Columbus, OH. Growler, At your Service. + Feedback thread.

Growler · January 7th, 2009, 18:45

Guess its time to officially hang out my shingle.

Growlers TDI service, At your Service.
(I do 2.0s & 1.8ts as well)

Work takes place at my home in Columbus OH Mostly on Saturdays, and Evenings during the week. Here is my Availability Calendar on a google document.

39.939450,-82.876250 is my garage.

If you need to get ahold of me, PM or Email is best. growlertdi@gmail.com

Understudied/sponged off of Paramedick and Mogolf for the past 2-3 years. Learning the proper ways, Collecting the proper tools, and picking up the tricks to working on these cars.

I am open for Timing belts, Brakes, Intake Cleanings, Vacuum lines, fluids & Filters, many other things, just ask.

I know enough to know that I don't know everything. but I do know who I can call when I have questions.

Parts are supplied by either me or you, I will be carrying a $325 Boraparts ALH timing belt Kit, a filter kit, and vacuum/fuel return line on the shelf. Let me know if you want me to supply your parts at scheduling time.

If I have l worked on your car, and you have any comments, please leave them here. good or bad. I am a big boy, I can take it

a recent fix I was involved in.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=229754

Thanks all, Appreciate the support!

Aaron

1/12/09 Edited to add parts note..
1/25/09 Added calendar link and updated parts available list.

paramedick · January 7th, 2009, 19:30

Y'all give this boy some business. He's good, and getting better.

Bob_Fout · January 7th, 2009, 19:33

If he was closer I would spread the work out between you (Bruce) and Aaron for my planned various mods and upgrades.

kgirlbug2k · January 7th, 2009, 21:48

Although Aaron worked on my 2.0, I have to say, he is worth the drive.

My other beetle is a 2.0 AEG automatic, 2000, (Rodney) with 195k. Had Aaron do the third timing belt job. He spotted that the previous cam timing had been off by one tooth. (Previous job was in September 2006)
I also have three shot motor mounts, and a quite a few things that were only half bolted by the last mechanic.

Rodney is somewhat evil, and stripped a bolt. He kindly called a friend who drove 60 miles to tap out the bolt who I did not get to thank. (Rodney has a long and storied history of driving mechanics insane)

Aaron made sure to go over Rodney and alert me to other issues that he has due to a lot of hard mileage, and fixed some hoses that were in poor shape. He also took the time to go over a 'must check' list for my new-to-me TDI Electra.
Aaron was professional and patient despite my lateness, and diffculty of scheduling. Fees more than reasonable.
My only wish is that he had Sundays and Monday hours, as my bosses are becomming more difficult about me taking Saturdays off.
Other than that, I am very, very happy.

Rodney is running much smoother than he has in years.

MOGolf · January 8th, 2009, 05:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgirlbug2k

Rodney is somewhat evil, and stripped a bolt. He kindly called a friend who drove 60 miles to tap out the bolt who I did not get to thank. (Rodney has a long and storied history of driving mechanics insane)

That was me coming to his rescue.

Growler · January 8th, 2009, 05:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOGolf

That was me coming to his rescue.

you are good at that

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Growler notes to get a good selection of taps & dies for the garage...

thebigarniedog · January 8th, 2009, 07:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Growler

Guess its time to officially hang out my shingle.
Growlers TDI service, At your Service.
(I do 2.0s & 1.8ts as well)

Work takes place at my home in Columbus OH Mostly on Saturdays, and Evenings during the week.
39.939450,-82.876250 is my garage.
If you need to get ahold of me, PM or Email is best. growlertdi@gmail.com
Understudied/sponged off of Paramedick and Mogolf for the past 2-3 years. Learning the proper ways, Collecting the proper tools, and picking up the tricks to working on these cars.
I am open for Timing belts, Brakes, Intake Cleanings, Vacuum lines, fluids & Filters, many other things, just ask.
I know enough to know that I don't know everything. but I do know who I can call when I have questions.
If I have l worked on your car, and you have any comments, please leave them here. good or bad. I am a big boy, I can take it

a recent fix I was involved in.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=229754
Thanks all, Appreciate the support!
Aaron

