Little Pittsburgh Clan

[davebugs]

Hey folks. I bought a 99 Jetta (old style) TDI at auction today. 171k, one owner. Dark Blue/tan interior 5 speed.

Came with diesel geek and adirondak auto brokers stuff in the trunk.

Looks like the fella has moved around Pittsburgh a bit. Initials are J L.

Unable to track down so far.

I figure they must belong to this site.

Please PM me if this if you or you may know who this was and I can tell you a little more.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[jwp175]

... I spoke with Jamie tonight ...

My friend Jamie near Washington Pa. is the "relatively unknown" guru of the area. He can put the clutch in and diagnose your problem. No doubt. If you like, give him a call 724-267-3555 and leave message. 10 years master VW/Audi and will not break the bank. "This guy is good" performance minded and very in tune.

PS I would certainly be down for a gtg.

Pete ... I just wanted to throw out there, that I spoke with Jamie this evening. He returned my call after about 2 1/2 weeks. Sounds like he's had a couple of issues he's been dealing with

I called him hoping that he might be able to take a look at my '98 Jetta, that I was having issues with. As it turns out I don't need any help, but after talking with him for a while I wouldn't hesitate to contact him if I need any 'guru' help.

Thanks for the lead, and hopefully he gets his own gig set up soon so this Pittsburgh clan has a local guru to go to.

John

 

[pyankura]

He is busy but if you need him call after 5pm. I would give his cell # but he would kick my arse. But he is very good and qualified. He does alot of the testing on our software for us and loves my ability. When he gets his own gig, we will have some turbos, clutch kits, nozzles, etc. on the shelf. We have a very good connection in Italy that we are keeping under out belts till we get set up.

But you will never go wrong with Jamie!

Pete ... I just wanted to throw out there, that I spoke with Jamie this evening. He returned my call after about 2 1/2 weeks. Sounds like he's had a couple of issues he's been dealing with

I called him hoping that he might be able to take a look at my '98 Jetta, that I was having issues with. As it turns out I don't need any help, but after talking with him for a while I wouldn't hesitate to contact him if I need any 'guru' help.

Thanks for the lead, and hopefully he gets his own gig set up soon so this Pittsburgh clan has a local guru to go to.

John

 

[PitPassat]

Is there any trusted TDI mechanic or guru in the Northern Pittsburgh / Beaver County area? I did a head cleaning, TB and Turbo replacement job over the last few weeks, and now the engine does not develop power any more. I have tried pretty much everything to date, including taking the exhaust apart and making a hole through the catalytic converter to allow better breathing - nothing helped. The turbo works, it spins freely and develops pressure, but my MAP readings are not where they are supposed to be. The other thing is that the engine is pretty loud now - including some hard knocking. Again, I checked injection timing - it is right on.

The only two things missing at this point are a check of the injectors as well as a compression test. My local diesel shop only has compression tester with standard thread. Is there somebody who can help me?

Thanks,
Wolfgang

 

[pyankura]

Try 724-267-3555! He is south of P'burgh though.... But he is the best and it will be worth the effort. Jamie Jenkins is his name. Super sharp, young guy and very anal! He is the best!

Is there any trusted TDI mechanic or guru in the Northern Pittsburgh / Beaver County area? I did a head cleaning, TB and Turbo replacement job over the last few weeks, and now the engine does not develop power any more. I have tried pretty much everything to date, including taking the exhaust apart and making a hole through the catalytic converter to allow better breathing - nothing helped. The turbo works, it spins freely and develops pressure, but my MAP readings are not where they are supposed to be. The other thing is that the engine is pretty loud now - including some hard knocking. Again, I checked injection timing - it is right on.

The only two things missing at this point are a check of the injectors as well as a compression test. My local diesel shop only has compression tester with standard thread. Is there somebody who can help me?

Thanks,
Wolfgang

 

[passat_TDI_pgh]

good to see there are good mechanics in the burgh. Just bought a 2005 Passat TDI. I'll keep an eye on this thread for sure.

 

[passat_TDI_pgh]

Best Pgh VW Dealer for Service

My 2005 Passat is certified and therefore under an extended 2yr/24k warranty. Any recommendations on what dealer to use for service locally? Thanks in advance.

 

[pyankura]

Go to Three Rivers and ALWAYS ask for Jamie Jenkins and if he asks tell him Pete sent you. You will not get your car taken care of better. No way, no how. I am not being cocky or arrogant when you meet him you will agree and be very happy that you made this choice.

My 2005 Passat is certified and therefore under an extended 2yr/24k warranty. Any recommendations on what dealer to use for service locally? Thanks in advance.

