Viewed car - lots of 'sealant' under bonnet - should I buy?

[AmyJ]

Saw a 2002 Golf TDi SE PD 100 today and really liked it. I have no one to take with me to view cars who has a clue and I felt a right wally. Have bought a lemon from a MECHANIC freind recently (unknowingly to either of us - I hope) and feel v v anxious about making what is for me v. expensive purchase.

Drove car including at speed and seemed fine to me. Bodywork fine.

Under the bonnet there is LOTS of what appears to be some kind of sealant all round engine cavity - not on the engine but around things like oil and other containers. Looks like the stuff you might seal a bathroom with! What IS this?? Why is it there? Is it ok?

Woman selling it seemed to have no idea. Nothing on paperwork, except I could see there was a scribbled paint reference code (colour code) on one of the receipts. All of this sealant stuff has been over painted in same colour exactly as car. Is this standard?? Looked rather 'messy' to me. Couldn't believe factory would send out like that but don't know.

Meant to exchange funds tomorrow but so scared of buying rubbish car or faulty car or anything! How can I check?? Any advice so gratefully appreciated.

Thank you all!

[Crasher]

Well the factory sealant is rather messy but if you are worried and like the car, get it inspected.

[AmyJ]

Thanks for replying so fast Crasher - what would th factory sealant look like? (ie where would I expect to see it?) Don't know any one else with same car to look at to see if the same amount. I so hope this car is ok as I really want it!


Thanks again for replying. Wish I had a pic I could show you so you could see if seemed usual amount!

[Crasher]

The sealant is about 20-mm wide and rippled in appearance, following the body weld seams. If you want, I will take a pic of mine tomorrow.

[AmyJ]

Would you?? Hey - that would be SO great! Thanks! I would know right away if it looked the same.

I asked for big reduction in price as no record of cam belt change at all despite stamps in book being complete (?). It has done 82K miles and is the TDi SE PD 100 engine... SURELY should have been done by now?? Had all receipts except for most recent. Couldn't find a belt change on there at all.

I am so freaked out by buying another rip off. NEED car asap but don't want to rush. RAC charges £125 for a check - seems a lot though I guess is cheaper than ending up with a rubbish car and no come back!

WISH I knew more about cars and could buy with real confidence! Only had bangers before...

[Crasher]

I would recommend you pay for the inspection BUT personally I think the 100PD is too slow.

[AmyJ]

Thanks for advice - am contacting RAC now to see if can arrange inspection.

Not sure what you mean by too slow. I'm not really likely to need it to go particularly fast and I don't mind heavy handling (used to driving old vans or old bangers and my last old car - peugeot 306 diesel - wasn't exactly quick off the mark but still saw me through 230000 miles of pretty much trouble free driving). I just want something that won't break down much and that I can use for the huge number of long journeys that I make.

[Crasher]

This is what a rough bit looks like.

[AmyJ]

Ah. Looked nothing like that. Instead was more like a load of plastic that had been squirted out of a tube. It was around water bottle, oil tank and around metal of the engine casing. Very thick - not flat to the metal work.. Vaguely flexible to the touch like bathroom sealant.

It went as high as the lid of the water, it was all sprayed same colour as the car but was much much more noticable than any I have seen in pics.

Like toothpaste but much thicker!

I'm talking myself out of this as I type now! Thanks so much for going to the effort of taking and posting pic. Feel really cross with myself because I didn't take a pic even though I did have camera in my bag - could have shown you then.

[Crasher]

There are areas around the water bottle on mine that are different but mine is a Skoda Octavia and they do apply the sealant better than VW, silly I know but Skoda's are better built than VW's.

[AmyJ]

I'd be more than happy with a skoda - same thing in the end and I'm not particularly badge-driven!

Just wish I could find one locally in my price range. The car I looked at is now 'delayed' as her company car is now behind shedule. Which at least gives me more time to sort out an RAC inspection. Though I would prefer a car more quickly. Am stuck in at home and can't even visit any garages to look as have no transport! Going loopy!