Trusted TDI Mechanics - By State

MarsBar · Jun 19, 2009

For non-TDI specific work if you're ever in Petaluma, California, go to Bill & Jay's on the corner of Howard & Western. Great service, honest as can be. And have a brew at Maguire's Pub, too; they're the ones who told us to go to see Jay when we had a possible issue away from home.

Damien8 · Jun 20, 2009

Any mechanics in/near Bigfork, MT?

I really need to get a car inspected. Wanted to know cost.

Thanks!

TornadoRed · Jun 20, 2009

Damien8 said:
Any mechanics in/near Bigfork, MT?

I really need to get a car inspected. Wanted to know cost.

Thanks!

Joe Fisher has recommended a shop in Kalispell, not that far from Bigfork. Not TDI specialists, but at least they know what a TDI is!

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=2471398&postcount=697

badilita · Jun 20, 2009

Serge So Cal TDI specialist

Serge just did my 180,000mi TB replacement, intake cleaning, EGR set up and some other work.
Outstanding job, thank you Serge, it was worth the 100+ mi drive.
Serge's phone 949-653-0608 The Auto Clinic Irvine, CA
Paul

2002 Golf tdi

badilita · Jun 22, 2009

The Auto Clinic in Irvine, So Cal, Serge

In regards to my post from 06.20.09, Serges phone # is 949-653-0608, call him with confidence.

VeeDubTDI · Jun 23, 2009

Does Serge have a VCDS program, the timing belt tools (pump and cam locks), and any other special VW tools that should be noted?

TornadoRed · Jun 23, 2009

VeeDubTDI said:
Does Serge have a VCDS program, the timing belt tools (pump and cam locks), and any other special VW tools that should be noted?

His information is here:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=2513633&postcount=1

and another thread here:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=2514723

SoCal is a big place and there are plenty of TDIs to keep both Harvieux and Serge busy. It would not hurt if there were other TDI experts in the San Fernando Valley and down in San Diego too. Too many unwary TDI owners have taken their cars to dealerships rather than make the long drive to Orange County; it might not look that far on a map, but it can take hours if you start at the wrong time of day.

RedSerge · Jun 24, 2009

The Auto Clinic in Irvine, CA

VeeDubTDI said:
Does Serge have a VCDS program, the timing belt tools (pump and cam locks), and any other special VW tools that should be noted?

For those who missed my earlier posts:
The Auto Clinic is a fully licensed and insured repair facility located in Irvine, CA; I am an owner and an ASE certified technician, own a 2000 Golf TDI and a 2006 Jetta TDI myself and do have a professional VCDS interface/license along with all the tools necessary to perform timing belt replacement procedures on any VW TDI vehicle with the exception of 2009 model year (for now). I do not offer transmission repair or A/C work at the moment.
Thanks - Serge.

ptherock · Jun 24, 2009

Hi everyone,
I'm looking at a 2003 TDI in california with about 102k miles. The timing belt was just replaced by Fred's Garage in Redwood City, CA. I searched the thread and couldn't find anything about them. I was wondering if anyone can vouch for the mechanic...the craigslist ad says that the garage specializes in VW.
Is this the fred that hosts this website??? It probably is not, but that would sure relieve any worries

-Pat

ymz · Jun 24, 2009

The FRED that runs this website is in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)...

Short of interviewing the mechanic who replaced the timing belt, there's no way to know how the job was done, as he's not one of the regularly-recommended "gurus" around here...

I would budget for a proper timing belt system replacement just in case...

Good luck,

Yuri

CNDTDI · Jun 24, 2009

can anyone vouch for autowerks in Ottawa, Ont., Canada

i saw them on the list, but i was just wondering what they had done to their car.

Thanks

MayorDJQ · Jun 24, 2009

What happened to the list at the beginning of the thread?? It's not too handy to read through 53 pages to find a mechanic.

ymz · Jun 24, 2009

CNDTDI said:
can anyone vouch for autowerks in Ottawa, Ont.

Are you talking about Advanced Autowerks on Bentley Ave.? Not bad, but like everything else in Ottawa, fairly expensive... (They do, however, perform timing belt changes "by the book"...)

We've also heard a good report about Metric Auto Service on Clyde...

Yuri

CNDTDI · Jun 24, 2009

alright thanks yuri

VeeDubTDI · Jun 24, 2009

MayorDJQ said:
What happened to the list at the beginning of the thread?? It's not too handy to read through 53 pages to find a mechanic.

