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New Beetle experts step in: how do I identify which TDI in 2001 beetle?

Lil'John

Lil'John

Former #278
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May 20, 2020
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Title is the short.

I checked wiki and it claims it could be AGR, ALH, ATD, AXR, or BEW. The seller provided a vin but not a full picture of the door jam :( Before I bother the seller too much, I was hoping to ID which motor it was and whether it would be swap worth(actually looking at grafting engine, transaxle, and front suspension)

It is for a good price and it has been for sale for a while. It just got into tempting range on the price.
 
It is stamped on the block. there is a milled section of the engine block where the engine code will be stamped, located just above the oil cooler/filter adapter. You may need a wire brush to clean off the grime, but the engine code will be stamped there.
 
There's a sticker on the timing belt cover with a barcode and the engine code will be printed on it as well. Super easy.
 
Sceep said:
googling is hard.

VIN Decoder - Volkswagen Forum - VW Forums for Volkwagen enthusiasts

Volkswagen VIN Decoder - Decode your vehicle identification number
volkswagenforum.com
Click to expand...
Your link didn't provide anything beyond what I already knew... yup, it is a diesel:shaking:

The search I did claimed the door tag would have the engine ID. Sadly, the picture of the door jam with vin didn't have the engine ID section on it(if it really is there.
Jackie Treehorn said:
Did you ask it what it identifies as?
Click to expand...
Sadly, I tried and it told me I would be gay if I drove the vehicle too long without ripping the drivetrain out:homer:
Foxmxrcer said:
There's a sticker on the timing belt cover with a barcode and the engine code will be printed on it as well. Super easy.
Click to expand...
I'll see if I can get a picture of that.
bigtoy302 said:
01 here is the US only had the ALH
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I thought that might be the case.

Is the ALH worth a shit to swap in? Somewhat related, is the auto trans worth a shit?
 
I built a flat fender with an ALH, tj trans and 231/300. It's a good motor.
 
Lil'John said:
Is the ALH worth a shit to swap in? Somewhat related, is the auto trans worth a shit?
Click to expand...
It's the "12 valve" of TDI swaps. I would skip the auto though. Only auto worth swapping is the later DSG which is doable with a ALH. Look for something with a 5 speed.

I daily a double cab Tacoma with a CJAA common rail out of a 2012 Jetta. Those would have the DSG with them. Better engine in my opinion but harder to swap. They can make way more power cheaper. I'm around 220hp/400ftlbs with a bigger turbo and a tune.
 
bigtoy302 said:
It's the "12 valve" of TDI swaps. I would skip the auto though. Only auto worth swapping is the later DSG which is doable with a ALH. Look for something with a 5 speed.

I daily a double cab Tacoma with a CJAA common rail out of a 2012 Jetta. Those would have the DSG with them. Better engine in my opinion but harder to swap. They can make way more power cheaper. I'm around 220hp/400ftlbs with a bigger turbo and a tune.
Click to expand...
Build thread? Would love a CJAA in a Toyota.
 
bigtoy302 said:
It's the "12 valve" of TDI swaps. I would skip the auto though. Only auto worth swapping is the later DSG which is doable with a ALH. Look for something with a 5 speed.

I daily a double cab Tacoma with a CJAA common rail out of a 2012 Jetta. Those would have the DSG with them. Better engine in my opinion but harder to swap. They can make way more power cheaper. I'm around 220hp/400ftlbs with a bigger turbo and a tune.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. My project is a 77 Civic that has no drivetrain.

I'm still doing research on the swap in general as well as the target donor. From what little I've read, the ALH with auto had 11mm "lifter"(??) vs the manual with 10mm... so a bit of free power.

My target donor is an auto Beetle so it is a transverse mount engine. Is the DSG a bolt in/similar size trans? My target project needs a transverse trans. Auto would make the swap a bit simpler in not having to figure out the shifter but I actually hate autos.

For the front, I intend to take the Project Binkey approach and basically make it so I can bolt the entire Beetle front assembly onto the Civic so I can just use stock Beetle parts for the front drivetrain. This will result in a 'wide track' Civic:homer: The Civic is 51.2" WMS while beetle is 59.6" WMS. Not sure how I will approach the rear.

The target donor is fairly cheap... cheap enough that I could possibly end up with zero cost drivetrain after parting it out. I know the owner and may be able to shave it from their current price. The description on it is a bit odd so I have hesitant on asking about it without knowing if it was going to be a good donor. Now that I know it is, I'll go hit them up.

So I've got a question on evaluating the engine. Are their any known issues that would prevent it from firing up? Right now, no battery in it.
 
Lil'John said:
Thanks for the reply. My project is a 77 Civic that has no drivetrain.

