Second hand '98 130

[10 inches more]

I'm keen to know what regular major service might be required on a TDi130 at the 200,000km mark. I have my eye on one in good nic for $10K, but am concerned that it might be due for injectors/timing belt etc. When do these need to be done, and what are they likely to cost?

[PAT303]

Injectors are $143 each and mine lasted 400K,the rad needs rodding,$250 plus I'd do the hoses and fan belt $150,timing belt I'd do the full change,don't know about cost but look at $600.The oils should all be changed and a good grease.If it's in good nick buy it.Any vehicle at that age will need the above done. Pat

[Chucaro]

I would do the timing belt, change all the oils and the cooling.
Install an engine saver and have a look the condition of all the belts and hoses.
Head service will be ok and due for service at 250000km.
Cheers

[VladTepes]

Sounds v cheap for a 130 that young.
What's wrong with it ?

[lardy]

Injectors are $143 each and mine lasted 400K,the rad needs rodding,$250 plus I'd do the hoses and fan belt $150,timing belt I'd do the full change,don't know about cost but look at $600.The oils should all be changed and a good grease.If it's in good nick buy it.Any vehicle at that age will need the above done. Pat

depending where he is Pat the standard rip off for timing belts are $1000 in perth, i got mine closer to your price quoted pat

[lardy]

I would do the timing belt, change all the oils and the cooling.
Install an engine saver and have a look the condition of all the belts and hoses.
Head service will be ok and due for service at 250000km.
Cheers

Chu- do the engines savers work or are they a gimmick?

[10 inches more]

It was in fact too good to be true... I have spoken to the owner and the price is more realistic $12-15k range, yet to be determined. It has just had a new clutch and the engine / Gbox seals done.

So its fair to say that within the short term I'd expect to spend in the order of $1500-2000 on it. If that is all it needs for another 100,000km I guess that is not unreasonable.

Re the engine saver, what is this?

Thanks for the feed back so far. I appreciate all the input I can get on this.

[Chucaro]

Chu- do the engines savers work or are they a gimmick?

Lardy, by the time that the original water temp gauge shows overheating the engine will be cooked or the head damaged.
The engine saver will be let you know if the cooling level is low due to a leak in the system and then you will have time to stop the engine and repair the fault.
I believe that on the Tdi 200/300 is a must have.
Cheers

[George130]

There are a couple of these things.
One checks the coolant level only.
There is also the big dady ones that have the coolant level alarm, temp sensors and so on.
I got the little black box so have it hooked into the oil sensor, coolant level alarm, head temp sensor and alternator.
The peace of mind is worth it. I didn't hook up the auto shut down as the thought of it going off and shutting fown when your crossing a river sounded to scarey.

[10 inches more]

Thanks for that Chucaro and George. Are they simply called an 'Engine Saver', and where do you get them? It sounds like it is not a Repco sort of thing, nor does it sound cheap... then again, neither is an engine rebuild.