02 Jetta questions

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Feb 3, 2013
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I'm looking at an 02 Jetta tdi, auto, 189k miles for $3000. Other than the timing belt problems I don't know much about them. How long does the average auto last? How expensive are they to rebuild? How do these start in cold weather, its usually around Or above zero here and i cant plug it in at work. He's taking it to the auction tue if it doesn't sell, and I'm going to play hell trying to go see it by tue so I want to make sure its worth my hassle. Any input is appreciated
 
Where ya located? Just an FYI when that tranny goes out and it will..A manual swap is around $3500 installed..In which case u can get the same car in a 5spd manual for around 4-5k..just some food for thought.
 
I'm in NW Indiana. I'm not going to have time to look at that one by Tuesday. Maybe I'll just keep my eye out for a manual, but I'm going to need a drive to work car pretty soon. A guy hit me fri morning and my car is totaled. I drive 100 miles round trip to work so fuel in my truck kills me when I have to drive it to work.
 
You can pick up the parts to do the swap yourself for under 2k easy, just find someone parting one out so you can get all the knick-knack stuff. It's not hard to do either, I know from personal experience :D

They start fine in cold weather so long as the glow plugs are working fine. Other than timing belt the EGR system and clogged intakes are about it.
 
I found an 02 jetta with a manual. 172k for $4000. Seems like a reasonable price. I'm going to call him and see what's up
 
I'm going to look at a 99 Jetta with a manual tomorrow. 172000 miles, he said the timing belt was done 1 1/2 year ago, new injectors 1 year ago. The check engine light is on, dealer said it was due to a small piece of carbon (in the egr system I assume??) they cleaned it out and the light is still on. What else should I ask or look at? He's asking $4000.
 
Can they get you the code for the check engine light? Without that it's hard to say.

Could be something as simple as just a bad glow plug, could be something more. If they can't get you the code, you might see if you can rent a generic scan tool and take with you when you go look at the car so you can read out the code and research it from there.
 
Find out what the code is. EGR's can get carboned up and also the diaphram can tear making them spew oil out of the vent and not work right.

As said, glow plugs are also common. Might be the plugs, or the harness to them can go bad too. Just replaced the harness on mine, no more check engine light.
 
I ran out of time and bought an Escort. I'm going to keep learning about these and if the right one pops up and I buy it I'll just sell the Escort
 
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