FS: 1999.5 Golf TDI with mech problems in Columbus, OH

eigers

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Location
columbus, oh
TDI
99.5 golf alh
I have a red golf tdi for sale. Needs new turbo and the head gasket needs to be replaced. Considerable amount of oil in catalytic converter and exhaust system. Rest of car is in good condition. I was driving it every day until a week ago when the engine problems started.

Car will not run in its current condition and repair estimate is between $5-7k. This would be a great project car for someone who has the time and knowledge to do the work themselves.

Anyone have an opinion on this car's value as it currently sits?

I'm hoping this can still be repaired, but I wanted to post some pics in case I can't afford it. These pics aren't the best. Here's some things to look for:

Pic-4 show a small dent in the rocker panel (?) under the passenger door. Pic-5 shows a 2" wear at the corner of the driver-side seat, Pic-7 shows a 1/4" cig burn in the fabric on the passenger seat (I've had the car since 2001 and have never smelled any cig smoke). The discoloration on the engine is from the foam liner under the engine cover.

I have decided to sell this car rather than fix it. I have another car and I’m going to be laid off for a little while, so money is a little tight right now. Mileage is 124,179. I have an offer of $1900. I’d like to get a little more for it, but it is what it is, so best offer takes it. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I’m not very mechanical, but I’ll try to answer any questions as honestly as I can.

I will be out of town until next Thursday (3/19) so best offer by the time I get back into Columbus takes it. I have the title in hand and I’m available to close the transaction anytime after that date. The car is located in Columbus, OH and is not drivable. Buyer is responsible for towing/hauling away.



























 
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TDICADDGUY

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Location
Blaine, MN
TDI
2012 BMW X5 35D
What makes you think the head gasket needs replacing? These seldom go unless the engine has been overheated.

Any oil in the intake side? Did the engine runaway? Miles and condition of the rest of the car is important for value. As is the transmission type.
 

eigers

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Location
columbus, oh
TDI
99.5 golf alh
Oil on the intake side - I don't know. The car didn't run away, though. I drove it for a couple of blocks after the heavy smoking started. Engine ran rough. Tach fluttered from about 1000-2000 but nothing more than that.

Car Condition: About 125,000 miles +/-. Manual (5-speed). Condition of the rest of the car is good. This was my daily driver, not a show car. There's some wear on the upolstery. Broken hinge on the glove compartment and back seat cup holder won't retract (although I think VW's come from the factory with those two issues, don't they). Can't really think of anything else. . . .

Exhaust was a combination of jet black and white, leading the mechanic to think water was getting into the cylinders. It's sitting at Motorkars in Columbus, OH. They aren't TDI specialist, but they are definite VW people and have worked on mine for the past 5-years and I trust them, for what it's worth.
 

Growler

Got Soot Vendor
Joined
Nov 24, 2003
Location
Millersport, Ohio
TDI
Schmutz, 2015 Golf Sportwagen DSG & Schnurren, 2001 Golf GL 2 door 5M
I wonder if I can talk the wife into letting me take on a project...

PM sent
 

Growler

Got Soot Vendor
Joined
Nov 24, 2003
Location
Millersport, Ohio
TDI
Schmutz, 2015 Golf Sportwagen DSG & Schnurren, 2001 Golf GL 2 door 5M
I am out. wish I had the extra cash right now. so you can ignore my PM.
 

myke_w

Vendor
Joined
Jan 30, 2003
Location
Cbus, Ohio
TDI
03 TDI Wagon
I'm local and may be interested.

Just curious,

How much oil was left in the motor when the dust settled?

If just the turbo was bad it shouldn't have stopped the car from running OR need a headgasket unless enough oil got into the motor that it hydro locked.

Does it turn over by hand??
 

eigers

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Location
columbus, oh
TDI
99.5 golf alh
Not sure if it will turn by hand.

Oil light came on so I stopped at a gas station and added a couple quarts about 15 min before all the black smoke. The shop says it was 4 quarts low when they looked at it. A lot of that went into the exhaust + catalytic converter, but I'm sure that some ended up in the cylinders.

I guess the head gasket is a separate issue. The engine might be hydrolocked, but he thinks it's more likely that there is coolant in the cylinders (hence the combination of white and black smoke).

If you are local and interested, you could take a look before you made an offer. . . .
 

MOGolf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 27, 2001
Location
underneath something
TDI
2001 Golf GLS TDI Reflex silver, rough road suspension and steel skid plate, 2004 Passat Variant, Candy White, rough road suspension and geared balanced shaft module, and much, much more. 2016 LR RR HSE TD6, 2019 Jaguar I-PACE
eigers said:
It's sitting at Motorkars in Columbus, OH. They aren't TDI specialist, but they are definite VW people and have worked on mine for the past 5-years and I trust them, for what it's worth.
I towed a car away from there once. They gave the same 5-7K estimate to install a new engine. I repaired it for the driver for < $100. As you said, they aren't TDI specialist.

