98 Passat Tdi

JOHNPT

Hi

Has anyone got any opinions on a 1998 VW Passat tdi 157 thousand miles. Have they good engine like the golf or are they prone to breakdowns.

Any advice would be appreciated

Esel

Honest John says (read the full report, though):

TDIs very economical.

Excellent economy from TDI 90 and 110 - many owners will better 50 mpg.

Front door lock barrels of 1997 - 1998 Passats can be prised out with a screwdriver and the doors opened without activating the microwave alarm.

Cats fail on TDIs built before August 1998.

Power loss on TDI 90s and 110s over 3,000rpm can be cured by replacing a thin hose that runs from the exhaust, near the turbo, to the ECU.

On 110TDI water temperature snsor and air mass sensor can fail, resulting in a small increase in fuel consumed. VAG electronic interrogators can pinpoint sensor failures.

Blue exhaust smoke from diesel indicates faulty turbo oil seals.

emurphy

I used to have a '99 TDI.

Engines are amazing. Do 50mpg easily and 157k on a TDI is nothing it'll do that again not problem theyre like bleedin lorries!!

So thats the good points,

The bad is they have regulator problems, and are prone to leaking water around the footwells which is where the ECU which is your electrics etc

probably safer getting a jap car if its over 10 year old to be honest though.

bazz26

Check when the timing belt and water pump were changed last. This can influence the asking price and those Passats have the engine mounted length ways meaning it is more labour intensive replacing the belt and water pump.

And while the engine might be well able for that kind of mileage the rest of the car might not. Alot of other parts might be coming to the end of their useful life. Check things like gearbox, clutch, suspension, etc. If any of these major componants are on their way out then the car might not be the cheap bargain it appears.

PaulKK

I have a 98 TDI and do about 450 miles a week in it. I can't fault it really, its economical, reliable and comfortable. Just check for the issues mentioned above and it should be fine otherwise, that mileage wouldn't concern me either the 1.9 TDI is capable of huge mileage.

As bazz said check if the belt and water pump have been done, if they haven't it cost me 380 in total by an independent mechanic to have it done on mine last time. It should be done every 60K miles.

golfbgud

PaulKK wrote: »

I have a 98 TDI and do about 450 miles a week in it. I can't fault it really, its economical, reliable and comfortable. Just check for the issues mentioned above and it should be fine otherwise, that mileage wouldn't concern me either the 1.9 TDI is capable of huge mileage.

As bazz said check if the belt and water pump have been done, if they haven't it cost me 380 in total by an independent mechanic to have it done on mine last time. It should be done every 60K miles.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the high mileage so long as there's some form of service history available ......