I Bought a $500 GTI with Broken Timing Chains, How BAD Is the Engine?

Are VR6 timing chains really a problem? Today I buy a $500 MK4 GTI, the owner said the timing chains are bad. Well we find out if the timing chains are bad, and how much engine damage this VR6 engine has. This might be the worst VR6 engine damage I have ever seen. Its not all timing chain failure! So was this car really worth $500? #vr6 #humblemechanic #mk4 #gti #youtube
Thanks to Bryan from www.oneloveautogroup.com for connecting me on this car!
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Filmed and Edited by Eli Pastura
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disclaimer:
The content of this video is available for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the professional advice of a mechanic who has personally inspected your vehicle, nor does it create a relationship of any kind between the Humble Mechanic and you. Every situation may be different, and the Humble Mechanic does not make any warranties, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy, fitness, or applicability of the information or automotive parts portrayed in this video to any project and makes no guarantee of results. The Humble Mechanic and any sponsors of this video will not be liable for any damages related to personal injury, property damage or loss of any kind that may result from the use or reliance on this video and/or any automotive parts represented in this video. You are using the information and automotive parts portrayed in this video solely at your own risk.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Okay the biggest question.. What should I do with it? I could harvest some goodies for the black R32 and scrap/sell the rest. Or Fix and flip... Also if you crave more VR6 goodness ~ kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYjWkmR_qap_r68

[@hopingforthebest1.9]

I say fix it, then maybe compare it to the blue r32 to see the differences in terms of acceleration and handling

[@aelaan12]

I think parting it out is the best option to recoop the money if the interior is worth saving. If the panels and doors are not rusted out their will be rebuilders looking for it. Engine will cost you at least 2k plus all the little parts and who knows what kind of engine that is. So.... are these worth like 8-10k for a flip? I know, in the late 90s we would be all jacked up for a GTI but they have lost their charm, to me at least.

[@cardiacdrummer5443]

Hmm…depends on how bad the rest of the car is. If it’s falling apart on the inside Then it’s not worth saving. Still cool to see it as part of a series regardless. Thanks for going through the painful process for our viewing pleasure. Man I miss wrenching on cars

[@michaelblacktree]

Here is the obligatory "K-swap it" comment. 😛 But seriously, I would toss in some new bearings, slap on another head, and send it. It'll be fine.

[@supergoat94]

EA888 Swap it! :)

[@BMSmouthers]

Mann, for $500 & with the body as clean as it looks. It’s definitely worth throwing a junkyard engine and probably reselling it. I wish I could find a fixer upper mk4 for $500. Everyone still wants $3k for a rotted out blown up mk4 around here smh.

[@SavedbyHim]

Everybody hates on the MK4 but it's still the best car I ever owned and I still miss mine. Drove it up to 300K km before I sold it...

[@jerbear7952]

For real and they are abused by idiot kids for their whole life. Im so sick of seeing TDIs with hood stacks. Idiots

[@JoelCaseyJonesMusic]

Agreed… I’d love to watch you and Charles team up @BMSmouthers…. @humblemechanic you hear that?

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

Really? I bought one road legal for £800 (like $1100) not long ago. They're pretty cheap in the UK, GTi is actually cheaper than the 1.9TDI

[@JohnDoeDeadhead420]

​@@SavedbyHimwho hates on the mk4

[@JaredsGarage]

Oh man! Don’t destroy! Fix itttt. I would love a vr6 GTI just like this one.

[@ch0wned]

Nooooo!!!! ESCAPE WHILE YOU CAN, YOUNG ONE! 🥶🥶🥶

[@travisstidham7256]

@@ch0wned ^^^ what he said. I a gti vr6 just like this one. And man is it a pain. Best thing about it is the sound of the engine, and the fact that you can put a mk3 steel oil pan on it instead of the mk4 aluminum one. Other than that it’s a pain

[@agenericaccount3935]

This video is partially why you may not in fact want one.

[@JaredsGarage]

@@agenericaccount3935 I’m a mechanic.

