1st time maintenance

dugawug

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Location
Berkeley, CA
TDI
2002 Golf GLS
So I've had my '02 Golf for a few weeks now and I'm getting ready to have some of the maintenance done. I'm going to shoot to do the engine oil/filter, fuel filter, cabin & air filters myself. I was going to start by ordering:

A4 Filter Pack with Charcoal Cabin (ALH)
http://www.tdiparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=411{35}47

Metalnerd Magnetic Oil Drain Plug and Washers
http://www.tdiparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=563

& buying plenty of Mobil 1 TDT somewhere locally.

Anything else I should get from TDI parts now that I'll wish I had (like those little washers for the oil drain plug I happened upon)?

I do have ramps, oil catcher, basic tools, half (and only half) a brain, etc.

As for the rest, I plan to rotate the tires, change the brake fluid and possibly even the ATF/filter. I'll have to read up and see if the brake fluid I could possibly do myself. The others I'll need a mechanic to do. Can't imagine trying to rotate tires with just a pair of ramps. :D

Otherwise, that should do me for now. It's only at 18.8K mi, so this will really serve as the 20K maintenance (among other checks, etc.) I'll have the timing belt looked at later but I pray to God I don't need it replaced for another year or two. (Pay cuts today at work. Don't think the economy is getting back on track anytime soon. :()

Anyway, any advice on a handy part I've forgotten before I make the order? I would have never thought to buy the drain plug and washers but read about it somewhere on the forum here.

Thanks in advance. :)
 

aja8888

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Location
Texas..RETIRED 12/31/17
TDI
Out of TDI's
If you are buying the magnetic drain plug and washers, you are good for ten oil changes.

Buy a oil filter top removal tool ($5 at Auto Zone). Then only put the top of the canister on hand tight after you change the filter.

Get two jack stands from Wal-Mart ($20) to get the rear tires off the ground while the car is on the ramps (front wheels). Easier to change brake fluid if all the wheels are up. Plus then you could rotate the tires.

Do you have a Vag-Com? If you plan on changing the ATF and filter, order a kit from TDI Parts. It has the sealing washer, three litres of ATF, and the filter. You may want to order the red and black plugs too. You will need the car level and a Vag-Com to monitor the ATF temperature to get the correct fill of the trans. If you are uneasy with this, pay a Guru to do it for you. (~$100 for the time and use of the Vag_Com)

Do you have a Motive for the brake fluid change? Its nothing more than a pressurized bottle with a cap for the master cylinder ($45.00)?

Good luck!

Tony
 
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dugawug

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Location
Berkeley, CA
TDI
2002 Golf GLS
great suggestions, Tony, thanks. i wasn't necessarily planning to do the ATF/filter nor the bake fluid and tire rotation, but now you've got me thinking.

aja8888 said:
Get two jack stands from Wal-Mart ($20) to get the rear tires off the ground while the car is on the ramps (front wheels). Easier to change brake fluid if all the wheels are up. Plus then you could rotate the tires.
you mean two sets of stands (4 total)? if i had two tires under ramps, then two up on jack stands, i don't see how could i get the ones on ramps off to rotate them. or maybe i'm missing something. (it is late and i should go to sleep)

aja8888 said:
Do you have a Vag-Com?
no, i don't. :( part of the reason i was going to have someone else do the ATF/filter. that all may be a bit out of my scope... though i used to change my old 240D's tranny fluid/filter. that was a whole other beast though. a simpler beast.

aja8888 said:
If you plan on changing the ATF and filter, order a kit from TDI Parts.
You mean this?
http://www.tdiparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=76_103&products_id=941

aja8888 said:
Do you have a Motive for the brake fluid change?
I do not, but haven't looked into changing the brake fluid yet so much. I'll do some forum searching for some instructions on that and see if I'm up for it.

aja8888 said:
Good luck!
Thanks. First time, however simple these things are, is bound to be a little hectic. :D
 

aja8888

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Location
Texas..RETIRED 12/31/17
TDI
Out of TDI's
No, thats the kit for the PD engine/DSG transmission. You need the one for the A4:

http://www.tdiparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=76_103&products_id=317

The filter kit is $22+, get the two items below it and 3 litres of ATF (Pentosin) for the refill. All of this will cost $22.95 + $20.75 + $36.00 + $1.00 (sealing washer) = $80.70 not including shipping. You don't need to do this right away since your car has low miles, but do plan on scheduling it for the future.

Put the car up on ramps (drive up). Jack the back up and put the rear wheels on the juck stands (off the ground). Then jack one front wheel off the ramp to get it in the air. Switch those tires front to back. Do the same on the other side.:)

Yes, there may be a sticky for the Motive brake fluid change. Since the car will be up, it will be a good time to do that. You will need a litre of brake fluid (DOT 4). Buy it locally or get it from TDI Parts: http://www.tdiparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23_38&products_id=398

Cheers

Tony
 

vwcampin

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Location
Omaha
TDI
2002 GLS TDI Auto
Kight also want to look at a Pela 600 oil extractor. You can change the oil from the dipstick tube and not have to put the car up on ramps. Makes oil/filter changes a snap.

http://www.jerrybleach.com/pelapumps.html

Still a good idea to look underneath every once in a while to ensure everything looks good though.
 

aja8888

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Location
Texas..RETIRED 12/31/17
TDI
Out of TDI's
vwcampin said:
Kight also want to look at a Pela 600 oil extractor. You can change the oil from the dipstick tube and not have to put the car up on ramps. Makes oil/filter changes a snap.

http://www.jerrybleach.com/pelapumps.html

Still a good idea to look underneath every once in a while to ensure everything looks good though.
I use an oil extractor (Mitivac) and it is good. But like vwcampin says above, it's a good thing to look under the car once in a while.:)
 

RichmondKYtdi

New member
Joined
May 19, 2004
I rolled 300,000 miles today and have used rotella syn (blue bottle) it's the cheapest, good quality stuff out there. The quick valve mentioned above would be handy as well. If you catch a buy one get one free filter sale at advance/ auto zone or somewhere you can pick up the cabin, fuel, and oil filters pretty cheap, i like to stockpile them.
 
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