I know a bit here and there but I'm no expert.
I think the 1998.5-2003 Jetta and Golf's are the ALH engine designation. Basically a mechanical injection but computer controlled. They are the engines the hot rodders go for. Very robust and easily modded. They have a rotary, meachanical fuel pump.
I have personally owned two BEW's (2004-2006ish). They have an pump on top of each injector and are commonly referred to a "pump nozzle" or "pumpe deuse" something or other. They have more injection events and there for are quieter and make a bit more power. Because of the higher injection pressure and the more refined spray pattern they suffer mpore from dirty diesel being run through them. Pretty common place really, just make sure it isnt the original fuel filter in there. They also dont bung up the intakes like the ALH's.
Both the above engines benefit from being run hard, or at the very least exercised once and a while. City putters really bung these engines up.
FWIW the two BEW's I have had never went wrong once. 10,000k oil changes and 30,000k fuel filters..... timing belts at 160,000.
They really are a joy to drive, on paper they don't have the most HP but its nice to have a load of groceries, wife, 2 kids and the dog and not even notice it on the hills. No need to shift gears very often as the diesel just chugs along.
Don't know about the autos.... manuals are the easiest, smoothest and most wonderful(est) trans I have ever shifted in a small car.
I talked to Jason and he said he's never done a clutch in one ever.... tends to suggest they are rather over built.
Both of mine have had pulled trailers and never complained about it.
Parts can be expensive so I'd pay a little more for one with a good service history rather than save a couple hundred on one with a questionable history.... but thats just me.
I think the 1998.5-2003 Jetta and Golf's are the ALH engine designation. Basically a mechanical injection but computer controlled. They are the engines the hot rodders go for. Very robust and easily modded. They have a rotary, meachanical fuel pump.
I have personally owned two BEW's (2004-2006ish). They have an pump on top of each injector and are commonly referred to a "pump nozzle" or "pumpe deuse" something or other. They have more injection events and there for are quieter and make a bit more power. Because of the higher injection pressure and the more refined spray pattern they suffer mpore from dirty diesel being run through them. Pretty common place really, just make sure it isnt the original fuel filter in there. They also dont bung up the intakes like the ALH's.
Both the above engines benefit from being run hard, or at the very least exercised once and a while. City putters really bung these engines up.
FWIW the two BEW's I have had never went wrong once. 10,000k oil changes and 30,000k fuel filters..... timing belts at 160,000.
They really are a joy to drive, on paper they don't have the most HP but its nice to have a load of groceries, wife, 2 kids and the dog and not even notice it on the hills. No need to shift gears very often as the diesel just chugs along.
Don't know about the autos.... manuals are the easiest, smoothest and most wonderful(est) trans I have ever shifted in a small car.
I talked to Jason and he said he's never done a clutch in one ever.... tends to suggest they are rather over built.
Both of mine have had pulled trailers and never complained about it.
Parts can be expensive so I'd pay a little more for one with a good service history rather than save a couple hundred on one with a questionable history.... but thats just me.
, I will buy it back for 750bucks and repair it the Robbie Burns way..
....Got pics on my camera, I will post them later...