Trusted TDI Mechanics - By State

Tillman's German Car Specialists
Santa Rosa, CA
Off State Route 101; One hour N of San Francisco



http://www.tillmansgermancar.com/

Trusted Mechanics List

jwlionking or VeeDubTDI,
any way one of you can give me an idea in regards to my question in post #898 and #900?
Thanks - Serge.

eastern va

Other then Checkered Flag, any recommended TDI mechanics in Eastern Virginia?
Thanks in advance
Cube

TDICube said:

Other then Checkered Flag, any recommended TDI mechanics in Eastern Virginia?
Thanks in advance
Cube

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Give a general locale, it will be easier.

TDICube said:

Other then Checkered Flag, any recommended TDI mechanics in Eastern Virginia?
Thanks in advance
Cube

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Cube: since your profile does not show where you live, are we to assume you mean the Tidewater region? If so, then there is no one listed -- I do not think any VW dealerships belong on this list.

What you can do is make a list of independent shops specializing in VWs in your area, concentrating on those which have been in business for 10-20 years or more -- they would not survive so long if their customers were not reasonably satisfied.

Then make a few calls and ask about TDIs: do they have a mechanic who specializes in TDIs? Do they have the proper tools and software to change timing belts, or do they use the "mark and pray" method? Do they replace all the rollers and the water pump during a TB change, along with the single-use bolts, or do they just hope you'll bring your VW back for a WP replacement later, or for a rebuilt head? (Do they replace water pumps with the ones with plastic impellers or brass ones? this is a good indicator.)

The more you know about your TDI, the more able you will be to ask the right questions and determine which shop will do the best job for you. It is always better to diagnose a problem ahead of time, so the shop does not waste your time and money throwing parts at a problem as they try to figure out what is wrong. But it is when you cannot figure out the cause, when you ask a shop to diagnose the problem, and they nail it the first time because they really know TDIs... that's when you've found a good shop and you can post the recommendation here.

Just had Jon's Auto in Marysville do the TB on my TDI. Nothing but praise for Jon and his crew. They were very knowledgeable and reasonably priced.

As an added bonus he has all sorts of rally racing memorabilia in the waiting area. So if you're in the Cleveland/Akron/Columbus area I recommend Jon's.

Location is Newport News-Hampton area in Virginia.
Cubes

In the listings for Arizona:
Eurojet Racing (the same ones who make the TDI FMICs)
1000 N. Hamilton Dr.
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 782-1602 <----Number is disconnected "with no further information" per the recording
www.eurojetracing.com Website still active to order parts online, but there is no phone listed on the contact page. I would assume they are no longer acting as TDI mechanics, merely as suppliers, but you know what happens when you AssUMe things.

Has anyone compiled the 61+ pages here to create a new list of TDI mechanics to replace the orignal that is on page 1?

The list is updated when there are shops that have multiple confirmed uses. Otherwise you are on your own with some of them.

Diesel_Rabbit said:

Has anyone compiled the 61+ pages here to create a new list of TDI mechanics to replace the orignal that is on page 1?

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You're in Maine. You have Herm. You are luckier than the people in a lot of other states.

TDICube- Try Whiteheads Volkswagen- He is on the Southside near Oceana- on Oceana Blvd. He has done some non engine work for me in the past and has been there for at least 15 yrs. I spoke with him a while when I was there and he does work on TDIs.
Do not go to the "Bug House" in Va Beach. They seem to only work on Bugs.

KFlow said:

TDICube- Try Whiteheads Volkswagen- He is on the Southside near Oceana- on Oceana Blvd. He has done some non engine work for me in the past and has been there for at least 15 yrs. I spoke with him a while when I was there and he does work on TDIs.

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I found a few positive reviews on Whitehead's, including a couple mentions of TDIs. If anyone else uses this shop, report back with your findings.

Whiteheads VW
1275 Oceana Blvd
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454
Phone: 757.425.1999

Owner: Brent Whitehead

Diesel_Rabbit said:

Has anyone compiled the 61+ pages here to create a new list of TDI mechanics to replace the orignal that is on page 1?

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The list on page 1 is continuously updated, along with the map.

