My son died in a car wreck two weeks ago. We are "hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair" (II Cor. 4:8). We are making it.
Saying that, our daughter drives a Honda Civic, like he did. So, we want to get her into a car which is more substantial. A Crown Vic might work, but not for driving to college. So, I want to find her a Jetta TDI. Safer, and excellent on fuel. And, of course, diesel.
I am inquiring about one in another state. It's a 2002, 140,000 miles, 5 speed, diesel. The owner states that it is in good shape, but that it is "sluggish". He said that it just needs some tuning up- sounds like clanging warning bells to me. I inquired further, and he states that it pulls mountains sufficiently, but that the power is down. I am thinking either a fuel filter needing change, bad injectors, bad pump, etc. Anybody with significant expereince, able to say "this is typical, look here", or "these are some typical areas which need to be looked for" (like a 53 block, or an original auto transmission, in a dodge)?
He is asking $5000, firm. From the photos that I have seen, it looks to be in pretty good shape. I can get a flight down there for free (buddy with a plane), but I don't want to commit any further than emails until I have a better picture in my head, both of what he has, and what I need to look for. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I have joined two Jetta forums, but haven't been able to post yet.
Again, thanks.
Mark

 

I aint no wizard and im sorry about your son but to tell ya the truth, those cars are sluggish from the factory. my mom had one and we loved it but it just didnt have much get up and go. I wish i could of put a programmer on it but she wouldnt let me. the only things i know that go out is the turbos, mass air sensors, and glow plugs.

 

Sorry about your loss. I have a friend who went from a Caddy to a VW Jetta TDI. She switched due to long commutes and the mileage gain. However, she was in an accident with a Caddy Hearse ( coming back from a grave side service). The Caddy was scratched, her VW was totaled and she had to be cut out of the smoldering wreckage. The VW did not collapse very well and pinned her legs. This is a woman who's husband has a CTD and they love diesels, but they will never have another Jetta. Turned me off getting one for my wife also. She is a tough ranch raised woman also, so she isn't over reactive.

 

Sorry for your loss. Gotta remember, 90hp is only 90hp. Those cars aint dragsters by any means. If the timing belt has not been replaced, it is due. Thats a biggie on the TDI, especially at 140k. That could possibly be the problem.

 

I am sorry to hear of your loss.


I would ask when the timing belt was last changed I am not sure but that year may have had the 60k belt they now have a 100k. If the timing is set to the high side of the setting that thing will have plenty of power IE will spin the tires on hard acceleration. Ask my daughter why her right front is worn out more than the rest of the tires. A glow plug code im most likley the harness and not the plugs I use a cleaner called DeoxIT to clean the harness and just lightly sand gp tips. It could have a gumed up intake if it has been lugged a lot or driven around town and not on the freeway. They gum up do to the egr .My daughters first one was a 2000 and we never had that problem.She put about 80k on it oil changes and front brakes and timing belt were the only things I did to it 120k when sold
This site should be able to answer any other questions.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/

You might also consider a Mercedes My wife and son walked way from the accident with our 1987 300sdl we now have a 1999 300TD.They were hit by a 3/4 ton chev 4x4 that turned left in front of them.

 

Sorry about your loss. I don't know a lot about TDIs, but I have heard that the EGRs can get clogged up, and once you clean them they will feel like a different car. I also know that without a lot of mods they can make quite a bit of power.

 

After further inquiries, I believe that the current owner isn't maintaining it like it needs. The price is right, but I believe I will keep looking. I'd rather wait it out than jump on a good price which will cost me more to get it back to where it should be.

 

Update- we found and bought a 2003 Jetta TDI GLS, in showroom condition. Extremely well cared for, 108,000 miles, 5 speed, runs and handles like the day it was new. And, looks it. The power is very exceptable- and, you can feel the hit of the turbo. I like it, so if my daughter doesn't, it won't go far...

 

Good job!

Very sorry about your son - he's in a better place at this point. Will be praying for you all. Blessings in Christ to you and your family.

Sounds like a nice little car, nothing like a little German engineering.

 

Oh Man!, I'm sorry for your loss...
We put my oldest dau in a 2005 TDI beetle and never regretted it! Very good crash rating... Airbags all around.

ABSOLUTE #1 priority, make SURE the Timing Belt has been replaced!!! (hopefully it was done by a reliable VW mechanic)
If not, do that 1st thing!!!
Interference engine means lots of damage when TB lets go!
Older TDI's had ~60,000mi replacement interval for original belts, the newer models/belts are 100,000mi interval.
Gotta do it right.. No reusing any stretch bolts, belt rollers, no "Mark and Pray" belt removal and reinstallation.
Later models Always require someone that has the timing software to retime it after new T-belt. (see "guru")
There are several reliable TDI parts co's that sell complete kits of OEM parts for a TB job. (dieselgeek.com, etc.) Water pump usually included since it's "right there" behind the TB... Cheap insurance for another 100,000miles.

#2 TDICLUB.com THE source for everything TDI. Do lots of reading... It's not organized as well as this site by model year, but there are some real TDI experts with beaucoup experience. Then there are those that, well.., you know... Best to read and learn..
Do some reading and get familiar with the site and the folks and then find where your closest accepted TDI "guru" is if you need any hands-on work.
Most TDICLUB "guru's" are well versed in correctly "de-carboning" EGR/intake/ports and Timing Belt jobs... MUCH cheaper than having VW do it.

#3 order the BENTLEY factory manual on disk. Bumper-to-bumper detailed info on a fantastic little diesel vehicle. Well worth it!

BTW, if you read-up on manually "venting" during filling with diesel, you can put not-quite 2 more gallons of fuel in the tank. That car will then have even that much more range than your bladder will!!! (Related search word for same tank venting topic is "ventectomy".)


Happy TDI'ing!

 

So sorry about your loss.

There is a guy in Iowa who owns a certified Bosch Injection shop.

Its named Iowa Injection Service. 515 Packwaukee St
Dike, IA 50624 319-983-2361

Its just a small down home type of shop. Seemed like a nice guy.

The owner is a TDI purest. Bet he could help if you have any problems with your new TDI.

Im running one of his rebuilt injectors in my Cummins and he does good work.

Carey

 

If you work on your own truck, you can work on a TDI.
If you decide to change timing belt, buy the deluxe kit.
New belt, water pump, bushings. Go to search, in tdi
forum and look for changing timing belt, it will show
you step by step. Timing is set by injection pump.
you will need a program called Vag-com in a laptop
to adjust. you will be happy with car.

 

Just throwing this out there: Park Avenues are in that price range, tons of safety and crash protection and get about 29 MPGs. My son didn't want an old grampa car like this one but after driving it for a week I can't peel his hands off the steering wheel.

 

Change the timing belt ASAP and invest in a new set of injector noozles for a European model. Want to say they are the 205 injectors. About a 20 HP gain and the wifes 2002 jetta hit 41 MPG city last tank. There are days that I consider selling the 12v and buying a TDI for myself, usually when I fill my truck up at 16 MPG city

 

Thanks for all the info- I am a member of TDIclub forum, and am reading as much as I can.
VW has done all the servicing of this car since new, and it is good to go for a long time, timing belt wise. The father of the owner has one also, and is well versed in taking care of these cars. We got a gem.
Mark