Southern Ontario Mechanic Reviews Thread

waterluvian

Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2023
Location
Ontario
TDI
'13 Touareg Exec
No good news I'm afraid and at the very least, I'd like to get the flex pipe repaired while I consider whether to do a full delete, repair, or sell. From what I gather the cat is tucked up against the engine and getting to it is a chore. Is that correct?
Tri-city (KWC+Guelph) area mechanic recommendations that are current would be welcomed.
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
The flex section is at the bottom, after the primary cat, before the DPF.... I assume that what you're talking about when you say "flex pipe".
 

waterluvian

Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2023
Location
Ontario
TDI
'13 Touareg Exec
Oh sorry. It sounded like the flex was before the cat and the dpf followed it. I haven't had my head in there so am going by what the dealer said. The problem they saw was a leaking flex, which to them means replace the cat, and then that the DPF fasteners looked rusted to the cat, hence quoting replace both.

My thinking was take to a 3rd party to weld a new flex section in, but worried that it meant tearing into the engine bay with several hrs of labour.
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
Oh dear... the main cat and flex are on the downpipe.
The DPF is it's own section, as is the DeNOx cat.
It goes turbo\cat\dpf\DeNOx
 

Tdipwr11

Veteran Member
Joined
May 27, 2022
Location
Ontario
TDI
2003 ALH Jetta
Belleville VW has good rates, they seem good. Never been able to actually use them but they are detailed in their quotes, seem knowledgeable and prices good
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
Why? Ron has usually pretty knowledgeable. He use to work for the VW dealer.
I'm about to take my wife's Cherokee there tomorrow for a relatively easy job... Will report back with my experience even though it's not a TDI or VW.
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
I'm about to take my wife's Cherokee there tomorrow for a relatively easy job... Will report back with my experience even though it's not a TDI or VW.
Following up as promised.

The vehicle being wrenched on is a '17 Cherokee LTD. The Y-pipe flex blew out. (this is a poor design by Jeep, as the A/C condensate drips directly onto the flex, rotting it away). I ordered parts online, and I ordered both "under engine cross pipes" as I figured the other bank wouldn't be far behind as far as rotting. Crawled under it and removed the engine splash shield to reveal the horribly rotted and inaccessible hardware, so I tapped out and tool it to said shop.

Knowing very well that the nuts are rusted\rotted and will be a challenge to remove, I asked Alex to please throw the vehicle on the hoist and to evaluate their comfort level as far as tackling the job to remove the nuts without damaging the pressed in studs that are part of the catalytic converters. (those mofos are another $2k worth of parts, so def don't want to get into those replacements)
If they had any concerns, they were to abort the job and the let me know.
I also let them know, that I only had the pipes and related gaskets, but hadn't sourced the required fasteners or clamps.

They called me back at the end of the day and advised me that it was ready, and that they had only replaced the busted Y-pipe and not both of them, and the other crosspipe still looked good (bonus for potentially saving the customer money on not installing parts that aren't required). The bill was quite reasonable too.

I picked up the vehicle and went on my way.
Unfortunately, during my commute, I noticed a significant vibration and rattle under certain conditions. So I emailed the shop back once I got home (after hours) asking them to give me a call in the morning to see if something can be done about it... perhaps checked and or adjusted as far as hangers, clamps, etc. In the morning, they contacted me back and asked me to drop it off again since they were all booked up, so that they could have a look whenever an opening came up..... so I did.....

Shortly after lunch, they called me again and said that they had re-adjusted everything, done a tests drive and all was good.
I picked it up at the end of the day again, and everything is fine. No additional charges or any fuss about any of it.

Good experience in my view, I'll more than likely use them again.

Visual of system (#8 & #9 were supplied along with the gaskets - only #8 was replaced)
 

Johhny04

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Location
Markham, Ontario
TDI
2003 Jetta TDi
Rob at Autobahn motors is a very knowledgeable guy when it comes to VW, Audi and Porsche. Don't know his skill set specifically for TDI's, in terms of engines specifically, everything else like transmissions, brakes, suspension, electrical he is very knowledgeable. Don't know much about Almostracing and can't comment. I live very close to both of these shops.
Update on Autobahn motors in Markham. Rob retired about a year ago. There is a new gentleman, Peter, that bought the business and is operating it under the same name. Looking at his wall of licensing he has both a 310T & 310S license for over 20+ years. He has a part-time Audi specialist that works with him on weekends, Roland (weekday gig is at Audi Downtown Toronto).
I had to get some minor exhaust work done. Peter squeezed me in on Saturday morning and fixed the issue in 25 min for a reasonable price. So far no issues with the work he completed. I don't know what his full experience is related to TDI engines but other mechanical items, I'm sure he is able to complete.
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
I didn't even read what you said but I won't be surprised if their is a conflict of interest going on with that shop their workers and obviously this website open to anyone joining and spread the fake word about their shop being great
The fact that you don't read is a problem!
The fact that you are suggesting I'm some sort of a messenger after I clearly said beforehand that I've never used them, prior to suggesting them, it's just stupid.
The fact that you are suggesting that I just joined to spread the word on how great they are, shows that your IQ suffers.... I've been a member since '10 and posted almost 3k times without mentioning Ron's great shop or services.... or even using them! I simply chose to used them this time as it was more convenient for me to do that vs laying on my back under a Jeep in the rain in the driveway!

