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Old Style Passat TDI - Problem areas?



 
 
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  #1  
Old April 26th 06, 12:48 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled
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Default Old Style Passat TDI - Problem areas?

I am thinking about looking for a good old style Passat TDI (not sure
what years they were produced-- I think about 96 or 97) but I really
don't know much about them. The last VW I owned was a 1977 Scirocco
and I loved that car but it was a very simple vehicle and I have heard
quite a few horror stories about more modern VWs.

First off, I assume the diesels are much more durable and dependable
than the gasoline cars. I have owned a few Mercedes diesels and
200,000 miles on a well maintained MB diesel really doesn't scare me.
Is this the same for the VW diesel? With a little luck I would expect
at least 350Kmi with major issues. (no serious oil burning etc.) Is
this reasonable for that vintage TDI?

How about the tubochargers themselves? Are they generally dependable?

What about the rest of the car? Any special trouble spots to be aware
of? (e.g., blower motors, steering racks, etc?) electrical gremlins?

Any problems with corrossion and if so where do I check?

What type of fuel economy are people getting with the older TDIs?

How difficult or expensive is it to replace a timing belt and how often
does it need to be done? Is the TDI an "interference" engine?

Thaks in advance,

Mike

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  #2  
Old April 26th 06, 01:29 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled
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Default Old Style Passat TDI - Problem areas?


> wrote in message
oups.com...
>I am thinking about looking for a good old style Passat TDI (not sure
> what years they were produced-- I think about 96 or 97) but I really
> don't know much about them. The last VW I owned was a 1977 Scirocco
> and I loved that car but it was a very simple vehicle and I have heard
> quite a few horror stories about more modern VWs.
>

If it scares you get a Honda...

> First off, I assume the diesels are much more durable and dependable
> than the gasoline cars. I have owned a few Mercedes diesels and
> 200,000 miles on a well maintained MB diesel really doesn't scare me.
> Is this the same for the VW diesel? With a little luck I would expect
> at least 350Kmi with major issues. (no serious oil burning etc.) Is
> this reasonable for that vintage TDI?
>

Yes.

> How about the tubochargers themselves? Are they generally dependable?
>


They're a Garret research and don't give have prblems.

> What about the rest of the car? Any special trouble spots to be aware
> of? (e.g., blower motors, steering racks, etc?) electrical gremlins?
>

Normal stuff. In 100k on my 96 passat tdi wagon I only had one ignition
switch go bad.

> Any problems with corrossion and if so where do I check?
>

VW for the most part has that solved.

> What type of fuel economy are people getting with the older TDIs?
>

45 MPG average for over 100k miles.

> How difficult or expensive is it to replace a timing belt and how often
> does it need to be done?


Easy on that car/engine, 80K I think. It took me less then 2 hours.

>Is the TDI an "interference" engine?
>

Definetly

Thaks in advance,
>
> Mike


Now the rest of the story. They are highly desired cars and you'll have
problems finding one reasonably priced. Not to mention they are ten years
old. I got $15K honest trade for my 96 wagon in march on 99 whenI got my
99.5 jetta tdi. Get on over to www.tdiclub.com

Joe Romas


  #3  
Old April 26th 06, 03:13 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled
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Default Old Style Passat TDI - Problem areas?

Keep one thing in mind - diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline. That
was not the case in times past, but it is now. One more thing, reliability
is not VW's strong suit.

Good luck.


  #4  
Old April 26th 06, 01:18 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled
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Default Old Style Passat TDI - Problem areas?


"Papa" > wrote in message
nk.net...
> Keep one thing in mind - diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline. That
> was not the case in times past, but it is now. One more thing, reliability
> is not VW's strong suit.
>


Gasolene is roughly 20% higher than diesel here.


  #5  
Old April 26th 06, 01:21 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled
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Default Old Style Passat TDI - Problem areas?

Right now in my area (South-east Virginia) gasoline is more expensive. We
are averaging about $3.05/gallon for gas and $2.75/gal diesel.
We have an '05 Passat TDI and have had no problems at all (13000 miles).

Cecil

"Papa" > wrote in message
nk.net...
> Keep one thing in mind - diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline. That
> was not the case in times past, but it is now. One more thing, reliability
> is not VW's strong suit.
>
> Good luck.
>
>



  #6  
Old April 26th 06, 06:53 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled
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Default Old Style Passat TDI - Problem areas?

- Check out tdiclub.com

I have a 1995 Passat VR6 with 180k miles. I have had plenty of
problems and some are not specific to the engine:

- heater core failure this winter (terrible job to fix and
common/certainty with the cars)
- Wheel bearings fail every ~50k-80k.
- Door handles - I have worked on all four. They either require
tedious rebuilding and tweaking or to purchase expensive new unless you
are good at finding junkyard parts. I have had to work on both the
inside and outside door handles.
- My exhaust just got a hole in the original center muffler... not too
bad for being in Wisconsin and 11 years
- Upper strut bearings have been replaced.
- Auxiliary cooling pump (~$130 part) - I do not know if the TDI's have
these.
- Wires to one of the rear doors broke and caused the window to cycle
erratically.
- Rear trunk lock no longer works
- Just last night, I had to repair the heater blower switch. Free
repair unless you count my time.
- Headlight plastic has gone dull - not so transparent anymore.
- I have replaced a lot of the plastic in the engine compartment.. but
this may be different on the TDI engine. The thermostat housing is
plastic and the plastic creeps over time and leaks (on the VR6). I
also replaced air hoses that wore or rotted.
- ABS no longer works, I just cut the wire to the warning light. This
feature is over-rated IMHO

-btw, this all occurred on a well-maintained, garaged car. Generally I
am disappointed with how much trouble the car has been. I do not
recommend VW except to people who really know what they are getting
into and who are good mechanics. - or to those who want a deisel
because there is no other choice.

good news:

I have the original clutch, original shocks/struts and the body is in
relatively good shape.
The brakes are good and easy to maintain.

The diesel engine has its own set of maintenance items:

- timing belt replacements
- intake cleaning
- glow plug replacement
- turbo? as you suggested may need replacing during the life of the
car.



wrote:
> I am thinking about looking for a good old style Passat TDI (not sure
> what years they were produced-- I think about 96 or 97) but I really
> don't know much about them. The last VW I owned was a 1977 Scirocco
> and I loved that car but it was a very simple vehicle and I have heard
> quite a few horror stories about more modern VWs.
>
> First off, I assume the diesels are much more durable and dependable
> than the gasoline cars. I have owned a few Mercedes diesels and
> 200,000 miles on a well maintained MB diesel really doesn't scare me.
> Is this the same for the VW diesel? With a little luck I would expect
> at least 350Kmi with major issues. (no serious oil burning etc.) Is
> this reasonable for that vintage TDI?
>
> How about the tubochargers themselves? Are they generally dependable?
>
> What about the rest of the car? Any special trouble spots to be aware
> of? (e.g., blower motors, steering racks, etc?) electrical gremlins?
>
> Any problems with corrossion and if so where do I check?
>
> What type of fuel economy are people getting with the older TDIs?
>
> How difficult or expensive is it to replace a timing belt and how often
> does it need to be done? Is the TDI an "interference" engine?
>
> Thaks in advance,
>
> Mike


 




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