[@agenericaccount3935]

@@JaredsGarage Most mechanics I know aren't into working on their own stuff after doing it as a paying gig all day all week all year. But you go on telling yourself whatever you need to.

[@St0RM33]

It's funny how they always say it's got a timing chain, needs no service when timing belts can last more than 100k km without issues but with chains it always has some tensioner or guide failure..

[@vwbob1953]

AGREE!! Belts rule.Screw those expensive and special tool (more money) chain engines. That's how they ruined the 4.2.

[@MrWoowootila]

Had the same guide fail on my engine at 100k. Stopped running immediately and replaced all the guides and timing chain. 10k later spun a connecting rod bearing. I think it was a plastic piece that bypassed the oil pickup tube of the oil pump. VW knew this was a problem and at least should have redesigned that guide. The other guides were in good shape. If any vr6 owner reads this replace this guide at 80-90k. All you have to do is remove the top timing chain cover. No transmission removal. I think the other guides will last at least 150k miles, maybe longer. Chain stretch might hit its limit before the other guides.

[@rayludwig3893]

Just the upper guide? Do the tensioners go bad as well?

[@MrWoowootila]

@@rayludwig3893 when I replaced the timing chain and guides only the upper guide, opposing the upper tensioner guide, was bad. It was in pieces, but the engine was still in time. The engine sounded like marbles rattling in a can. I have the afp engine (2001). The lower timing chain and guides looked like they could go another 100k. The upper tensioner guide had little wear. VW should have redesigned the guide. Even a new one just does not feel strong. My plan on my overhauled engine is about 80-90k is to remove the upper intake and valve cover. Lock the cams with the tool and remove the upper timing cover. The guide can be removed by removing a bolt and pulling it out of the perch or bolt in the lower timing cover. The upper tensioner could be replaced and I think the other guides would be good until the next 80-90k. I bought the car new and changed the oil regularly so sludge was never a problem.

[@rayludwig3893]

@@MrWoowootila I got a 2002 24v vr6 Jetta with 102,000 kms has some marble sound. Not really feeling like removing the transmission. Just ordered the upper guide and tensioner bolt. Hope that fixes it. Doing the crack pipe and thermostat housing while in I’m there as well.

[@MrWoowootila]

@@rayludwig3893 I would buy the aftermarket aluminum thermostat housing and crack pipe. My original plastic housing starting seeping shortly after buying the car new and replaced it the aftermarket housing. At 100k the plastic housing was brittle and worn at the mating surface. The 24v has some redesigned guides and suppose to last longer, but I have no experience. I know the 24v guide that bolts down with two bolts instead of one. I think you can still replace it without removing the lower timing cover and transmission. The 24v also has a guide between the cam sprockets that the 12v does not. Note on the 12v the rattle you could be hearing is the changeover valve. I am not sure the 24v has it. If it was me I would take off the intake manifold, valve cover, lock the cams with special tool and remove the upper timing chain cover. If that guide is broken you found the rattle otherwise it is the changeover valve in the intake manifold if the BDF engine you have has one. If the chain is not too beat up just replace the upper guides. If the guide is in pieces, pull the oil pan remove the pieces in the oil pan and oil pump pickup screen. Also look down into the lower timing cover for pieces. From my experience and from what I have read in forums the lower guides and chains last a long time. Mine had little to no wear at 100k. A broken upper guide piece could do damage, but mine did not. You will have to seal the timing cover and oil pan. The VW sealant sets like in 15-20 minutes. My experience was too fast, especially with all the bolts. I used Permatex optimum black on the timing cover and oil pan. It cures in about 24 hours and I have never had a leak with the stuff. It gives you more time than the VW sealant. I removed the engine to do all the chains and guides. The vr6 is so tightly packed in the engine compartment you do not have a lot of room to remove the transmission. The mechanical coolant pump needs to have the engine raised or lowered to make space to remove it. I just pulled the engine and did everything. Water pump, front and rear seals, coolant hoses, thermostat, housing and crack pipe. I also replaced the clutch, flywheel, slave cylinder, throw out bearing and starter. The clutch components could of easily made it to 100k, but I rather spend over $200 now than try to work in a tight engine compartment in the near future. Good luck.

