GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: golfballs on 31 July 2012, 20:56
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Hi everyone.
Just joined up as I'm in the market for a golf gt tdi, and I know from experience with my current car that owners forums are one of the best sources of info you can get.
I have done research already, and have read a lot about the pd150's cam shaft issues. The number of threads on various sites helped me to decide I'd go for the 130 instead.
Problem is I'm really set on what I want as regards to the model (must be red or black, must have cruise control, must be 5 door, must have decent service history, preferably auto but manual will do if everything else is good), I've been looking for about 3 months with no joy.
I have however just spotted a car that ticks most of the boxes, problem is its a 150.
Are they as bad as their rep? Is buying a 150 asking for trouble? Does anyone know more info that could help me? As in, do the cam shafts tend to go at a certain mileage, say 80k for example, meaning a car with 130k on the clock must have gone already and have new toughened shafts fitted? Or do they just go at any random mileage?
Any info or advice greatly appreciated.
Failing that, anyone out there with a 130 that matches my needs and wants to sell, let me know :)
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best thing to do is check first if theres any history of the cams being changed as the mileage will not matter if the main problem as been attended to
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Tends to happen on cars with over 100k
The 150 drives a little more like a petrol as they hold their power for longer up the rev range.
You wont be disappointed with either though. I owned a 130 for 4.5 years and loved it (most of the time lol)
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Can't help out much with the cam problem, but you can retrofit cruise control. It might make your search slightly easier :wink:
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I've never heard about cam problems on the TD150's, sure it's fine :smiley:
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I've never heard about cam problems on the TD150's, sure it's fine :smiley:
Huh?? :huh: have you been living under a rock during MK4 ownership??!!
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Seriously, first I've ever heard of it. Then again, been lucky enough to have a GTI instead :wink:
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Seriously, first I've ever heard of it. Then again, been lucky enough to have a GTI instead :wink:
So you've missed when it happened to Steve?? And quite a few others
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=140425.0
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=145255.0
Water pumps dont fail on TDI's :kiss:
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Seriously, first I've ever heard of it. Then again, been lucky enough to have a GTI instead :wink:
Get with the times Nige! I hate diseasels and even I knew about it :grin:
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its only on every forum :grin:
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Water pumps dont fail on TDI's :kiss:
Touche :grin:
Literally never even seen a thread about cams, can't happen that often!!
So how much would the repair bill be on a problem like that?
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£500 ish at home
£950 ish at specialist
£1500 at VW
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Ouch!!
OP, get the 130 :grin:
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Not quite as the 130's can suffer the cam problem too.
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Not quite as the 130's can suffer the cam problem too.
Yep stories are more and more common......
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Seems to just take a bit longer :lipsrsealed:
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Seems to just take a bit longer :lipsrsealed:
Dread to think the state of my old cars cams then :lipsrsealed: :laugh:
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Thanks for all the feedback so far.
Retro fitting cruise control? Sounds interesting... Is it a generic ad on, or can you buy a golf specific kit including steering wheel stalk? Is it an easy job?
I think I'll ring up the seller of this 150 to see if there is history of the cams being done. I'm just not sure about it though. It's done 125k, which is higher mileage than I wanted, and its got a tow bar (god knows what its been pulling round, extra strain on the engine), it also has the red seats and I really wanted the black/grey.
I'm in two minds, my brain is telling me I'm being to picky, but my heart is telling me to hold out for what I really want. What do you think?
I can't believe how few and far between a good one is. Is red a rare colour for a golf? Seems like the only red golf's for sale are 200 miles away!
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You got to remember you are trying to find a car which only a handful of people will spec exactly as you would want it. You have to have a compromise somewhere :wink:
Red TDI's in 130 / 150 flavour are like rocking horse poop
Cruise is a kit of about £70, someone with vagcom and about an hour of your time to fit
At 125k it should have had 2 cambelt changes and if its been towing give the clutch a proper test. Find a hill, stick it in 4th gear and around 30mph and plant your foot.
