2001 GLX 'needs new head'

[mikeole]

In my car search yesterday, I ran across a pretty nice 2001 GLX blk/blk, 1.8T, 5 spd, 110K. The owner says it needs a new head. I have mechanical capability to do a job like this, but, would need to learn the ins/outs of these rigs and get a few special tools. My thought is that it would give me the excuse to get it right and know it inside/out...

This doesn't seem like much more than a $1000-1500 car although the ad is for 3K... Could it be just a head/HG or do these failures kill the rest of the motor also? I'm trying to understand if I could have a real nice $5K car when its done...

need input from skilled wrenches on what I'd need to keep in mind...

[NewBeetleMechanic]

Originally Posted by mikeole

In my car search yesterday, I ran across a pretty nice 2001 GLX blk/blk, 1.8T, 5 spd, 110K. The owner says it needs a new head. I have mechanical capability to do a job like this, but, would need to learn the ins/outs of these rigs and get a few special tools. My thought is that it would give me the excuse to get it right and know it inside/out...

This doesn't seem like much more than a $1000-1500 car although the ad is for 3K... Could it be just a head/HG or do these failures kill the rest of the motor also? I'm trying to understand if I could have a real nice $5K car when its done...

need input from skilled wrenches on what I'd need to keep in mind...

You are right on target with the 1k to 1.5k. I would not give more then then that, if they get offended by that, they will end up sitting on it.

Again thats my opinion.

[mikeole]

thanks-- what typically kills heads on these models? They didn't mention gasket, but it would seem likely and the head cracked. If I was to just do the head in the car, what kind of a parts bill would this be? Obviously you can't see it, but assume the worst...

My real plan would be to pull the motor and do it on the stand and copsider some upgrades at the same time. It would make a lot of typical maintenance stuff easy and every car I come across has lots of deferred maintenence and needs to be done anyway. This would give me the excuse to get in up to my 'elbows'....lol

thanks!

[NewBeetleMechanic]

Originally Posted by mikeole

thanks-- what typically kills heads on these models? They didn't mention gasket, but it would seem likely and the head cracked. If I was to just do the head in the car, what kind of a parts bill would this be? Obviously you can't see it, but assume the worst...

My real plan would be to pull the motor and do it on the stand and copsider some upgrades at the same time. It would make a lot of typical maintenance stuff easy and every car I come across has lots of deferred maintenence and needs to be done anyway. This would give me the excuse to get in up to my 'elbows'....lol

thanks!

I think if you do get it apart and see that the pistons have also been damaged, which in turn probably bent the rods. I have found most 1.8L's, once the head is junk the rest of the engine is too. Just getting you ready for the fact you most likely will need the entire engine.

[D2Beetle]

This thread will be helpful, as I am doing what you are considering to do.

[mikeole]

Yes, based on how people list ads with the 'just needs this...' I'm also expecting that the motor is junk.

However, this may not go far because the ad has already thrown up a few red flags-- the poster is not responding to email and purposely did not leave a phone number to contact.

stand by....

[mikeole]

well, just heard back from this gal and I almost feel bad...

here's her response..

I bought the car from a crappy little car lot in milwauke or, and the first time I test drove it- it drove fine! so I never thought to have a mechanic look at it. Oops, my bad lesson learned. Anyways a week later I bought it, and two days later it barely made it to the mechanic to be fixed. They quoted me 1200 bucks without telling me what was wrong, so I had the ignition coils replaced and the maf sensor and was on my way. I drove the car for 6 months, I put about 10k miles on the car and it got oil changes every 3 weeks. I had a vacuum hose break, which if you know anything about vw beetles, the engines are pos plastic and they get to hot so everything gets warped ie bad seal, yup good times. The head was already having issues but the vacuum hose lead to the hole in the head, so now it's basically scrap metal, it cannot be rebuilt, it needs the whole tamale. I've had a mechanic do lots of diagnostics and the dealership in portland ran one to, everything works great except for the head. I was quoted for a brand new head $1300 but I'm sure I could find a used one for $600-800.

However I need it gone, so yeah, offer away.

----------------------

It almost sounds like the intake has issues, not the cylinder head. I'm almost getting fired up about making an offer...

[NewBeetleMechanic]

Originally Posted by mikeole

However I need it gone, so yeah, offer away.

$2,200.00 not a pence more.


Got pictures?

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by NewBeetleMechanic

Got pictures?

