mk2 diesel coupe!

[R.O.R-2.0]

NO! do not use carb cleaner on a diesel to find vacuum leaks! it will cause a run away.

[e30vr6]

 ok? what would you recommend? 

[burn_your_money]

Also, unlike on a gasser, spraying for a vacuum leak won't show anything because whatever is sucked into the engine goes into the oil, not the intake.

Unless your car has AC, those are the only vacuum lines.

[e30vr6]

ah ok. im still learning this diesel thing haha. no my car dent have ac. so ill just replace the hose. it looks kind of old and starting to crack at the bottom

[R.O.R-2.0]

ah ok. im still learning this diesel thing haha. no my car dent have ac. so ill just replace the hose. it looks kind of old and starting to crack at the bottom

diesels are 100% different from a gasser..

[e30vr6]

yes im learning that pretty quick lol

so another question for you guys. so far iv replaced valve cover and oil pan gaskets, all new glow plugs, air filter. is there anything else i should do as "preventative maintance"  coming up with the new suspension its getting all new sway bar bushings, rear motor mount (has a nice clunk if i left off the peddle quick)  new tie rods, and rear shoes.

[R.O.R-2.0]

yes im learning that pretty quick lol

so another question for you guys. so far iv replaced valve cover and oil pan gaskets, all new glow plugs, air filter. is there anything else i should do as "preventative maintance"  coming up with the new suspension its getting all new sway bar bushings, rear motor mount (has a nice clunk if i left off the peddle quick)  new tie rods, and rear shoes.

how old is the timing belt and tensioner?

that is the post important maintenance item on the whole car..

[e30vr6]

i was told it was replaced at 260,000 km but i don’t have a receipt for it. the cars at 348xxxkm now.  So I was thinking of ordering it to. there is a local guy who rents out the lock tools.

[R.O.R-2.0]

i was told it was replaced at 260,000 km but i don’t have a receipt for it. the cars at 348xxxkm now.  So I was thinking of ordering it to. there is a local guy who rents out the lock tools.

so, even if it was done @ 260k, its still time to replace it, no matter what..

so, that would be my next action, is to replace the belt before it breaks and trashes your head/valves/pistons..

[e30vr6]

cool thanks. ill ad that to my BMA parts order.

[R.O.R-2.0]

do you know how to replace it, and time it right again? do you have access to the dial indicator required to time a Bosch VE injection pump?

replacing the timing belt on one of these diesels is much more in-depth than replacing the belt on a gasser..

you MUST KNOW HOW TO DO IT RIGHT, or you risk severely messing up your engine..

[e30vr6]

the timing belt is not something i plan on replacing myself. it will be takin to my mechanic for that.

[R.O.R-2.0]

the timing belt is not something i plan on replacing myself. it will be takin to my mechanic for that.

does he know how to do them correctly? ive even seen alot of PROFESSIONAL mechanics botch a timing belt job on a VW..

make sure he knows what hes doing, and has the correct tools to do it.. make sure he has the appropriate timing spec for the VW as well..

[e30vr6]

yes.

[DieselBalz]

Understand ROR is passionate about these cars, but he is 200% on point.

The timing belt is super way over due by at least 20 thousand miles. If it goes it will equal catastrophic failure of your engine. I would not spend another dime on any other upgrade/part until that is done. I also wouldnt drive it unless its to the mechanic.

It should set ya back about 400 bucks. Maybe a little less. I also had my water pump changed whilst he was doing the timing, so it may be a little less.

Otherwise, it looks like you have most of the normal stuff done.  I would drain the transmission and put fresh gear oil in there. Pretty much any fluid or lubricant on that thing with that many miles needs needs refreshing.