2012 JSW

Tuheeden

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2022
Location
North Carolina
TDI
2013 & 2014 Jetta sportwagon
Well the $55 thermostat is likely the root cause of many of the items. With a $20 OBD device you could easily tell if the turbo boost pressure is materially affected by the cracked pipe. Plastic turbo piping is EZ to buy and replace.

However, if you have clogged up the DPF and you are out of warranty AND you need a timing service (which you do at 130k) now you are talking about some real expense to correct everything. You might be better off selling it here or trading it in pretty quick.

I have 4 of these and love them but if you get behind on maintenance the costs can jump up very quick.
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
I'm a little bit amazed that you'd consider junking a good car with (for a TDI) low miles on it because it needs some catch up maintenance. Where are you located? I'd suggest you find a good TDI specialist and have all the repairs done. It'll most likely cost you a fraction of what the dealer will charge. And if you want to then you can sell a good car with a lot of recent work. It's much easier to get a good price for a car that is in top shape than one that needs repairs.
 

Shoveltrev

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2015
Location
Hutchinson ks
TDI
2002 new beetle deceased, 2003 jetta . 2002 jetta , 2012 sportwagon
i picked up a 2011 jsw with 90k on it that had a crashed fuel system that i had most parts to repair off of a low mileage core . 1800.00 . im am 4,000 total in so far and that is with the purchase price off the car, the used and new parts and also the timing belt and flywheel. i did all the work myself . id definately fix your car!
 

kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
Most of that is just basic maintenance but I understand how it sucks to have it hit all at once. I'd spread it out and get fixed what needs to be done first. Timing belt and thermostat. That might take care of the DPF issues. As Tuheedan suggested, the turbo just might need a new pipe. Wheel bearings and bushings are again basic maintenance and even the Corolla you're looking at will eventually need them.
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
Any chance the thermostat repair addresses the DPF issue or is that likely to come back up in the near future even if it clears the CEL?
Others have had it solve regen problems. Depends on how long it's been going on and the soot load in the DPF.
 

borninabus

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2020
Location
Arizona
TDI
-2013 JSW 6MT- -2006 Jetta DSG-
i think that if the OP could be more specific about the actual diagnosis the forum could provide more informed responses. what codes were found?
 

turbobrick240

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 18, 2014
Location
maine
TDI
2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
Sounds like a TDI no longer suits your needs. If you want a newer Toyota hybrid, I'd try a trade in at a Toyota dealership while you're still able to get the check engine light to go off with manual/passive regens. Dumping a bunch of money into it probably won't give a commensurate increase in the trade in value.
 

turbodieseldyke

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2010
Location
Free Mustache Rides
TDI
98 jetta
I assume that even if I am able to keep the check engine light off that a dealer is going to be able to see the recent codes?
If you're thinking of trade-in value, "I dunno, something was malfunctioning before, and it is fixed now." But a Toyota dealer won't be able to see old codes.
 

turbobrick240

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 18, 2014
Location
maine
TDI
2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
I assume that even if I am able to keep the check engine light off that a dealer is going to be able to see the recent codes?

Where would I look for a good video or instructions on the thermostat replacement if I were to DIY?

Again, thank you all for your input. It's made me go back and rethink my original position and approach.
Dealerships will be highly variable on trade-in inspections. Some will just basically check the mileage and for obvious body damage. Others will give it a more thorough examination.

 

kjclow

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
The real eye opener is when my indy mechanic said something to the effect of "I don't like these cars, we keep seeing issues like this just out of warranty and I wouldn't keep it if it was mine. "
Obviously not a TDI guru. My independent has never made those kind of comments about anything I bring in to him.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
Well, subjective but I cannot say he or she doesn't have plenty of evidence to draw that opinion. Because I sort of have the same one, although the delete route does at least make them more tolerable. I have another CJAA here with a cracked DPF, so it isn't like it doesn't happen.

The real issue with this is, these are not "clogging up" in the essence that normal use would be expected. They are BREAKING, and they are not cheap nor easy to replace.
 

turbobrick240

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 18, 2014
Location
maine
TDI
2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
If there's soot inside the tailpipe, the dpf is cracked.
 

turbobrick240

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 18, 2014
Location
maine
TDI
2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
So that’s what they are checking when they swiped the pipe in the dealer notes?

IE - they did the check to see if it was cracked and got a positive result thus the recommendation to replace?
Yup, soot indicates a cracked dpf.
 

turbodieseldyke

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2010
Location
Free Mustache Rides
TDI
98 jetta
Someone explained to me how you can "live with" a cracked DPF, by cleaning out the egr filter every 2000 miles or so. He eventually got tired of it, and got it replaced.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
There are oodles of threads on this topic. This was an issue BEFORE the Dieselgate fiasco even happened. It's just worse now.

There is a TSB about it.

Your DPF is cracked. Soot in the tailpipe.... a thermostat isn't going to fix this any more than a new set of brake pads would.
 

turbobrick240

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 18, 2014
Location
maine
TDI
2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
I'd clean the car up real nice, get that check engine light off, and see what you can get on a trade in.
 

almus

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Location
kingston,nh
TDI
2001 jetta tdi, 2011 wagen,2003 wagon,2013 wagen
Hello, long time lurker, first time poster here.

I have had a 2012 JSW TDI for about 5 years now with few issues other than the dreaded sunroof leak.

