Club 80-90 Forums

You may have seen my other post, about weighing up a tdi conversion. This is out of the window now as its gonna cost to much. So I have 3 options;
a) Fit an AAZ
b) Fit an 8v GTI
c) sort out JX.
My query is does anyone know or hazard a guess as to what might be up with my JX.
History is: Bought the van from Berlin last May (re-cond engine, gearbox, power steering - loads of German history (Westy California '90)). Ran sweet as a nut until old e'jit here decided to run on pure veg oil Was great initially, seemed fatser, quiter, then started to become a bit of touble, hard to start etc. One day the missis got in drove half a mile and it stopped. Cause: Injector pump failure. Replaced with "used one", after that it has always smoked (loads of black smoke) and runs hotter. Then started leaking oil, I fill it up and it uses loads, to the point that it will go into seizure after about 50 miles!! I'm thinking, I may have put too much oil in? Current Sympons: Quite hard to start, ok when started for popping about locally, go any distance and it goes into seizure after about 40 mile (burning so much oil), foot on clutch roll to side of road, put more oil in and same again after a short while. I'm thinking the GTI route as I tend to drive on the hard side. I'm thinking AAZ 'cause its a cheaper conversion and still keeps the diesel "theme" of the van.

Considerations;
a) Re sale value i.e higher v lower with GTI/AAZ
b) conversion cost
c) fancy something a little nippier and with better pulling power
d) Is the 1.6jx worth having re-built and selling or is it worth anything as is

Summary
swap for diesel with more power and how much more have they got (AAZ) compared to JX?, swap for 8v GTI and have a bit of fun? Or re-build JX and take more care of it?

Thanks for reading this lenghy babble. Any feedback is much appreciated.

Cheers.

woodman wrote:what might be up with my JX.

........................

I tend to drive on the hard side.

Answered your own question there ...

Plus I would say that running it "hot" on a semi-buggered or mistimed pump probably didn't help.

I'm no engine expert and can't tell you if your jx is worth rebuilding ...it sounds well sick anyway.

Bin the JX, sounds like its very ill. AAZ is by far the best out of the options you list and in my opinion is the best engine to put in one of these.

Thanks Andy,

Are these the engines in the Golf MKIII (1.9td).

PS: A a mate of mine has put a GTI in his so knows the ropes but I'm a bit concerned about resale value and MPG, any thoughts?
PPS: Was it you I spoke to on the phone the other day about this conversion (AAZ)?

woodman wrote:Thanks Andy,

Are these the engines in the Golf MKIII (1.9td).

PS: A a mate of mine has put a GTI in his so knows the ropes but I'm a bit concerned about resale value and MPG, any thoughts?
PPS: Was it you I spoke to on the phone the other day about this conversion (AAZ)?

MPG is not going to be great with any of these engines but the AAZ will have best MPG and acceleration, GTI will have best top speed.

AAZ' were used in loads of things but most common is mk3 golf/vento/ 89-97 passat, seat toledo, audi 80. Don't bother with an ABL they get a hard life and die early.

Not me on phone.

Nice one, I think I'm aboujt 95% sure on the AAZ route now. Whats the cionversion like, any mods needed? Anything dodgy aboyt the AAZ lump? How much should I be paying?

Thanks.

woodman wrote:Nice one, I think I'm aboujt 95% sure on the AAZ route now. Whats the cionversion like, any mods needed? Anything dodgy aboyt the AAZ lump? How much should I be paying?

Thanks.

The thing with AAZ is bottom pulley coming loose and trashing engine, if possible see engine running first and see if crank pulley wobbles, if its ok put a new pulley and bolt in and it will last. Only problem is turbo oil return pipe is not long engough and will need a new one. Engine lid will also need slight mod to clear injection pump unless its a sika or doka. Price seems to vary lots over country but between 150-300

So, put a new pulley and bolt in whatever? How much will that run me any ideas? Ive seen one on ebay out of car thats done 85k (apparently) for a £285 start price, no bidders as yet. All the cars I look at seem to have done 120-170k and are around the £500 mark. S'pose I'm gambling with a breakers engine, but though change belt, service and new pulley etc and should be ok. Whats with the mod, would I need to cut a hole in my engine lid/floor cover or something? I assume electrics, exhaust and gearbox from the jx are all good to go?

Thanks.

woodman wrote:So, put a new pulley and bolt in whatever? How much will that run me any ideas? Ive seen one on ebay out of car thats done 85k (apparently) for a £285 start price, no bidders as yet. All the cars I look at seem to have done 120-170k and are around the £500 mark. S'pose I'm gambling with a breakers engine, but though change belt, service and new pulley etc and should be ok. Whats with the mod, would I need to cut a hole in my engine lid/floor cover or something? I assume electrics, exhaust and gearbox from the jx are all good to go?

Thanks.

bolt and pulley about £30

Engine lid will also need slight mod to clear injection pump unless its a sika or doka.

In respect of the above, does this mean that the injector pump will protrude into the vehicle? As this is a westy therefore the bed site directly on there? Will this affect it?

Thanks.

woodman wrote:Engine lid will also need slight mod to clear injection pump unless its a sika or doka.

In respect of the above, does this mean that the injector pump will protrude into the vehicle? As this is a westy therefore the bed site directly on there? Will this affect it?

Thanks.

Less than 10mm. JX pump can be used on 1.9's but i would not advise because they are "pooh".