In case anyone here was interested in what these somewhat funky VR6 engines look like...here you go. Really just a narrow-angle V6 so one head but VR is a cool term short in German - stands for "Vee-Reihenmotor", combining elements of both V-engines and inline engines. This is my son's '98 GTI with a 2.8L 12v VR. Later versions went to 24v. They have a unique sound similar to Chewbacca yelling. He's getting ready for some top-end work. Cams are done. Chains have been done before by the looks of it which is a classic VR6 issue. Looks good for 210K miles.
2.8L V2 12v VR6 valve cover open
- Thread starter TiGeo
- Start date
Aw sweet! There were a couple of Golf R32s parked near where I used to work. They have a very unique sound, but never quite figured out why. They have a definite "Chewbacca " burble.
One of my favorite cars when new. Originally had the four cylinder with a supercharger if I am not mistaken - and then they went to the VR6. Nice cars. Remember them sitting on the showroom floor new - would go into the dealer to pick of parts to repair my now wife then GF’s Jetta (1987) and sister’s Golf (1988). Fun cars for that time, slow but fun. The Golf and Jetta had those pull out radios because that was a theft risk back then. Memory lane . . . .
VRs were indeed one of the coolest engines, loved my MkIII GTI for it. Until I had to work on it. Had their own set of quirky problems, but the exhaust note made all that go away. Incidentally, that comes from the resonance of the exhaust pulses 1-3 & 4-6 (look at the "separate" exhaust manifold in TiGeo's pic) when they merged downstream. If you're addicted, go to the next Wookies in the Woods.
Went a few years ago in my Grandpa Wookie....W8 wagon. Same type of exhaust note just deeper.
Nice observation, at 1st I thought maybe a 7UP or maybe Sprite can, I am thinking that is a Heineken Can. If it is a Heineken can, that is awesome, because where I live, we only get the skinny Heineken cans.
All you needed were either Ronal or BBS wheels to set off the whole thing. Was it a pain to swap with the electronics etc?
Oh he did a swap. Pretty cool.
I used the original 15 '' BBS 2pc wheels. The swap was pretty much plug and play. The electronics back then were pretty much all shared between platforms . These swaps were common. The engine and ECU were from a Passat . Corrado transmission and brakes. The engine was fun but threw off the balance from the extra 100 pounds of weight compared to the 16 valve.
It's a lime La Croix
Weren’t those written up 5 years ago for containing trace amounts of polyethylene glycol? (They denied it). If so, it’s more of a coolant solution!
Winner.
wemay
Site Donor 2023
I can hear her singing as I close my eyes.
wemay
Site Donor 2023
Driver's Edition?
With 210 K miles on it, its probably a good idea to do a compression test to see if new piston rings might be a good idea.
There are two types of compression test tools sold. The one with the check valve built into the part that threads into the sparkplug is accurate.
Be sure to turn the engine with the fuel cut off, throttle opened, with the starter, and crank it at least 8 rotations to get at least 4 compression pulses each time you take a reading.
It's also a good idea to disable the ignition system before cranking during testing.
Don't use a compression tester with the check valve far away from the sparkplug hole fitting and near the gauge. Those are not accurate.
The pressure release valve can be far from the sparkplug hole fitting. But for accuracy, the check valve should really be built into that sparkplug hole fitting.
There are two types of compression test tools sold. The one with the check valve built into the part that threads into the sparkplug is accurate.
Be sure to turn the engine with the fuel cut off, throttle opened, with the starter, and crank it at least 8 rotations to get at least 4 compression pulses each time you take a reading.
It's also a good idea to disable the ignition system before cranking during testing.
Don't use a compression tester with the check valve far away from the sparkplug hole fitting and near the gauge. Those are not accurate.
The pressure release valve can be far from the sparkplug hole fitting. But for accuracy, the check valve should really be built into that sparkplug hole fitting.
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