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  #1  
Old 07-26-2011, 01:47 PM
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Hey, you TDI guys!

I know this isn't about Benz's, but I need a little edumacation. I could think of no where better that to ask you guys here that also own or have owned a VW TDI.

I have been looking around on the 'net at some Jetta & Passat TDI's, mostly in the 1998 to 2001 year models. I had a '86 model Golf 2-dr. 5-spd. with a NA engine many years ago & loved it; but I know nothing about the new generation TDI's. So I have a few questions if you will permit me:

My indie tells me that VW's in general suffer from electrical problems, specifically a "box" over the battery that is not well weatherproofed & therefore suffers from water intrusion, causing many problems. Is this true & is there a fix for it?

He also tells me that the auto trans in VW's burn out easily. He says there is no fix for it, but I was wondering if an externnal cooler would help this situation out.

I hear that these are great little cars, but would appreciate anyone's experience with problems owning one.

Many thanks in advance! Mods, please leave this in the Diesel Section.

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  #2  
Old 07-26-2011, 02:05 PM
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Just do not buy the automatic version especially during the years you mention. To add to the general mysery the last ratio in the automatic is punitive in nature compared to the manual transmission.

Volkswagon still has a following. Personally I have written the newer ones off the aquisition list as they get worse as they get newer. I still would buy a 1999 1/2 to 2002 tdi with low milage for some of the benifits if I just had to buy one.

The 1985 and 1986 where the pinacle of practicallity for them in my opinion. Quality perhaps as well. I have owned a whack of them over the years. Including a new 2000 tdi. Unfortunatly the company has just fallen off my radar basically. Other car producers are doing much better in my experience. I also have some issues with the premium used newer volks diesels seem to bring.
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  #3  
Old 07-26-2011, 03:16 PM
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I own a 2004 TDI Jetta wagon, and I worked at a VW diesel shop for a while. This is how I look a VW. They made affordable, economical cars. Nothing lasts as long on the VW's when compared to the MB's. But the parts cost half as much and are often half the size. The old ones are tin cans on wheels. I'd never want to get in an accident in a Rabbit.
VW's in general due suffer from electrical problems, some electrical issues due to water leaks, others not. The fuse block on the older cars is right under where the windshield likes to leak. You do the math. The auto trans are much more prone to failure than the manuals. The autos also eat up some mpg's. The TDI injection pumps are prone to leaking. The pumps can be resealed. I did a few at the shop. The most dangerous leak is the input shaft seal on the front. When I leaks it drips on the timing belt. If you're running biodiesel it can eat up the belt if it's bad enough. Which means a lost timing belt and a whole lot of other issues in a zero clearance engine.

I've owned my TDI for a little over a year now and it has 133k miles on it. I've had to chage the alternator pulley and serp belt tensioner, and thats it. Though I do think I've got either a worn wheel bearing or a axle going out. The POs took care of it, and had no issues, just routine maintanence.
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  #4  
Old 07-26-2011, 04:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dagObx View Post

My indie tells me that VW's in general suffer from electrical problems, specifically a "box" over the battery that is not well weatherproofed & therefore suffers from water intrusion, causing many problems. Is this true & is there a fix for it?

He also tells me that the auto trans in VW's burn out easily. He says there is no fix for it, but I was wondering if an externnal cooler would help this situation out.
The large strip fuses on top of the battery for the radiator fans, cabin circuits, alternator, and some other things carry a lot of current. If the connections corrode resistance builds, they get hot, and melt the plastic.

FWIW I'm at 265,000 miles and 11 years on mine. I have not touched them.

The automatics are a weak point. The solenoids in the valve body wear out, leaking pressure, so the trans stops "fully" shifting, gets hot, and breaks various expensive parts. The only good option for a failed unit is a VW reman.

-J
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  #5  
Old 07-26-2011, 04:41 PM
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Check out this thread:

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=189029

-J
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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.
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  #6  
Old 07-26-2011, 05:53 PM
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Thanks for the link,Compu85. If that doesn 't scare the ***** out of someone, I don't know what will. And I can't use a manual because of my cancerous shoulder, so it would have to be an auto.

