BHW Balance Shaft Module replacement

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oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
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outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
I would have gotten more of them before Impex would have. They are all coming through VW parts, and that is where the holdup is. That is why I keep telling people who ask do NOT let anyone charge you for parts they have no idea when they will get in.

I am still waiting on some bolts and one gear to complete the 6 sets I have in stock. And I have 10 more sets on order (been that way since late last year).
 

aja8888

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Location
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Out of TDI's
oilhammer said:
I would have gotten more of them before Impex would have. They are all coming through VW parts, and that is where the holdup is. That is why I keep telling people who ask do NOT let anyone charge you for parts they have no idea when they will get in.

I am still waiting on some bolts and one gear to complete the 6 sets I have in stock. And I have 10 more sets on order (been that way since late last year).
So, what do you suggest I do at this point? I would like to save a trip to St Louis in favor of having the work done in Ft. Worth, which is 600 miles closer. Since I don't have any parts from Impex, I can call them and cancel the order and get a refund with no problem, I am sure.

But what do I do about parts then? Looks like you are committed with six sets and cars lined up. Our local VW dealer (only one I tried) may as well be a Dairy Queen as far as these parts go.

Scott DeWitt reports (above) he feels he can have parts in two weeks from date of order. Maybe I should give him a try getting parts? Or, should I hang loose for another week or so and see if Impex comes up with them? I'm open for suggestions at this point (and also at the mercy of the parts Gods)!

My haste to get the parts is also driven by my wife being in California for the next ten days which would make it easier for me to put the car up for the work.
 
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oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
All I can tell you is I would not give anyone a dime until the parts are in your hand (or in your engine).

I can add you to the lengthy list of people I have waiting, many of which would laugh at a paltry 600 mile trip ;) .

All 6 of my current ones are spoken for. I have not yet started taking reservations in ernest for the next batch, BUT I will do my best to get them done as I can get the parts.

They only slated 12 to come in the country initially. I got 9. So the other 3 went somewhere and there are supposedly 22 more setups to be coming into the country. Any dealer can get on the parts network and check the warehouses for part numbers. Most of my stuff came via New Jersey which as I understand is the port-of-entry for most US parts sourcing from Germany.

I would be doing one a week, possibly more, if I only had all the parts.
 

whitedog

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Jul 12, 2004
Location
Bend, Oregon
TDI
2004 Jetta that I fill by myself
I just have to wonder if there is someone at VW looking at this sudden increase in orders for these parts and saying, "***, Mate?"
 

aja8888

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whitedog said:
I just have to wonder if there is someone at VW looking at this sudden increase in orders for these parts and saying, "***, Mate?"
Personally, I doubt that. Those folks at VW could care less about us on this side of the pond, and *us* (the operative word) are the TDI owners.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
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Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
whitedog said:
I just have to wonder if there is someone at VW looking at this sudden increase in orders for these parts and saying, "***, Mate?"
Yep. That is EXACTLY what happened. And in the response one of us got from VOA they stated that was their first clue that something was up...a sudden jump in a certain group of parts. Even before any letters were sent out. KCMike could elaborate on this possibly.
 

aja8888

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FWIW, I just sent a cancellation request to Impex for my BS parts order which was placed 1/6/09. I also requested they reverse the charge on my credit card.
 

DickSilver

Veteran Member
Joined
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Location
Kentucky
TDI
2004 B5.5V, 1996 B4V
Impex told me today that they have shipped one of the 6 geared BS kits that they originally ordered (and sold) just today. My order was placed 09 Jan. They are getting in minor parts to complete the kits piecemeal. Apparently they have received the six geared balance shaft modules. They were told that their next order of BS modules will only ship from Deutschland in late February.
 

aja8888

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DickSilver said:
Impex told me today that they have shipped one of the 6 geared BS kits that they originally ordered (and sold) just today. My order was placed 09 Jan. They are getting in minor parts to complete the kits piecemeal. Apparently they have received the six geared balance shaft modules. They were told that their next order of BS modules will only ship from Deutschland in late February.
You certainly are speaking with someone other than me. I was told (today) that none are in and the parts were (are) in California and that they will fill the orders when they get the parts, whenever that is. The sales person said that "all they are doing is repeating what VWOA has told them"

Plus, Califonia is not the port of entry for parts coming in from Germany, according to OH.
 

outthere

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Joined
Apr 28, 2004
TDI
2004 B5 Northern Green wagon
Mine is up on the rack getting its BS transplanted. I ordered the parts through the shop doing the work, thinking they probably spend plenty with impex and would have more juice than I would in the parts queue.

Will post photos of the adventure when its all back together, getting lots done while its up in the air.

The expensive part of the job may be the R36 wheels I fell in lust with.
Must.Resist.:D
 

aja8888

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outthere said:
Mine is up on the rack getting its BS transplanted. I ordered the parts through the shop doing the work, thinking they probably spend plenty with impex and would have more juice than I would in the parts queue.

Will post photos of the adventure when its all back together, getting lots done while its up in the air.

