbo, no turbo one central injection pump or a "PD" engine (those have one high press. "pump" per cilinder) driven by the camshaft instead of one external pump driven by the  timing belt.
As stated above :
Check the timing belt, if the edges of the teeth are roundened or less sharp the better replace it (i always replace it if I don't know the history of the belt).
If they break or jump your engine will RIP.
If it's a TDI (with turbo) then look at the back for blue smoke when running coldand blip the throttle....
Take a drive with the owner and check his driving style. When cold you DON'T drive these diesels like you stole them (No it's not muscle  ).
If the engine warmed up Then you can step on it (4500 rev's will do, for more get the Mopar out of the garage) remeber when beating the crap out of it only black smoke is to be seen from the tailpipe never blue smoke.

[CFMopar]

Its a 96 jetta turbo diesel

[Duey]

FrickJack, I'm assuming you're in Canuckistan because of your fantastic handle!    You'll want to check out:

Fred's TDIClub page.  This is the Holy Grail of all things VW diesel!

TDI FAQ for background

Specific thread on buying/selling a TDI

If you find a car that you're interested in, see if there are any VAG-COM users in your local area that wouldn't mind helping you do a scan of all the systems of your prospective call....if a guy has a VAG-COM, he's geeky enough to be able to tell you whether the engine and other main systems that VAG-COM can inspect/review is up to snuff.

List of VAG-COM users here: list

The point about the timing belt (affectionately known amongst TDI's simply as "The TB") is a critical point...the TDI is an interference engine (i.e. pistons will smash valves when the TB fails) so if you can't POSITIVELY CONFIRM that the TB was replaced and at the appropriate intervals, consider that you'll have to do a TB change.  $600-800 as a dealer, anywhere from $200 to 400 to do it your self up to paying a guy a 24...there are TB changing gurus out there who will do a far better job than the stealer...not a hard job, just procedural...I've done my own TB and also had an indy mech do it...I had to re-adjust the timing after my indy did it...    I shamed him into a reduced rate next time he does it ("if" I let him do it again...)

Cheers
Duey

p.s.  I have about 200,000 on my TDI and it's just getting broken in...I get between 1200-1300km on a tank on the highway at about 110km/h, so your operating cost will be pretty low, the higher price of diesel notwithstanding.

[six-tee-nine]

same here my daily 97 MkIII golf with turbo diesel has 230.000km (approx. 144.000miles) on the odo, and still runs very strong, and uses not a drop of oil.

If you need to know anything about changing a TB let me know. I always do them myself and I do several a year (for my job).

[CFMopar]

Thanks may need your help.

These things are selling fast around here... Found a bunch on Kiji or whatever that classified is!

[CFMopar]

Test drove one that was pretty solid last night. Buddy just recently replaced the turbo and timing belt on it.

Question though. I dont know if it was just me but the steering felt pretty stiff for something that has power steering... Are they all like this? It was a 1997 jetta.

[Duey]

The steering is typically German...power assist, but not ridiculously boosted...more boost at low speed then reduced as speed increases.  Did it track straight on the road?

[six-tee-nine]

Yeah they are pretty firm...

It seems they added some extra power in the next gen's, but I personally don't like overpowerd steering...

[CFMopar]

Thats cool if thats how it is...  Most power steering cars ive driven have zero resistance so it was different. Ya it drove straight. 

Needed front rotors (vibrated when breaking), Winshild had a nice crack, and tires in the near future....  Plus it was a ugly colour  that redish maroon...

But overall not to bad. solid body and decent milage for the year...

Im gonna try to check out this golf. Not a fan of hatch backs but its a bit cheaper and lower mileage.

[CFMopar]

The one I saw http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAd?AdId=49031695&mpname=R2S&mpuid=80001%3B123%3B49031695%3B%3B%3B&MessageId=MSG.VIEW_AD.REPLY_TO_AD_SENT&FromEmailAddress=mopar44o%40hotmail.com&secev=AQAAARmzzYIAAM0AAAACACIxMTliOTgyOTYxZC5hMGU2NTA3LjZlZWM2LmZmZmVlY2E4AAAAAALsKg8BAAAAAgAAAACy0F4Aujl5qU06KRR3newfVqdD%2FnIVGP8*&NotifyMe=unchecked

The one I'll hopefully see before i go to myrtle beach http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAd?AdId=45587033&mpname=R2S&mpuid=80001%3B123%3B45587033%3B%3B%3B&MessageId=MSG.VIEW_AD.REPLY_TO_AD_SENT&FromEmailAddress=mopar44o%40hotmail.com&secev=AQAAARmzzYIAAM0AAAACACExMTliOTgzZDE1Ny5hMGU2NTA1LmIxODAuZmZmZWVlNWQAAAAAAreaWQEAAAACAAAAAKbVWcAAVF5bnV4jaw9Qn%2FFcA5cpCi9PLg**&NotifyMe=unchecked

[Duey]

Quick glance, go with the Gold...gut feel.  Also post in Freds TDI' forum linked above and ask if any of the guys in T.O. want to hook up with you to go look at the car?  The owner might even be on Fred's site.

Cheers
Duey

[CFMopar]

Went checked out the green one... It was in rough shape. Major cheese around rear door handles... and passenger fender. Even could see it bubbling under the window weather striping...

Poss back to the red/pinkish one where buddy replaced the turbo and and timing belt recently...

[suntech]

Poss back to the red/pinkish one where buddy replaced the turbo and and timing belt recently...

That is what i would have done 

[Duey]

FJL, does buddy have receipts for the TB?  I'd be wary about someone just telling you that it was replaced.  I'd be popping the TB cover and looking at belt condition as well as to make sure the guy used new bolts on the timing pulley...re-using the old stretch bolts can lead to breakage and failure.  New bolts should be goldish in colour, not a pale bluish-green (the old yield-to-strength bolts, no longer used)

Cheers,
Duey

p.s.  I'd see if there are any guys in T.O. to do a quick scan of the Jetta with a VAG-COM.  Timing should be in the chart's acceptable region (TDI'ers will show you about this...it's called the "70/110" point on the chart...indicates the proper timing index reference for a given fuel temperature.)

[CFMopar]

On the red one.. I saw the belt looked new. Didnt check the bolts though...

I work odd hours its hard enough for me to see a car... let alone get someone to do it with me...

Hopefully will see a few tomorrow...

[CFMopar]

Well I did it. Went out and bought a 96 Jetta GL with 290,000 km on it. Will post pics soon.

Buddy said the guy who traded the car in said the belt was done at 280,000 but either way I got a 2 year warrenty on it. So If it goes anytime before that He's fixing it.

Pics to follow when I pick it up tomorrow

[Duey]

Well I did it. Went out and bought a 96 Jetta GL with 290,000 km on it. Will post pics soon.

Buddy said the guy who traded the car in said the belt was done at 280,000 but either way I got a 2 year warrenty on it. So If it goes anytime before that He's fixing it.

Pics to follow when I pick it up tomorrow

Congrats.  If you're out towards Kingston way, let me know and we'll hook up and dial your EGR down to zero, keeps the gunk out of the intake manifold.  Also do a VAG-COM sweep to make sure all is well.

cheers,
Duey

[CFMopar]

Gotta come out that way in august for sure. Buddies wedding. But maybe I'll make the trip and visit him before since it will be cheaper in gas

Would love to get that stuff done though. Maybe just me since I've never owned a diesel before but it does smell a bit rich. Im sure that stuff wouldn't hurt.