AAZ conversion

[Al Housman]

I'm considering swapping my JX for an AAZ.I gather there was a pulley problem with some AAZs.When did VW put this right.There is one in a Golf running well(apparently) but with 140,000 on it for £200.Any thoughts on potential pitfalls?
The JX is smoking quite a lot on start up.Have changed airfilter & I'm going to do engine oil & filter and fuel filter but suspect something more fundamental(turbo?).It's done about 80,000 miles.Runs well though.

Cheers.Al

[syncroandy]

Hi Al,

I'm no AAZ guru but from what I've read it's only very late AAZ's that have the re-designed crank. The blue smoke at start-up could just be oil thats seeped past the turbo seal. Is it using much oil, any signs of low compression ? You could get it compression/leak-down tested to assess the state of the block.

Re. the conversion, this seems popular, but you will need a few conversion parts, and people seem to find an oil cooler is required as well. 140k would be considered on the highish side for a swap, but if can be demonstrated to be well-maintained, runs well, and is cheap then might be worth a pop.

[Al Housman]

Thanks Andy.I think I'll explore possibilities around the JX engine.MOT yesterday threw up no problems so I'll check the turbo at some point.Better the devil you know.....Al

[Aidan]

When Brickie's back at work check out his website, I think he offers the best deal on Turbos, I've a dead one if required for exchange purposes.
Al I've got a 1Z, good bottom end, good head, new head gasket, with turbo and manifolds but would need a mTDi pump sorting, but that's in process, its no longer required as project plan has changed, could be the thing long term......it's a bit of work as a conversion but those that have done it seem pretty good bags of torque and better economy.

[charlie brown syndrome]

smoking on start-up? sounds more like glow plugs to me,
that would cause it to start with loads of smoke and possibly run rough for a little while too,
i'd check the glow plugs and maybe do a service on it before anything as drastic as an engine change,

[DoKa90]

I got an AAZ with 69k on it from Volks-Apart for about £500ish. If you do decide to go down that route, it might be worth trying them. I think good AAZs seem to be getting harder to get hold of. I also got a recon AAP box and the two have made a huge difference (previously had JX/3H).

Anyway, I'm very happy with it. But then I didn't do the work.

[Al Housman]

Many thanks for your replies.I'm happy to take the easiest option at present-the TDi conversion is attractive but seems complex.Are there implications for the gearbox with all that extra torque? The AAZ ( I gather) gives a bit more grunt but not too much and seems easier to fit.I had seen some from L/K reg vehicles for a reasonable £200-300 but don't want to embark on some futile project if they're naff!

Interestingly the smoke problems are less noticeable since using a better grade of engine oil when I changed it the other day.A lesson for me there I think!!

[DoKa90]

The AAZ will work fine with your 3H box, I would think. The AAP box make slightly better use of the available torque; at least, that's my understanding. So you could upgrade the box when time and funds allow. AAP's are not exactly in plentiful supply.

There's a fair bit of info around on various forums (including this one) about buying used engines. Obviously mileage is a factor but try to see it running if possible. Buying from Volks-Apart was a little different as they gave me a 3 month guarantee.

[ringo]

This gearbox is really interesting for me guys as im considering where to go with my AAZ engine.

I didnt want to hog this thread so i started a new one here with another question:

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 224#301224

Thanks

Ringo