Gt Tdi 150

[ryandude]

Hi i am looking to buy a golf mark 4 about 02/ 03 gt tdi 150 any thing i should look for? any known problems? any help / comments would be appreciated cheers

[steveh]

Hi, im not 100% sure, but i hear that Cam Belts need changing at approx 60,000 miles, Turbo's have been known to fail on the 150's and the usual general common sense things to look out for.
Im sure there are more experienced people here who can tell you exactly what needs to be checked.

[tony19]

When you take it for test drive try all the gears.
Sometimes they have problem with 5th gear, it goes on limp mode.

when you turn the car on make sure it fires in first time.

[Crasher]

Camshaft/lifter, turbo and Dual Mass Flywheel failure are all very common problems with the ARL 150PD engine.

[ryandude]

what would you recommend then? may b a 130 then remap/chip? how can you check these things which are common problems? dont want 2 spend 8k then fork out for a new turbo any time soon, what mileage do these problems come? if can think of any other cars similar size or bigger with similar power ect let me know needs 2 be diesel for mpg n lower tax ;)

[steveh]

I have got a 150 on an 02 plate,very pleased with it.
I made sure that the dealer had records of all work that was carried out, i also got the AA to do a check on-site along with HPI, these guys know what things need to be done & when. There are other Cars out there which are similar are maybe Audi A3,Seat, or Skoda.
All available in 1.8/2.0 litre in Diesel (Not sure which models have Turbo's)

[ryandude]

what things have you had to replace? i want a new golf as got mk3 td at the min just want a newer golf . but dont want to limit my search. just trying 2 get as much info so when i see /test drive im not being foolish cheers

[Crasher]

Get a petrol GTI 1.8T, unless you do a very high annual mileage the extra costs of a Diesel will not be outweighed by the fuel saving.

[dubcruiser]

Get a petrol GTI 1.8T, unless you do a very high annual mileage the extra costs of a Diesel will not be outweighed by the fuel saving.

With you on that Crasher. My brother has a GTi 150PD and although he gets about 150ish more miles to a tank, it cost him nearly £15 more to fill it up! I am glad I went with the petrol...

[ryandude]

depends how you drive it i want the power there when i want but usually drive carefully. with the tax bands changing thats another saving.

[Michelin]

I've just bought an 03 GTTDI 150 and i love it to bits tried both the 130 and the 150 but there was no contest for me the 150 looked better nicer alloys and a couple of other bits and it drove better aswell,i thought the 130 felt a little bit more lively on low revs but open them both up properly and you can easily feel which one has the more power and the 150 sounded a bit nicer and you could hear the turbo more on it especially when you change gear theres a sound on mine like a dump valve music to my ears.I liked it so much i went out and bought the misses a BORA TDI SPORT 130 well i could'nt get her a better one than me could i :p. I've had to change the timing belt on mine so did the water pump aswell as i was advised to also gave it an oil change as i'm told this is very important aswell and it's a must to use the pd oil.From what i can gather off this forrum as long as you service them regularly they should be pretty trouble free fingers crossed.For what i paid for mine i could of got an 06 focus but to be honest drive the Golf and then drive the Focus and i doubt very much that anyone would pick the Ford not that theres anything wrong with them.What i like about my Golf is although it's 5 years old it's as good as new inside and out they age so well can't ever see me changing from VW now after owning one;)

[Crasher]

Money aside, a re-mapped 150PD has addictive levels of torque but I still prefer the petrol engine for the significantly better refinement. If running costs weren’t an issue, I would have a V6 4-M but the fuel consumption is a killer, that’s why I have an Octavia VRS re-mapped to 215PS.

[arl_gti]

I've had my '03 150 TDI for a year now and enjoy it very much as I picked up a low mileage one with great spec. I also tried the 130 tdi but found the suspension way too soft plus as Michelin mentioned the 150 feels a lot better due to the power delivery through the revs. I like the standard suspension on the 150 as it handles well + comfortable at the same time. Buying a 130 for me would've meant spending on a remap, suspension & possible upgraded clutch.

I've heard of the cam issue with the 150 pd due to poor quality oil & added stress the 150 puts on the oil. I decided to get the 'Pela' oil extractor and change the oil filter + oil every 5,000 miles even with Longlife III.

