The_Hoove
Member
I recently picked up my first TDI, a 2000 Jetta TDI GLS 5 speed with 155k miles. Got, at least I feel, a good deal due to faded paint, salvage title, and some minor problems. Got a coolant leak at the t-stat. Owner had a receipt for timing belt parts 30k ago, but only show belt, tensioner, and water pump. No other idlers or bolts. So I ordered at complete kit from IDparts along with thermostat and housing kit. Ordered a Ross-Tech HEX-V2.
I've been going over the forums and checking common problem areas. I have at least 3 door switches acting up, cruise doesn't work, need an antenna base, and am getting face fulls of foam from the ducts. So that's on my list of minor things to address.
As to the engine, I have a few questions. Overall it seems to run well. I have a bit of lifter noise on cold start, but I have no idea when the oil was changed last, and it may be somewhat normal?
1)Stock power/pull. My commute takes me up almost 3000 foot elevation gain going home. Several 6+ percent grades. On the worst of the hills, it seems pretty near full throttle to hold 70mph in 5th. I dont know what is normal. Coming from A 250hp forester XT, it of course feels slow.
A few things I have done: VNT sticking, only moving about 1/4 inch. I worked it with a wrench and it broke free very easily and now moves fully with vacuum on the actuator. That seemed to make a improvement in around town driving. Today I pulled the fuel sender assembly. The Suction check valve was nearly plugged. So I drilled it out. Again, made a noticeable but small improvement. Fuel filter and full service is next, as it looked very old, and and media looks very dark and slimy in the thermo-t hole.
2)I Pulled the intake tube off the EGR valve. With a mirror, I can see all the way to the bend in the manifold. Almost no soot, mostly oily residue. Is it still worth pulling the intake to clean?
3)Due to the VNT sticking, even though its free now, should I pull the turbo, or pull the exhaust and oven clean it, or drive it like i stole it and hope it stays freed up?
4)MAF. with 150k and 17 years on what looks original, should I clean it, or just replace It as preventative?
I've been going over the forums and checking common problem areas. I have at least 3 door switches acting up, cruise doesn't work, need an antenna base, and am getting face fulls of foam from the ducts. So that's on my list of minor things to address.
As to the engine, I have a few questions. Overall it seems to run well. I have a bit of lifter noise on cold start, but I have no idea when the oil was changed last, and it may be somewhat normal?
1)Stock power/pull. My commute takes me up almost 3000 foot elevation gain going home. Several 6+ percent grades. On the worst of the hills, it seems pretty near full throttle to hold 70mph in 5th. I dont know what is normal. Coming from A 250hp forester XT, it of course feels slow.
A few things I have done: VNT sticking, only moving about 1/4 inch. I worked it with a wrench and it broke free very easily and now moves fully with vacuum on the actuator. That seemed to make a improvement in around town driving. Today I pulled the fuel sender assembly. The Suction check valve was nearly plugged. So I drilled it out. Again, made a noticeable but small improvement. Fuel filter and full service is next, as it looked very old, and and media looks very dark and slimy in the thermo-t hole.
2)I Pulled the intake tube off the EGR valve. With a mirror, I can see all the way to the bend in the manifold. Almost no soot, mostly oily residue. Is it still worth pulling the intake to clean?
3)Due to the VNT sticking, even though its free now, should I pull the turbo, or pull the exhaust and oven clean it, or drive it like i stole it and hope it stays freed up?
4)MAF. with 150k and 17 years on what looks original, should I clean it, or just replace It as preventative?