anything to look for? -Update motor after bad belt.

[mr.woods]

I might look at a '98 jetta TDI 5 speed tomorrow.    Is there anythig I need to look out for? It has 153,000 miles on it.

[mr.woods]

Never mind. Some people know how to post ads but not how to pull them.

[the caveman]

Too bad. As far as i'm concerned that year/ model was the one of the best cars VW ever built, esp. without power windows and sunroof. Any car that cost me less than $2000 , could do 150 KPH quietly while getting 53 mpg is awesome.

[smutts]

53 mpg

Is that gallon US or IMP?

[the caveman]

Imperial, i am in Canada

[mr.woods]

Ok update. I found a 2004 jetta with 214,000 miles. But the timing belt went on it, just shows a pic of the head off. My question is this, when the belt goes does it mainly just take out the valves and head, or can I expect to do the bottom end also? I know with the gassers I've messed with, every time a valve gets taken out, the rod bearings come soon after.

[sawedoffgolf]

ive seen that happen on a few friends hondas that a rod bearing usually fail and the rods were slightly bent . or you can get lucky like me and have the piston smashed into a million pieces.

[macka]

If you are going to buy an engine with upper end damage, you are better off also doing the bottom end. That way you aren't getting the old stinky eye surprise. In my experience, when the engine goes for a crap in the top end, the bottom end more often then not sustains damage.