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Engine Specific Info and Questions => TDI Engine -General Info => Topic started by: 79rabbit4dr on February 27, 2010, 09:07:03 pm

Title: '02 Jetta TDI
Post by: 79rabbit4dr on February 27, 2010, 09:07:03 pm

Looking at buying an '02 Jetta TDI. It's an automatic which was flushed at 100k miles, odometer currently at ~127k. Reportedly no problems at all. Owner says he's sent oil in for analysis every other change. Said it got 44mpg hwy last summer with AC on full during a road trip. What are the typical quirks to check for? What are the tell tale warning indicators that something is going out?

I used to have an 81 NA rabbit and want to get back into a VW Diesel scene. Thinking about trading my '01 Audi Allroad 2.7T for it plus about $3k, on his end of course.

the jetta in question;
http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/cto/1610102054.html (http://eastidaho.craigslist.org/cto/1610102054.html)

my ride;
(http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs138.snc1/5894_586111113404_193309502_33850713_6602997_n.jpg)

Title: Re: '02 Jetta TDI
Post by: diesel smoke on February 27, 2010, 09:17:02 pm

The 01M autobox is practically bio-degradable. In that they fail pretty easily. Find a 5 speed car or do a swap into the car you are looking at when it does go bad.

Other than the crap auto trans, they are pretty good cars.

Title: Re: '02 Jetta TDI
Post by: 745 turbogreasel on February 27, 2010, 11:24:16 pm

The 02 I just fixed:
threw a timing belt at 67K 'fixed' by dealer
lost a piston&head at 87K, got 'VW reman motor' at dealer
blew a tranny, 1st replacement was defective
ate an ECU
got a new IP
has had recurring CEL since 03
At 160K, the 2nd motor chucked a timing belt, and ate some valves.
Taking it apart, I find not only has the TB failed before change interval, but also VW had put in too thick of a head gasket.
So the car that was $12,000 in 05 is now  a Further $12000 into mostly dealer, mostly failed repairs, + an additional 2 grand to get it going again this last time.
Maybe it is an exception.

Title: Re: '02 Jetta TDI
Post by: diesel smoke on February 27, 2010, 11:36:22 pm

Well THERE'S your problem. Don't bring these cars to the dealer. I suggest you go to TDI Club and read up.

Title: Re: '02 Jetta TDI
Post by: 79rabbit4dr on March 02, 2010, 01:07:18 am

drove it, wasn't thrilled. I'll keep the allroad til I can afford the A3 TDI wagon. I knew some of these TDI's were real piles but two engines, two trannys, etc.  :o . yikes

at $24k into a tdi jetta you might as well have one;
http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/models/a3_tdi.html (http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/models/a3_tdi.html)

 :P

thanks guys!!!