Should I even bother saving this car?

[illinifrever]

Ok, so I my 96 TSi has just about 206k on it. In the last year, i've replaced the starter, the thermostat, & the valve cover gasket. The car has leaked oil to a varying degree since I bought it with 177k on it.

When I changed the spark plugs out a few months ago, they were covered in oil, I assumed that the head gasket could be starting to go or that the piston rings were about fried. Everything had been running fairly well until last week when a whole bunch of stuff went wrong.

- the alternator belt snapped.
- the pulley the alternator belt was on got loose and was bent slightly.
- the water pump when out, causing the car to overheat.
- coolant started leaking everywhere.
- the alternator is in rough shape, it still works, but idk for how long.

I was about 30 miles out of town at the time, a few days later, some friends and I got the alternator belt and pulley back on, but it fell off again about 2 miles down the road. We then bungee corded a tire to the back of it. Ran it about 3/4ths the way home with no water pump and no alternator power until it died, then we pushed it the rest of the way with my friends Blazer (incredibly illegal and dangerous, I know). It was smoking a good chunk of the way home and it got hot enough to where it melted the dipstick, .

My friends brother wants to throw a water pump into the car and see how well it runs and possibly throw a rebuilt engine into it down the road.

Basically, is it worth trying to repair this car or should I start parting it out? I've already pulled off most of the aftermarket options I have on it and thrown them onto my new Talon. If it's not worth it, what parts would some of the more experienced posters recommend I take off of it? The body and interior are in great shape & the clutch is fairly new.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

 

[nuclearr]

I personaly would save it but thats just me. I dont know your budget and really dont know whats wrond with it I doubut putting a water pump on it is going to solve your problem ater overheating it like that. Could be worth a try tough. i would do a compression test before you even tear it down. Along with a leak down test. This will tell you if you have problems with the engine.

 

[illinifrever]

Yeah, I plan on doing a compression test as soon as I can a hold of a trailer i'll use to transport the car.

I don't wan to junk it, but I have no need for two cars, especially two mostly identical ones. If I fix it, i'll plan on selling it. I've got quite a bit of interest from some guys around town who are really into the tuner scene, but I think i'd make more money on it by parting it out. I'm torn though.

 

[907gs-t]

I'd fix it & enjoy them both.

 

[spooln4fun]

I would see what results you get from the compression test and leak down test then decide where you want to go. Do you want to rebuild it or but a used engine in it? If you dont then part it out.

I'd fix it myself, but thats only b/c I have another car to DD in the mean time and the down time wouldn't hurt me none.

 

[LittleBear]

Get some buds to come of with so beer and meat to grill and find out why it overheating. I would never say give up