Author Topic: MK3 diesels good or bad? (Read 4132 times)

fillmore · « **on:** June 12, 2005, 07:00:40 pm »

hey guys the 87 jetta that i bought for my mom just got put down because of too many problems. i love the mk2's but i need to find something more relable for her because shes not what you'd call "mechanicly inclined" and i dont have the time anymore to look after her car. I was just wondering if the mk3's are as tough as the old ones or if they are just junky and expensive to repair. ive owned lots of mk2's but i dont know anything about the 3's so any ifo would be great. oh and are they all turbo'd or are their straight diesel mk3's?
thanks for the help

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2005, 07:20:49 pm »

go with a '93. After that they're all full of electrical mess

1.9L TD. Pretty sure you can't get one without a turbo (small turbo spools up quickly for really low end torque

)

shox75 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2005, 11:38:04 am »

oh really? I did not know a 93 is a simpler design then the 94-97's.
What are the extra electrical things controlling?

Hammy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2005, 06:40:17 pm »

I have a '99 A3 TDI, and it's been great. I bought it used, and have since put 60Kms on it, making the total 230Kms. No complaints!

QuickTD · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2005, 06:55:12 pm »

The 93-97 TD's are all pretty much the same. The earlier models may have a K14 or a garret T2 turbo, the later ones are all K03's.

The only bad thing to report is the crank pulley "syndrome". All of these engines, at some point in thier life, will wear the crank pulley key. I've seen it occur as early as 90000km and as late as 300000km. I've never seen one go more than 300000km without trouble, but mine is still hanging in there at 266000. I changed the crank pulley and bolt at 200000km and installed the one way clutch alternator pulley. Too early to tell if this is a cure...

If caught in time the only damage is to the crank and the pulley and they can be repaired. This usually requires engine dissassembly. I weld up the crank nose and machine it to accept the TDI style pulley. If the wear is not caught early enough the key can shear completely and the result is bent valves.

NGTD · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2005, 07:19:45 pm »

Quote from: "QuickTD"

The only bad thing to report is the crank pulley "syndrome". All of these engines, at some point in thier life, will wear the crank pulley key. I've seen it occur as early as 90000km and as late as 300000km. I've never seen one go more than 300000km without trouble, but mine is still hanging in there at 266000.

Mine has 320,000 kms and is going strong. When I had the first timing belt done, Competition Motors in Belleville, ON install a metal dowel into the pulley and crank. This takes some of the load of the keyway. They apparently don't recommend this anymore, however they do suggest that the crank bolt should be changed EVERY time the T-belt is done.

QuickTD · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2005, 07:28:37 pm »

Good to hear that at least one has made it that far, I was losing faith... I've also heard of doweling the pulley but like you say, most people don't do it anymore. The dowel pin hole can weaken the crank nose and it can split. It's apparently happened to a few G60's, they suffer from a similar crank pulley problem and many were doweled in an attempt to solve it. I would go further than just changing the bolt and also replace the pulley at each timing belt change, might be the best 70 bucks you ever spent...

srivett · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2005, 08:04:37 pm »

The MK2 interiors are way better. The MK3 interiors are hillarious with all the wierd colours and lines and stuff. :mrgreen:

Cheers, Steve

jtanguay · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2005, 09:12:30 pm »

well my mechanic says to stick with a diesel from 1990-93...or older if you find a good one. anything higher has crappy electrical problems (he knows what he's talking about-he fixes them everyday)

arent the new ones made in mexico anyways??? thin copper wiring for example...

MacGyver · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2005, 10:45:12 pm »

My 87 Jetta TD & my 97 Jetta TDI were both built in Mexico :idea:
The 87 got the dreaded green connector syndrome all over the car. Anytime you had a problem, wiggle or clean all the related connectors, problem solved.
The 97, 260k km so far, the only electrical issue has been the glow plug harness, a known weak spot. Expertly replaced by QuickTD at last yr's Dorchester gtg, been flawless since. *knocks on wood*

QuickTD · « **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2005, 06:17:52 am »

Electrical problems are something I have not had any experience with in 266000km. I can't say that I've heard of any electrical trouble with A3's either. All the underhood wiring seems quite good, nice sealed connectors. The only thing that doesn't work on my car is the cruise control, that is a known issue with the A3 cruise control module.

Hammy · « **Reply #11 on:** June 14, 2005, 02:49:46 pm »

What is the difference between an MK3 and A3? I understood that they are the same. My interior is all grey? No wierd colours, unless I'm colour blind, or just stuck in the seventies

.