If the cams havent been done then walk away as they are a ticking time bomb
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Thanks for the advice :)
The more I look at pictures of this particular golf the more I'm liking it. It looks immaculate in the pictures and even the black/red seats have grown on me. I'm definitely gonna phone up the dealer about it tomorrow for more info, and arrange a possible viewing and test drive.
Just one more question about the cam problem... Is it more a case of if they fail, or when they fail? Is there anything I can visibly check with the cams (like looking in to the oil filler cap) can you see anything though there? What actually happens to the cams, do the lobes wear down, or do the shafts actually snap?
Any other common faults I should look for when viewing the vehicle?
Also, at the risk of sounding stupid.... You say about putting the car in 4th at 30mph on a hill and flooring it to test the clutch. What would happen if the clutch was going? Would it rev high but not really go anywhere fast?
Thanks :)
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i know somone whos cam went at 60k on amk4 150 diesel. its not the cam what causes it though is it. its the little lifter that slowly wears out smashed then digs into the cam, aviod ones that have been on long life servicing
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Least year when looking for a nice TDI I weighed up the options between the 130 and the 150, I couldn't find a clean 130 in colour and spec I wanted so when a very nice 150 with fvwsh came up I went for it, very happy with perfomance and economy, so the 150 model gets my vote.
I'd definately advise checking and having receipts for work on the engine, and also find out what service regime has been used.
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DO NOT BUY BY GOING BY THE PICS!!! :shocked: i got shafted by the todger who sold it too me, first major service was of £1200, never had anything but bare minimal to see the car through
and stay clear from people who sign the receipt "Sold as Seen"
bunch of yellow bellied, a£$3 wiped, greedy Fcukin', no good, j49s buggering pink ear tawt faced morons....
but its all good now and i can add mods instead of paying for things that require the mods to work...hopefully getting R32 bits added next month such as bone mounts etc etc :smug:
missus will be happy
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Don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to buy a car based soley on internet pictures. The fact the car looks in mint condition in pictures is what's prompting me to consider the 90 mile round trip to view it worth making.
I come from an engineering background and I'm a time served aircraft inspector. I have a fair knowledge of cars but I'm far from an expert, hence my request for expert opinion and product knowledge on here :)
Thanks again for the feedback guys, much appreciated.
I do my own servicing an try out simple repairs and subtle mods on my cars. I am currently a member of the online Volvo community as my current car is a V40 (queue all Volvo driver jokes), I enjoy making how to guides and the like to help others on forums like this, so all being well and I find the right car for me, I will be a regular forum member and be able to return the favour for the help I've been given so far on here.
Cheers. :grin:
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Would it rev high but not really go anywhere fast?
diesels tend not to rev and go anywhere fast lol
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Also, at the risk of sounding stupid.... You say about putting the car in 4th at 30mph on a hill and flooring it to test the clutch. What would happen if the clutch was going? Would it rev high but not really go anywhere fast?
Thanks :)
Correct :afro:
If I was to buy another PD Golf, I would take a set of sockets and whip off the cam cover just to be sure.
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Don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to buy a car based soley on internet pictures. The fact the car looks in mint condition in pictures is what's prompting me to consider the 90 mile round trip to view it worth making.
I come from an engineering background and I'm a time served aircraft inspector. I have a fair knowledge of cars but I'm far from an expert, hence my request for expert opinion and product knowledge on here :)
Thanks again for the feedback guys, much appreciated.
I do my own servicing an try out simple repairs and subtle mods on my cars. I am currently a member of the online Volvo community as my current car is a V40 (queue all Volvo driver jokes), I enjoy making how to guides and the like to help others on forums like this, so all being well and I find the right car for me, I will be a regular forum member and be able to return the favour for the help I've been given so far on here.
Cheers. :grin:
volvo jokes are here
http://www.jokes4us.com/miscellaneousjokes/corporatejokes/volvojokes.html