TDI question ... off-topic ... good forums?
 

... my sister, who has a 2003 Jetta TDI, is interested in learning more about DIY stuff for her car. She's had trouble with (you guessed it) the OBD and the dealership hasn't been helpful in fixing it. I know some of you guys are VeeDubers and might know of a good forum she could check out?

Also, what's the best repair manual to get? She found some on the Bentley website that were quite pricey. Are there any CD versions that might be better? I didn't really know what to tell her because the computer-related issues are pretty foreign to me. Thought maybe I could direct her to some folks who'd know more.

Try Freds TDI Club ;)

http://www.tdiclub.com/

The bentley manuals are worth the money for volkswagen if you are going to use them. This is not the easiest car to work on though. But she could do the routine maintenance. Oil filters and change, filters, especially the air filter or she will get a service engine light, brakes and steering components. Tires should be rotated at no more than 5 k intervals on this model. etc.

If you're going to do more than maintainace, then you need VAGCOM software and a dongle to hook the car up to a computer. It's all over on the TDI club. Another group is VW vortex.

The biggest issue is... drumroll please... EGR! Block or dump. BIG problemo on the TDI. Sold mine (well hers) before it was an issue. Nice little diesel though. Pretty peppy, though IIRC fairly turbo/boost laggy in stock form.

TDIclub is a great forum though.