Anyone here frequent a good VW tdi forum they can recommend? I just picked up a 2013 Jetta tdi SportWagen and would like to learn a bit about it from enthusiasts. A few forums I've looked at already are either low traffic or mainly about performance mods. Turns out there are some Jetta nuts who are into suspension lifts, too. I'm more interested in care & maintenance. I added the extended warranty so things like head gaskets and turbocharger will be covered, but I'd like to at least to some routine maintenance like oil, brakes, fuel filter, etc.
VW tdi forum suggestions?
- Thread starter Tugela
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I know it sounds like over kill, but replace the fuel filter every other oil change. http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_VI-Sportwagen-TDI/Maintenance/Engine/Fuel_Filter/
Fwiw, the 40k service runs about $1100, but if you are mechanically inclined you should be able to do it yourself.
Especially if you buy this kit http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_VI-Sportwagen-TDI/Drivetrain/DSG_Transmission/ES259834/
Obviously you only need that kit for the first service. It includes the tool you need to fill the fluid.
After that you only need this kit http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_VI-Sportwagen-TDI/Drivetrain/DSG_Transmission/ES11968/
That forum Paxton posted is the best one for tdi's.
Fwiw, the 40k service runs about $1100, but if you are mechanically inclined you should be able to do it yourself.
Especially if you buy this kit http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_VI-Sportwagen-TDI/Drivetrain/DSG_Transmission/ES259834/
Obviously you only need that kit for the first service. It includes the tool you need to fill the fluid.
After that you only need this kit http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Jetta_VI-Sportwagen-TDI/Drivetrain/DSG_Transmission/ES11968/
That forum Paxton posted is the best one for tdi's.
If you neglect the DSG service you will eventually need the whole valve body, VAG calls it Mechatronics unit.
Fwiw, I'm a BMW guy but if Volkswagen would stand up to Audi and offer the tdi sportwagen in AWD I would consider going back to VW. The Jetta tdi sportwagen is a very cool car. There is talk about an AWD sporttwagen but i doubt we will see it here.
Fwiw, I'm a BMW guy but if Volkswagen would stand up to Audi and offer the tdi sportwagen in AWD I would consider going back to VW. The Jetta tdi sportwagen is a very cool car. There is talk about an AWD sporttwagen but i doubt we will see it here.
Mike, thanks for the info. The dealership performed the 40,000 mile service just before I drove away with the car so that was a nice surprise.
I also learned that later this year VW is replacing the Jetta SW with the Golf Estate, although it might be called something else for the US market. It's a new platform, slightly bigger than the existing Jetta, and the European market is already due for an AWD diesel variant. The guys at the dealership said they knew of no plans for that to come to the US, although if it did it might be a couple years. VW could take a slice out of the Subaru Outback market with a TDI AWD wagon. Good call on the fuel filter.
I also learned that later this year VW is replacing the Jetta SW with the Golf Estate, although it might be called something else for the US market. It's a new platform, slightly bigger than the existing Jetta, and the European market is already due for an AWD diesel variant. The guys at the dealership said they knew of no plans for that to come to the US, although if it did it might be a couple years. VW could take a slice out of the Subaru Outback market with a TDI AWD wagon. Good call on the fuel filter.
We've got a '13 Jetta TDI with 71K on it already. Guess I better get on those filters. She's been running 100% syn oil in it religiously. I've got a 2000 Jetta TDI manual (work car) at the house right now with 200K on it. God damn that car runs nice and not as slow as I'd have thought.
I have an 01 TDI Bug what brand would you recommend? The vehicle is high mileage around 257K.
507 spec low ash oil is only needed for diesels with DPFs (diesel particulate filter).
You can use any 502/505 spec 5w40 full synthetic in the older mechanical diesels. at that mileage I'm surprised your injection pump isn't leaking with the low sulphur diesel.
You can use any 502/505 spec 5w40 full synthetic in the older mechanical diesels. at that mileage I'm surprised your injection pump isn't leaking with the low sulphur diesel.
I also use Motul in my 06 Jetta. I drive 150 miles three days a week and love the TDi. Already put 70,000 miles in 14 months.
I buy some of my supplies from German Auto Parts, IDparts, ECS Tunning and use the tdiclub forum.
I buy some of my supplies from German Auto Parts, IDparts, ECS Tunning and use the tdiclub forum.
And http://www.blauparts.com/ I used these guys A LOT when I had my 4000 quat.
Also http://www.halseyparts.com/ they are out of Portland, OR and will do UPS at wholesale prices.
Also http://www.halseyparts.com/ they are out of Portland, OR and will do UPS at wholesale prices.
fwiw, ecstuning (EuroCarService) has very good prices. Their genuine parts are the same price as our cost from the dealer....which means they are always 20% less than genuine parts from independent or dealer.
Best thing to do is find an ELSA and ETK on eBay so you can find the parts you need then enter that part number directly into ecs's search box. Keep in mind VAG stuff is a pain in the butt to load, so be very very patient. Once you finally get the software loaded it's well worth it.
