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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: spudboy6 on 23 May 2013, 21:22

Title: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: spudboy6 on 23 May 2013, 21:22
In my area seen an 2.0l 16v up for sale for £695 with 12months test on it , had a look round new seal covers and no rusty arches from what I've seen looks in good condition , not seen under the bonnet as dont want to waste the sellers time until I'm sure its the car for me ,

Its done 140k and this is where I'm put off , my 8v has 112k and needs valve stem seals already so I'm unlucky probably ,

Think this abf has life in it yet and how long do they generally drove trouble free for engine wise as I've never seen one with more than 150k and I do about 10k a year so won't take me long , and is £695 too much ?
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: tweed on 23 May 2013, 21:31
You can never tell by mileage.
Service history tells you the engine condition. Regular service and big list of receipts is could and the car will go to 200 without any major parts failing.

 
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: sharki786 on 23 May 2013, 21:31
All depends on how the car has been looked after (service, oil chnanged etc etc) they can go onto 200k some can go upto 140k and then problems start. You could always replace them but that means rebuilding the whole thing and best bet would be replace the full top end with new tappets and what not.
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: danmusic24 on 23 May 2013, 21:40
had mine for two years now,paid 320 for it and to date its done 16000 and still goes like a rocket,i have not done anything to it apart from the service bits and bobs! it just wont break down... :smiley:
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: spudboy6 on 23 May 2013, 21:43
Yea i understand its one of them things you cant tell without checking history , im going to sleep on it and see how i feel then maybe go view it properly check the books and history and have a drive , just never see them with to many miles on , this bloke always has motors for sale outside his house so hes moving them on to make a few quid so concerned he may be getting knock off mots and the like and its a dog ,

will have a think about it , might just rebuild the top end on my 8v and stick to what i know , but a 16v is one of them im desperate to own ,

160K ? sounds like the engine is able of it just has it been looked after is the question then
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: danmusic24 on 23 May 2013, 22:00
i use for work every day,i drive it from portsmouth to glasgow every 3 months to see my son,i put oil and water in when needed which is rare,it starts first time every time,good solid lump but as been said its down to service history,as i only paid 320 for mine it was gamble but a gamble that paid off..
get your head under the bonnet and have a good look around,take it for a spin and enjoy and say goodbye to the 8v  :grin:
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: GOLF-MK3-GTI on 23 May 2013, 22:10
The 2.0 engines on these MK3's are solid, aslong as they've been looked after'd properly. You may get a few sensors here n there that may not function propely, but it's an electrical part, so it will give in one day. If you know abit about cars, just by starting and driving it you'll be able to tell wether it's had a hard life or it's been cared for. Other than that just look out for rust.
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: Dave_IOW on 24 May 2013, 00:55
Mine was nearly 180k and still going strong before it got broke apart buy a local lad.

Was the body condition in general, rather than the engine, that led to its demise.
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: Gavv8 on 24 May 2013, 06:17
8V will last longer....just sayin...... :whistle:
Title: Re: How long do abf's last?
Post by: Leroy on 24 May 2013, 09:31
My ABF has just turned 170k, and it is smooth as an otters cravat!!! Engineer owned it before me, apparently never wanted for anything engine wise, shame he didn't do the same for the bodywork!! :cry:
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: Len on 24 May 2013, 13:38
Offer the guy £500 and see if he bites!
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: Screech16v on 24 May 2013, 18:11
Mine was at 170k before conversion,was still making good power and never let me down.
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: murraymint on 24 May 2013, 18:21
My abf had done 170k, and my current one is on 155k, apart from a slightly lumpy cold idle (turns ot pritty common) both of then ran/run sweet
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: ttelracs on 24 May 2013, 20:33
Mines just coming up to 171k and I've just had the cambelt done, but apart from my tinkering it runs sweet and is just about run in !  Should clock up another 30k with no real problems apart from expected bearings, brakes and other service items.  Paid £ 450 for it just over a year ago, a good buy and hasn't let me down....
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: spudboy6 on 24 May 2013, 20:54
went past this evening and the ABF has gone . but will knock the door tomorrow just to be sure , if not will be looking in the classifieds (Y)
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: gasketface on 30 May 2013, 11:00
Mine had done 202 k and purred.Compression all good,no leaks at all.Mileage means little if the car has been serviced properly.Personally i would investigate a low mileage example more thoroughly than a high mileage one as its common for low mileage cars to suffer more in certain areas because they have had little use.

Resale value is not going to greatly affected either as it only really applies if you have one of the rarer models.
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: Stirring Moose on 30 May 2013, 18:02
A mate of mine bagged himself an ABF for an engine swap into a VW Transporter. Think he said the lump had 204k miles on it when he got it. This being the case he gave it a precautionary strip and inspection and found pretty much nothing wrong. Bores were still minty, cams absolutely as per spec, the lot. Bit of gunge here and there which he cleaned out but other than that no worries. But the donor car did come with a good mechanical service history (again, a case of "shame about the bodywork"...). Basically, a well cosseted ABF seems a pretty tough beast as far as I can see.

S.M.
Title: Re: How long do abf's last ?
Post by: Gavv8 on 30 May 2013, 19:11
Its usually the gearbox that gives up before the motor i find.