If you do enough miles to gain from a tdi I'd definately recommend one but try to go for a low mileage one thats been looked after & serviced etc....

[Crasher]

The 130 and the 150 use the same clutch and flywheel.

[ryandude]

what is the service intervals? for oil n filters? any other annually needs/ requirements? cheers for all the comments keep them coming

[frost015]

Unless you have full service history from a VW garage (or absolute faith in the correct oil having been used by previous owner / independent garage) .. dont go there …

I have recently bought a 100,000 milage 2001 diesel (PD115) and despite frequent oil changes, they must have used the wrong oil … The usual camshaft wear .. expensive way to learn..

By the way, if you take the big plastic engine cover off the top, you can then take the oil filler extension piece off, shine a light in and JUST ABOUT see ONE cam ... It should be shiny and bright, no graunchy wear … Its no guarentee, but better than nothing ..

[ryandude]

to take the cover off is it easy 2 do? is it somethin that can be done when looking/test driving somebodys car?

[frost015]

Sort of …

1. Pull off the main cover (the one with TDI on it that keeps the sound under control and covers up the engine)
2. Take off the oil filler cap
3. Twist off the oil filler extension piece (there is a little bit of plastic that needs levering up to do this, but its easy, then just clicks back down afterwards).

You can then see directly into the camshaft area of the head (a little)

All of this works on the PD115 engine (same family) …,…so should work on the 150 … Would need the agreement of the seller, but takes only 5 minutes …

Not using the correct oil is like giving these engines a terminal disease, and its ultra hard to see before you buy .. honestly dont think its worth taking the risk with these PD engines at high milages unless you REALLY TRUST the seller, and KNOW that he / she has used the correct oil .. See various threads, even the VW garages mess up on this, and it destroys the fun of what is itherwise a great car !

(PS.. I have TWO pd115 estates, one for my wife bought at 47,000 miles and is still like new .. correct 505.01 oil FOR THIS CAR every 10,000 miles, and now at 118,000. The second has same milage, looks perfect, had full service history, but the garage must have used the wrong oil 'cos it has "cam wear"):mad:
Good luck !

[frost015]

By the way, you will need a GOOD POWERFULL SMALL TORCH to see anything !

[ryandude]

pros / cons of going for a 130 or a 150 tdi's? anyone ?

[robert310383]

I too have recently purchased a 150. The rear screen wash got me it was ******* out in my boot check for that give it a good spray. I was looking for a cambelt and water pump change after reading these threads does anyone know a decent place in the midlands I could have this done? someone giving it the once over too would be nice to put my mind at ease. Reading these forums put serious doubts in your mind. :( Any help would be great.

[Crasher]

Where in the Midlands?

[robert310383]

Where in the Midlands?

northants

[Crasher]

A bit too far then maybe.

[robert310383]

A bit too far then maybe.

Not really I live on the border of leicestershire so about 45 mins. how much would you want for it? I also need a new alternator belt too.

[Crasher]

So a new cambelt, water pump and poly V belt inc. G12+ coolant changeover using a genuine TB kit, genuine exchange water pump and all new engine mount bolts? I will get you a price worked out.

[robert310383]

So a new cambelt, water pump and poly V belt inc. G12+ coolant changeover using a genuine TB kit, genuine exchange water pump and all new engine mount bolts? I will get you a price worked out.

Cheers mate.

[Crasher]

Forgot about that! I will deal with it. Can you PM me your reg number please?

[BVF]

Hi. I've got a 52 150PS TDI. I'm very happy with it. Had it from new and done 71000. A few niggly probs with overheating but that got sorted by dealer, TWICE! Also probs with rear washer pipe coming off inside causing a short on rear boot lock resulting in alarm sounding constantly. 3RD fuse from the left, 3RD one down for the alarm by the way. Its not in the book.

[Karlos_Fandango]

With you on that Crasher. My brother has a GTi 150PD and although he gets about 150ish more miles to a tank, it cost him nearly £15 more to fill it up! I am glad I went with the petrol...


Just completed an economy run on my 200+BHP 150ARL, just to see how far it would go on a tank. I bottled it at 620 miles, but then the tank only took 51 litres to refill, leaving 4 ltrs in the main tank and a further 7 ltrs in reserve. I would have got over 680 had I carried on the M4 to Swindon rather than coming off at Slugh to find a gas station :)