Thinking of a diesel. Questions.

[doc]

Hi all.
I think it's time to put the Mk3 Cabby out to pasture (probably up for sale soon) and have my eye on an 07 Jetta TDI. Unfortunately it has to be an auto as the wife can't and won't drive a manual.
I'm just curious as to if there are any well known and/or problems with the car. Particularly with the engine and transmission.
I don't have a lot of experience with the diesels so if anyone can come up with some info, it will all be greatly appreciated.

cheers and thanks in advance...Doc

[The One]

Hi all.
I think it's time to put the Mk3 Cabby out to pasture (probably up for sale soon) and have my eye on an 07 Jetta TDI. Unfortunately it has to be an auto as the wife can't and won't drive a manual.
I'm just curious as to if there are any well known and/or problems with the car. Particularly with the engine and transmission.
I don't have a lot of experience with the diesels so if anyone can come up with some info, it will all be greatly appreciated.

cheers and thanks in advance...Doc

The Diesels don't really have many problems, the older diesels use to leak from the tandem pump which would contaminate the fuel with oil, but it was a fairly straight foward fix, the BKP and BMR engines had/have injector issues but 7 year warranty on injectors and a campaign out for them which sees them replaced so no dramas. Some of the Diesel Polos have just been seen with 7 speed DGS transmissions which are causing shuddering issues but clutch kit replaced and their all sweet.

Some diesels have leaks in the oil cooler which contaminates the coolant with oil etc, but once again a fairly straight forward fix.. So no, no real problems with the diesels, but have a look at some petrol ones too, with the fuel efficiency these days the benefits of diesel are becoming less and less...

[wai]

There are just a couple of things.

The first is that the diesel bowsers are generally poorly maintained and so can leak diesel. When you get this on your hands, the stink does not want to go away. The best solution is to get a box of disposable rubber gloves from the supermarket and keep them in the glove box (where else). Use a pair when refuelling and throw them away.

The other is making sure you do not put petrol in the diesel fuel tank. If you get it wrong, it can be very expensive.

You need to be extremely vigilant or you can get a diesel misfuelling device. this requires the correct sized nozzle to be inserted to allw refuelling to happen. A ULP nozzle is too small to activate the device.

Other than this, you should not notice anything too much different.

[manol]

There are just a couple of things.

The first is that the diesel bowsers are generally poorly maintained and so can leak diesel. When you get this on your hands, the stink does not want to go away. The best solution is to get a box of disposable rubber gloves from the supermarket and keep them in the glove box (where else). Use a pair when refuelling and throw them away.

The other is making sure you do not put petrol in the diesel fuel tank. If you get it wrong, it can be very expensive.

You need to be extremely vigilant or you can get a diesel misfuelling device. this requires the correct sized nozzle to be inserted to allw refuelling to happen. A ULP nozzle is too small to activate the device.

Other than this, you should not notice anything too much different.

If you need a diesel misfuelling device, you don't deserve to own a car.

[getjet]

I drive the car you want but in a manual (so I'm more of a man I guess )

No complaints.

Had no issues with the car in years apart from some emission system trouble which caused some engine stutter at low speed. However, im rather fussy and the average punter would unlikely notice... easily fixed anyway.

The 07 model is likely to have the BKD engine (check the sticker on the first page of the service manual when you inspect). As earlier stated, this engine doesn't have the injector issue that the newer models have (which VW is coming to the party to fix anyway...).

You wont need to carry a pack of gloves in case of refuelling (and or cavity searches) more so than if you drive a petrol either.

[doc]

Thanks for the replies. I was unsure as to any problems with these.

One more. Do they have a cam belt or a chain and when does it need replacing.

Quote: I drive the car you want but in a manual (so I'm more of a man I guess ) HaHa. The car is for the wife. I drive a Commodore Ute which is a man's car too. I would prefer the manual as well but as I stated, she can't, and won't.

cheers...Doc

[maxrob200]

I have a manual 07 . Cam belt , replace every 100km arpox (depends on who you talke to). Super economical (1000 km per tank). You will need to learn how to drive a diesel as they accelerate differently (high torque, low rpm) to petrol engines although the DSG will take care of the shifting compared to manaul driving. Been very reliable for me so far. Basic services, and cam belt replacement for the past couple of years

[doc]

Thanks all

I've been doing a bit of digging and work with a bloke whose brother runs a VW service centre. He made enquiries for me and all good except a 'weak' transmission. Cam belt at 105,000 but no problems with the engine. The 'weak' transmission is probably no worse than the one in the Mk 3. Might have to convince the wife into learning to drive a manual. 2 hopes with that.

cheers...doc

[stickshift3000]

Most of the issues relating to these gearboxes were limited to the mechatronic units only, which would have been replaced earlier in its life as most issues showed up when near new.

I personally wouldn't be too concerned.

[Greg Roles]

Yep the 103kw TDI is largely injector hassle free, and has no DPF in MKV form. The 125kw in the Passat and GT TDI is the problem injector and DPF wise. Busy cockpit in manual form, but I am running around fine with towards 500nm on the stock clutch and manual tranny, and all good. DSG's seem to either be trouble free or a lemon, so history in a DSG would be my only concern.

If you are careful it's actually pretty rare to get diesel on your hands at the servo, if I do, , I just wipe it on my pants, usually business attire. Bit of man cologne.

[kaanage]

Might have to convince the wife into learning to drive a manual. 2 hopes with that.

BWAHHAHAHAHA. I feel your pain, doc! You'd think that with all their torque, you wouldn't need an auto for a diesel but my wife is the same

At least the 6 speed DSG itself is strong, unlike the 7 speed dry clutch unit being recalled around the world (excluding Australia)

[getjet]

If you are careful it's actually pretty rare to get diesel on your hands at the servo, if I do, , I just wipe it on my pants, usually business attire. Bit of man cologne.

Those white stains aren't from diesel Greg.

[doc]

I really appreciate the input from all of you.

Well I bit the bullet today and ended up buying a late 2006 with 98000 on the clock. It has a service history in the books and realize it will need a cam belt soon.....but it was too good a deal to pass up. It's in excellent condition and I couldn't fault it. I did notice that the diesel is different on takeoff but wasn't too bad. I won't be driving it much anyway.

I generally do my own services but can't follow the VW oil specs of 502/504 etc. What specs and viscosity do I use for this car. I won't be collecting it until about Wednesday (so I don't have any info) but always change all the fluids and filters when I buy a car. That way I know it's all good.

cheers...doc

[Dr freedom]

I wonder if the 23H9 recall campaign effects this model (Year wise its right in ther)

[doc]

I certainly hope not. I haven't had a good look at them but all the invoices are in with the service books. It's been serviced by VW all it's life. The engine prefix is BKD. I was led to believe that it was more than likely BKP or BMR. How do I tell?
Here's hoping.

cheers.
PS. I found the info about the oil.