Buying a TDi - Things I should know

[harveydog]

Hi,

Having just sold my old A3 1.6 Sport, I am now actively looking for a VW Golf TDi, preferably the 130 or 115 bhp model...

There must be a few things that you chaps out there can tell me to look out for?

Some questions I do have are:

1.How often should a cam belt be changed on a TDi?
2.Are there any danger signs of a duff one?
3.Are there certain things that if you see them you should just 'walk away'?
4.Looking at 2001/2002 era, so what would be acceptable milage and what would be classed as high mileage?
5.When driving, should there be a definate surge of power when the turbo kicks in?
6.How can you tell if the turbo's knackered or in need of major repair?
7. Should it have a VW service history, or are independant OK?

Sorry about all the questions, but having had to fork out on a head gasket repair on the Audi, I dont wish to spend that kind of cash on a repair again!

[iCraig]

Hi,

Having just sold my old A3 1.6 Sport, I am now actively looking for a VW Golf TDi, preferably the 130 or 115 bhp model...

There must be a few things that you chaps out there can tell me to look out for?

Some questions I do have are:

1.How often should a cam belt be changed on a TDi?
2.Are there any danger signs of a duff one?
3.Are there certain things that if you see them you should just 'walk away'?
4.Looking at 2001/2002 era, so what would be acceptable milage and what would be classed as high mileage?
5.When driving, should there be a definate surge of power when the turbo kicks in?
6.How can you tell if the turbo's knackered or in need of major repair?
7. Should it have a VW service history, or are independant OK?

Sorry about all the questions, but having had to fork out on a head gasket repair on the Audi, I dont wish to spend that kind of cash on a repair again!

1) Not 100% sure on the Golf buts its every 3 years or 60,000 miles on the Octavia Diesel which use the same engines.
2)Lots of smoke on start up, and poor starting.
3)Cars without any service history, its imperative on a diesel!
4)You'll be looking at anything on average with between 60-110k for those years, and aslong as its got a full service history the engine should be good for 250K plus, so don't let any mileage put you off that much. However its the other parts of the car that will fail long before engine, make sure things like suspension, brakes and steering all correctly operate without the usual tell tale signs there about to go.
5/6)You should feel a slight surge, but you'll notice if the turbo isn't working properly. It should rev cleanly, and you should rev the engine and get someone to look at the exhaust, any smoke and it either air flow problems (can emulate as turbo not working as lack of performance) usually this is accompanied by black smoke, and if the turbo is on its way out its usually white!
7)Any service history is good, though full main dealer will make the car more desirable. Only thing I will say is if its from an independent just make sure its from a reputable garage (i.e Not the crap nationally branded garages we all love to hate)

Cheers

Craig.