[@rayludwig3893]

@@MrWoowootila thanks dude, I hope the parts come in soon from ecs tuning and it’s just the upper guide. Will update on what it turns out to be.

[@biggabenne]

looks like a great car for 500$ - i'd love to have it even with the broken engine

[@RedondoBeach2]

Pause at 12:53 and have a closer look. Gap between the bumper and fender indicate possible collision repair. Aftermarket tow attachment indicative of the car possibly having a history of being tracked. Uneven line between the passenger door and lower frame of the car indicate potentially other collision damage. Worst of all; purple tint. When I see that, I stereotype the prior owner as someone who generally threw the cheapest parts possible at a car to barely keep it running, then drove the car like they stole it, until the day it had to be towed to a salvage yard. Speculating the owner did not spend extra money on more expensive G12 coolant. If so, imagine that nightmare. Imagine the condition of the clutch. Shift linkage bushings under the stick are most likely close to destroyed if not destroyed. If the owner operated the car on a budget, they probably used 85 octane in a car that calls for 91 octane. How does that impact fuel injectors. We haven't seen the suspension and interior. Maybe for good reason. No telling the condition of the electrical system. The car looks like a rapidly depreciating money pit. On the bright side, the VW emblem and mirror caps look nice.

[@ch0wned]

Boy, then do I have a deal for you! It’s about this bridge…

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

It's a parts car.

[@Professional_Youtube_Commenter]

@@RedondoBeach2 just becaused it's washed doesn't mean its kept in good condition. Just the mere fact that the retard who owned it didn't know of timing chain failures and kept cranking it a hundred times in the hopes that it would suddenly come back alive - tells you a lot. That is the reason probably why charles didn't even want to spend the money on parts to get it working again. Plus all the broken connectors, loose battery. The bodywork is in good nick, it could just be well looked after until the past owner had it and caused all that neglect and damage in their short period of ownership.

[@Lurch-Bot]

Good candidate for a 2.0T swap.

[@michaelblacktree]

That failure looks eerily similar. My E46 BMW had the same type of failure. Surprisingly, the engine still ran, but it was NOT HAPPY. The timing chain guide was shredded like it was tossed in a blender, and the debris clogged the oil pump pickup. I'm frankly amazed there wasn't major engine damage.

[@stul4013]

different with the vanos units on the e46 they can adapt the cam timing enough not to cause to much catastrophic damage to an extent and throw codes for timing etc same as the r56 mini / peugeot engines witll come up with vanos adaptation stop kinda codes etc,

[@George-zq2sk]

Love the content Charles, I've been around 12v's for 15 years and I always learn something new from you! I hope you get another 12v do a little refresh and get this running again, I am sure we will all learn from you!

[@dicknodnfs]

I also follow "I Do Cars" and in his teardowns I have seen shredded con rods, main bearings and other shrapnel. This one looks like old age and thar she blows. Who sells reman VW engines in the US? Great job and thanks.

[@packnhike]

Thank you for following through on that tear down, this is excellent knowledge for anybody looking for a junkyard motor and what to look for.

[@Deutscheautoparts]

In the words of Phil Swift..... "That's a lot of damage!"

[@Mk4.Donnnn]

You should provide him with replacement parts 👀

[@ofoosy]

Oh man I had a very similar issue with my timing belt on my 84 1.6 diesel. Had a plastic bit fly out of my timing cover and lodged itself in the gear tearing a 3cm hole in the belt. stretching it just enough to cause an engine out. But not enough to bend the valves! That was a very lucky day. One timing belt change later and she still ticks :) good luck figuring out what to do with this beauty!

[@mazpr2025]

like the new salvaged cars videos. I do enjoy watching the wrenching in the middle of all the engine mayhrm. Keep up the good work! cheers 🍻

[@Jacksonkellyfreak]

Charles I'll 100% buy it from you! I've been looking for another vr6 since I wrecked my mk4. I even have a good engine I could drop in it!