 

[passat_TDI_pgh]

Thanks for the Three Rivers VW mechanic advice. I will check them out for sure.

FYI - I just got a half a tank of B100 from Baum Blvd Automotive in Oakland. Simple. Paid $2.69. The B5 - B20 pump at the Get go was 2.89. Get Go pump says can be anywhere from 5 - 20% biodiesel. Reg dino diesel is around $2.39 near me. so .30/gal extra for bio is a great value IMO.

 

[pyankura]

Running B100 in a PD is not such a good idea. These cars are not "built" to handle that fuel. When ordered for such they can but only in Germany for sure but I think all of Europe. They use rapaseed oil instead of what we use and they have no problems. You will have problems with filter cloggs as B100 is a very good "solvent" and eating through fuel lines. You will have some issues. B20 is what VW will warranty but what does VW know. Sometimes it is best not to find out.

quote=passat_TDI_pgh]Thanks for the Three Rivers VW mechanic advice. I will check them out for sure.

FYI - I just got a half a tank of B100 from Baum Blvd Automotive in Oakland. Simple. Paid $2.69. The B5 - B20 pump at the Get go was 2.89. Get Go pump says can be anywhere from 5 - 20% biodiesel. Reg dino diesel is around $2.39 near me. so .30/gal extra for bio is a great value IMO.[/quote]

 

[astonishedboy]

Oh, wow, I didn't now that the price was down to 2.69 at Baum... I'll be going back there soon.

 

[pghPAtdi]

Time for a GTG there franky...at the mansion maybe????

Oh, wow, I didn't now that the price was down to 2.69 at Baum... I'll be going back there soon.

 

[astonishedboy]

Time for a GTG there franky...at the mansion maybe????

Hmmm... how 'bout your place while the ball and chain is away, Davey???

 

[pghPAtdi]

Right.....but I however do not have a 6 car garage

Do you? I think you might

 

[astonishedboy]

Right.....but I however do not have a 6 car garage

Do you? I think you might

It holds 7 cars, 4 up top, 3 below... but the opportunity is not upon us... yet!

 

[pghPAtdi]

B100 at Baum automotive is 2.60/gal (i think thats what i paid)

 

[passat_TDI_pgh]

Thanks a lot for the input. To clarify, i had 5 gal B100 and the rest B5 to B20. So with around a 16 gal tank I'd roughly calculate I am running on B50 at the very most. But I have more questions...

I know this is a bit off topic of the forum, but this is the first I've ever read not to put biodiesel in a passat tdi. Are you suggesting no BD at all or just to keep it at B20 or lower? Correct me if i'm wrong as I am new to this, but aren't all TDI engines built in Germany, even if the rest of the car is assembled somewhere else?

Again, thanks for all the good input.

Running B100 in a PD is not such a good idea. These cars are not "built" to handle that fuel. When ordered for such they can but only in Germany for sure but I think all of Europe. They use rapaseed oil instead of what we use and they have no problems. You will have problems with filter cloggs as B100 is a very good "solvent" and eating through fuel lines. You will have some issues. B20 is what VW will warranty but what does VW know. Sometimes it is best not to find out.

Thanks for the Three Rivers VW mechanic advice. I will check them out for sure.

FYI - I just got a half a tank of B100 from Baum Blvd Automotive in Oakland. Simple. Paid $2.69. The B5 - B20 pump at the Get go was 2.89. Get Go pump says can be anywhere from 5 - 20% biodiesel. Reg dino diesel is around $2.39 near me. so .30/gal extra for bio is a great value IMO.

 

[khyron]

Thanks a lot for the input. To clarify, i had 5 gal B100 and the rest B5 to B20. So with around a 16 gal tank I'd roughly calculate I am running on B50 at the very most. But I have more questions...

I know this is a bit off topic of the forum, but this is the first I've ever read not to put biodiesel in a passat tdi. Are you suggesting no BD at all or just to keep it at B20 or lower? Correct me if i'm wrong as I am new to this, but aren't all TDI engines built in Germany, even if the rest of the car is assembled somewhere else?

Again, thanks for all the good input.

There's a lot to comprehend about biodiesel beyond just the percentage number and which TDi engine you have. I would strongly suggest checking out the alternative fuel forums here instead of asking such questions in this one. There's a lot of misunderstood "fact" and FUD (fear uncertainty doubt) surrounding the use of high concentration bio especially in the newer engines and only a small subset of that information is actually relevant...but nevertheless it's passed around, often innocently, by well intentioned concerned folks and leads to confusion.

 

[Fencemaker]

Bought 5 gallons B100 at Baum Blvd Auto yesterday - price was $2.69/gallon. Not too bad.

