I Bought a SUPER CHEAP VW TDI Engine...

A quest for belt moldings lead to buying (ANOTHER) Volkswagen TDI engine. Only this time it's an ALH out of a MK4 Golf and it was CHEAP. Think it'll run? #VW #TDI
_____________________
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok:
/ jamesssc
www.tiktok.com...
Kevin: / vr6kevin
_____________________
Tools used in this video:
The star of the show: amzn.to/3IEXLg3
The star of the show's big brother: amzn.to/3rViMNF
A German car must-have: amzn.to/3oEWg9H
Stocking-stuffer: amzn.to/3DJAtSF
Cap-screw-stripper: amzn.to/31TG7Ej
Cap-screw-un-stripper: amzn.to/3EKwRBb
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@IustinianP]

The one you bought has a 2nd generation ecu,and wiring. The ecu has the end code 012 VM,and has some features,the throttle is easy to take out,but other than that,the engine will run great for years,and years,and years if you take care of him. I have a Golf with the same engine for over 10 years,and had not 1 single issue with it.

[@gregcrabb3497]

People can say what they want about VW's, but my ALH Beetle is still going at 312,000 miles all original everything. Just routine maintenance religiously.

[@rikspijkers6161]

I did an engine swap too for my MK1 Jetta (in my case a AGR, not ALH)... Decided to go for a mechanical fuel pump (Landrover 300TDi) so it would save me a LOT of hassle with all the electronics... So basically she runs with the minimal amount of wiring.. If you need some more info, let me know!

[@ahsnap9103]

I like the mechanical pump diesel swap idea. I have a blown xterra to fix for my daily. What year range cars do you look for engines and mech pump?

[@dafunk99]

what's the difference between an AGR and an ALH engine?

[@rikspijkers6161]

@@dafunk99 No real difference. AGR was introduced September 1996 and was superseded in September 2000 by the ALH. Both make 66kW (90 horses).

[@rikspijkers6161]

@@ahsnap9103 sorry mate missed your comment. I read online that people switch out the Xterra engine for AGR/ALH engines. If that is the way would like to move, a Landrover pump should fit your needs. My advice regarding the stock nozzles from the AGR/ALH is to swap them out for new 0.216 nozzles. Just to get some more humpf ;) Mine was also tweaked that way and the next thing on my list is to swap out the stock Garrett GT15 turbo for a bigger one. Besides that there are some tweaks you can do to the Bosch VP pump to provide more fuel, meaning some additional horses..

[@affanahmmed3081]

@@rikspijkers6161 I believe there are some tiny differences like the turbo for instance. The AGR uses a wastegate turbo white the ALH uses a variable nozzle turbo. And as a result, both theses engines need different MAF sensors(the part numbers differs by just one letter) and the ECU wont be swappable.

[@mikehancho1613]

That is the best designed motor ever made! Period

[@cainepatterson1645]

Have you ever heard of a LS?

[@ethanturner9110]

@@cainepatterson1645 That ALH will last 10 times longer then a LS

[@cainepatterson1645]

@@ethanturner9110 I HIGHLY doubt that. Even the LS that's built to be abused last longer than that engine. I currently have and LS with 300k+ a drives like it just came off the line. With minimal repairs (spark plugs, exhaust gaskets, and a motor mount)

[@alhalex8501]

@@cainepatterson1645 bro you mad funny…. I’ve owned many of these… my fbo 02 car had 550k miles when I sold it and it was running and driving perfect

[@ethanturner9110]

@@cainepatterson1645 You clearly don't know anything about engines. An ALH TDI has a compression ratio of 19.5:1, your shitty LS has maybe 10:1 if you're lucky. Diesels are built WAY stronger then gas engines because of their high compression ratios. You probably don't understand anything I just said so go back to google and do some research buddy.