I am now approaching 130,000 miles and received the following diagnosis from a VW dealer after my check engine light came on (solid,not flashing):

- thermostat failure
- DPF failure (needs replacement, failed the soot in pipe test)
- p2002 code
- missing a bolt on the turbo
- leak on turbo piping that needs repair
- misc suspension maintenance including front wheel bearings and bushings

Also, at 130,000 I need the timing belt service.

I just exited the warranty at 126,000.

The value of these repairs and maintenance exceed the value of the car and if I take the dealers pricing at face value are almost double the value of the car.

I am in an emissions check area so can’t do a DPF delete and the car won’t pass emissions as is.

Now the rub.

I think the reason the check engine light is on is because the car won’t regen because it can’t get to temp (dash gauge indicates 180 or below typically).

Yesterday I was able to get the temp up to 190 and hold it there and drive for 15-20 or so minutes. When I turned the car back on the check engine light was off. This required holding the car a gear below where it wanted to be to generate enough heat which isn’t sustainable obviously.

So….should I roll the dice and DIY or shop repair the thermostat and turbo? I have a quote from an independent shop to do the thermostat for around $800. Or is this just throwing good money after bad?

I am likely separating-from this car and likely VW vehicles that aren’t under warranty either way. I’m just trying to maximize my value for resale or trade-in basically.

800 to replace a thermostat?

800 should be enough to have the TB done.

I just did my first TB on a 2011--- Easier than a MK4 was my conclusion
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
Yes, the CJAA thermostat is pricey. 2.7hr labor, plus the part itself, plus I always do the plastic pipe that can break. Maybe not quite 800, but not far off. Timing belt is closer to 1100.

Dealer would generally be the most expensive place to have these done.

Of course, the DPF is even more.
 

ksing44

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2010
Location
Southeast PA
TDI
2010 Golf TDI
The independent mechanic prices I have above are quite competitive for my area based on calls to multiple shops.
I think you're right! There are no "free rides", except DIY if you have the expertise, the tools, and the time. I use my dealer. They're the closest shop to me, by a large margin, and it seems they have very good mechanics. If "oilhammer" was in my area, of course that's where I'd go. But as far as I know I don't have an oilhammer near me.
 

borninabus

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2020
Location
Arizona
TDI
-2013 JSW 6MT- -2006 Jetta DSG-
i just had my thermostat done a couple weeks ago at my trusted indy and it was $833 including the "pipe" that OH is referring to, FWIW.
 

Porch

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2019
Location
Asheville, NC
TDI
2011 jetta sportwagen tdi 6spd
I feel for you man, but unfortunately your car isn't worth squat with all these repairs needed. I would just part it out if I were you. Even an experienced mechanic who can do all these repairs themselves is looking at thousands in parts.
 

Porch

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2019
Location
Asheville, NC
TDI
2011 jetta sportwagen tdi 6spd
Speaking of, what's the exterior/interior color of your car? I could use some exterior/interior body parts for my jsw.
 

turbodieseldyke

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2010
Location
Free Mustache Rides
TDI
98 jetta
I feel for you man, but unfortunately your car isn't worth squat with all these repairs needed. I would just part it out if I were you. Even an experienced mechanic who can do all these repairs themselves is looking at thousands in parts.
Best advice for OP was earlier -- make the cheapest repairs to clear CELs and trade it in. Parting out would be horrible, as someone else could repair it and keep it on the road.
 

Porch

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2019
Location
Asheville, NC
TDI
2011 jetta sportwagen tdi 6spd
Depends what the trade in value is I guess. The diagnosis from the vw dealer is already on the record, so if I was a dealer I wouldn't offer jack squat for this car unless all that stuff was fixed. The suspension stuff/fuel filter/brakes/misc stuff can be diy'd, but this thing needs a thermostat, dpf, and timing belt, and it doesn't sound like the op has the inclination to do any of those repairs themselves, or to pay to have them done, so in my opinion, with those 3 things unresolved, the car is basically worthless as a unit.
 

JELLOWSUBMARINE

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2014
Location
yes
TDI
2011 Jetta Sportwagen, 6M, red/tan, navi, pano, 83 5m diesel pickup, 82 p/u trailer,.04 5.5 TDI Passat wagon (gone), 80,81,82 diesel p/u (gone), 80,82 sportruck (gone), 59 passthru bus (long gone), 79&87 westy (gone), 57 baja bug (long gone), 73 914
Best advice for OP was earlier -- make the cheapest repairs to clear CELs and trade it in. Parting out would be horrible, as someone else could repair it and keep it on the road.
My experiance with VW is they dont share repair history between dealerships (unlike many other makes).
Also it is possible and even probable it was over diag.'ed. If they traded in the car it would get only the necessities to make it sell able. If this car was somehow flagged with a BOLO go to another dealership.
 

Porch

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2019
Location
Asheville, NC
TDI
2011 jetta sportwagen tdi 6spd
Vw shares repair history with carfax, that's how I found out the repair history of my car on cars.com. But maybe they don't share diagnoses.. in any case, I'd be surprised if a dealer didn't inspect or read codes before buying a car. And if they find the big 3 repairs needing done, I can't imagine they'll offer much if anything for it. In which case you could make more money selling seats, wheels, body panels, etc. Then have the rest towed to the scrap yard and make a few more bucks. Or you could pay 6 grand and have your car back on the road. Then the dpf will need to be replaced again in 50k miles or so. 3 more grand. Up to you.
 
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