[@Danny-204]

You learn something everyday, I never knew they did a 12v VR6 in a Mk4, I guess only in the US, as all MK4 in Europe with a V6 engine were 24v and 4motion,

[@redneckbryon]

Replace the head, maybe do the bottom end bearings with the engine still in the car and see how long it lasts. Definitely could be interesting.

[@gabrielv.4358]

It's more interesting to just put the engine together as it is and use it, just replace the valves

[@tkrap]

gotta love vw, plastic valve cover under intake also the biggest issue on the vr6 is the cheap plastic chain guides, after they break they get sucked into the oil pickup tube which results in low oil pressure and KBOOOM !. spun bearings etc

[@ScubaAnt72]

Great post-mortem. That's a very sad Panda :( Shame as the body looks good. Really interesting to hear your comments on the state of those bearing surfaces. Cheers!

[@jamesk3565]

My heart was optimistic but my brain said "RUNNNNNN"

[@Elnenetgn]

Hello Charles. I love your channel and most of your videos, especially the ones where you do major repairs or rebuild engines. I have a Mark 4 with a 1.9 TDI ASV engine and I would really like to see some video of these engines. Greetings from Spain.

[@michaelblacktree]

I don't think we ever got the ASV engine here in the US. We have the ALH instead.

[@Elnenetgn]

@@michaelblacktree is pretty much the same 🙂

[@michaelblacktree]

I think Charles has some ALH videos. You can also try Thomas EXOVCDS. And I have some ALH videos too.

[@derekbk9093]

Thanks for the video very informative. I was just considering buying a b6 Passat. Add said "ran great until chain snapped" lol

[@jonnyduncan7056]

Great knowledge and very infectious watch from U.K!!

[@michaelowens1491]

Fix it please. The only VR6 I ever owned was a 1994 Passat GLX VR6 with a 5-speed manual transmission. Nice car. Sprinkled a bit of the Neuspeed catalog on it while I owned it. Was looking for a VR6 Corrado before I bought it. I have a soft spot in my heart for these engines. Love the channel!

[@Akotski-ys9rr]

This reminds me of when the timing belt guide on my car just completely broke off and the belt was going into the plastic cover making marks everywhere. Thankfully it was caught before any major damage

[@jeffalsop5299]

❤ Love it! $100 buck I paid! 2001 VW Golf GTI VR6 with 287000km. Not even close to the damage of your engine. Cost me total of 5400 to certify for the road. It was a great rehab project for me, Service Manual books I had and followed

[@fmarinosfromafar9512]

"Initially I was going to stop there but I think we need to keep going" - hell yeah!

[@160calories]

hey charles, you're certainly an expert in building/diagnosing bad engines. but were these jobs routine when you were a tech? broken cam gears/chains/guides, etc. or was this sorta thing picked up from all the projects over the years

[@BeloshapkaAutoBuilds]

Love these types of videos

[@Daryll_Flaro]

Great video, Charles! I'd pull the trigger and pick up a motor for the car. This video makes me wanna tear down my old mk4 12v motor. I ended up just finding a good running motor that only had 60,000 original miles on it 2 years ago. Slapped that bad boy in and was nothing but problems. A few hundred dollars in sensors, new injectors, spark plugs, wires and coil and it's just as reliable as my 7.5 R, not quite fun but you can't make an ea888 sound like a vr

[@LeeSuavez]

I'd love to see a 12v VRT build on your channel. To this day, this is my favorite sounding VR6 with the right intake/exhaust combo

[@HumbleMechanic]

I’ve done that!! I did a mk3 VR6t a few years back. Tons of videos!!!

[@slakka6495]

White Wookie

[@SimonBassington]

You should do some 1.9/2.0 tdi PD Stuff too! Dissasembly, tuning and servicing! I’m in scandinavia and we have tons of mk4 tdi’s and they have rumor of being so easy to get torque from.. and vr5’s are getting extremely rare and more attractive for enthusiast. atleast over here. Great videos though!