Aaron, I will be in Columbus for a conference April 16 and 17 and am wondering if you could do a timing belt change (and while that's apart change out my perfectly good and working alternator) if I leave it with you on the morning of the 16th for pickup late afternoon on the 17th (I'll need to bum a ride from you to the Hyatt Capital on the 16th

if that is okay. Could you check your schedule & PM me on this and with:

1. Whether you want me to provide you with the TB kit or whether you will have the kit on hand (if you want me to buy the kit let me know which vendor you prefer and kit #--- obviously it will be the 100(k) all inclusive kit either way but I want too make sure that it is on hand to avoid snafus);

2. I'll buy the alternator and pulley piece. Again there is nothing wrong with my existing alternator, but it seems practical to put a new one in while it's all apart. Is this ok with you?

3. A price for all of this.

As you know, my car is a 2003 Jetta ALH with currently 76(k) miles on it. I am aware that it has a 100(k) belt but it has been 6 years so better safe then sorry. Thanks man

Growler · January 8th, 2009, 09:01

PM Sent

TDIfor · January 8th, 2009, 13:43

Piling on here...

Aaron has worked on my '02 NB a couple of times - replacing a coolant temp sensor, replacing tranny fluid and replacing an oil pan.

Additionally, I have seen Growler at several GTGs working on TDIs. Here is the standout thing about Aaron:

When he is not sure, he does not plunge ahead, blindly torquing, and seeing what happens. He stops, asks for assistance from other gurus, then proceeds in a very intelligent manner. If something does not feel right to him, he stops and finds out what is amiss.

This, IMHO, is an invaluable and irreplaceable attribute in any tech - knowing when it is time to verify what is being done.

Growler also absolutely stands behind his work.

His mentors are among the most highly-regarded gurus on this board, and I have found him eager to fully explain what he is doing, what his approach is and the parts that are being used.

Aaron is, in short, good people. My NB likes him. And that is the important thing. My NB does not suffer fools lightly.

Don

TheTDIWagonGuy · January 8th, 2009, 20:31

It sounds like you will do well.

pm22071985 · January 10th, 2009, 03:47

OH, PA TDI Guru
This past weekend (8/23/08) I was fortunate to have Aaron aka "Growler" take care of the 01 Jetta in my family. He cleaned the intake, put on a DG race pipe with egr delete kit, and installed pp764 injectors. Everything went great and the car is running fantastic.

If your looking for somebody to wrench on your TDI, I highly recommend Aaron. When he works on your car, he is very thorough, organized, precise and conscientious. He was easily accessible via email/phone and accommodating to circumstances. I would gladly bring any of the TDI's in my family to him again. Well worth the trip if your driving from Pittsburgh, Cleveland or any of the surrounding areas.

Still running great with no problems...
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=223773

Growler · January 10th, 2009, 09:13

Thanks Everyone. Appreciate the comments and the confidence you have in my abilities.

I will be out of town on the weekend of 1/16-19 2009. Travelling to MI For the Auto Show and to hang out with the A2TDI crew.

pm22071985, Looking forward to getting my hands on your Bug on 1/24

we'll get that TB, vac lines,and IP reseal knocked out no sweat.

Back to the garage to finish up a TB change, intake cleaning (brrrrr) and Vacuum lines after a little lunch.

Aaron

bmccrea · January 11th, 2009, 21:01

I'm far away from you... i just wanted to chime in with encouragement.

I've been to a few vw specialty shops locally and i always get different answers about things relating to my TDI. Its cool to see those TDI 'elders' pass on the knowledge to others. Growler appears to be a nice example of this.

Best of luck to you! If you were close by, i'd have my TDI to you should it need any work done!

TheHolyCobra · January 14th, 2009, 12:53

I've also had the pleasure of dealing with Aaron too, and I have nothing but positive things to say. He was very knowledgeable and knew the answer to every question I had. While he only did a VAGCOM scan and some minor checks of the car, I would have no problem taking the car back for major mechanical work or if I needed any help.

kgirlbug2k · January 21st, 2009, 23:44

When you get the chance, Aaron, kindly hit me up on the phone