This car can be repaired for far less. Oil would produce black smoke. Unburned fuel (due to lack of air caused by blow turbo) would produce white smoke.

If it didn't overheat, or no sign of coolant loss according the level of oil in the expansion bottle, the head gasket probably has nothing wrong. I don't read anything in your posting that suggests overheating. I do read (between the lines) that you probably haven't cared about what oil was used in this engine.

However, if the turbo blew in a manner for metal or oil to go through the intake, the head has to come off for proper inspection. The gasket would get replaced just for doing that.

Based on the description, I could fix it for far less. I have no interest in buying the car, however.
 

1977busman

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Location
circleville ohio
TDI
I have a 1977 vw bus and a 1982 vw diesel caddy
are you still trying to sell it

Are you still thinking of selling it. If so let me know im close and interested:)
 

eigers

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Location
columbus, oh
TDI
99.5 golf alh
Picture added.

Here are some pics of the car (posted above). I would still like to get the car repaired if I can afford it ($5-7K is out of my budget). MoGolf is going to take a look at it in the next day or 2 to see if there's a more economical solution. I'll keep everyone posted.
 
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MOGolf

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 27, 2001
Location
underneath something
TDI
2001 Golf GLS TDI Reflex silver, rough road suspension and steel skid plate, 2004 Passat Variant, Candy White, rough road suspension and geared balanced shaft module, and much, much more. 2016 LR RR HSE TD6, 2019 Jaguar I-PACE
Assessment sent to eigers.

Whatever his decision, the body is in good condition. Usual road rash on the nose for a car of this vintage, and the headlights have yellowed. The rest of the body, inside and out, is good to go for a long time with a replaced/repaired engine. The suspension wasn't tired and saggin either. :)
 

bryanbryan89x

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Location
Michigan
TDI
2002 Jetta Wagon 5 Speed - 380k MI
I am interested in this, send me a pm of what you are looking to get out of it, and how many miles are on it (if you are still selling), I head down to Columbus a couple of times a month.

Thanks
 

myke_w

Vendor
Joined
Jan 30, 2003
Location
Cbus, Ohio
TDI
03 TDI Wagon
Though Motorkars aren't listed as TDI specialists on this site - that doesn't mean they aren't competent. In my dealings with them they aren't scammers or liars or idiots either.

They service a lot of complicated vehicles including TDI's and solve some ridiculously tough problems on a regular basis so you gotta give them some credit. I send all my Columbus area customers to them and haven't ever heard a complaint.

If they said it was 4 quarts low - I'd be inclined to believe them. And if that's the case it means the engine had 1/2 quart of oil in it when the customer brought it in.

To me that indicates possible crank and cam journal damage.

Even if it is JUST hydro locked that means it at least has a bent rod and god knows what else.

Instead of wasting the customer's money by the $80 hourly rate in taking it apart and verifying the catastrophic failure (which seems likely) they probably priced an entire engine replacement including installation of a new timing belt kit, water pump, clutch kit etc. which would explain the price.

I'd kind of like to know what they included in the quote; it might not seem so unreasonable if we knew.
 

eigers

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2009
Location
columbus, oh
TDI
99.5 golf alh
I have decided to sell this car rather than fix it. MoGolf took a look at it and gave me a much better idea of what would be involved in repairing it. Not as bad as Motorkars' estimates, but still more than I can spend. I have another car and I’m going to be laid off for a little while, so money is a little tight right now. Pictures are now shown in the original post. Mileage is 124,179. I have an offer of $1900. I’d like to get a little more for it, but it is what it is, so best offer takes it. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I’m not very mechanical, but I’ll try to answer any questions as honestly as I can.

I will be out of town until next Thursday (3/19) so best offer by the time I get back into Columbus takes it. I have the title in hand and I’m available to close the transaction anytime after that date. The car is located in Columbus, OH and is not drivable. Buyer is responsible for towing/hauling away

Thanks for all the interest
Doug
 
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Gordon Peterson

Veteran Member
Joined
May 15, 2006
Location
Rockford MI
TDI
1959 Ford F100 TDI ALH conversion
Deposit sent.
My son found the car he wanted so I guess we have a new project to work on together.
We hope to pick the car up this weekend...
 

r90sKirk

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2003
Location
CedarTuckey, Michigan
TDI
All TDI's - No gassers! Luxo-Tourer = 13 Passat (hands down, the nicest car we've ever owned), Most fun = MK4 Golf
Gordy,! Gordy!

You go man, good luck on the snag tomorrow, can't wait to see it, and delve into it when you get back!

Kirk
 
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