[@slakka6495]

Dude your freekin forensic and i love it!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you so much!

[@Michaeltje89]

5 sec in...bad noises, this is going to be a good one.

[@HumbleMechanic]

it was so bad!! LOL

[@bleachit42]

yeah my heart says keep it, there’s not many vr6 12v on the road these days. i have a tropic orange vr6 12v gti like this and I absolutely love it. it was interesting to see what I have to look forward to in 60,000 miles or so.. crate motor.

[@craigiefconcert6493]

It would be nice if you could find another VR6 that was totalled without engine damage and just snag the engine. I always wonder how compatible newer models of the same car are. For example if you had an engine from a very new VW could you swap it in and maybe change out the ECU? Great tear down! Super informative and a short textbook on things to look for.

[@CoconutMigrating]

You can put any engine in any car that it fits in. You’ll need to do a TON of rewiring, all new electronics, and in most cases you’ll need a new transmission to mate up to the new engine though.

[@MrTurboFour]

We could make this video a drinking game. Everytime you say sad you take a shot! Keep up the great content!

[@idad1217]

Thanks man

[@setha7781]

I still want this car lol, let me know when it's for sale and good luck with whatever you do with it!

[@TheMechanicj]

Jesus Christ been a year or since I been on a humble mechanic video just too busy in my shop what a beard you have grown my friend I’m jealous

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks dude. Glad you’re too busy for YT!!!

[@RickGTI2019]

Without knowing the condition of the rest of the car, it does look fairly good, I would swap out the engine. Lots of work, but the end result is always rewarding. Thanks, RickGTI….. 🌴

[@madman2]

Its hard to say this as its "Exxtreeeeeem Sadness" to me. But let's face it, financially this is will be hard to recoup the cost from. I'd say part it out, you'll easily be able to get the cost from interior/ ancillaries ect. My vote would be to buy another MK3! You could look for another VR6 or my vote would be a GTI, and do a build series on either Super Charged (G60 set up would be epic!) or ITB setups. I know it's been done plenty of times but it would be super cool to see a professionally shot, edited and composed build. Plus from my dives into your videos you haven't done any Supercharged/ITB stuff so far. (But admittedly I'm pretty new to the channel so can't say for certain) Cheers for all your content Charles. You are ...without a shadow of a doubt... the best resource on KZbin for mechanics that I have found so far. You're incredibly detailed and thorough on your explanations, and have infallible indepth knowledge of alot of VAG platforms. I cannot thank you enough for your content.

[@cliffweinan3907]

Great teardown. Long timing chains are not no worrys. A maintained timing belt might have been a smarter engineering choice. But 220 K, somebody has driven this thing to ground. Good analysis that the broken chain guide pieces plugged up the oil pump intake. Throw away car, get another.

[@jameslaidler2152]

Your "bye bye bye" made me flash back to N'Sync. I'm not sure how to feel about that.

[@269Garage]

I just bought a MKIV R32 last year that jumped timing because the nylon guides broke. Bent most of the valves, and all of the intermediate gear teeth (chain) were broke, but none of the pistons were damaged. I lapped new valves in, replaced connecting rod bearings (probably didn't need to, but they looked worn), and it runs like new. Had no damage to the cams or caps either. I'd scrap this engine and load in a 3.2 from a touareg.

[@thomasfx3190]

I had a black 1997 GTI VR6 that I bought new in Dallas and man it was an awesome car, corned like it was on rails and 3rd gear + was amazing. It was fast but not quick if you take my meaning. Traded it in on a 2002 Jetta when we had a couple little girls!

[@glanthomas4743]

Charles love the channel keep it up, I need your help do you know a good vw breakers that will ship a beetle or jetta 2.5 n/a engine to uk. Me and my son want to convert mk1 tt to 2.5 n/a. It has been done to a mk4 golf so should work on mk1 tt as they share same platform. Or you could do the conversion on the channel? Any advice or help would be great. Thanks.