The expensive part of the job may be the R36 wheels I fell in lust with.
Must.Resist.:D
You are probably right. All I have gotten is a run around from Impex. I wish I could post the string of e-mails I have recieved from them in the last two + weeks.
 

DickSilver

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Location
Kentucky
TDI
2004 B5.5V, 1996 B4V
I dunno why Impex is getting their BS kit stuff routed thru Los Angeles either. Nor does Impex, apparently! They said last week that their BS kits had arrived on the USA East Coast, gone to LA, and were expected at Impex (back in Maryland) yesterday or today.

Definitely the run-around! Maybe from more than one source!
 

KCMike

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Location
KC
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'04 Passat GLS wagon
VW compiles information from a variety of sources, but relies heavily on objective information such as an increase in parts ordered, warranty claims, dealer repair incidents and failed parts it can analyze in house.
 

outthere

Veteran Member
Joined
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TDI
2004 B5 Northern Green wagon
My BS transplant is complete thanx to www.4induktion.com in Hanover, MD.

Great guys who communicate well, what a nice change from typical dealership service where the guy answering the phone has no idea who you are or when you can pick up your car.

The old module w/ chain drive looked fine, no visible wear. If anyone is interested in a good deal on a chain and module feel free to PM me. The car feels and rides better than new.

If you are on the East Coast induktion may be an option to consider- maybe 2-3 miles to Amtrak/BWI so easy to drop the car and get a cab/bike ride to the train/plane/rental car. I have about 550 miles left on my 100k mile warranty so driving to St. Louis didnt seem to be a good use of miles/time.

Again many thanks to all who figured this out and shared the info.
 

Topolog

Active member
Joined
Sep 11, 2008
Location
Baltimore, MD
TDI
2005 Passat GLS TDI
Thanks a lot for the update and for finding a competent local shop that can do the job. Now, saving of money for BS upgrade begins...

outthere said:
My BS transplant is complete thanx to www.4induktion.com in Hanover, MD.

Great guys who communicate well, what a nice change from typical dealership service where the guy answering the phone has no idea who you are or when you can pick up your car.

The old module w/ chain drive looked fine, no visible wear. If anyone is interested in a good deal on a chain and module feel free to PM me. The car feels and rides better than new.

If you are on the East Coast induktion may be an option to consider- maybe 2-3 miles to Amtrak/BWI so easy to drop the car and get a cab/bike ride to the train/plane/rental car. I have about 550 miles left on my 100k mile warranty so driving to St. Louis didnt seem to be a good use of miles/time.

Again many thanks to all who figured this out and shared the info.
 

leicaman

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Joined
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Location
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
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2015 Golf TDI SE, 2005 TDI GLS, RIP
Did you examine the chain tensioner? That baby usually really gets worn according to what MoGolf discovered on his unit.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
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Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
They all have some normal grooves in them from the chain, but it is when stuff suddenly BREAKS that causes all the damage.

It's like this Escort we just had in here. Owner was driving one day, running fine. Ran to the store, came out 10 minutes later, started the engine, and a valve seat fell out of the head. No warning. No noise beforehand. Just instant catastrophe. Of course the Escort 1.9L engine is known for this, just like we now know the BHW engine is known for chain/tensioner failure.

That is why I stand by my thinking that ALL of these engines NEED this upgrade done, and looking at still-intact parts won't really tell you much of anything. And there still seems to be some gray areas on noise-to-failure, as some engines have been REALLY noisy but still intact at 100k+ miles, and others have broken and worn holes through the engine with (as the owners state) no warning. The one guy did not even know anything was wrong until he went to change the oil and noticed a chunk broke out of the oil pan/chain cover! :eek: My gut instinct is that the engine almost had to be making some noise beforehand, but who knows???
 

senez

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Dec 20, 2007
Location
Raleigh, NC
TDI
15 Passat DSG
outthere said:
My BS transplant is complete thanx to www.4induktion.com in Hanover, MD.

Great guys who communicate well, what a nice change from typical dealership service where the guy answering the phone has no idea who you are or when you can pick up your car.

The old module w/ chain drive looked fine, no visible wear. If anyone is interested in a good deal on a chain and module feel free to PM me. The car feels and rides better than new.

If you are on the East Coast induktion may be an option to consider- maybe 2-3 miles to Amtrak/BWI so easy to drop the car and get a cab/bike ride to the train/plane/rental car. I have about 550 miles left on my 100k mile warranty so driving to St. Louis didnt seem to be a good use of miles/time.

Again many thanks to all who figured this out and shared the info.
Any word on the price they did the job for?
 

Skivvies

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Joined
Jun 10, 2006
Location
Westford, MA
TDI
2000 Golf, 2004 Passat Wagon
I finally got most of the parts in yesterday from the dealer minus the crank gear and some bolts. I ordered them last month just before World Impex put together their kit. When I mentioned the price difference at the dealer, they were nice enough to knock 10% off my order! This dealer (VW of Orange Park) has been very nice to deal with, at least their parts department, and have put "car down" rushes on items so they all arrive close to the same time. Time to start opening up the wagon.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
You are missing the same parts I am I bet to complete the last 4 sets I have. The 4 little bolts that hold the small gear to the BS module and the big gear that goes on the crank.