It's easier to use the map and just zoom in on your area.

ptherock · Jun 25, 2009

ymz said:
The FRED that runs this website is in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)...

Short of interviewing the mechanic who replaced the timing belt, there's no way to know how the job was done, as he's not one of the regularly-recommended "gurus" around here...

I would budget for a proper timing belt system replacement just in case...

Good luck,

Yuri

Thanks for the input! Unfortunately I don't think, with the price of the car and shipping costs, it will be worth it in this case.

The search continues!

MayorDJQ · Jun 25, 2009

VeeDubTDI said:
It's easier to use the map and just zoom in on your area.

Totally missed it! The link is too small!

VeeDubTDI · Jun 25, 2009

Hehe, gotta keep it small so my signature doesn't get all cluttered up. Maybe I'll make it a different color or something.

edit: well, the different color didn't work. So here's the link in big form...

Trusted TDI Mechanics Map!*
*compiled with data from this thread

Growler · Jun 25, 2009

I added ithe map link in SIZE 8 to the 2nd post in the thread... since jwlionkings 1st post is blank..

VeeDubTDI · Jun 25, 2009

Thanks Aaron!

VeeDubTDI · Jun 25, 2009

I guess JW's post editing finally crashed.

That sucks... his state-by-state list was great.

VeeDubTDI · Jun 25, 2009

Well, either way, it's all on Google Maps now, so the format is a bit easier to view and edit than the Google Earth file, and it's a GUI instead of just a list.

TornadoRed · Jun 25, 2009

The list provided various ways to contact the mechanic, and/or links to threads which discuss his work. Not everyone on the list is equally qualified.

Growler · Jun 25, 2009

maybe start a new thread,
one post per state/province, each trusted mechanic for that state on the list gets listed, and a link to the thread(s) 1 or 2 where they are posted, or to their feedback thread?

sticky it, and lock it, like the vendor registration thread, and have it started by a long time active member like Lawson or bkmetz etc.

VeeDubTDI · Jun 25, 2009

The map has all of the information that was in the list. If you click on a mechanic's pin on the map, it pops up the details bubble with email address, website, phone number, and any links to threads that were included in JW's original list.

As I said, it's a GUI version of JW's original post in this thread, so you needn't worry about info being missing.

ymz · Jun 25, 2009

Yes... the so-called "Trused Mechanics" list is quite frustrating...

In my case, I had a mechanic who kept my previous two Turbo-Diesel Jettas running more-or-less affordably well past 430,000 miles each... When I gave up on the dealership after the 3rd oil change on my new 2003 Jetta, I went back to him... once... He's been running a VW shop (with expertise in IDI diesels) for decades, but I wouldn't let him touch my TDI again...

A rating system may not be an ideal or even a desireable solution, but some mention of the degree of involvement and expertise of those people nominating the 'trusted' mechanics may be helpful... (NewBies waxing poetic at the "wonderful" job done by their local mechanic on their timing belt don't really count as reliable testimonials, as we're unsure of their frame of reference...)

Just my 2 cents...

Yuri

97Jetta · Jun 25, 2009

Trusted TDI Mechanics in MN

Can someone reference me to a good TDI mechanic in MN (and how to get hold of them)?

My 97' Jetta TDI has 360,000 on it and I am looking to purchase a 2003 Jetta TDI for my next commuter car that has a broken timing belt. I have heard that the engine isn't always toast, so I am looking for the best and worst case scenerios for this repair. Can someone that has perfomed this type of repair provide me with some costs?

ymz · Jun 25, 2009

97Jetta said:
Can someone reference me to a good TDI mechanic in MN

Any particular place in MN ??? As I recall, it's a fairly large state...

Yuri

VeeDubTDI · Jun 25, 2009

97Jetta said:
Can someone reference me to a good TDI mechanic in MN (and how to get hold of them)?

My 97' Jetta TDI has 360,000 on it and I am looking to purchase a 2003 Jetta TDI for my next commuter car that has a broken timing belt. I have heard that the engine isn't always toast, so I am looking for the best and worst case scenerios for this repair. Can someone that has perfomed this type of repair provide me with some costs?

Check the map. Right now, there are 3 mechanics in MN.

chromosexual · Jun 25, 2009

..anything/anyone in the NW MA or Albany NY area ??

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