Too bad, too, since I found this: http://wilmington.craigslist.org/cto/2508028751.html
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Old 07-26-2011, 06:07 PM
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The auto isn't terrible, just plan on repairing it. I want to get an auto myself, I spend at least 2 hours a day in traffic.

-J
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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.
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  #8  
Old 07-26-2011, 07:19 PM
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I'm still reading that link. Some there say it's a overheating problem, as well as problems with bad parts. I wonder if an external cooler would ease the problem somewhat...

I hate it, too, since I would really like to have one of these.
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  #9  
Old 07-26-2011, 09:02 PM
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We got the '06 Jetta TDI from the dealer, showing 40 miles. It now shows 86K.

This car has had no warranty work done. Never needed it. The Mexicans and Poles did something right. Ours is a manual. I did not consider getting a DSG.

Oil changes are expensive for something that only takes 4 quarts. Timing belt job was expensive (partly due to required special tools) but otherwise routine.
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  #10  
Old 07-26-2011, 10:33 PM
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Im looking at an 11 Jetta TDI. Keeping an eye on this thread.
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  #11  
Old 07-26-2011, 11:36 PM
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The Common Rail is a different beast than the older cars. Many many more parts. There's two throttles, two EGRs, and the glow plugs are also cylinder pressure sensors for example
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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.
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  #12  
Old 07-27-2011, 12:17 AM
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I have a 05 Passat that was a one owner, dealer maintained vehicle. It had 71K on the clock when I bought it and now has 82K. I have had to do some maintenance but nothing major.

The auto trans seems to be fine. I will be changing the trans fluid soon. VW claims it has lifetime fluid but I am not buying it.

The engine is a PD type where the cam activates a pump/injector unit through a rocker arm. oil selection is criticle to keep the cam healthy. The engine has a fatal flaw. The balance shaft is driven by a chain on the US model. Everywhere else in the world got a gear driven BSM. The chain tensioner can fail and throw bits of metal into the drive belt. This is bad. There seems to be a debate on just how wide spread the issue is. Some on the TDI forum argue the BSM HAS to be changed, while others say it isn't really a problem.

It is a nice vehicle....by far the best VW I have ever owned. It is at the end of the day still a VW. Little things break and IMO a 6 yo car should not have brittle plastic already. It is a small peppy car compared to the Merc, but not even close on build quality. I commute 120 miles/day and the VW is a good fit for that and serves it's purpose well.
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  #13  
Old 07-27-2011, 07:19 AM
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I had a 99 MK3 auto, it was on its 3rd trans at 85k miles.

I have a 1990 1.6L NA Diesel 5speed. It won't go down the road like a benz... ever. But they do do WAY better on fuel.
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  #14  
Old 07-27-2011, 12:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselPaul View Post
I had a 99 MK3 auto, it was on its 3rd trans at 85k miles.

I have a 1990 1.6L NA Diesel 5speed. It won't go down the road like a benz... ever. But they do do WAY better on fuel.
What was the reason for the failures? I have never had a auto VW until now. I have put over 200K miles on the standard transmissions several times.
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  #15  
Old 07-27-2011, 01:49 PM
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There is a refference to the automatic transmissions on the volkwagons posted earlier on this thread. I thought the passat used a different and better automatic transmission. May be wrong about that.

It is not only the failure rate of volkswagon automatic transmissions that is troubling. It is also the horrific cost of correcting the situation. Some gas cars are so much better on fuel now in concert with the tdi getting progressivly less fuel milage since introduction.

I no longer see as strong an upside of buying a new one. Volkswagon does produce models that get really good fuel milage. They are not comming to north america though.

Also be careful of build quality. There are serious issues at the mexican factory now I hear. The latest ones seem to have dropped the twelve year rust perforation warranty as well. Have they discontinued their excellent factory rust proofing?It was very expensive to use and really seemed to work well. If it has been discontinued I can see no good reason to consider a new one at all.

Also in reflection if you own or aquire a 19991/2 or newer get a skid pan. All too many people have smashed the oil pans etc. This car has inadaquate ground clearance.

I now almost see these as cult cars . Practacality or reliability is not their strength. Customer service with the brand from the actual company is the worse I ever saw. It may be improved now for all I know.

Basically what I am obviously implying is I once was a fan of the product. Certainly am no longer.

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