RedSerge said:

jwlionking or VeeDubTDI,
any way one of you can give me an idea in regards to my question in post #898 and #900?
Thanks - Serge.

Click to expand...

Serge, I'm adding you to the map. JW maintains the list that's on the first page, and I'll let him update that. Sometimes he only does it once every month or so. Sit tight, and I'm sure he'll get it soon.

TornadoRed said:

I found a few positive reviews on Whitehead's, including a couple mentions of TDIs. If anyone else uses this shop, report back with your findings.

Whiteheads VW
1275 Oceana Blvd
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23454
Phone: 757.425.1999

Owner: Brent Whitehead

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Added.

drehenkraft said:

In the listings for Arizona:
Eurojet Racing (the same ones who make the TDI FMICs)
1000 N. Hamilton Dr.
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 782-1602 <----Number is disconnected "with no further information" per the recording
www.eurojetracing.com Website still active to order parts online, but there is no phone listed on the contact page. I would assume they are no longer acting as TDI mechanics, merely as suppliers, but you know what happens when you AssUMe things.

Click to expand...

Removed from the map. By looking at their website, it looks like they no longer do service. Parts sales and fabrication seem to be their main business goals now.

Here's a request for folks outside of the USA... please post your trusted TDI mechanics and some info about your experience with them. I'd like to get some more Canadian and European locations on the map.

Please don't list Volkswagen dealers unless you really really trust them. We're trying to keep this limited to independent shops and individuals.

To add someone to the map, we will need the following information...

• Business name and/or TDIClub username
• Name of contact person
• Phone number
• Address
• Website (if applicable)

The Map now has an easier to use link!

http://www.tinyurl.com/tdimap

Props to Troy Sentz (TNTKNC) in Atlanta, GA.

Changed my TB, auto tranny fluid/filter, and brake fluid in about a day.

Also recalibrated the EGR system for no extra charge.

Thanks Again.

SkrogPappa said:

Props to Troy Sentz (TNTKNC) in Atlanta, GA.

Changed my TB, auto tranny fluid/filter, and brake fluid in about a day.

Also recalibrate the EGR system for no extra charge.

Thanks Again.

Click to expand...

Troy is a good guy.. He's who I bought my first TDI from back in may 2005..

Thanks for the Whitehead's recommendation. I will give them a call when the big maintenance items are due.
Cubes

I have not had good luck with repairs at Van-Café (Folks Café, or Volks Café) in Santa Cruz, CA.

I took my car in for a wheel bearing noise and had the bearing and hub replaced. Within a few hundred miles I had wobbly steering, jacked up the car, and found that wheel was floppy. I took it back and they found they had not tightened the nut down correctly. They tightened it and assured me there would be no bearing damage. I was skeptical; that wheel wobbling!

About of year later that bearing and hub failed again. I brought it in and they replaced the bearing and hub again, for free this time. That was nice of them. They also said they found some oil leaks at some sensors. I asked them for a quote on fixing the leaks; the next I heard from them I didn't get a quote, instead they'd done the work and I got what I thought was a largish bill. I was pissed but there was no point in arguing it.

I had also had them replace the injector return lines. I specified I am running B99. Today, about a year later, I find that all the lines have melted, cracked, and leaked fuel. They used regular fuel line! None of the hoses had clamps and they all slid off the nipples with the lightest pressure. Funny thing is that when I had my VW in their shop a couple months ago they noticed the leakage and told me it was from the injection pump.

Each time I get the car back from them there's greasy handprints all over the fenders. It's a white car. You think they'd notice. Not that I am a super neat freak, but a failure to clean up after doesn't make me think that "attention to detail" is a priority.

Just my 2 cents. Your mileage may vary. I'm going back to doing my own car work.

slam said:

I have not had good luck with repairs at Van-Café (Folks Café, or Volks Café) in Santa Cruz, CA.

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I live in Santa Cruz and lately I have been hearing the same thing on some of the work they do. I'm experimenting with a shop in Watsonville 22 miles south that has great prices but aren't VW specialists. They are going to replace a blown engine and timing belt in a 2003 Jetta auto wagon. Waiting to see what happens.

