[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I might not have noticed it, as my city driving is mostly under 2,000rpm (that is what I like about diesel engines: low-rev grunt) but my car is now refusing to go above 2,500rmp. It's in limp mode.

Given experience a few weeks ago of the car completely loosing power for a few seconds, my money is on (and will probably be spent on) one or more injector, again. If so, I'll go the refurbished route again.

Btw what was the outcome of this situation? Injector(s) repair/replacement or something else? Not aware if you expanded on this on a different thread/post.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Btw what was the outcome of this situation? ...

The outcome of the problem was... no problem!

One thing was my mistake/ignorance: the apparent revs limitation was not a problem at all: I was not trying it when driving. There's a limiter which caps the revs when not under load. Who knew? Well... probably everyone but me. Especially here.

The other thing, the engine just coughing and giving no power for a very short time, just went away. Maybe it was some dirt in the fuel. Maybe it was an injector that righted itself. I don't know, but I'm glad to say that it passed.

It is now about three years since VW ASS told me that I needed to replace suspension components. They showed me that the rubber boots on the shock absorbers were going off. A year later, Raghav (Ignite Garage) told me not to worry about it.

This is how it is now...



This is with the wheel removed for a puncture repair, so fully extended.

Raghav still says don't worry about it.

I flew off an unnoticed speed bump the other day. It was quite a jolt, but I think the suspension is fine. Absurd we can't just replace the rubber.

Back then, VW ASS also highlighted the clutch. It is still going. Although I wouldn't say going strong: I seem to need to push it all the way down more, so I guess that its days are numbered. But I have no trouble driving the car. The steepest hill here is the hump in and out of the house.

If I remember correctly, the mileage is still only 54k km

[hserus]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

It is now about three years since VW ASS told me that I needed to replace suspension components. They showed me that the rubber boots on the shock absorbers were going off. A year later, Raghav (Ignite Garage) told me not to worry about it.

That car does need urgent suspension work - and possibly a clutch replacement as well. I suppose Raghav’s logic, which seeing these photos I don’t agree with, is that it is driven far too less for you to spend money changing suspension bushes and bump stoppers.

The downside is, if you drive the car too long in this condition even on local Chennai roads, you end up having to replace struts, upper / lower arm and a bunch of other things besides. You will eventually get a much bigger bill so if you intend to keep that GT for a few more years, do the suspension repair now rather than later.

AC gas low doesn’t mean the first thing you do is top up gas and tell you to use the car. For any future car ac work go to Prakash at S Jagannathan car ac on North Usman Road. Low coolant was the first thing the guy checked for and found when a cabbie came to him with a complaint about his ac cutting out frequently. There are multiple reviews of his garage on BHP if you want to read them.

[Turbohead]

Originally Posted by hserus

That car does need urgent suspension work - and possibly a clutch replacement as well. I suppose Raghav’s logic, which seeing these photos I don’t agree with, is that it is driven far too less for you to spend money changing suspension bushes and bump stoppers.

The downside is, if you drive the car too long in this condition even on local Chennai roads, you end up having to replace struts, upper / lower arm and a bunch of other things besides. You will eventually get a much bigger bill so if you intend to keep that GT for a few more years, do the suspension repair now rather than later.

It's not only Raghav who suggests this. Most workshops suggest the same thing and for good reason - in order to replace those bump stops, you have to disassemble the shock absorbers after which you will not be able to assemble it back without damage, especially for partially worn out shock absorbers. They all suggest to continue using it.

We followed the same advice and there were no ill affects - the bump stops wore out around 60k kms but the front shock absorbers were only replaced after 120k kms. Same story with the rear shocks which are ready for replacement currently at 130k kms.

But what these workshops will definitely suggest are replacing bushes when worn out. Totally worth it.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by hserus

That car does need urgent suspension work - and possibly a clutch replacement as well. I suppose Raghav’s logic, which seeing these photos I don’t agree with, is that it is driven far too less for you to spend money changing suspension bushes and bump stoppers.

Originally Posted by Turbohead

It's not only Raghav who suggests this. Most workshops suggest the same thing and for good reason - in order to replace those bump stops, you have to disassemble the shock absorbers after which you will not be able to assemble it back without damage, especially for partially worn out shock absorbers. They all suggest to continue using it.

Thank you both for your reactions. For now, I do not intend to get suspension work done.

The AC mechanic was a very thorough guy. I suspect that he would have looked at the coolant, but I do not know. All I do know is that I didn't check it. And that is shameful. Lesson learned.

The gas was indeed empty.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Thank you both for your reactions. For now, I do not intend to get suspension work done.

