1.9L TDI: Tech Changes 1997-99?

Hi,
You're all total motorheads here, aren't you?
Anyway, it's great what you're doing here, with all the problem-solving for LLMs, etc.

Could you tell me if there were any relevant technical changes in the 1.9l TDI (81 or 85kW) engines produced between 1997 and 1999? For example, were any parts changed because the old ones were constantly causing problems, or were there any changes related to fuel consumption or emissions?

Thank you very much!
Best regards,
Roland
P.S.:
Perhaps someone knows when the Sharan started being fully galvanized.

Hello RoBro!

Your question is unfortunately quite vague. If you want to know the differences between the 81kW and 85kW motors, you could write entire books about it.
The 81kW engine is a VP-TDI, while the 85kW engine is a PD-TDI, which are fundamentally different engine designs.

Regarding the history of VP-TDIs, I believe there were some changes in the timing belt system (including idler pulleys, tensioners, tooth width, tooth geometry, etc.) to extend the replacement interval from 60,000 km to 90,000 km.
"If anyone has more precise information, please correct me here or provide more specific details and additions to my statements."

Regards,
Alex.

Unfortunately, it's only superficial knowledge.

The 81 kW engine in the Sharan is the AFN, which should always have 90,000 km intervals for the timing belt.

Or?

Oops.
I didn't know that the 85kW version is a particulate filter (DPF) model.
Now I also need to find out what the advantages and disadvantages of PD technology are...

Was stimmt es, dass nur der erste timing belt needs to be replaced at 60,000 km, and then a better one is installed?
Best regards, Roland.

Oops, the Sharan also only has 110 kW, so it's the same engine...
Roland.

110 kW?! You probably mean horsepower.

Please provide me with the exact offers, including the year of manufacture, mileage, and price.

Yep, PS.

Okay, so:
Currently, I have two very different cars in mind.


1. Ford Galaxy, 1999, with 150,000 km, for sale by a private individual, with a tow hitch (which I don't necessarily need), could be available for just over €9,000.

2. VW Sharan, 1997, with 83,000 km, from a dealer, without a tow hitch, asking price is €12,500, but it should be closer to €11,500, possibly even €11,000.

Otherwise, they are quite comparable (both are 1.9L TDI engines with 81 kW, including winter tires...).

The Ford seems quite affordable, even though a small repair is needed (the door lock is broken, but the central locking still works). I'm just worried that it's so cheap because of some problem, and since it's being sold privately, there's no warranty.

Best regards,
Roland
P.S.:
I actually didn't want to spend more than 10,000 to 10,500.

Hmm.

Given the difficulty, and considering your budget, I might look for a vehicle with slightly over 90,000 kilometers (approximately 56,000 miles). That way, you can avoid the expensive 90,000 km service! There are plenty of vehicles from the year 2000 available on Mobile.de in the 9,000-10,000 Euro range. My opinion is that with a car that has 150,000 kilometers (approximately 93,000 miles), if only the standard inspections have been done, the wear-and-tear parts related to mileage will gradually need to be replaced, such as fuel injectors, etc.
And with an older car, there's definitely going to be plenty of parts that need to be replaced.

The 90,000 km service is included, as is the timing belt, if it hasn't already been replaced at 60,000 km. New inspection sticker (TÜV) and registration. 1-year used car warranty. Euro 2 emissions standard (key 27), resulting in a fuel consumption of only 15.44 Euros per 100 km.

'It probably won't reach 11,000, but 11,250 or 11,500 might be possible...'
Regards,
Roland.

Does anyone know when the Sharans were fully galvanized, or where I can find information about that?

The 4kW shouldn't cause any issues, but does the PD (presumably referring to a specific technology or feature) offer significant advantages that would make it worthwhile to choose a slightly more expensive car with PD?
Best regards, Roland.

RoBro wrote:

The 4kW shouldn't cause any issues, but does the PD (presumably referring to a specific feature or technology) have significant advantages, which is why one should prefer a slightly more expensive car with PD? Best regards, Roland

Hi,

PD models typically offer more torque with a (nearly) equal horsepower output.
In practice, they tend to consume slightly more, even though the standard values don't necessarily indicate this.

Otherwise, each engine concept has its own specific strengths.

PD engines experience a significant drop in performance if the turbocharger loses boost pressure or the mass airflow sensor fails.
"Because of their design, they don't tend to produce partial-load vibrations from the pump, but conversely, they can sometimes vibrate quite noticeably when idling, which variable valve timing (VVT) systems almost never do..."

I would generally avoid engines from the early years of production, as they may still have latent manufacturing defects. For example, for vehicles manufactured in 1998, I would always prefer a newer model (VP - "Vor-Produktionsmodell" - likely meaning a later production version) in terms of reliability and the risk of repair costs.

@RoBro: The 'Pumpe-Düse' (common rail injection system) was only introduced with the facelift in the fall of 2000, so I don't think you'll find a decent one for €11,000.

Hi,
Okay, the 1997 vintage is gone, and the 1999 vintage failed the 'Hoppeltest,' see:

/viewtopic.php?p=35940#35940

Could you possibly provide me with some tips on how to interpret the results or on how to proceed further?
Regards,
Roland.