I'm still doing research on the swap in general as well as the target donor. From what little I've read, the ALH with auto had 11mm "lifter"(??) vs the manual with 10mm... so a bit of free power.

My target donor is an auto Beetle so it is a transverse mount engine. Is the DSG a bolt in/similar size trans? My target project needs a transverse trans. Auto would make the swap a bit simpler in not having to figure out the shifter but I actually hate autos.

For the front, I intend to take the Project Binkey approach and basically make it so I can bolt the entire Beetle front assembly onto the Civic so I can just use stock Beetle parts for the front drivetrain. This will result in a 'wide track' Civic:homer: The Civic is 51.2" WMS while beetle is 59.6" WMS. Not sure how I will approach the rear.

The target donor is fairly cheap... cheap enough that I could possibly end up with zero cost drivetrain after parting it out. I know the owner and may be able to shave it from their current price. The description on it is a bit odd so I have hesitant on asking about it without knowing if it was going to be a good donor. Now that I know it is, I'll go hit them up.

So I've got a question on evaluating the engine. Are their any known issues that would prevent it from firing up? Right now, no battery in it.
Click to expand...

My donor was a manual ALH (2000 beetle). It was transverse mounted. If you can find that setup, you'd be golden.
 
Check the pump to see if it's leaking. The gaskets go and then they dissolve the wiring harness and timing belt.
 
The auto trannys that came with ALH engines are not well regarded.

Beetles starting in 2004 had the BEW engine and were also the first VW and only MK4 that came with the DSG dual clutch automatic transmission.
 
bdkw1 said:
Check the pump to see if it's leaking. The gaskets go and then they dissolve the wiring harness and timing belt.
Click to expand...
Are saying I need to check around these areas boxed in red?
tdi1-pumpCheck.png

This is just some random ebay engine. I'm assuming the above would be facing out toward me in the engine bay.

Any other spots I should be looking at?
jptbay said:
The auto trannys that came with ALH engines are not well regarded.

Beetles starting in 2004 had the BEW engine and were also the first VW and only MK4 that came with the DSG dual clutch automatic transmission.
Click to expand...
In theory, I'll be losing close to 1000lbs stuffing it into the civic:eek: The Civic is about 1500lbs... the Beetle is about 2700lbs. The Beetle engine weighs about 100lbs more than the Civics... not sure on the transmission or suspension weight difference.

Is the DSG a 'bolt in' replacement? Or is there too much electronics to play nice with the ALH?
 
Lil'John said:
Are saying I need to check around these areas boxed in red?
tdi1-pumpCheck.png

This is just some random ebay engine. I'm assuming the above would be facing out toward me in the engine bay.

Any other spots I should be looking at?

In theory, I'll be losing close to 1000lbs stuffing it into the civic:eek: The Civic is about 1500lbs... the Beetle is about 2700lbs. The Beetle engine weighs about 100lbs more than the Civics... not sure on the transmission or suspension weight difference.

Is the DSG a 'bolt in' replacement? Or is there too much electronics to play nice with the ALH?
Click to expand...
The top cap that both squares hit and the end cap that all the injector lines bolt too.

I had a mild tune on my beetle, it made a huge difference, way more fun to drive. Ditched the ASV, EGR and had the crank case vented to the ground. Kept the intercooler and ports clean. You should really pull the intake and clean the ports, they will be coated in crap.
 
Lil'John said:
Thanks for the reply. My project is a 77 Civic that has no drivetrain.

I'm still doing research on the swap in general as well as the target donor. From what little I've read, the ALH with auto had 11mm "lifter"(??) vs the manual with 10mm... so a bit of free power.

My target donor is an auto Beetle so it is a transverse mount engine. Is the DSG a bolt in/similar size trans? My target project needs a transverse trans. Auto would make the swap a bit simpler in not having to figure out the shifter but I actually hate autos.

For the front, I intend to take the Project Binkey approach and basically make it so I can bolt the entire Beetle front assembly onto the Civic so I can just use stock Beetle parts for the front drivetrain. This will result in a 'wide track' Civic:homer: The Civic is 51.2" WMS while beetle is 59.6" WMS. Not sure how I will approach the rear.

The target donor is fairly cheap... cheap enough that I could possibly end up with zero cost drivetrain after parting it out. I know the owner and may be able to shave it from their current price. The description on it is a bit odd so I have hesitant on asking about it without knowing if it was going to be a good donor. Now that I know it is, I'll go hit them up.

So I've got a question on evaluating the engine. Are their any known issues that would prevent it from firing up? Right now, no battery in it.
Click to expand...

The auto trans tdi had a bigger 11 mm plunger. It pushes 10% more fuel. I bought a golf with a bad trans and low miles then swapped in a 5 speed from one that broke its belt to get the bigger pump and a manual. Car was still a pos VW.
 
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