1998 VW PASSAT
 

Hi I am just about to purchase a 1998 passat 60th anniversary 1.8t semi automaticis there anything I should know before buying this car. Thecar has done 150,000km timing belt has been done is there anything else to look out for any information will be helpfull good or bad.

RE: 1998 VW PASSAT
 

Ok, I just recently bought a 98 Passat 1.8t 5 speed. I was told before the purchase to make sure the timing belt tensioner did not have a ball-end type linkage on it. You can verify this by pulling the top of the timing belt cover towards the frt of the car after releasing a few locking tabs, use a flashlight.
Another week spot would be the cv joints, and the obvious interior trim pieces.
I would recommend taking the car to the local VW dealer and asking for a Pre-Purchase Inspection. Most places will do that for about an hour's worth of labor. They will tell you what they see, in hopes that you will bring the car back to them for service. I suggest waiting while the car is in the shop, and when they give you an estimate you ask them to show you the problems personally.
I love my car, gotta love cold a/c :D

RE: 1998 VW PASSAT
 

If it has got the ball end type linkage on the timing belt tensioner what problems could occur.

Thanks

RE: 1998 VW PASSAT
 

Those are prone to break, causing a loose timing belt. If that belt slips you have just munched a cylinder head full of valves. At $70-80 apiece, with 20 valves total, that's gonna suck !
The new style tensioner is hydraulic with no linkage.

RE: 1998 VW PASSAT
 

Forgive my ignorance but does that mean I should replace the tensioner or is it part of the belt itself which would mean a new timing belt.

RE: 1998 VW PASSAT
 

No, it's seperate from the timing belt, but the belt has to come loose to change the tensioner.

RE: 1998 VW PASSAT
 

Thanks for that. Now is there anything elseat all you think I have to be wary of before I buy this 1998 vw passat. I dont want to have a lovely looking car that just an expensive lemon.

RE: 1998 VW PASSAT
 

Cannot say that I've had any issues to speak of in the last few weeks. Sorry for my delay in responding. I do still have an intermittent ABS light, (more on than off) but that's probably a wheel speed sensor. Just need to find out which one. Oh, and the alarm acts screwy sometimes, like the car not locking all the doors and arming the alarm from the driver's door intermittently. But, it always works from the trunk lid....
Again, I recommend a pre-purchase inspection at your local dealer.