Buying a 2002 Golf, couple of questions

Hi TDIClub,
I have just discovered these awesome cars and I'm picking one up next week. First of all, I noticed the car was made in Brasil... so what engine do I have? I'm hoping it's the ALH but I couldn't really figure it out.
Second, I checked everything I could on the test drive but I didn't look at the radiator which people say needs to be cleaned (I think that's it) and I don't know how to tell if it's ok. I also felt that the car was slower than expected. People say these cars are "peppy" but are my expectations confused by a lifetime of driving gasoline engines?
Thanks!

How did you notice it was made in Brazil?
The VIN will reveal where the car was built...
The TDI's power/torque/peppiness occurs much lower in the rev range than a gas powered engine...
I shift the transmission around 2500 rpm and let the diesel do the work...whenever I'm merging onto a freeway, I go full throttle in the lower gear until 4000 rpm before upshifting to exercise the engine and release any accumulated soot from the turbo.
Never had a problem with radiator or heard of others with persistent radiator problems

Aside from all of the terrific information on TDIClub forums, here is a well put together write-up to help new owners (or prospective buyers) familiarize themselves with the car.

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/a4/new-owner-checklist-VW-TDI-mk4.htm

ben22 said:

• so what engine do I have? I'm hoping it's the ALH but I couldn't really figure it out.
• Second, I checked everything I could on the test drive but I didn't look at the radiator which people say needs to be cleaned (I think that's it) and I don't know how to tell if it's ok.
• I also felt that the car was slower than expected.

Click to expand...

Ben, welcome aboard!

Firstly, it's certainly an ALH motor assuming it was sold in the USA.

When the radiator is all trashed out, it means that someone has polluted the system with traditional green coolant. It's a toxic situation and will require $$$ to repair.

Was the car owned/driven by old folks? Could be a wasted actuator on the turbo or a completely plugged up intake manifold...or maybe something simple like the snow screen.

Don't belittle problems with these cars. They're big $$$ to repair when sick.

How's the rust. Has this poor car lived in VT all its life

Thanks Dieseldorf,

Unfortunately it has been in VT since the beginning, but I looked under the car as best I could and I did not see any significant rust besides little clips or brackets etc. I'm hoping that my untrained eye could have picked up on anything serious in that area... I guess we'll find out when I take it to a mechanic.

I bet they were talking about the intake needing cleaning, not the radiator. And as dieseldorf said, it may not be making boost so it would feel slow. You might want to take it to Full Circle Automotive in Waitsfield if he's nearby. Jason knows his TDIs, and if you go to someone who doesn't you could spend a lot of $$ with little to show for it.

Welcome!

Right on thanks, that was my plan! I hear Full Circle knows what's up