Little Pittsburgh Clan

[davebugs]

Dave, I don't recall where exactly you have told me you are from, but I'm certain I'm near you more often than you are near me...., let me know if you are ever up my way..... Love to meet fellow tdi people.

PM'd. I'll likely be up that way this weekend.

 

[ehilderbrand]

Figured I'd introduce myself. I'm down here in Washington, PA, but the girlfriend lives up in the Whitehall area. Just picked up a '12 Candy White TDI Golf at Three Rivers VW on 6/12. Second VW. Last one was a '04 MK4 Jetta.

Erik-

 

[powers0430]

Any one know where I can get wheels straightened and welded local ?

 

[davebugs]

There is a chain called like green martian or something that goes to teh dealers and fixes wheels.

I have a card but no clue where it's at. They seem to hit the large dealers on a regular basis. They usually have a trailer that has the advertising on it that they work out if.

 

[powers0430]

I tried to look it up online no luck ... If you find the card please let me know a number or a way to get ahold of someone

 

[davebugs]

"Man from Mars" I believe. I've seen him at Day Chevrolet in Holiday Park/Murrysville when I used to go down that way.

 

[scihon]

Hi all - posting in the Pgh section finally. Recently picked up a KII vagcom and located in the 15206 area if anyone ever needs a scan.

 

[davebugs]

Hey local folks with a MKIII

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=346773

 

[astonishedboy]

Guess I'm cleaning my intake tomorrow, and whatever else I can get done.

scihon, I could use a Vag com scan sometime... I might have to adjust Injection also. Having some smoke issues, and need to register some keys too. I'm pretty close, just over in Lawrenceville. I'll send you a message.

 

[scihon]

Messaged you back. I definitely need to clean my intake out too. Anyone in the city know the cetane rating of the bio diesel at GetGo?

Not too many options for filling up with decent diesel within the city. Will check out purvis brothers when I get a chance (up in Mars, PA). Supposedly they have 59 cetane diesel!

 

[new2]

hiyo.

 

[Fencemaker]

Hey folks - I've got to put in a plug for Jamie Jenkins at German Auto Outfitters in Beallsville (near Scenery Hill in Washington County). I waited a week to make sure everything was working okay before endorsing him, but I'm very pleased. This is a guy that lives and breathes TDIs, and will definitely make you want to come back. For those of us who just change the oil, filters and brakes, he is your man for anything more complex.

A couple of weeks ago, my camshaft crapped out (damn BRM engines). Jamie had the thing diagnosed in hours and he did everything by the book (despite my 121,000 miles and the ever-loved VAGCOM "MAF improbable" code - sure signs of cam failure - he checked all the much cheaper issue items first: lift pump, EGR, cleaned ERG, checked turbo, etc. Only after checking all those items did he pull the cover and see a worn cam and lifters).

Good news was that my wear was not so excessive as to do other damage. He had my cam and lifters swapped out, car cleaned up and on the road again for a very reasonable price and in very little time.

So, Jamie comes highly recommended for you Pittsburgh TDI'ers who, like me, shy away from the dealership (last time I have a VW vehicle at the dealership, they charged us a $45 diagnosis fee, but could not figure out what the problem was - priceless!).

Happy Motoring!

 

[joshattack]

I think my auto transmission is finally starting to go on my ALH. It's at 184,xxx and starting to to have trouble shifting from 4th-5th, and occasionally 3rd to 4th. Feels like a quick surge then nothing at all for a second, then it goes into gear. Only really noticeable speeding up on the highway..... Anyone recommend someone to take it to in the Pittsburgh area?

 

[kirmet]

look at the post above yours

 

[joshattack]

I saw that, didn't know if anyone else had any recommendations as well, preferably closer to the city.

 

[tkbtwin]

Jamie Jenkins at German Auto Outfitters

I just had Jamie Jenkins at German Auto Outfitters do my timing belt on my 2003 Jetta. I am 100 percent happy with the work he did. If it seems to far for you, I drove down there, and they let me use their wifi so I could work while I waited for the car. I will send an update in a week or so.