[@existentiallychallenged5068]

“There’s some extreme sadness, but how bad DOES it get?” Me every morning when I wake up for the day

[@HumbleMechanic]

LOL

[@Nobody-U-Want-2-Know]

The exact car and exact issue I’m personally dealing with.

[@MarzNet256]

The worn gear teeth have a shark fin shape. You will often see the same shape teeth on worn bicycle sprockets and chainrings. The timing chain system is similar to a bicycle chain in that it has a tension side (on top) and a slack side (on bottom) which is keep tight by a rear derailleur (the tensioner).

[@radumitroi4]

Thanks!

[@HumbleMechanic]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@4GMinecraft]

love to see a build on this car

[@michaeldunagan8268]

OUCH! AutoZone "Nucor" lists a VR6 head complete with valves for $600-$750. An OEM head at a Cokumbis, Ohio dealership website lists a head for $1,142. VW is even more proud of it's parts than Toyota is with my 1999 Solara 3.0 V6 part prices...😶

[@aroundomaha]

I love the vr6 sound. It’s an aural pheromone. What are your thoughts about the old 5 cylinder 2.5? You’ve made me start thinking about my old 2008 Rabbit as a project. It’s an odd duck and today and I like that.

[@ch0wned]

For the five cylinder look up the Audi URS. I’ve seen them push 900whp.

[@CORRADOVRT]

Wow! Never would I have thought I would ever see a vr6 cam gear in that condition like that! 😮

[@HumbleMechanic]

RIGHT!!! crazy sad

[@ghomerhust]

failure diagnosis based on the ridiculous amount of VR6s ive cracked open and rebuilt: chain guides failed first, causing the long term wear against that stud on the front side of the block, causing extra wear on the cam gears. plastic bits from the guides partially plugged up the oil pick-up, starving the upper portion of the engine of oil, which caused the cam to start chewing up the bearings. cam seizes up. chain flops over the gear chewing the one side off, both from lots of cranking and possibly from winding down from driving while it's in gear (vr6 autos often have less valve smashing because the transmission doesnt keep spinning the crank after the failure) ive seen MANY older watercooleds that ended up with starvation and locking the cam up in the head.

[@ifell3]

Nice, loved a strip down!

[@tomygun7532]

Mk4 is one of the last reliable VW I still have mine with 1.9 TDI 150 hp 160k miles A pleasure to drive it. Today’s thermal cars are so sad in europa now… Greetings from 🇧🇪

[@JChurchua]

Start doing a "customer questions" series where your viewers ask about their vw issues and you attempt to give guidence. My 2001 TDI has a strange sound when i shut it down. like its bleeding pressure off or something. No clue how to research it on tdiclub or youtubes... Always enjoy these videos you bring us!

[@danielbrydon3869]

Most likely the vacuum box leaking causing a mooing sound on shutdown. Don't worry about it too much until it fails completely. Symptoms will be no boost when it fails

[@HumbleMechanic]

I did almost 300 videos of exactly that. They never did great, but it was worth it for helping the community. Then KZbin started to punish my whole channel for low performing videos. Sad that you have to play the KZbin game.

[@JChurchua]

@@HumbleMechanic Cool! To bad that isnt better watch content. I guess in hinsight that is what Scotty Kilmer does, but across all brands. Anyways, love your current content, so i wasnt suggesting a change of content, just an expansion or potential side episodes. You friggin rawk!

[@JChurchua]

@@danielbrydon3869 Vacuum Pump Housing Gasket on the drivers side of the valve cover[i think is what you are suggesting]. I'll keep that in mind and check it tonight; thank you!

[@Flies2FLL]

That intake is the original VR6 intake that was supposed to go on the Corrado SLC in 1992, but cost cutting at the last minute removed it for a simple set of tubes. Schrick bought the rights to produce this intake, and it increases low end torque by a bunch! I had a '92 Corrado SLC and the low end was kind of weak. This intake would have allowed the cams to produce 200 hp with decent low end torque. Dammit! I wanted to buy that Scirocco with the VR6 engine!