It's unfortunate that you had the experience that you did with him\them, but don't drag me into your BS for simply providing my experience based on a one time use for a simple job (as per all the stuff that you didn't read)
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
You going to Ron's for a BBQ this weekend? 🥸
I'll assume you're talking to me since you don't know how to use a forum.....
I'll show up only if you're doing "a reading" since you clearly are incapable of reading. :cool:
 

Diesellover Andy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2003
Location
Burlington ,On
TDI
1997 green passat wagon, 2010 Jetta Sportswagen
I’m afraid I must report a horrible experience I had. I’m ex gm mechanic and been truck mechanic for many years prior to getting my own refrigeration business. Smouth Garage in Hagersville Ontario had my’96 tdi passat for a few months and kept telling me many different stories. Engine wouldn’t start. They even put in mechanical injection pump. In the end I was told that car runs good. There was no insurance on it or plates so I sent tow truck to bring it home. Car was not fixed. Not starting. I put back original pump. Then I rolled up my sleeves and got on it. All I needed to do was bleed fuel system with vacuum pump, adjust injection quantity and injection timing. They have good reputation far and wide but did terribly with me. Lied to me and took months and still didn’t fix it. Only good thing is that they didn’t charge me anything And I got manual injection pump 11mm😃
 

hillbily tdi

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 13, 2007
Location
Canada
TDI
Jetta
Any recommendations in newmarket other than eco-wagen?

I'm looking at a car for sale in the area and I'm looking to get a ppi performed. When I called eco the voicemail mentioned they were closed for the holidays. I'm looking to get a purchased completed sooner rather than later, and would not perfer to wait until Eco is back from the holidays only to be told they are booking a week or two out.

I called the local audi/vw dealers and was informed by their receptionist/SA that they do not perform PPIs at their stores,
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
Oh sorry. It sounded like the flex was before the cat and the dpf followed it. I haven't had my head in there so am going by what the dealer said. The problem they saw was a leaking flex, which to them means replace the cat, and then that the DPF fasteners looked rusted to the cat, hence quoting replace both.

My thinking was take to a 3rd party to weld a new flex section in, but worried that it meant tearing into the engine bay with several hrs of labour.
@waterluvian
Did you fall off the earth? My flex is leaking and I don't have access to a garage or the time to attempt to deal with in on my own in my driveway in this cold..... wanted to know how you ended up making out as I'm exploring options to have someone else do the wrenching for me as this is now my only vehicle and DD so I can't be down for too long during the repair.
 

norbert77

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2022
Location
Petrolia
TDI
01 beetle
Anyone between Windsor and KW, I need to start my TB and my fat hands don't fit I would love to pay for this
 

ymz

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 12, 2003
Location
Between Toronto & Montreal
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI Wagon, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
Is there a current "favorite" place in the GTA to get a windshield replaced? Our 2016 Sportwagen's windshield (one of those newfangled "rain-sensing" units) developed a crack... it'll probably be expensive, no matter where I get it done... I used to go to a place up on Toryork, but it's been years...
 

waterluvian

Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2023
Location
Ontario
TDI
'13 Touareg Exec
@waterluvian
Did you fall off the earth? My flex is leaking and I don't have access to a garage or the time to attempt to deal with in on my own in my driveway in this cold..... wanted to know how you ended up making out as I'm exploring options to have someone else do the wrenching for me as this is now my only vehicle and DD so I can't be down for too long during the repair.
Well hello there. Nope, didn't get a lock on a KWC recommended mechanic, but got the flex welded at DonMar in Waterloo. No complaints. Since then, I've had the short flex on the other side (?) start leaking. *SMH*. I've been procrastinating whether to move on to something else. The touareg has been great, and I like it, but I'm also missing adaptive cruise and carplay, so considering options. The other idea was to remove the problematic bits, but leave the cats and maybe the adblue. I don't need MOAR POWER (it's fine), and would prefer to keep noise and smell down. So frustrating that there don't seem to be good alternates in terms of size (its just right!), ride, economy, etc. I'd trade in on a 2024 TDI touareg in a heartbeat.
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
Well hello there. Nope, didn't get a lock on a KWC recommended mechanic, but got the flex welded at DonMar in Waterloo. No complaints. Since then, I've had the short flex on the other side (?) start leaking. *SMH*. I've been procrastinating whether to move on to something else. The touareg has been great, and I like it, but I'm also missing adaptive cruise and carplay, so considering options. The other idea was to remove the problematic bits, but leave the cats and maybe the adblue. I don't need MOAR POWER (it's fine), and would prefer to keep noise and smell down. So frustrating that there don't seem to be good alternates in terms of size (its just right!), ride, economy, etc. I'd trade in on a 2024 TDI touareg in a heartbeat.
Do you have pictures of what you had done at DonMar?
Wanna share details about cost\exprerinece\feelings\whatever?
Like I said, I'm currently exploring my options, so if you need more stuff done, I can keep you posted once I choose my approach depending on what you may still need\want\etc.
 

MrCypherr

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Location
Ontario
TDI
Mk6 Wagon
He might be talking about the exhaust manifolds on each side which have a 'short' flex pipe.
 

TurboABA

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Location
Kitchener, ON
TDI
RIP-2010 Jetta 6spd 2014 Touareg Execline
Sure, he could also be talking about the EGR pipe... lots of possibilities if we are just going to guess....
 

MrCypherr

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Location
Ontario
TDI
Mk6 Wagon
True, without pictures or literally anymore info, then we can guess at every flex on the car. 😂
 

xengr

Active member
Joined
Jun 24, 2012
Location
Canada
TDI
Golf Mk6
Looking for a shop who will take on a CP3 HPFP swap and a timing belt on a MK6 Golf. In North York/Scarborough area but willing to travel farther afield. Tried a few places recommended in this thread but either no reply or would not do the HPFP swap. Appreciate any leads!
 
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