[@ivanbiota99]

I had an mk4 golf with AFN engine (110hp) and 420000km. The only problem was the fuel pump gaskets, but very easy to repair

[@emanuelmorosan622]

i have 1.9tdi ATD 101 hp andd i have stage 1 on it and now it has 121 hp at wheel and 318 nm at wheel . it works amazing ,egr off ,catalytic converter off . i have only the muffler at the back because i hate loud low hp cars

[@KD0CAC]

I wish I still had a shop - I always wanted to do a VW diesel in a WWII flat fender Jeep ;) And many other things

[@KoKoTAdamzzz]

Good trade! awesome engine!

[@live-fz2wk]

I have a audi a4 avant 1.9 tdi AFN engine and its great has only 360 000 km and runs great. Oil change always after 15000. And I know engines thats got more than 1 milion km on clock. This engine ist the one of the best in the world or just europe

[@ggraulmihai7008]

In Romania you can find a Alh as low as 50 usd

[@dominiqueeybers9186]

Im from South Africa, bought my 02 tdi jetta with the same engine in 2010, 159000km, still driving it at 373000km and going strong as my daily.

[@23hublock1]

1.9 AWX 130ps in the Passat is also another bulletproof PD. I'm only on 148k miles, UK. As long as you keep the oil topped up if needed, and change the oil / filter every 6 or 7k miles, they just go on and on. Bags of low down torque, cheap on fuel, uber reliable in winter too. Good video dude, liked.

[@steviewright9789]

Got a pd130 in a golf wagon 04 with 84000 genuine miles. Definitely one of the best and most bulletproof diesel blocks ever made imo. Not many left in the UK with under 100 000miles. My car is rusty shitheep on the outside but runs like an absolute dream lol

[@23hublock1]

@@steviewright9789 My parents imported a new Mk4 Golf 115ps tdi from Hamburg in 2000. It's now done 47k miles lol Back in the day you could import a full UK spec car and avoid the UK dealer network, it then got killed as the prices across Europe were standardised. Fair play, but loads of Brits were jumping on the band wagon, so they changed the pricing to be the same across all countries. needs two front wings though due to the soundproofing foam thing lol

[@neohimself]

I watch these "1.9 TDI ALH fans" videos and thought that the AWX that I have in my passat is also bulletproof and runs really well. So thanks for your comment to give some well deserved love to the AWX.

[@23hublock1]

@@neohimself Anytime neo! you'll get no issue with the AWX whatsoever, they smooth out higher up the rev range I find. AWX for the win! Just keep that oil level in check regularly, and change with filter every 5k miles...the absolute lifeblood. That's what I do...Opie oils always do good deals on oil if you're from the UK.

[@napraznicul]

another PD? alh is vp37 tdi, low pressure and waaaaay more trouble free than PD.

[@Tonkata-fo4ek]

We need the miata swap

[@adivarso8175]

I don't think you got the ASV 1.9tdi VE engine over the pond?

[@theoutdoorsman1157]

Miata swap

[@dougrector4412]

Put it in a jeep

[@ts31966]

Put the engine into an Audi TT.

[@1000186ful]

I just bought one these engine for $628 at my local junkyard in Central Texas I pulled my engine

[@jonathanskogebo728]

Jeep XJ swap but get the AC to run lol

[@milosrackovic4046]

I could swear that the guy in the video that drops your engine on the tire is the same guy i saw in a video from a youtube channel invisible people

[@happyhomestead2024]

if I could I would leave in a junkyard :) but then I'll have problems with the wife so I have a house

[@jancarloscruz1047]

Greetings from Puerto Rico, I would like to get one of those ALH or BHW 2.0l engines where you got it from the junker.

[@graybearsgarage1223]

I.... also LOVE the junkyard!

[@kcummo]

My 01 golf with an ALH has 310k miles on it and runs like a champ. My wife hates the car, and always asks when it’s going to die. Unfortunately it’s never going to..

[@rileycates5049]

Hell yeah, 00 alh with 345k here

[@yukie037]

holy tdi engines are expensive over there over here in europe i can get one for like 250 usd thats like an average price only arl the 150hp one is a bit more expensive probably up to 500 usd

[@rfcmironchuck8628]

It will run, major cause was that automatic transmission, they all go bad and expensive to fix.