[@Ronco160]

Def save the car and make it nice. I love my 02 1.8t Gti. Going on 10 years with it. Best car I’ve owned. They all have issues. Just gotta keep up with it.

[@thatflywelshguy9662]

I bought a GTI VR6 with a broken chain. For the cost of replacing the valves and machining the head it was cheaper to swap a good motor in

[@markae0]

Sorry it could not be saved/repaired. Great teardown of the engine! and display of the damage. KZbinr "IDOCARS" (136k subs) does this type of video as his main attraction.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thanks! These kind of videos are always fun.

[@fastinradfordable]

I had a 12v Vr6- I got from customer who spun a rod bearing at 116k. Also had timing chain failures. I put in a $100 ‘95 obd1 Vr6 block into the Mk4 and it ran like a scalded cat and survived too many owners after me.

[@laalaa99stl]

2:46 Aww man. Now we'll never get to find out if plastic is the correct place to terminate a ground strap. 😔

[@perry36]

1.8t swap? Companies like TLCT and one love sell complete engines for like $500. Could even big turbo it or something like that.

[@robbalinski1606]

I'd throw a tdi in it and be done with it.

[@matthewfunk9977]

Awesome video. Where is a good place to source a vr6 engine transmission, wiring harness and ECU

[@HumbleMechanic]

junkyard is prob the best. OR someone selling a wrecked car.

[@sr707ca8]

With every one in a rush to use batteries for auto transportation this will be the future working on old beat up cars and making them work again👍

[@3n3ly7m9]

WAITTTT LMAO!! 0:50 That was the gear and the chain was sliding right over it LOL!!!

[@paulp96275]

Charles replacement engine you know it makes sense then sell it to some young fellow to have some fun great vid as always top lad 👍👨🏻‍🏭🇬🇧

[@HumbleMechanic]

Due to an update with my mk4 r32 that happened today, a part out is coming. :(

[@matthewmohri9990]

I'd love to have that car. Right now financially I'm slowly getting on the way to recovering from being unemployed as I work in The Solar Industry in South Texas. So much sooner than later I'd be in the market for that MKIV VR6 if you keep it around and choose to repair it. Possibly put some Schrick cams on and some other goodies. Question, is it best to get rid of the plastic intake manifold? I've read the little plastic piece that switches from low to high end usually breaks just like my old Schrick VGI in my beloved 1995 MKIII GLX VR6 Jetta. Hey if you have a MKIII VR6 Jetta in good condition or know of one I'd be down to purchase in about 6 months.

[@delijasasevera2212]

Charles, how about putting 2.5T engine from rs3? :D That would be nice series of videos and cool upgrade to gti.

[@miketeeveedub5779]

Hey Charles - you already striped it to the short block. Might as well try to find anther motor and flip it. Not sure what the resale values are in your part of the country, but it might be worth it. You basically paid nothing for the car anyways. Would make for some interesting videos to bring it back from the dead. Cheers!

[@gavinsmith9022]

Done a couple of head removals on linde fork trucks with this engine, 24v vvt, with burnt out ex valves ( LPG ), and some one, i dont know how, snapped a plug off, so removed head and got broken bit out without any damage, although a bit OTT in a forktruck they do sound great. Also had a mk4 golf with six speed manual with 1.9 PD tdi engine, best car i have ever owned, never a problem, apart from silly things, factory turbo and clutch 200,000 miles, although i did uprate intercooler.

[@ChrisFaulkner]

Body looks like in good shape.. if you can lay hands on another engine, sure, wrap it up.. I'm sure there are some good parts on the vr6 that could be sold to people that need them and can recoup some money back.

[@azariayehezkel9064]

nice video. poor engine

[@matthewlee2686]

I would love to see some TDI content from you.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Man I always feel like TDI stuff is a no win for me. If I do it by the book, the TDI people come for mE because "There is a better way". If I do it the better way, they come for me "Thats not by the book". That and what TDI content I have done, does poorly. I really hate that's the case. .

[@JohnLewisHivetoHearth]

I would be tempted to rebuild it. I have a 98 B5 Quattro I would swap it into or in my MKIV Golf.

