Hi Since yesterday I have read several threads regarding the 1.9 crank issue but did not find any topics just like what I have noticed. I am actually looking at buying a 95 golf the the 1.9TD in it. The engine has about 150,000 miles on it. I can get it at a very good price but am a little leary. When I saw it running I did not notice any wobble on the crank pulley ( not really sure how noticable it would be if there was a problem ). I took it for a drive and it seems to have lots of power and does not smoke. The only issue is starting. On the first start after sitting for a few weeks it took lots of cranking and a boost to get it to run. At that time I suspected maybe glow plug issues as the owner said there is one of the glow plugs he has never changed due to hard to get at. I then took it for a drive and like I said it seemed to run fine. After about a 10 min run I returned the car, stopped it and tried to start it again. It did start on its own but only after several cranks and using the cold start button. It would not start if I cranked it with the cold start button in, it would only start with the button out. The owner told me there is about 20,000 miles left before the timing belt would be required to be changed again. Any thought on what the problem could be. I am hoping a timing adjustment will fix this but not sure. The rest of the car is in very rough shape but only want it for the engine to get installed in my pickup. Thanks in advance for any info.
a few cranks to start it when its warm isn't so bad. seems just a little bit worn out to me. i use the cold start on mine for quick starts though. idles like crap without it...
I quess I am thinking of the 1.6NA engine I have in my pickup now. When it is warmed up it will start right up with it hardly even cranking, and it is a very wore out engine burning a quart of oil every 75 miles.