What to look for

[ang3lsholocaust]

Hey Guys.
My partner and i are looking at buying our second watercooled VW.
We are looking at the 99/00 model Golf GTI's

Question we would like to know is, Are there any hidden problems with them we should be keeping our eyes out for?.
Any help on any problems they may have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jess & Jace

[ope126]

Hi Guys,

A short list of things to look out for;

- Water Pump
- Timimg Belt
- CV Joints / Boots
- Clutch
- Engine Mounts
- Coil Packs
- Coolant Temp Sensor
- Thermostat
- Window Regulators
- Glovebox Issues
- Check for a Full VW or VW Certified service history

I am sure that others can add to the list.

My 2 cents...

[HOLEIN1]

i think the general consensus in the past has been that the 1.8T motors are very reliable assuming that they have been serviced regulary

so look for one thats been maintained well and you shouldnt have anything too major going wrong

also look at the service schedule and keep in mind that youve got a few major/expensive things to do at around 80k such as major service and timing belt...

happy shopping

[EVN-88G]

I would also say watch out for the Coolant Temperature Sensor, and that the starter motor dosent make any un usual noises after the motor has started. Wen i bought mine afew months ago, the cooland temp sensor was playing up which meant that the car wasnt turning on about 20% of the time, and the starter motor would make an odd sticking noise as soon as the engine turned over.. cost me $600 to fix. Also its always good to check there isnt an oil leak just incase a gasket has gone.

Evan.

[h100vw]

I would be concerned if the clutch bites right at the floor. The part is cheap but fitting is not as the box has to come off. From now on I'd be fitting a new clutch arm whenever a clutch is replaced.

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=59703

Gavin

[Bug_racer]

Hi Guys,

A short list of things to look out for;

- Water Pump
- Timimg Belt
- CV Joints / Boots
- Clutch
- Engine Mounts
- Coil Packs
- Coolant Temp Sensor
- Thermostat
- Window Regulators
- Glovebox Issues
- Check for a Full VW or VW Certified service history

I am sure that others can add to the list.

My 2 cents...

Have to ask :

What goes wrong with c.v. joints ? Ive probably changed 1 or 2 in my whole time with Golf 4's . Only issue I find is that the drivers inner c.v. joint boot expands at the smaller end leaking grease , VW fixed this with the later ones by putting a hose clamp there .

Engine mounts ? I know the passenger one cracks , but only ever seen that on cars that are driven hard !

Coilpacks , never replaced a mk4 gti coilpack , done plenty of ignition modules though

thermostat , same thing , probably only changed 1 or 2 in my whole time

Extras that go wrong :

Door locks
cruise control stalk
hazard light switch
coolant bottle
middle rear seatbelt
maf
throttle body
sunroof drains getting blocked
starting to change a few coolant hoses / flanges lately

[h100vw]

Have to ask :

What goes wrong with c.v. joints ? Ive probably changed 1 or 2 in my whole time with Golf 4's . Only issue I find is that the drivers inner c.v. joint boot expands at the smaller end leaking grease , VW fixed this with the later ones by putting a hose clamp there .

Engine mounts ? I know the passenger one cracks , but only ever seen that on cars that are driven hard !

Coilpacks , never replaced a mk4 gti coilpack , done plenty of ignition modules though

thermostat , same thing , probably only changed 1 or 2 in my whole time

Extras that go wrong :

Door locks
cruise control stalk
hazard light switch
coolant bottle
middle rear seatbelt
maf
throttle body
sunroof drains getting blocked
starting to change a few coolant hoses / flanges lately

Seb, What about antiroll bar bushes and wisbone bushes do you get through many of them??
Gavin

[ang3lsholocaust]

Hmmm.
With the bug starting to cost Jess a fair bit of $$$$ now at the 100,000 mark, the growing list of things to watch out for in the golf at the same mark is concerning.
Might have to look at something else.

Thanks for the replies guys.
Jace

[h100vw]

Hmmm.
With the bug starting to cost Jess a fair bit of $$$$ now at the 100,000 mark, the growing list of things to watch out for in the golf at the same mark is concerning.
Might have to look at something else.

Thanks for the replies guys.
Jace

These are all worst case scenarios. If you think you are that unlucky, you could run into problems with any car.

Gavin

[No457 Snowy]

These are all worst case scenarios. If you think you are that unlucky, you could run into problems with any car.

LOL, that's true, and don't forget guys, sometimes the clutch pedal mechanism will just snap without warning, leaving you stranded.


Snowy

[Jmac]

Yeah i agree with Seb there on some of them items, although i have changed a few thermostats, yeah havent done any coil packs yet, but the ign module on the Airbox. Just changed a Passenger mount today that had catastrophic failure , but that was the 1st one ive seen. Seen a couple of Clutch masters go too. Window regs are a given , best repaired with the metal clamp repair kit.
The most common ive found is the water pump impellar , man every timing belt repair gets one now , silly not too when you are in there anyway. Replace it with one with the metal impellar.
Cheers
Jmac