Would like input on MK2 Jetta Turbo Diesel cars.

[Vaszya]

Hi, I'm wondering if anywone would care to chime in.

I'm looking to buy an MK2 Jetta turbo diesel as a second car primarily to go on a long roadtrip.

Knowing nothing about Volkswagens and having never owned a diesel, I haven't the faintest idea of what to look out for.

- What are the common problems with these cars & engines?
- What are signs to look for to see if both the engine and turbo are healthy?
- Would I be better off going for a newer Jetta? (However, from what I see, these cars seem to be more solid).

If anyone can help, I will appreciate it.

Thanks,

[stewardc]

The last Mk 2 made was in 1992, so beware of rust.
Other than that, the occasional rear wheel bearing and control arm bushing need to be replaced.
They are probably the best car VW ever made. Stay away from NA diesels. Go turbo.

[catlin_cava]

I had a 92 and the thing was a tank...it was more relieble to start in the winter then any other car lol

[shegel]

The last Mk 2 made was in 1992, so beware of rust.
Other than that, the occasional rear wheel bearing and control arm bushing need to be replaced.
They are probably the best car VW ever made. Stay away from NA diesels. Go turbo.

i wouldnt say "stay away from NA diesels." but just know what your buying. my N/A golf was the most reliable car i've ever had but it just hated hills and got insane mileage no matter how i drove it

[shegel]

that being said. my brother has an 86 jetta td and he loves it. i have driven it too and i deffinently notice a huge power increase ... iirc burn your money dyno'd a NA car and it produced less than ideal power but i thinik it was tired too.

[rallydiesel]

Hi, I'm wondering if anywone would care to chime in.

I'm looking to buy an MK2 Jetta turbo diesel as a second car primarily to go on a long roadtrip.

Knowing nothing about Volkswagens and having never owned a diesel, I haven't the faintest idea of what to look out for.

- What are the common problems with these cars & engines?
- What are signs to look for to see if both the engine and turbo are healthy?
- Would I be better off going for a newer Jetta? (However, from what I see, these cars seem to be more solid).

If anyone can help, I will appreciate it.

Thanks,

The mkII diesels are the most solid cars VW ever produced. Only car that might be better for a long roadtrip would be a mkIII TDI but they're pretty rare. As long as it's not rusted to hell around the windshield or strut towers it should be good. If it's hard to start and/or smokes bad I would start by checking the compression before buying it. If that's good you're pretty much good to go.

[macka]

good all around car, check the strut towers and rear subframe for rust. Hard to start cars are usually glow pugs or fuel feed issues. The quick check for fuel feed issues is watching the fuel lines and seeing bubbles in them. Glow plugs area little more work using a multi meter to check voltagew and resistance on each plug.

[Vaszya]

Thank you all for the very helpful replies!

[jtanguay]

parts are considerably cheap for the mk2's since they are so light and dont require heavy duty parts.  fairly cheap to maintain compared to other 'beasts' out on the road.