Hi new owner, in love but scared!!!

Ritchtea

Ritchtea

Member
Hi, bought a tdi90 about two months ago via ebay! Think I rushed into it after being gazumped on a red colour storm in Bradford, still gutted as love the storm.
Its low miles at 78k, but only after agreeing to buy did I realise there was no history, only one key, and a verbal, "cambelt was done at 60k"
To be fair the previous owner had it for 7yrs and iv since done 2k in it with no problems.
Any how the key issue dosent worry me, I love the looks and never realised they had bench seats until missing out on the storm.
I intent to run it until it or me dies. However it scares me whitless! always looked after my cars myself and have use of works workshop at wkends and nts! but it feels not unlike a Kawasaki 500 triple to drive!!!! I honestly think its going to explode! even 2k and 2months of running has'ent led me to trust it.
Iv got: oil around the egr Vv, oil in the pipe to the intercooler. although it pulls strong and I have no warnings up.?
at tickover its perfect until I let out the clutch when theres a grumbling noise. no take up of drive issues or clutch not releasing issues.
Q, do these just require getting used to? and like a 2 stroke triple they've got charm??
Finally does every one suffer with a radio reception worse than a £2 tandy hand held?

Oh and ace forum,

One very last thing any trusted experts in the south yorks area?

Regards Lee.
 
Hi Lee, welcome to the A2oc

I think the A2 should be closer in character to a Honda 4 cyl so it sounds the car needs a bit of TLC

Depending on the radio model, the car may have a diversity aerial and the black box is prone to water damage. More info here - http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthrea...as-suddenly-stopped&highlight=radio+reception

90 TDis have a dual mass flywheel which can fail resulting in strange noises and vibration in the early stages

Some oil in the intercooler pipes is not unusual as the crankcase breather dumps engine fumes and oil mist into the intake system.

Try and get a drive of another 90 TDi for comparison

Consider taking it down to Stealth Racing (near Birmingham) for a health check......and a remap if you have a bit of spare cash.

Cheers Spike
 
Spike said:
Depending on the radio model, the car may have a diversity aerial and the black box is prone to water damage. More info here - http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthrea...as-suddenly-stopped&highlight=radio+reception

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...

Hi, and thanks, Spike.

This makes sense as its a cat d due to flood damage! Ill look into having a power amp fitted as per the thread highlighted.

As is often mentioned on here being a sport the suspension dosent add to the sense of normality! I have changed my commute to avoid speed humps ;)
Its been de-badged and has 17 seat 3spokes on which I think look ace and suit the car well, the tyres have the skinniest side walls iv ever seen tho! again they look lovely but cant help the ride. I am resolved to replacing the lot soon as funds permit.
Thanks for the info and is a re-chip really that needed on what is an eco car? will never recoup the cost in fuel and I think its Vquick as is? in fact with the mods mine had I wandered if it had been done but not mentioned during sale??? I may have over implied the impending doom! I do trust it just had to change my driving style.
Thanks again Lee
 
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My tdi did not have a receipt for the cambelt change only a hand written note in the book. I used it to haggle the price down and took it to a garage to get it checked out, it was a new belt but a DIY job so the tensioner and ancillaries had not been changed (I'll get it done again in about 5k I'd think), it also had a leak from the rocker cover caused by not tightening the bolts properly. The check and issues noted by Vince at Stealth and worth having it checked by somebody who knows the car just to make sure and peace of mind.

My tdi is a 75 but feels strong and smooth, it does not really have 'quirks' other than the 3 cylinder engine has a rather unique sound.
 
My car has a sticker mounted on the front panel (behind the bonnet) with the date an km total on which the belt was last changed.
It looks like the sticker is VAG group. Do they usually do this in England too?
 
Hi again. Thanks Spike that makes sense as the car was a cat d due to flooding in 2007.
Its not as bad as im making out just used to more refinement?! not grumbling about the fuel consumption ave 58. or speed in fact wondering why so many are chipped ?? im happy and don't feel its lacking at all?
Although im beginning to believe it may have been modded and the fact kept quiet to obtain a sale because its styled as a sleeper: de-badged, 17" Seat 3 spokes and the lowest profile tyres iv ever seen, also a k&n fitted sticker in the engine bay. Its a shrunk in the wash TT and very quick?!?
Will look for a 2nd hand amp or follow the route in the thread highlighted. thanks.
Very happy tho will keep this forever. contrary to popular opinion I also love the tin top roof and speed lines along its length!! :)
Regards LEE
 
Update, clutch kit, DM flywheel and thrust bearing? u/s.
As above mechanic said it felt like it was going to explode!
£750 to correct! gulp!! expected £500ish but as my papa says "joys of motoring"
Grown to trust and love it so worth the outlay, its a keeper.
 
I flooded mine and had to do the same,also put new belts,water pump etc £1600 <gulp>
when water damaged the clutch sticks to the DMF,thats when it starts to fail quicker.

Check the nearside passenger inspection point to see if its dry in there,I was lucky as mine came below the wiring and no more.

Must have been 2-3 years ago already and going fine.

Roy
 
Hi,
Been 2 months now and going strong. Forgot to add at the time the Gear selector mechanism was goosed as water had got in, saw the state of it!!! + the gearbox oil was like sludge and milky.
Doing the thermostat today as its been intermittent, but now seams stuck at zero. also trying glow plugs as starting in last month has been 5sec of chug chug rather than the 1sec click purr.
Been adding 2stroke oil for the last month and its quieter.
Not got round to sorting the radio reception yet as it picks up radio 1 ok with the screen mounted aftermarket aerial I bought it with, I do miss radio Sheffield on football days tho!
Getting the modding itch now ;) this forum although I don't post much is additive !!!!! thank god stealth is too far from Donny!
Keep it up chaps, and thanks for the constant info. Lee
 
Hi, replying to myself. First sign of madness!!!
Got the above jobs done ok. Had to mod a 10mm tee bar to fit glow plug ends and got wet changing stat! but also found +ve to starter loose retaining nut half way down thread. double nutted now!
Thank god for wkend working and a quiet workshop :)
 
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