I just called, and there are currently 61 of those little bolts on backorder and the 'estimated delivery date' at the New Jersey warehouse is 3-17-09 :rolleyes:
 

maktas

Veteran Member
Joined
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Location
Windsor, ON Canada
TDI
2005 Passat TDI
oilhammer said:
You are missing the same parts I am I bet to complete the last 4 sets I have. The 4 little bolts that hold the small gear to the BS module and the big gear that goes on the crank.

I just called, and there are currently 61 of those little bolts on backorder and the 'estimated delivery date' at the New Jersey warehouse is 3-17-09 :rolleyes:
If you can find the specs on the bolt (size, length, pitch) why can't you find an alternative?
 

DickSilver

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Joined
Jun 6, 2004
Location
Kentucky
TDI
2004 B5.5V, 1996 B4V
As of this afternoon, Impex has gotten the missing VW bolt, and has my kit in a box waiting for UPS pick up. So as of next week, I will be able to schedule the job with Fast Enough Performance. Nearly there!!
 

cspeter8

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Dec 27, 2007
Location
Central Connecticut
TDI
2004 Passat Sedan
The order I placed with World Impex on Jan 8 also shipped today - I just got the UPS email with the tracking number. Still trying to decide on a shop to do the work... This morning I spoke with Franko the owner at Prospect Foreign Car Center - I've heard only positive stuff from customers at the shop on the several occasions I've stopped in to look around, and found only positive reviews for them on the net. They have abot 20 established customers with Volkswagens, have done a number of timing belts on VW, have worked with removing crankshaft sprokets on a volvo (but never a VW) so they say they already have that sproket puller with the /3 and /5 jaws - one of the more expensive sst's on the list. They have been there for 20 years at the same location. Franco says he doesn't know how much it will cost me labor-wise because he has never done this job before. That's reasonable, right? But it does make me uneasy - ideally a mechanic would know because they did it before, but I can't have everything. I asked for references of some other folks who had similar work done, and he wasn't comfortable doing that. Sounded like he never gave out references for customers before so he didn't want to start now - the good reputation he has, without advertising, he says was all he needed to grow his business (my loose paraphrase).

I like the location of this place ... it is on the bus line I take to get to work, about 20 minutes drive from my house. I could drop the car off and easily pedal back home on my bicycle, while the wife is away for a week visiting the inlaws next month... Should I?

Have any mechanics ever done a phone consultatoin with OilHammer about this procedure, like if a surprise comes up? I was wondering if the willingness to consult with the expert should be a criteria in selecting a shop to do this.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
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Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
I get so many phone calls a day I have a tough time getting my work done. However I try and help everyone I can, but honestly the writeup that MOGolf and I did (well, HE did..I just worked on the car) has pretty much all the information in it. It is pretty comprehensive.

I am still sticking with 8 hours labor, and this is a pretty fair number. This is based simply on book time for the water pump and oil pump. I think the water pump/timing belt job is 4.6, and the oil pump is 2.9. Then add in the stuff dealing with the crank gear and that is where I get 8 hours.

Keep in mind I had done 7 chain modules before I did the first gear module install, if someone is doing this from scratch the first time through I would fully expect it to take over 8 hours to do correctly.
 

leicaman

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2015 Golf TDI SE, 2005 TDI GLS, RIP
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Tom_B

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Location
Central Oklahoma
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15 Touareg, 14 A6
Nice job leicaman, that's very helpful and informative. Just a suggestion: One never knows how your document will get distributed or used. You may wish to consider re-inserting the original "page 4 of 4" to keep the original document intact, then have an additional edited page with your photo and somehow clearly state/distinguish that your photo and edits are not part of the original technical bulletin. I'm not a lawyer or implying anything legal, but I have experienced unintended consequences with documents. Thanks again all.



(We're at 78k miles and keeping our fingers crossed to 100k, no obvious noise yet.)
 

leicaman

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2015 Golf TDI SE, 2005 TDI GLS, RIP
Thanks for your suggestion. Here is the document in its original form for pages 1-4. Page 5 is the separate parts list. Page 6 features photo showing both types of balance shaft modules side by side along with gears and bolts via oilhammer.

The other doc has been purged and the below is the only one now available.

http://pics.tdiclub.com/data/500/BHW-OilPumpGear_TPI1.pdf
 
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blaz

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Location
Ontario Canada
TDI
05 Passat
leicaman said:
Thanks for your suggestion. Here is the document in its original form for pages 1-4. Page 5 is the separate parts list. Page 6 features photo showing both types of balance shaft modules side by side along with gears and bolts via oilhammer.

The other doc has been purged and the below is the only one now available.

http://pics.tdiclub.com/data/500/BHW-OilPumpGear_TPI1.pdf
A suggestion: If MOGolf editted his original post in this thread to include this link, all the relevant info will be in one place...
 
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