JackSoot
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2000
- Location
- Gurnee, IL USA
- TDI
- 2011 Golf TDI, 2012 Jetta TDI, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon (Son's car)
Went into the dealer with three problems, came out with two.
2002 TDI GLS Jetta. 1 year old. 24,000 miles.
Radio was dead. Diagnosis: Internal Failure. They just replaced the whole unit. That's OK.
Power Steering fluid has been disappearing mysteriously. No obvious leaks, but it has drunk a half a bottle of fluid in the past six months (twice sucking it below the stick, causing grumbling hydraulic noises until I re-filled). Dealer Mechanic said he could find no leaks, then proceeded to claim "they all need topping up at oil changes." My regular (independent) mechanic that has taken care of me and 5-6 of my cars, over my past 300,000 miles, just laughed when I told him that. He says that it has to be leaking somewhere since sealed hydraulic systems don't disipate fluid, certainly not at this rate. Any thoughts?
Lastly, since I felt my engine was running rougher than it should, I asked them to check and adjust the Injection Timing. They said it was out, and they adusted it. Now it starts very hard when cold, sometimes needing two "trys" of the glow plugs. And it's not even very cold here yet. Plus, even after it has been fully warmed up, the exaust stinks. It used to be that when I backed it into the garage after a long drive home, there was just a hint diesel exhaust aroma. Now, after this "adjustment," the garage reeks of a kind of burnt-oil mixed with coffee grounds smell. Not what I would call a normal diesel exhaust smell. (I'm not a diesel newbie, so this is not a complaint comparing to a gasser, but from my experience with this car and two other diesels before it.) One positive on the "adjustment:" after warmed up, even though it stinks, it does seem to run smoother. I don't know if the timing adjustment and stinky exhaust are related, but it seems like they could be.
Based on what I was able to dig up with a "SEARCH," they may have incorrectly "adjusted" my timing. Any suggestions on what to say and/or ask for when I go back?
Based on a suggestion from someone here in a previous post, I also asked them to "check & adjust the fuel quantity mixture," but they said it is Not Adjustable. Is that true? And if not, why would I want them to adjust it and how?
2002 TDI GLS Jetta. 1 year old. 24,000 miles.
Radio was dead. Diagnosis: Internal Failure. They just replaced the whole unit. That's OK.
Power Steering fluid has been disappearing mysteriously. No obvious leaks, but it has drunk a half a bottle of fluid in the past six months (twice sucking it below the stick, causing grumbling hydraulic noises until I re-filled). Dealer Mechanic said he could find no leaks, then proceeded to claim "they all need topping up at oil changes." My regular (independent) mechanic that has taken care of me and 5-6 of my cars, over my past 300,000 miles, just laughed when I told him that. He says that it has to be leaking somewhere since sealed hydraulic systems don't disipate fluid, certainly not at this rate. Any thoughts?
Lastly, since I felt my engine was running rougher than it should, I asked them to check and adjust the Injection Timing. They said it was out, and they adusted it. Now it starts very hard when cold, sometimes needing two "trys" of the glow plugs. And it's not even very cold here yet. Plus, even after it has been fully warmed up, the exaust stinks. It used to be that when I backed it into the garage after a long drive home, there was just a hint diesel exhaust aroma. Now, after this "adjustment," the garage reeks of a kind of burnt-oil mixed with coffee grounds smell. Not what I would call a normal diesel exhaust smell. (I'm not a diesel newbie, so this is not a complaint comparing to a gasser, but from my experience with this car and two other diesels before it.) One positive on the "adjustment:" after warmed up, even though it stinks, it does seem to run smoother. I don't know if the timing adjustment and stinky exhaust are related, but it seems like they could be.
Based on what I was able to dig up with a "SEARCH," they may have incorrectly "adjusted" my timing. Any suggestions on what to say and/or ask for when I go back?
Based on a suggestion from someone here in a previous post, I also asked them to "check & adjust the fuel quantity mixture," but they said it is Not Adjustable. Is that true? And if not, why would I want them to adjust it and how?