csteve
Well-known member
(My CEL is back on and limp mode has returned).
If I don't know what I am doing, can I really do it better myself than a mechanic without TDI experience?
Here is my dilemma. There is a local mechanic that sells tires and does all types of repairs. They are competent, fair, fast, etc. (Martin Tire in Worcester, MA)
I have given him a fair amount of work on the Jetta since I left the stealership. Shocks and struts, bushings, tires, and he installed my full metal jacket skid plate. Oh, I also let him do my last two oil changes, since he put on the skid plate, if there was any issue, it would be his work. I provided the oil and filter.
All in all, prices have been good, work good, etc. But, these are all basic mechanical issues. Nothing really tdi-specific at all. At $70 an hour and no markup on parts, I have gotten out pretty cheap. Install the skid plate, bushings, lower ball joint (he supplied) and an alignment were less than $400, for example. I think a trusted TDI mechanic was almost that much just for the bushings work.
Martin Tire doesn't seem to work on diesels much. I wanted him to change the fuel filter last time, and he had no diesel to fill it with.
I have been thinking about getting a new turbo and letting him install it. So, presumably he won't have a vag-com. He will just unbolt it and put on the new one. Use a mightyvac to adjust the actuator and send me on my way. Is that any different than what I would do?
I guess I am wondering how a 'trusted' mechanic differs from a noob like me doing it myself, compared to a guy who has lots more general experience.
If he does something wrong, he is 5 miles away. A "trusted TDI" mechanic is a hike, and if I have to go back because something wasn't done right, etc., that it becomes a major ordeal. Chances are, they won't let me supply parts, either.
Is there a compelling reason to not let the local guy swap out the turbo?
I am thinking about trying the limp mode kit from ID parts first, which I think I can do myself. http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1609 but maybe not with the actuator, since that comes with the turbo.
Thoughts on local vs known TDI mechanic vs myself screwing things up?
If I don't know what I am doing, can I really do it better myself than a mechanic without TDI experience?
Here is my dilemma. There is a local mechanic that sells tires and does all types of repairs. They are competent, fair, fast, etc. (Martin Tire in Worcester, MA)
I have given him a fair amount of work on the Jetta since I left the stealership. Shocks and struts, bushings, tires, and he installed my full metal jacket skid plate. Oh, I also let him do my last two oil changes, since he put on the skid plate, if there was any issue, it would be his work. I provided the oil and filter.
All in all, prices have been good, work good, etc. But, these are all basic mechanical issues. Nothing really tdi-specific at all. At $70 an hour and no markup on parts, I have gotten out pretty cheap. Install the skid plate, bushings, lower ball joint (he supplied) and an alignment were less than $400, for example. I think a trusted TDI mechanic was almost that much just for the bushings work.
Martin Tire doesn't seem to work on diesels much. I wanted him to change the fuel filter last time, and he had no diesel to fill it with.
I have been thinking about getting a new turbo and letting him install it. So, presumably he won't have a vag-com. He will just unbolt it and put on the new one. Use a mightyvac to adjust the actuator and send me on my way. Is that any different than what I would do?
I guess I am wondering how a 'trusted' mechanic differs from a noob like me doing it myself, compared to a guy who has lots more general experience.
If he does something wrong, he is 5 miles away. A "trusted TDI" mechanic is a hike, and if I have to go back because something wasn't done right, etc., that it becomes a major ordeal. Chances are, they won't let me supply parts, either.
Is there a compelling reason to not let the local guy swap out the turbo?
I am thinking about trying the limp mode kit from ID parts first, which I think I can do myself. http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1609 but maybe not with the actuator, since that comes with the turbo.
Thoughts on local vs known TDI mechanic vs myself screwing things up?