Questions to ask buying an old mk4

[mcoombs]

Hi, I am looking at buying a 2006 Jetta TDI wagon. It only has 151,205 km on it. The timing belt was replaced in 2015 and turbo was replaced in 2018. I am looking for some advice for you experts on what I should be asking about a car of this year. Its on it's second owner and all service records seem to be in order, but it's an old car and they are asking $8,000 Canadian. There is definitely some rust on the body, but that doesn't concern me too much. Thanks for your input!

 

[Nero Morg]

Is it an auto or a manual? Autos have an issue with the shift solenoids when they get more worn, mostly noticeable when cold. Easy and cheap fix. Second concern is camshaft wear, they're known for wearing out the injector lobes due to the incorrect oil being used. Other than that, I think they're asking too much, especially with visible rust.

 

[oilhammer]

You can verify mileage in the Engine controller, too. It stores the mileage independent of the Instruments.

 

[Johhny04]

That model year in wagon form in Canada had the BEW engine and not the BRM. Cam wear shouldn't be an issue. I would also be suspicious about the mileage unless it was a grocery getter for an old couple.

 

[jmodge]

Belts are recommended every 5 years regardless of mileage, ALH's are anyway. Mileage should be able to confirm with VCDS. Sounds pricey, don't know what your market is like though. At that price I think you can take your time and learn the market for them. After that the questions you should ask are to yourself; Why do you want a TDI? How much money do I have to invest in a car? (maintenance included) How much time do I want to invest in a car? (studying, learning, repairing, maintaining?) And am I willing to learn and work on it myself? These cars can be problematic divas, are you ready for that?

 

[PakProtector]

That model year in wagon form in Canada had the BEW engine and not the BRM. Cam wear shouldn't be an issue. I would also be suspicious about the mileage unless it was a grocery getter for an old couple.

It is also not the injector lobes that cause the troubles, it is the valve lobes. The injector lobes run with rollers, and the valves get the narrowed flat tappet lobes. At full pressure , the BEW is making a Ton of force on the injector stem contact.
cheers,
Douglas

 

[mcoombs]

Thanks everyone. This car is a manual transmission. I have an 2004 with 387,000 km and am looking for an upgrade. Yes, I am in Canada. Would my 2004 have the same engine as this 2006, then? Because it's been very good to me so far

 

[jmodge]

So you’re already infected, you can disregard most of my comments then

 

[Nero Morg]

It is also not the injector lobes that cause the troubles, it is the valve lobes. The injector lobes run with rollers, and the valves get the narrowed flat tappet lobes. At full pressure , the BEW is making a Ton of force on the injector stem contact.
cheers,
Douglas

My bad, I knew it was a lobe that wore out. Hardly ever tough BEWs so was just taking a stab at guessing.

 

[Mike_04GolfTDI]

That's expensive for a rusty old car that is due for a timing belt.

 

[mcoombs]

The timing belt was done at 88,000km in 2015. It's at 151,000 now. Do you think its due or could it wait until 188,000?

 

[Nero Morg]

Rubber still rots over time, I'd play it safe and do it again. Some say wait 8 years, but I lean on the side of caution.

 

[oilhammer]

Good thing timing belts are not made out of rubber, then.

 

[rwthomas1]

Seems expensive for a car with rust. Rust is the one thing hardest to fix and it never goes away once it starts. Dunno, maybe in the rust belt areas you guys are more used to it, but I always shoot for the most rust-free example I can find. Everything else is easier to fix.

RT

 

[Mike_04GolfTDI]

The timing belt was done at 88,000km in 2015. It's at 151,000 now. Do you think its due or could it wait until 188,000?

Some say every five years, regardless of mileage.

When I had one fail, it was 7 years old, with about 90,000km of usage. A bunch of teeth stripped right off it and then the engine turned into a sack of hammers in a washing machine.

 

[BobnOH]

I'm an unusually low mileage user. I may consider belt change after 10 years or so. That's assuming all previous installs were properly done with top shelf parts.

 

[Fahrvegnugen]

$4000 cdn is doing that guy a favor