There used to be an online unauthorized ETK but it disappeared a while ago.
The Land Rover one is http://lrparts.net.ru
BMW one is www.realoem.com
I'll try to find the VAG one. Worst case you can pay daily subscriptions https://erwin.vw.com/erwin/showHome.do
My coworker used to be a dealer tech and said even at the dealership the Erwin was a pain in the ass sometimes.
Best thing to do is find an ELSA and ETK on eBay so you can find the parts you need then enter that part number directly into ecs's search box. Keep in mind VAG stuff is a pain in the butt to load, so be very very patient. Once you finally get the software loaded it's well worth it.
There used to be an online unauthorized ETK but it disappeared a while ago.
The Land Rover one is http://lrparts.net.ru
BMW one is www.realoem.com
I'll try to find the VAG one. Worst case you can pay daily subscriptions https://erwin.vw.com/erwin/showHome.do
My coworker used to be a dealer tech and said even at the dealership the Erwin was a pain in the ass sometimes.
I know it sounds over kill, but using a good diesel additive like http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=30&pcid=11 is a good thing.
There are tons of high mileage tdi's out there that don't use additives, but the additives help lubricate the fuel system. The older mechanical diesels we see are puking due to the sulphur removed from the fuel. You can have pumps rebuilt with viton seals but the cost usually is not worth it.
The newer stuff does okay without the sulphur but it's a good piece of mind. The HPFP uses a roller cam lubricated by the fuel, so having some more lubrication helps.
The petrol FSI turbos had HPFP issues due to using a flat tappet follower....like rover engines, and due to the decrease of Zinc in oil the cam lobe was losing its hardness and finally wearing down.
This is a good source that explains the effects of ash https://www.dieselnet.com/tech/dpf_ash.php which is why you really need to use low ash oil in diesels with a DPF. liquimoly makes a DPF cleaning kit, it makes a HUGE mess but it's better than buying a new DPF. the system does a DPF regeneration when needed, but eventually it will need cleaned or replaced.
There are tons of high mileage tdi's out there that don't use additives, but the additives help lubricate the fuel system. The older mechanical diesels we see are puking due to the sulphur removed from the fuel. You can have pumps rebuilt with viton seals but the cost usually is not worth it.
The newer stuff does okay without the sulphur but it's a good piece of mind. The HPFP uses a roller cam lubricated by the fuel, so having some more lubrication helps.
The petrol FSI turbos had HPFP issues due to using a flat tappet follower....like rover engines, and due to the decrease of Zinc in oil the cam lobe was losing its hardness and finally wearing down.
This is a good source that explains the effects of ash https://www.dieselnet.com/tech/dpf_ash.php which is why you really need to use low ash oil in diesels with a DPF. liquimoly makes a DPF cleaning kit, it makes a HUGE mess but it's better than buying a new DPF. the system does a DPF regeneration when needed, but eventually it will need cleaned or replaced.
Some days I really miss my TDI. My immediate family has owned 5 of them. (All pre-PD era, thankfully)
Is the 40k expensive just because of the transmission fluid change? Would it be cheaper with a manual transmission?
just did a 40k, only did the manufacturer suggested service, it was $800.
Manufacturer only requires replacing the following
-fuel filter
-cabin filter
-oil service
-trans service (DSG)
But we still treat the weather stripping, lubricate body hinges, and all the lock actuators.
The $1100 service we also replace the following
-brake fluid
-engine air filter
-wiper blades
-coolant
So price depends on the extent of the service. Our 30k is still based on the older maintenance requirements.
Fwiw, the $800 service we just performed was quoted $1000 at our local VW dealership. Our local dealerships use a BG machine with BG fluid (yes, the local dealerships don't even use factory fluid) but still charges 2 hours for the trans service!!!
If you buy the kit from ECS it makes the job way quicker. We have an assenmacher fluid pump that you can buy different filler attachments. The assenmacher tool is just like the one from ECS, you fill it thru the drain hole instead of forcing it in the filter hole.
Book time on the 40k is 5 hours.
Manufacturer only requires replacing the following
-fuel filter
-cabin filter
-oil service
-trans service (DSG)
But we still treat the weather stripping, lubricate body hinges, and all the lock actuators.
The $1100 service we also replace the following
-brake fluid
-engine air filter
-wiper blades
-coolant
So price depends on the extent of the service. Our 30k is still based on the older maintenance requirements.
Fwiw, the $800 service we just performed was quoted $1000 at our local VW dealership. Our local dealerships use a BG machine with BG fluid (yes, the local dealerships don't even use factory fluid) but still charges 2 hours for the trans service!!!
If you buy the kit from ECS it makes the job way quicker. We have an assenmacher fluid pump that you can buy different filler attachments. The assenmacher tool is just like the one from ECS, you fill it thru the drain hole instead of forcing it in the filter hole.
Book time on the 40k is 5 hours.