2001 VW BEETLE *black*turbo*

[NewBeetleMechanic]

Carfax it before you go look at it. From this pictures its hard to say, ask for more pictures. But the top is $2,200.00, just dont tell her that until after you have looked at it.

[Zann]

I wouldn't even go with that price. Once you dive in you could find much more wrong leading to a new engine.

$2200 seems like a lot of money on a gamble especially with all the attention on the head and you might overlook potential trashed transmission or something.

They always say 'it just needs a few hundred bucks' then it'll be worth thousands more. She claims $800 could fix it and instantly make it worth private party price of $5000 roundabouts but they rather just sell it for thousands less.

*shakes head* Too good to be true is too good to be true.

[mikeole]

been out shopping more-- trying to hit both ends of the range and looked at a nice 03 S w/ 100K. Can be had for mid $5K range..

I haven't heard anymore on this 2001. I made a pretty aggressive offer ($1200), that if its cosmetically nice and a manual, it may be worth taking a risk on. Seller looks to be in one of those spots of can't afford to fix it and can't afford to get rid of it (pay it off). I haven't been able to find out what trans it has--

[mikeole]

Just heard back from seller and they won't consider my offer--this opportunity looks to be dead. Probably just as well...

Based on her description, what is this 'vacuum hose lead to hole in the head'? I thought I read somewhere that it could be a boss or nipple of some sort? What does one have to do with the other? She threw me with the 'cheap warped plastic, poor seal' description.

thanks

[Zann]

They won't be able to pay off the bank with what the car's worth sadly. They want more than it's worth at this point. Your hearing it second or third hand from the mechanic so who knows how the story has been twisted.

They should have had a mechanic quote whats needed and write it all down and show that to any potential buyer instead of a bunch of probabilities and maybes...but that may be the point - the issue is grave and they rather be vague about it.

These cars are so frail there are tons out there and most have current hidden problems the owners rather not disclose. I shopped and shopped and shopped till I found one I liked and still hold my breath at times every time I hear a faint noise or small stutter the car might do at idle. I love the cars but I hope it gives me a few years of 'fun' before going all to ****

[mikeole]

Yup, they can't afford to sell it and its for the best...

However, you've made a couple comments about NBs being 'fragile' or 'frail'. I don't think these are too different from other VWs; we had a Mk2 Jetta and an A4 (the A4 only had 60K when we sold). Both were very reliable. For the guy willing to do his own scanning and troubleshooting, they don't seem to be any different than any other vehicle.

I haven't looked quite as much as you (I've seen maybe 12-14), but the one thing that stands out is 'deferred maintenance'. Most simply don't do much maintenance unless it breaks down.. a fact. Any interference motor with a timing belt will punish if its not done. That makes any search challenging and it tests your patience.

Although, I am getting closer to a find... the 03 S has got me very interested. Its got deferred maint also!! LOL

[Zann]

Yeah, a lot of drivers say it's 'well maintained' but that usually just means oil changes and car washes

As far as Beetle reliability, you can read all the threads here from Beetle lovers who did every little preventive thing they can and still get hosed by their Beetle's angry temper with sensor failures, window regulators going bad, plastic clamps breaking on hoses and in the ventilation system, etc. I love the car and will do my best to keep him running but frankly, the Mexicans built a cheap plastic car that doesn't age well at all.

[Smileybug]

Its not just the NB. All Mk4 VWs are prone to the same problems (window regulators, sensors failing, etc). Its VWs fault when choosing to use cheap plastic for important components. Little things like that, I can handle. If you keep up with the maintenance, you can have a reliable car (a breaking window regulator does not make it unreliable). I've had my 2.0 since 2005. I got it at 6 years old with 54k on her. No maintenance history whatsoever. But I just maintained it as I should when I got it. Doing oil changes, etc. Did the timing belt/water pump at 78k. She now has 97k on her and is running strong. Left me "stranded" once, but she still ran (my shift linkage broke...once again, stupid plastic pieces...still had 3rd and 4th gear luckily!). My dad had to tow me home, as I was visiting them 2 hours away, but thats the only big thing thats happened. *knock on wood*.

[pencilneck]

Originally Posted by mikeole

thanks-- what typically kills heads on these models?

Timing belt service... or lack of. A few teeth shred off at the crank and thus the engine goes out of time, pistons kiss valves, valves bend. This of course is a rather sudden even, the engine is running, then just dies and won't start back up.

The head has to be pulled, valves replaced. I've done this repair often and once complete, the engines run like a champ again.