[Vwdiesel] Signs of PD worn cam syndrome?

[Shawn Wright]

Ok, here's the update (2004 Jetta TDI GLS with 190k kms). Got the car home
tonight, and pulled the VC. The valve thingy* on the intake which I had to
remove to get the VC off showed a fair bit of soot in the intake, some
loose, some not so loose. The hose from IC to intake also appeared to be
leaking and wiggled a bit in the circlips, a fair bit of oil below that and
some on upper TB cover. TB looked somewhat worn, said VW so probably OEM,
but could be original with 190K kms, or changed at 160K, so must assume it
needs doing. Cam lobes looked even all across, so I didn't bother rotating
engine, just inspected best I could. Although I could still see chamfer on
lobes I could reach, I could also catch a fingernail when dragging across
side of lobe toward tip, so could indicate some wear, but really hard to
tell. Engine sounds could except there is a slight lumpiness at idle on
occasion, and what sounds like an occasional soft popping noise. The engine
cranks longer than it should when starting, hot or cold - up to 2secs, not
sure what this means on a PD.

*It is really strange working on an engine where it seems most of the bits I
don't even recognize. I'm so comfortable with the IDI engines, but this PD
is really foreign to me. The VC and associated bits did seem to be
reasonably well designed at least - I like the captive VC bolts!

Here is the bad, which I will present if I decide to make an offer:
-needs a TB, $1200 at dealer
-needs a muffler - significant rust holes around rear lip $300?
-needs rocker panel repair $300+
-missing engine lower cover $300
-needs at least one front wheel bearing $200?
-needs intake manifold cleaned out $100
-possibly a turbo seal leak, certainly a leak at intake from IC $??

That's about $2k in deficiencies in a car that has sat on the dealer lot for
well over 6 months (since Feb at least), has had two accidents, and has *no*
service history whatsoever.

The good:
Looks decent, GLS with alloys, black leather in nice shape, loaded,
everything seems to work. Aside from wheel bearing noise, it drives very
well and stops straight.

Funny thing is, I still find my '85 Jetta with worn out seats to be more
comfortable. Strange, I know.

Dealer has indicated their bottom line is $8000 CDN, I offered $6500 on the
phone last week and they countered with $8000. Depending on my mood
tomorrow, I may offer $7000, or just walk away. With the number of problems
I've uncovered so far, I'm just not compelled to go any higher.

Thanks for all the great advice so far, it has been very helpful.


> > I'm going to look at a 2004 TDI Jetta with the PD engine and 190k

> > > kms. I've
> > > read some info about cam failures on these engines if incorrect oil
> > > is used.
> > > Short of pulling the valve cover to inspect the cam, is there any
> > > other way
> > > to check for cam condition?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > --
> > > Shawn Wright
> _______________________________________________
> Vwdiesel mailing list
> Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
>



-- 
Shawn Wright