NSW Buying a VR6

[beersandwich]

morn'all

New to the forum thinking of buying a 96 VR6 with approx 110K on it. Thus I have a few questions.

1. MFA is registering fuel consumption at between 27 - 30L/100km. seems very excessive. Probably a MAF or OXY sensor I would imagine. How much are they to replace.

2. Aircon isn't working. compressor runs. dealer has offered to have it fixed. Will wait to see the outcome. Otherwise what's it worth?

3. Minor coolant leak from front of motor somewhere. Where are the common spots.

4. Coolant looks fairly old. What specification coolant do the VR6's require? ie 50/50 glycol mix? What material are the welch plugs made from and how hard are they to replace?

Dealer is asking $8000. Otherwise the car seems solid no timing chain rattle etc. Service history up until 90000km.

Any help appreciated.

thx

[Golf Loon]

MFA would probably read more true if it went on a long drive.

Coolant leak from the front of the engine is a new thermostat housing and crossover pipe.

AC will be compressor and will be an $800 exercise to make it work.

[Tim]

$8000 is top dollar for a VR6. Its nice that it has low kms but for that money you would want everything working. As loon implies aircon isnt a cheap fix usually.

As mentioned already the fuel consumption goes crazy in the MFA if the car has done a lot of idling. When you first start the car it registers 99L/100 from memory.

Id use genuine VW coolant in most modern VW engines. There are a lot of myths in relation to coolants and late model cars but for the sake of a few dollars id rather be safe than sorry. Who knows if any of them are true. Generally the coolants should have no phosphates and some form of corrosion inhibitor. Some cheap options skimp on the corrosion inhibitors which can lead to a world of pain.

If you are changing to a different type make sure to flush it properly otherwise you can wind up in all sorts of trouble when you end up with brown sludge in your cooling system

[pommy_golfer]

I honestly wouldnt bother with a VR6 these days, they are too old and stay clear of any with coolant problems...forget about it!

I would suggest a mk4 gti instead, they have newer technology, wont drink as much fuel, more creature comforts and the interior is still up there with the best of them.