[@denhaag6930]

Haha the music on the radio here was playing enigma sadness .

[@_Volkhunter_]

Yoo. "I could be wrong,but grounding into plastic doesn't seem right to me" 😂😂😂😂😂

[@michaeldunagan8268]

@8:16 Yah- -I am glad you kept going. So the head is shot. Perhaps the short-block is usable or saleable.

[@309gti8]

Hey Charles, just curious if there will be any more episodes of the cars with cocktails podcast

[@HumbleMechanic]

I’m not ruling it out. But we haven’t planned to.

[@robzentai3458]

I would definitely find another engine for this car!!! would make a great cheap commuter or track toy for someone!!!

[@gabrielv.4358]

This guy was a serious music lover to just ignore the clanking engine sounds.I'm impressed it didn't trew a rod

[@samuelgoodman2825]

One of the most interesting,possibly over engineered engines of all time, in my opinion.Would be great to see a build tho.

[@Lurch-Bot]

Other than the timing chain issue, they're practically bulletproof as long as you take care of them. This means using the proper oil and fuel and regular oil changes. I don't go past 5k on oil change intervals. Hands down the best daily driver I ever had is my 2001 GLX and I'll keep driving it for as long as I can.

[@gavinstrange955]

Dude I miss the hell out of my Vr6… the chassis was dog shit and had every mk4 problem under the sun but my the Vr6 never skipped a beat… sat in my garage under a bunch of my mk7 parts…. Sold it for 3500 running and driving… 2 weeks later ended up buying a tornado red 2.0 5 speed wagon… once a mk4 tech always a mk4 tech bahah. 2.0 so simple and so easy.

[@richardhunt1384]

What's the Service Position in the Repair Manual for the front plugs (??) Remove the engine mount and jack up the engine?? 🤔🤔

[@mushasho]

Which boroscope did you use to capture that?

[@deanharriss2029]

Another great video mate. Shame because it’s a clean mk4.

[@HumbleMechanic]

I know! I wish it was crappier. Its like too nice to scrap, but not really the tnice either.

[@deanharriss2029]

@@HumbleMechanic Yh It’s a tricky one. And it’s a v6

[@TheBigdogdg]

I’ll take it if still available!!! I would love to talk and set up a sale with whatever needs to be done!!!!

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

Rotary swap! Joking... how difficult is it to find a decent VR6 to swap in? If the plan is to sell, as long as the donor engine is in good condition, do some mild refreshment and send it!

[@Catman1987]

I own a 2001 VR6 12 valve gti with 95,000 miles on it . I bought it from a impound lot in san diego for $ 1,800.00 . I drive it like a baby though .

[@T_ndhlovunator]

Lol 😆 dang i laughed soo hard when you revealed those valves. This engine is very much toast

[@leonardoluchici704]

Let's see that engine get rebuilt, I really wonder how an engine rebuild on this car would actually be like and what it would cost...

[@ZylonFPV]

Man that’s a sad engine :( I would like to see a vr6 rebuild with a engine swap then sell it. Maybe try and do it as cheap as possible?

[@MrBrutalMachinee]

2004 Passat 1.8T and one single broken connector is front tempature sensor connector, whole sensor is missing too 🤔 219k miles, multiple owners too but treated well, has every possible additional added, some from factory and small things retrofitted like interior, door panels with leather, seats leather, even dash and so on 😂 But 1.8t issues like vacuum leak somewhere and crank sensor living it's own life atm 🙄

[@speakerfreak0246]

ive seen a lot of engine tear downs yet ive still never seen oil as silver as the oil that came from my suv... yes it stil works somehow

[@ChillisAutomotive]

"No cap that thats the cap"😂

[@mafno9524]

CSI: GTI-VR6 Great stuff!

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

Sometimes when mechanicing, ok, often when mechanicing, you need a third hand, well Chazza has a beard for that!

[@Flies2FLL]

Charles, Erik at "I do Cars" has a VR6 in the background in his videos....