[Vwdiesel] 98 TDI Jetta inquiry

[dieseltdi at verizon.net]

I had a 98 for many years (purchased new), I also bought one for my daughter to drive to college and I work on a friends 98.  The car has an AHU engine that is almost Identical to the 1Z in the early Passat TDI except that the AHU has EGR cooling.  These are the least electronic of the TDI engines as the ECU does much less than the later ones but, both of the ones I owned eventually required a new ECU.  Original timing belts were only good for 60000 miles and I seem to remember that they never made a 100000 mile upgrade like was made for the ALH.   Engine is tough but tends to burn oil a bit more as they age.  I am not sure exactly why but every one that I have been involved with has.  They run good and are easy to chip.  Problems are usually in the paint and seats (they are generally "rat fur" and don't wear very will), grill clips break, and the valve covers tend to leak.  Like most of the TDI's they suffer from clogged intake manifolds  so you should consider the removal and cleaning of that if you buy it.  BTW I have an "easy" way to clean the manifold using a pressure washer.  Hayden

On Jan 20, 2012, at 10:16 PM, Chris Jude wrote:

> Folks, I'm looking at a low mileage (118K) 1998 Jetta TDI with a manual
> transmission, in the GLS package.  I'd be interested in folks experience
> with this year model.  What engine model was the 98?  Anything in
> particular to look out for when evaluating it?
> 
> Thanks,
> Chris Jude
> Silk Hope, NC
> 1987 VW Jetta
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