 

[Emily]

I have 103k+ miles and i've been to the shop about 4 times (at least) in the last 6 months because of various issues with my car (engine light coming on a few different times, some part gumming up, fuel gauge dropping) and now my locking/unlocking mechanism on my key FOB isn't working great. Is this the car and the fact that it is 10+ years old with over 100K or is it my mechanic? I live in Squirrel Hill and don't really want to drive far, but I'm picky about my mechanic. I currently go to Hillcrest.

I have to say that I'm already driving about 30+ minutes to go to my current mechanic, so what's another 30, right? I had a really excellent mechanic in Seattle, and in the 1.5 years that I've lived in Pgh, my car has had a lot of problems. I just don't know if it is the age and mileage of the car or the mechanic. But, 10 years isn't super old for a VW, and 100K should not be the end of the road for a TDI. It is also my understanding that electrical issues are the first things to give you major problems on VWs.

Any thoughts?

 

[davebugs]

That's not a lot of miles.

I've had keyfob issues twice in 12 years 235k and a relatively easy fix.

My 01 Golf has lived it's life here in the rustbelt and has been remarkably problem free (other than 01m's).

I don't have an 03 or a wagon but I'm thinking thats more problems than usual.

Or maybe call HC and see if any of the problems may be related before making another trip.

 

[Jedda03SGP]

Engine Light coming on (CEL), probably the glow plugs and/or harness. Harness usually needs replaced at some time. Part gumming up.....did your guy mention the intake manifold I guess? Fuel gauge dropping ?/ haven't heard of that one.

There is a good foreign car mechanic up on Rt 8 in Gibsonia, Foreign Traffic.

http://www.foreign-traffic.com/

I have heard they are good, but wouldn't know first hand as I do my own work for the most part.

Can't hurt to try.....Hillcrest.....hummm, don't want to bad mouth anybody, but my in-laws know the owners there, and they are not impressed with the way they run things. My brother actually bought his first TDI there and did not have a great experience. Just my opinion.

Good luck, post what you find about Foreign Traffic if you decide to go that route.

 

[DavidMTroyer]

Welcome, Emily!

Check the post directly above yours. Jamie Jenkins at German Auto Outfitters is one of the reliable mechanics in the area. They are in Beallsville which isn't exactly convenient to the city, but worth it for larger repairs.

 

[Emily]

Another car issue emerged this week! I headed out to see Jamie at German Auto Outfitters. I'm impressed. Thanks for the suggestion. It seems that the hour drive might just be worth it.

 

[keks]

Jamie is pretty good. Its nice to take my car to a mechanic that actually knows more about it then me.. Its usually the other way around..

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[davebugs]

I have a thread in parts.

I'm parting a 99 NB TDI/ALH most body and a lot of engine to come.

But it has things like a very new Bosal downpipe, excellent leather seats, stuff I don't wanna ship. Head is likely o.k. (ran without oil) hope ot have engine out tuesday.

Keeping 5 speed swap stuff.

Even big stuff like rear axle beam, front suspension, K-frame, etc.

So if you're local and interested in MKIV parts - especially large parts drop me a PM.

I'll try and keep the thread in parts updated with major parts gone.

 

[tkbtwin]

Glad to hear you liked Jamie at GAO. It's been a few weeks since he did my timing belt, and no problems. In fact I took the car back for him to work on the antenna, since I don't have the time to work on my car much outside of oil and fuel filter changes, and wasn't sure if I could get my arm up under the headliner. He did great work on that as well.

 

[newbeetle1981]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi, noob here, name is Armand, live in beechview and have a black 01 golf gls tdi. Its lowered on audi tt fat fives, does anyone ever gtg?

Armand

 

[davebugs]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi, noob here, name is Armand, live in beechview and have a black 01 golf gls tdi. Its lowered on audi tt fat fives, does anyone ever gtg?

Armand

Welcome.

Don't think there has been a GTG in a while.

 

[astonishedboy]

I'd like to have a GTG this summer if I can find the time, (classes and work and weddings and races all summer, and moving to a new place) I'll post if I can find the time. I would like to change my Timing belt this summer. I have about 75k miles on the current belt.

 

[davebugs]

I'd like to have a GTG this summer if I can find the time, (classes and work and weddings and races all summer, and moving to a new place) I'll post if I can find the time. I would like to change my Timing belt this summer. I have about 75k miles on the current belt.

Some here. I'd like too have one here but I'm still recovering a bit.

