New engine

[Sunny43.5]

Hi guys I am in need of some advise or direction , my ever faithful 2005 T5 work van with it's unstoppable 2.0 litre petrol engine manual box is in need of some Viagra . It has only gone 295000 kays with just one set of plugs and spark plug leads plus two water pumps and timing belts . Over the last year or so it really is noticeable for lack of grunt on take off hills etc . {especially if the air con is on } Once rolling it's a dream only overtaking is a planned exercise on the open roads , so my dilemma is do I try and find someone who could do a reco job or should I do a transplant with an unknown engine with less kays under the belt . I know selling the van whilst its still going is an option but I love this old girl or boy {hence the Viagra } but it owes me nothing basically and its like a comfy set of shoes a pleasure to get into each day plus its setup just as I like it for work and drive . The engine is the 85kw AXA .

[Umai Naa!!]

Change the plugs!!

They're due every 60K like every other petrol VW.

[Notso Swift]

Agree a good service

A de-coke probably will not hurt either, you could have a heap of carbon build up especially if you are using 91 fuel
Liqui-moly have a product

[Seano]

Do the basics before changing the horses!!!

[Sunny43.5]

Sorry I should have mentioned the plugs were changed only about 17000kays back along with leads which funnily enough one failed two weeks after the plugs were done , something to do with the resistance from the new plugs . I only ever use 95 RON and then once or twice a month 98 RON . So all suggestions so far have been covered . I suppose after 295000 kays compression will be down , that's why I suspect a rebuild or whatever .

[Martin]

Is it blowing smoke?
Have you done a compression test?
Does the engine reach normal operating temperature (90 deg)? (thermostat could be stuck open)
Other reasons for sluggish performance are the O2 sensor going bad (CEL?) and/or a lack of ignition advance

The rebuild or swap out is always a hard call - go to the wreckers and see what you can find

[Sunny43.5]

Thanks Martin there is some food for thought in your reply , first yes it has never flinched from the dead centre of the temp gauge . I often wonder if it gets stuck at that point as I can not ever remember it going past the "normal "temp . The O2 sensor would be a chance and I will check it as the van is due for it's next service with Jmac here in Brisbane he is a very popular VW tech as it can take ages to get a booking with him [ its all those bloody pesky Golf owners who seem to flock to his door ] ha ha .

[Kiels3927]

I Jmac still around?

MK2 mechanic Brisbane

I had been using Phoenix, but the old guy retired & I don't have any information on the newest guy.

[Rebuild]

I know the diesel bores are plasma/nicasil type material(super hard), am thinking the petrols would be same.
Wouldn't think they'd wear too much in 290K ?
On your service I'd get jmac to do a comp. test, and see if he thinks the engine is "tired" or it's something else, then go from there
I wouldn't be looking for another engine yet

[Bora Sport]

290,000k's isn't a lot really depending on driving style and servicing. Our Vento 2 litre was still going strong after 440,000k's. I suggest that you get it scanned. There is a water temperature sensor that often fails. When it does the engine will still start and run and drive reasonably normally but its like the engine is in limp mode, ie no power.