TDi High tickover on startup

[Eugheugh]

Hi all
Thinking about getting a TDI Passat SE130 and have viewed one today with a couple of faults that someone might be able to pinpoint. Vendor said that car overheated due to burst radiator and had a top end rebuild that included a new camshaft. I was a bit puzzled as to why there was an invoice for setting up the injectors when it is fairly obvious that there is still an issue possibly with the injectors overfuelling on startup. Could this mean a faulty or dieing injector, somebody?. The temp gauge barely moved off zero and vendor said it had always been like that. Could this be a faulty sender unit? Any advise would be greatfuly appreciated as this car could be a bag of proverbial worms given that it has a very high mileage (290K).

[Crasher]

Probably the coolant temperature sender but beware, that car sounds like a money pit.

[Eugheugh]

Yeh, from reading other posts it rather points to the temp sender as the tickover settles down to a normal 800 RPM once the car is warm?.
What I can't fathom though is why when prompted they showed me an invoice for a top end rebuild/skimmed head and head gasket plus new radiator yet neglected to make sure that the temp gauge works! - surely vital given the cost they've incurred, and they've used what looks like a very shiny old auxiliary belt. They said that the top end siezure stems from a botched cambelt swap where the old water pump was left on. They say the water pump subsequently failed and took the radiator with it - their words not mine - unless anyone can enlighten me I can't see how a deficit of coolant can cause the radiator to burst?. I can't help thinking that they've changed the temp sender, found it hasn't cured the problem and then had the injectors setup in an attempt to fix the fault - does this sound like a familiar scenario?. If I do go for the car it's going to be driven some more to check coolant level before parting with any money.

[Tripletrouble]

Personally I'd walk away. There are plenty to choose from so go for one that doesn't have any issues.

[Eugheugh]

Heh thanks for the advise. You're probably right but haven't been able to find anything else locally in 2 months and don't have time to travel. The test drive shows it to be a good car but will get a long test drive to establish that the cooling system is okay and then scratch my head again!.

[PCDoctor]

You could always ask them to change the temp sensor (Less than £30) and half hours labour....

And yes your right you do not see many around.. Lucky to see one a week in the local paper...

[Eugheugh]

Update: When I said that changing the temp sender was conditional of sale he said I was wasting his time. I then even offered to fit it myself and was told in no uncertain terms that I was not allowed to touch the car. All I can say is buyer beware of bullys like this. I've no idea what the problem could have been but sounds like a cover up. I know with good authority that his brother is a VW/Audi mechanic so it's likely that there is a hidden fault with this car.