Been here 20 years and haven't made the neighbors mad yet, but wondering if that would put them over the edge.

Mostly worried about noise (radio's, loud cars, squealing tires, etc.) and idiots. Just a bunch of cars and people wouldn't bother them. I have a neighbor that's bothered by my dune buggy's noise - but it is kinda loud.

The only GTG I've been to was one you had years ago.

I do have a lift, vag-com, alternator clutch pulley tools, axle beam bushing tools, decent compressor, flux welder(but not very good at using it), not every tool - but a lot of tools, and VW specific tools - triple squares, vag-com and stuff.


Another thought may be a "base" for a one day event - or weekend event if folks wanna camp out at my place up near the Clarion river. Cook Forest/Clear Creek area. Not to work on cars but if anyone wanted to organize a drive/day trip or something. It's on the other side of the road from the river - but you can actually hear the river and the river is not far away. Excellent canoeing, tubing, kayak, some general fishing. Many canoe and tube rental places.

Excellent bicycling along river road.


Close to Allegheny National forest, Clear Creek state park, Cook Forest State Park, Loletta (I think state park - just outside Marienville).

Some big place with trails for dirt bikes and quads near Marienville(never been there).

Bathroom with Shower, 2 fridges, place to burn outside, etc.

So if anyone may be interested in getting something like that together PM me. I have 5 weekends with other commitments this summer already.

I will be there Memorial day weekend for 3-4-5 days. Ironically I likely won't have my TDI there because it won't pull my little Kubota hoe.

My means to roast pigs n stuff are long gone. But I do have grill tops for the open fire and a propane stove inside. Some mountain pie makers and hot dog things.

Not that far from New York and Ohio either. 15 miles north of I80 exit 79(I think).

 

[newbeetle1981]

Some here. I'd like too have one here but I'm still recovering a bit.

Been here 20 years and haven't made the neighbors mad yet, but wondering if that would put them over the edge.

Mostly worried about noise (radio's, loud cars, squealing tires, etc.) and idiots. Just a bunch of cars and people wouldn't bother them. I have a neighbor that's bothered by my dune buggy's noise - but it is kinda loud.

The only GTG I've been to was one you had years ago.

I do have a lift, vag-com, alternator clutch pulley tools, axle beam bushing tools, decent compressor, flux welder(but not very good at using it), not every tool - but a lot of tools, and VW specific tools - triple squares, vag-com and stuff.


Another thought may be a "base" for a one day event - or weekend event if folks wanna camp out at my place up near the Clarion river. Cook Forest/Clear Creek area. Not to work on cars but if anyone wanted to organize a drive/day trip or something. It's on the other side of the road from the river - but you can actually hear the river and the river is not far away. Excellent canoeing, tubing, kayak, some general fishing. Many canoe and tube rental places.

Excellent bicycling along river road.


Close to Allegheny National forest, Clear Creek state park, Cook Forest State Park, Loletta (I think state park - just outside Marienville).

Some big place with trails for dirt bikes and quads near Marienville(never been there).

Bathroom with Shower, 2 fridges, place to burn outside, etc.

So if anyone may be interested in getting something like that together PM me. I have 5 weekends with other commitments this summer already.

I will be there Memorial day weekend for 3-4-5 days. Ironically I likely won't have my TDI there because it won't pull my little Kubota hoe.

My means to roast pigs n stuff are long gone. But I do have grill tops for the open fire and a propane stove inside. Some mountain pie makers and hot dog things.

Not that far from New York and Ohio either. 15 miles north of I80 exit 79(I think).

What are the odds of that, my fiance and I have a camp in marienville and head up there usually at least twice a month in the summer, small world lol. If you do something up there I'm definitely in.

Armand

 

[davebugs]

What are the odds of that, my fiance and I have a camp in marienville and head up there usually at least twice a month in the summer, small world lol. If you do something up there I'm definitely in.

Armand

Actually a few years ago a member posted about this wonderful place he camped while awaiting for old college friends to rent a place in Cook Forest for a week. I recognized the spot! Along a creek!

He was camping along Millstone creek down almost to the Clarion river literally 2 miles from my place. ALong the road form Loletta folling the creek to the Clarion.

I'll PM you where I am - easy to find on river road. I'll be up there Memorial day weekend but likely in my Astro so I can take the little Kubota hoe.