 

[scmadm]

Hello Pittsburgh TDIers,
I have recently bought a 97 Passat TDI sedan and have been reading up here on the TDI forum and came across the Pittsburgh thread. Being a "Die Hard" Steelers fan and living about 1 1/2hrs away (Niles, Ohio), I hope you will allow me to join your group and let me know when you guys will have a GTG. Currently I am deployed with the Air Force to Iraq but will be back in mid July.

Thanks,

 

[Delphi_Wiz]

Intake cleaning

Aaron,

What would it typically cost if I had you do the intake cleanup on a TDI?

Thanks,

Dave

you do not need to take the head off to clean out the intake ports.

what you DO need to do is while you have the timing belt off and the crank locked and cam locked, either remove/loosen the cam (do not lose the nuts)

and reach behind your motor with a shop vac and a small scraper and do your best. do be sure to get all the lose material out. it will be difficult. if its only a light coating on all the surfaces you should probably leave it alone. if you have a LOT of buildup on the valve and walls then try to get it out.

what you need to avoid is getting any lose gunk down into the cylinder after you scrape.

once you are satisfied with the head ports, use a pressure washer or a local car wash to clean out your intake manifold. do keep the pressure away from the EGR diaphragm but otherwise spray as much as you can down into the intake and up thru the 4 ports at the head attachment.

its mostly labor. depends on how dirty you wanna get. it can be done without popping the head off the block which requires the replacement of a lot of other misc seals & bolts etc.

best of luck, Aaron

 

[pm22071985]

silence

Been pretty quiet here lately....
Anybody have a motive brake bleeder setup I could borrow sometime??

Also spotted a black mk4 jetta tdi @ the top of avenue f in forest hills, are you on here?

 

[WVU TDI]

Aaron,

What would it typically cost if I had you do the intake cleanup on a TDI?

Thanks,

Dave

Dave, Aaron recently quoted me $150 for an intake cleaning on a B4.

 

[Stirer]

Been pretty quiet here lately....
Anybody have a motive brake bleeder setup I could borrow sometime??

Also spotted a black mk4 jetta tdi @ the top of avenue f in forest hills, are you on here?

Hey there, I do have a motive brake bleeder that I will lend out. It has the VW screw on attachment. I live in cranberry and work near fox chapel. PM me if still interested.

 

[pm22071985]

PM sent, Thanks !!

Hey there, I do have a motive brake bleeder that I will lend out. It has the VW screw on attachment. I live in cranberry and work near fox chapel. PM me if still interested.

 

[Growler]

Yup, intake cleaning alone is $150

check my calendar for availability... (see signature)

 

[khyron]

Hey there fellow Steel City denizens, the transplant from Virginia has a question again...

We drive a 2005 Golf TDi and got that letter this summer from VWoA about the "emissions service action" regarding glow plug replacement and possible ECM updates. We don't actually drive much as we're big PAT fans, but I'd like to get this taken care of some weekend soon. I'm not familiar with any VW dealers up here and am wondering, who do other diesel geeks trust?

I'm willing drive a little bit outside the city if necessary, we love our TDi and I want to make sure this is done by caring and attentive folks.

 

[pm22071985]

Hey there fellow Steel City denizens, the transplant from Virginia has a question again...

We drive a 2005 Golf TDi and got that letter this summer from VWoA about the "emissions service action" regarding glow plug replacement and possible ECM updates. We don't actually drive much as we're big PAT fans, but I'd like to get this taken care of some weekend soon. I'm not familiar with any VW dealers up here and am wondering, who do other diesel geeks trust?

I'm willing drive a little bit outside the city if necessary, we love our TDi and I want to make sure this is done by caring and attentive folks.

I purchased my jetta and silver nb brand new from day vw.
I had some service performed there while under warranty and have nothing but bad things to say about them. Don't recommend them at all.
I have no experience with three rivers vw, but heard good things.

 

[pm22071985]

we're big PAT fans....

I do not miss riding that at all....cheap but always late and always dirty.
You are one of the few I have heard speak positively of there bus experience. I hope it continues.

 

[davebugs]

Hey there fellow Steel City denizens, the transplant from Virginia has a question again...

We drive a 2005 Golf TDi and got that letter this summer from VWoA about the "emissions service action" regarding glow plug replacement and possible ECM updates. We don't actually drive much as we're big PAT fans, but I'd like to get this taken care of some weekend soon. I'm not familiar with any VW dealers up here and am wondering, who do other diesel geeks trust?

I'm willing drive a little bit outside the city if necessary, we love our TDi and I want to make sure this is done by caring and attentive folks.

What part of the city are you in? Or are you N E S W of the city?