TDi Suggestions Please

[Bubbleboy]

Looking for suggestions for what year of TDi to go with. Price wise I’ll be limited to a MK4 Golf or Jetta, the question is do I want to go with a common rail 2001-03 or a Pumpe deuce 2004-06? I had on 05 a few years ago and it was great, other than it took a while to warm up driving in the city at -40. It was my understanding that there was carbon buildup on the common rails whereas the PDs were unaffected. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[luunta]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

i like my 2010.

somewhat out of your range though, apparently. i haven't had warm up issues at all yet though.

[CGDoig]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

check out www.tdiclub.com for all of those questions. I own a 05 PD, i haven't heard any problems between the two for build up now, it all had to do with fuel quality in North America. Recently changed to low sulfur so that is not a problem with any diesel vehicle now. Also any diesel is going to take a while to warm up and have a hard time in the winter anyways, just get a winter cover. Basically there a pros and cons to both, but do some research on tdi club and then you can make a decision. If you're going the modding route too, that's a whole different ball game.

[luunta]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

running bio-diesel will also clean that up, if i'm not mistaken.

[100%VAGitarian]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

PD is junk. an '02-'03 ALH TDI is the way to go. carbon build up is nothing compared to a shitty engine.

[Stonewall]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

NA has been low sulfur for a long time, you are thinking ultra low sulfur which they are still stalling on swapping over too. I have owned a ALH for a long time and am just starting to look at PD's. I am not sure I would say PD's are junk but I do know ALH's a lot better.

[Vulcan]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

I have been happy with my 04 PD TDI....no issues so far.

[Bubbleboy]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

Thanks for telling me about the ALH's. Interesting thread here:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=264762

[shconer]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

Just FYI only the brand new diesels are common rail.

[dJ]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

Just FYI only the brand new diesels are common rail.

Yes you are correct. Only the newer ones are common rail. The PD has more stock power than the ALH, but also comes with more expensive issues within the oem parts that come with the PD. Parts and modding is a lot cheaper on the ALH vs the PD due to it being older. Most of the common problems on the ALH are cheap and not to hard to fix yourself if you are somewhat mechanically inclined whereas the PD has Cam issues and other big issues that force you to either buy the special tools to do the job, go to the dealer, or source out help from someone local that knows how to do it.

If it was my choice, I would get an ALH. I haven't ever personally owned a PD, only 4 ALH's so my opinion is going to be biased based upon only owning ALH's. I find the engine is more simple, less sensors, cheaper parts, and a stronger running engine.

d.J.

[CGDoig]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

Take care of either car properly and religiously and you will not have to worry anyways. I love my PD and would not go back at all now. I'm looking for an alh for my daughter for a kind of back yard project car due to the cheap nodding as well, but ultimately the choice is up to you.

[Benjamin]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

5 Speed or Auto?

2003 was the best ALH year most say. Although my biggest fear of the ALH is the slush box as its not a question of is it going to go, its when.
Carbon buildup, your best solution is a racepipe. 100,000 km's had a look at my intake and not a spec of carbon buildup.

PD engines have the issue of the cams, typically $800-1000 in parts although the slush boxes did not have the same problems as the ALH.
I have heard though the dual mass flywheel has been known to explode on these. The VR6 clutch setup is a cheaper and durable solution.

My personal choice is an ALH as long as its with a Manual tranny and not a slush box. I had to get a TDi with a slush box with the wife and didn't want to deal with the ALH tranny. I ended up getting her a Passat TDi with a 2.0 PD engine that pretty much rivals the power of the new TDi's out today. Their fatal flaw though is the Balance Shaft Module which like the ALH tranny's its a time bomb that will need to be replaced.

Being that you are in Ontario the TDi's are way cheaper out there. I have seen 05 Passat TDi's go for $8k fully loaded and ALH's for under $5k easily.

Any other questions just ask.

Ben

[Stonewall]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

Another problem will be finding one at a decent price with the options you want. Something I am having a major problem with right now.

[Benjamin]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

Go type in TDi in Toronto on Kijiji, you will be crying at the availability and the prices.

[Bubbleboy]

Re: TDi Suggestions Please

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I'm looking to possibly buy here in Calgary because of the lack of corrosion. Even though I've been in Ontario for almost 2 years, rust just drives me f'in nuts, minor as it may be.

If anyone knows anyone selling one, PM me. Otherwise I'm looking on the usual spots, Kijiji, Craiglist, vwvortex.....etc