[@jesperjohanssonn6269]

Miata is always the answer

[@FiglioBastardo]

Bwaaahaaahaaa

[@napraznicul]

I use daily a 245bhp grandfather of that ALH (after last year rebuild at 889.000km from which about 100.000km it was running 2250bhp with STOCK bottom end- code name AFN). Mine lack (from the factory) piston crown cooling as efficient as ALH had, also is not edc15 which can be remapped by obd port. Your ALH got the rarest bosch vp37 of 11mm and inside is THE RAREST camplate of all vp37 pumps. That engine could support @350nm STOCK bottom, then if you would remapping very smart and do some works on heads (at least a scrapyard recovered sdi vp37 camshaft) streching as long as you can the torque line, you could get some 250bhp from it without to get over 350nm and to bent some conrods. My AFN had peak power at 5300rpm and a bit over 400nm of torque (i can't go further not because the engine, but because the clutch in my case- is torsen awd with 5speed and very tiny clutch -228mm which i modified as much as was possible using single disc)

[@pyrogaminghound9579]

TDI swapped S197 v6 Mustang lol from gas to fuel efficient diesel

[@mariopic]

subaru swap a subaru lol fun fact the clutch disk fits the 1.9tdi flywheel and pressure plate

[@gordon47542]

I've pulled 2 alh's from my local junkyard here in southern Indiana for 350 bucks! Also yes please do the miata please!! That's been a goal of mine for a while just not to that point yet. Do it for me and I'll donate anything alh you need

[@hayyankhan6150]

What else did you bought with the engine. ECU wiring throttle .

[@GGoodroad]

Ever thought about tdi swapping a Suzuki samurai or jeep wrangler?

[@RockyRoadzzz]

Still waiting for part 2 my boi

[@JamesCooperider]

I MAY have sold it to my brother for a Jeep swap hahahaha

[@pnwvibes_]

Hey James didn't you have a video about a cadillac deville? If so what happened to that video

[@karanpourtugal1617]

1.9 tdi Germany is legend engines , i also used this engines skoda

[@krick3423]

Do a NA Miata, I'm thinking of doing a b2200 TDI swap and the Miata would be really helpful

[@MTKSLimitless]

The engine you have from the beetle is called PD those engines just with injector nozzle upgrade, the right turbo, intercooler and a tune you do more than 300hp, the bad side is the camshaft and the injectors... The engine you now bought (is called VP) uses a fuel pump with much less pressure, is a more reliable engine but for tuning it won't go so far in HP as the PD. For the swap I think you can use the cluster from a seat león 1M, Mk4 golf, or an Audi A3 8l (all of them don't need to be diesel, a petrol cluster works as fine). The ECU is not that complicated, just unlock it, wire the ignition and the basic stuff and it should be good to go

[@kikonagy3643]

i have 1.9tdi alh 66kw with 325 000 km

[@roby_5259]

Perfect hub adapter to stole

[@remlapydoc]

I for one 188% support the Miata swap!! Holy beans, I've been considering that swap myself and I'm so happy to find someone else has the same crazy idea! Do it!

[@th3master]

Indeed i'm really curious to see that happening

[@FiglioBastardo]

Bwaaahahaha an alh in a miata? I'd rather be caught dead. At least put it in a Ford ranger.

[@BTB31]

you can run a Land Rover manual pump on those engines , one wire to make it run

[@VAGHolic]

What year is the best ALH?

[@trashman1694]

That's a cool junkyard, and great price for a tdi engine. Great price for any running engine actually haha

[@jamesdean8242]

What a bargain surprised it was complete usually HPFP is missing. Picked one up over a year ago with the 02j transmission a little over 300.

[@bp39911]

inb4 ALH engines are now worth over $5,000 with 250k miles on them

[@ourhaus9164]

It’s not sad that you stated you could spend a day out in woodys. I’ve spent many days out there in that yard. Whether it be parting Saabs, Rangers, or Ford Escorts. It’s my go too yard.

