to but or not to buy, that is the q.

i have chance to buy a 1991 vw passat variant with a 9a engine for 200 euro, with an apk (mot) but the catch is that the cambelt sheered a few teeth . i just happen to have a spare 9a head compleate in my garage, and was wondering what is the chance that there will be a hole in a piston? if there is not a hole then transplanting the head is no problem, and so to sell on the car.but if there is then its a lot more work to removed the engine and hence the potential profit will lessen.

any input as to whats the chance a piston is dead. the engine was at about 2200 rpm at the time. the car was been driven.

thanks.

 

Valves normally bend but don't do much damage unless it's dropped a valve head - does it run at all?

 

no, it was taken to a garage but the repair qoute was too high, hence the price

 

Do you know if they had the head off at all? It could be a very nice deal, or a very bad deal!

 

no, the engine was not touched. i think i'll just take a chance. if there is a hole in a piston i'll scrap the car for parts to recover the cash, and probally use the front end for a wide track conversion and the other engine parts for spares when i wreck the 9a in the mk1.