The AC mechanic was a very thorough guy. I suspect that he would have looked at the coolant, but I do not know. All I do know is that I didn't check it. And that is shameful. Lesson learned.

The gas was indeed empty.

AC gas is a sealed system so if you see that topping up is never the solution, not even a “let us top it up and check”. As you can see your car had a problem that was best caught early, and in many other cars the issue is a failed evaporator (or in local terms “cooling coil”).

Please get the suspension bushes checked and replaced, it will save you a ton of money going forward if you intend to keep the GT.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by hserus

Please get the suspension bushes checked and replaced, it will save you a ton of money going forward if you intend to keep the GT.

Thank you, hserus. I will revisit the suspension and clutch issues in a few months.

Yes, I do plan to keep the car.

[Thad E Ginathom]

So... I keep telling people that buying a Polo is just fine, and the cost of ownership is mostly exaggerated.

But, now it is 2025. The car is nearly 11 and I have a quote of just over 1 lakh for this year's service including necessary replacements of suspension and steering components.

Now, some of this stuff could have been replaced over the past several years: the total would have been the same, but in easier doses.

I'm not really complaining! It is a lot less outlay than buying a new car, which I cannot, at this time, afford to do (I should start saving!) and I do mean to keep this car as long as I can.

At this stage, I am not doing body/paint work. So long as nothing is in danger of rusting, it can stay as it is for now. They wanted to repair two doors, dent and paint. It doesn't look good, but if I have those panels newly painted it is really going to show up the rest of the car.

But I will add a new set of tyres to the above sum.

By the way, no, I am not going to shop around. I have a good relationship with my FNG: I knew the guy before I became his customer. He has spent a lot more time over the years talking me out of spending money than trying to talk me into it. The only thing I might take elsewhere at sometime is tinkering and painting.

[Roy.S]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

....The car is nearly 11 and I have a quote of just over 1 lakh for this year's service....

Probably worth it. If you end up doing this, do put up a few pics. If the paint is not significantly damaged a thorough detailing session should take care of it. Interior and exterior.

Even if the overlords decree that you have to toss it into the garbage after the 15th year, it would still be cheaper than getting a new car right now. Also, the 1.6 Diesel is absolutely brilliant.

[Reinhard]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I'm not really complaining! It is a lot less outlay than buying a new car, which I cannot, at this time, afford to do (I should start saving!) and I do mean to keep this car as long as I can.

In fact - the push to "saving" is also driven by lack of good options to change to, without spending absurd amounts of money. The sheer lack of options is a real motivator to hold on to these relics.

Originally Posted by Roy.S

Even if the overlords decree that you have to toss it into the garbage after the 15th year, it would still be cheaper than getting a new car right now. Also, the 1.6 Diesel is absolutely brilliant.

True! And if I were in TEG's place, I'd probably also be thinking about coupling a DQ200 or DQ250 even with the Polo 1.6 TDI at this stage just for the kicks! (Throwing caution to the winds about the unrealistic expense such a project entails, nearing 4-5L INR usually).
Every now and then even with the Polo GT 1.2TSI - I get these urgens to swap with a 1.8 TSI . The little hatch always keeps us thinking "we can do something better with it".

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Reinhard

And if I were in TEG's place, I'd probably also be thinking about coupling a DQ200 or DQ250 even with the Polo 1.6 TDI

Are you saying that it possible to convert the car to a "TdSI?"

Fascinating idea. I wouldn't. Although if I had to buy a new car (finding the funds somehow) a TSI is probably what everybody would advise against... and what I would get

Even though all I do is city commuting, I love the TDI --- but my elderly left leg does tell me that, at its time in life, it deserves a rest!

I'll see what is the cost of fixing all the small bits of damage on the car

Thanks, everybody for the encouragement to pay up and keep enjoying my car!

[Thad E Ginathom]

My car continues to be having an expensive year.

One thing that got left out from my recent >1-Lakh service was the noisy main cooling fan. Well, might as well get all this stuff, and I booked it in for that. The replacement fan itself is over 15k!

But fate decided to have other ideas. Last Friday the AC stopped working. The AC gas had been topped up at the service

We have a local man, recommended and used by our FNG, He checked everything under the bonnet and there were no coolant leaks in the engine compartment. He said, 90% chance it is the evaporator coil, but we have to take the dashboard apart, so it is a couple of days work.

Another 11k on the total for the year. Actually, given the amount of work, and a spare part that can't be cheap, this seems very reasonable.

Hopefully that will be completed tomorrow and the car will go straight to Ignite Garage for its new fan.

I had planned to compliment the new suspension parts with new tyres. I'm thinking that might wait until next year now!