.

Scott from Biochoppers is not in san diego or tijuana, he's in Whitier. I spoke to him this week. Might be worth updating the Trusted Mechanics list.

exceptional mechanic found for Kansas/Missouri area

I would like to see a mechanic added to this trusted mechanics list and map –Kansas City TDI. Those of us on TDIclub know him by his screen name-CoolAirVw.

He has worked on my car and I could not be more pleased with his work. The first bit of work he did was fixing a problem that I thought was a speedometer related problem. I had my Beetle in and out of a central Kansas VW repair shop for several months. The amount of time it was actually in the shop was over 5 weeks. They were unable to diagnose or fix the problem.
I then took it to CoolAirVW. I dropped it off at about 8:30pm one evening. By 8:30 the next morning, he had the problem diagnosed and fixed a short time later.

The second bit of work that he did involved fixing a surging that was coming from the transmission. In addition, he flushed and replaced my transmission fluid.

And the last bit of work he did was venting my fuel tank.

I have been very pleased with his work. I am impressed with his speed and thoroughness and his diagnostic skills are exceptional. His posts on this forum are usually always packed with applicable information, photos, graphs, etc. For just a sampling of his adeptness, feel free to read threads 01M, 01M part 2, and 01M part 3.

I am having a timing belt changed in a little over a month from now and I am having him do that as well. He has VAG-com and timing tools for ALH, PD, and early TDI's and IDI's.

contact info

Richard Middleton
serving Kansas City Area
Screen name CoolAirVw
www.kansascitytdi.com
816-769-7352

RedHeadedLadyBeetle said:

I would like to see a mechanic added to this trusted mechanics list and map –Kansas City TDI. Those of us on TDIclub know him by his screen name-CoolAirVw.

He has worked on my car and I could not be more pleased with his work. The first bit of work he did was fixing a problem that I thought was a speedometer related problem. I had my Beetle in and out of a central Kansas VW repair shop for several months. The amount of time it was actually in the shop was over 5 weeks. They were unable to diagnose or fix the problem.
I then took it to CoolAirVW. I dropped it off at about 8:30pm one evening. By 8:30 the next morning, he had the problem diagnosed and fixed a short time later.

The second bit of work that he did involved fixing a surging that was coming from the transmission. In addition, he flushed and replaced my transmission fluid.

And the last bit of work he did was venting my fuel tank.

I have been very pleased with his work. I am impressed with his speed and thoroughness and his diagnostic skills are exceptional. His posts on this forum are usually always packed with applicable information, photos, graphs, etc. For just a sampling of his adeptness, feel free to read threads 01M, 01M part 2, and 01M part 3.

I am having a timing belt changed in a little over a month from now and I am having him do that as well. He has VAG-com and timing tools for ALH, PD, and early TDI's and IDI's.

contact info

Richard Middleton
serving Kansas City Area
Screen name CoolAirVw
www.kansascitytdi.com
816-769-7352

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Added!

craigvu said:

Scott from Biochoppers is not in san diego or tijuana, he's in Whitier. I spoke to him this week. Might be worth updating the Trusted Mechanics list.

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Updating. I don't know where I got San Diego from.

Steve to Be said:

I live in Santa Cruz and lately I have been hearing the same thing on some of the work they do. I'm experimenting with a shop in Watsonville 22 miles south that has great prices but aren't VW specialists. They are going to replace a blown engine and timing belt in a 2003 Jetta auto wagon. Waiting to see what happens.

.

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Let us know how it goes. Things aren't sounding very good for these guys right now. If the engine replacement doesn't go well, we might just have to remove them from the list.

slam said:

I had also had them replace the injector return lines. I specified I am running B99. Today, about a year later, I find that all the lines have melted, cracked, and leaked fuel. They used regular fuel line! None of the hoses had clamps and they all slid off the nipples with the lightest pressure. Funny thing is that when I had my VW in their shop a couple months ago they noticed the leakage and told me it was from the injection pump.

Click to expand...

Just so you know, the injector return lines are not supposed to have clamps on them. However, because you're running B99, they should have used Viton lines, which would have prevented the melting/decomposition of the lines.