1999 polo 1.4 - repair or buy another

tribalboy

Hi guys,

I have been having quite a few problems with my polo which has 73,000 on the clock. I can't seem to make a gear change sometimes and it seems to be stuck in neutral. I would have to turn the ignition off and re start to get it moving. Also it seems to be heating up real bad if driven for even a minute. I am assuming that the clutch's worn out and the water pump is gone. Any estimates as to how much this could cost

Also I would need to do a fair bit of motorway driving at least about 115 miles twice a week if not more. Is it going to be worth getting it repaired and using it, would it endure... or is it better to invest that money in another car, I was planning a skoda maybe 3-4 years old, any advice would be appreciated

benham3160

Depends, these do have chocolate gearboxes, but could just be a misadjusted linkage.

Heating could be HGF right down to a basic £10 thermostat failure.

Get it diagnosed properly, and do the sums. I'd offer to take a took gratis if you're local to Suffolk.

Regards,
Andy

tribalboy

Thanks Andy, appreciate your help, but I live in NW London. I tried to get it towed to a VW specialist today only to find out just now that it had been delivered to the VW dealer as the breakdown guy could not locate the garage.

The VW service salesman it seems has told about the thermostat failure just like you said but has quoted £290 for the job and £930 for doing the complete clutch kit and gearbox oil change including service and VAT. I simply dont know what to say

vaio

Get the breakdown guy to come back and take it where you told him. I'd be surprised if 'stat & clutch got anywhere near to £500 in the non dealer world, although even spending that much is drifting towards marginal on a car of that value, might be better to ebay it and get replacement.

If you do go ahead and repair, certainly get the 'stat done first and drive it for a while to make sure everything is ok

mcjordi

stat will be £10er and 2.50 worth of coolant then maybe 30mins labour

clutch will be circa 200ish i would of thought.

they arent called main stealers for a reason lol

oscar52

With regards to the clutch, you mention the problem changing gear, but your post (to me) seems to state you can change gear when the engine is not running.

Its a guess without looking at the car, but I would start with the gearbox mounting bracket, then possibly the thrust bearing.

Personally, if its the clutch itself, I dont think the car is worth reparing unless you know someone that can do it - alot cheaper than a dealer.

tribalboy

Hi Oscar52,

I meant to say that I need to switch off the ignition and re start, only then would the gear change and I do not change it while its off.

Anyway I have managed to get the car to my local garage now from the dealer and waiting to hear from him tomorrow.

steveo3002

madness considering what a dealer wants on a 10 yr old car , find a independant garage

tribalboy

I have got the car into a garage and he is quoting me 300 -350 all inclusive (what a difference it makes with an independent) for the clutch & the heating problem which he reckons could be worse as he might have to check the gasket as well. According to him there is quite some labour involved and hence the quote. He thinks that I would not get much for the car if I try to sell it as its a 1999 model with these faults and wear & tear.
Any suggestions