[@SteveFloresCoach]

4:33 ugh, it hurt to see you just tear stuff out with no regard for the next junk yarder! These cars are hard to find with good interior pieces so not taking the time to properly remove, especially dash panels, is just wrong! On another note, finding a TDI at the yard is also quite rare so happy for rescuing that treasure!

[@FiglioBastardo]

That exactly what I thought when I saw that.

[@airgunbubba2505]

A year late but I vote Miata. I have thought about that very swap myself but haven't been able to do it as life happens.

[@pug2052]

Did you get it to run I’d love to see it I have a mk4 golf petrol and one of these alh engines I’d like to swap but I’d like to know what to do with the wiring

[@martinsinclair55]

good deal on the motor. That wasn't a Fiat Spider. That was a twisted chicken.🥸

[@FAroundAndFindOut420]

Tdi maita or tdi honda.

[@seiydeiy]

For mk1 i would properbly go with AFN or AUY. Greetings from Germany.

[@petermorey4197]

Being that I have kids, I always wanted to put one in a small 4 door truck.

[@lukeellard9632]

I bet you it’s that rubbish auto box that failed on it.

[@billsmith1359]

Mk1 swap not a cheap endeavor but done right your 1800# grass munchkin “WILL KILL”!!

[@kolerzka500]

1200$ in Poland for this engine is a lot. You can get whole golf for that price here. Engine all alone with turbo, pump and injectors cost like a 200$-300$ here.

[@ryanramel604]

How much to ship to Missouri?

[@jond7754]

Thinking about finding one for a vw buggy

[@kbymer]

Go back and get the red Triumph and put it in there

[@BeloshapkaAutoBuilds]

Super cool

[@philippebartz8922]

do a nissan cube tdi swap with a big garret turbo :D

[@foxtrotbravoindia3256]

bro is living my dream

[@jamesbowen2105]

That's a deal, I need one!

[@joshualandis8222]

Awesome 😎

[@stevegoodwin9067]

Great video! Keep them coming!

[@cooperhall2793]

I'm also in the Columbus area and a big fan of Mk1-Mk4 water cooled VWs. Can confirm that Woody's is great, and I recognize some of the cars on the lot from the last time I was there. My first two cars were a Mk3 Jetta and Mk3 Cabrio, both ABAs. I also had a Cabriolet Wolfsburg Edition. I don't know of many other automotive youtubers in the area. Subscribed & can't wait for more vids!

[@sviyy9396]

bro how many engines do you actually have?? it feels like every week u buy a car or an engine or both.. arent you getting lost in all those different projects? bc i have never seen a finished one.. not hating just questioning what your plan is!

[@JamesCooperider]

Hahaha I only personally have two… wait, no - three. It’s stupid, I’ll definitely agree but this is stuff I like having “on the shelf.” My only real “finished” project is the VR-swapped car. The other’s will be done soon 🌚

[@sviyy9396]

@@JamesCooperider hahah nice job man, i love the vids! I just was a bit confused about the amount of cars you have. Thanks for the answer!

[@jimmybritt9537]

What happened ?

[@mrpete1972]

Here from tiktok just subbed

[@gotogeeks2006]

Put it in a Ford ranger!

[@JamesCooperider]

🫱🏼‍🫲🏽

[@FiglioBastardo]

I know I'm late to this video but, welcome to the alh party pal! No self respecting man should want to be caught in a miata, alh tdi or not. At least put it in a Ford Ranger. There's actually a plug and play harness and everything to do it.

[@h2oboater]

When I see something like this in a scrap yard , I check the glovebox and see if there any owner info in there. Usually there are maintenance receipts or registration. Doing this you can easy contact the previous owner to ask history on the vehicle . I have acquired many of good used engines and parts doing this ..... 😉😉

Japanese car with diesel engine is like eating bread with sh1t on it and pretending it's peanut butter :D

[@danielkingery2894]

Yeah...because those Japanese diesels are SO plentiful, SO well designed, and SO cheap to get performance out of....that every wants one of those in a fun car. Maybe it's just your POV that's scewed??