Nervous About My Engine

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

Hi Guys,

This is technically a double post from the used oil analysis (UOA) thread, but I wanted to get some input from my fellow NMS drivers. I just got back my 40K UOA and my wear metals, particularly aluminum, chromium, and iron, are going the wrong way and have been for 20K miles. The consensus in the UOA thread is that the aluminum and chrome may be from a bad ring scuffing a piston. I need to figure out my next move with VW. I appreciate any input.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=4354755&postcount=3024

 

[PassatSE4me]

Time for a bore scope.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I would open a case with VW Customer Care. The trend certainly doesn't look good.

 

[40X40]

Of you get the right trade-in offer, consider taking it. I don't give that advise very often on a TDI with only 40,000 miles.

Bill

 

[MyAvocation]

Bill is right. But before doing so, lean on the dealer persistently and eventually they'll cough-up a voucher in the neighborhood of $1500 towards a new car. If you get no traction, insist on a face to face with the regional service rep (he's the one who issues vouchers anyway). That should take the sting out of any depreciative loss.

 

[LokiWolf]

Yeah, BAD sign! Time for a serious talk with VW.

 

[psd1]

Yikes! I didnt read the other thread. Have you posted on Bob is the oil guy?

 

[Yankinwaoz]

Am I reading this correct? He is claiming that the TDi motor's internal parts are destroying themselves.

 

[Rico567]

Am I reading this correct? He is claiming that the TDi motor's internal parts are destroying themselves.

Well- that's a bit blunt, but that's the way I interpret the OP's UOA and its analysis By Blackstone and others in this thread. IMHO, at this point there are several possible courses of action, but always follow the Three Commandments: document, document, document.

 

[Ski in NC]

Pull another sample through dipstick hole, instead of catching drain flow. You might have caught sump sediment, and engine could be perfectly fine.

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

I sort of wish I could continue to contribute data on future samples, but I ended up trading the old girl a few minutes ago. It's really bittersweet and I hope for everyone's sake that I was just an outliner (I'm sure I am). I could have pursued this but I really didn't want another engine overall on a car. I am snakebitten lately. I bought a 2012 Jeep Wrangler before this and its head imploded under 10k. I swear I'm not throwing marbles in when I fill my oil. Honest!

 

[ChadS99SVT]

what did you end up getting?

 

[Jayg]

What did you trade it in on? I think you made the right move. Now the next guy that buys it pre-owned though.... he's in for a surprise.

 

[tdiatlast]

I'm glad for YOU that your problem is resolved.
I'm sorry for US that we won't have your future UOAs to help maintain a constant atmosphere of panic at TDIClub! I know my curiosity has been heightened by your UOA post.
Are you at liberty, or are you willing, to tell us what is replacing your Passat?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

How good of a deal did you get and what did you drive away with?

 

[TDIEQNY]

Is car running poorly? Why are you analyzing your oil?

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

Is car running poorly? Why are you analyzing your oil?

1. No. Car still purred like a kitten.
2. Because I have OCD and am possibly a paranoid schizophrenic.

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

Because inquiring minds want to know.... (warning)

I traded for a 2014 Focus ST with every available option. 252hp/270 lb-ft, 6-speed, 32 mpg hwy, full leather heated recaro seats, xenon lamps w/ led runners, rado 18's with GY F1 rubber, moonroof, nav, dual zone climatronic, asym blind spot mirrors, yada yada. Fun car on the trip home!

 

[tdiatlast]

...heretic...

 

[Jayg]

It's no diesel, but they are fun cars! Good luck with it.

 

[pparks1]

Did you get a great deal on the trade in? I hate loosing equity on cars that I buy. I drive them into the ground. I hope to have mine for a minimum of 10 years.

 

[TDIEQNY]

ok- I'm really not getting the point of what you did.

The car comes with a 100K factory warranty... why not drive it into the ground or at least into 80K plus and then dump it ?

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

ok- I'm really not getting the point of what you did.

The car comes with a 100K factory warranty... why not drive it into the ground or at least into 80K plus and then dump it ?

No it doesn't. Warranty is 36k b2b and 60k powertrain, which I would have hit by next summer. It doesn't matter if you get the point.

 

[kulak]

Rented the focus before. It is fun but can't stand the dash and how it juts out towards you in uncomfortable ways. I guess that's the trend these days. Make you feel like you're in a jet cockpit.

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

Did you get a great deal on the trade in? I hate loosing equity on cars that I buy. I drive them into the ground. I hope to have mine for a minimum of 10 years.

I got exactly what KBB/Nada say my car was worth at its mileage. Regarding the ST, I went through USAA car buying service and got offers from three certified dealers. I went to one yesterday, loved the test drive and offer, but still went home. They came down another $500 this morning. Got a car with MSRP of $30k for $25.2k.

Please let's not imply I'm suddenly a VW hater. This was my third TDI. I will likely be back again later. I will also never say a bad word about a TDI. This was just a preventative measure. And anyone in DC, do not buy that Glacier Blue 2012 NMS with 41k that pops up next week! It has marbles in the engine.

 

[TDIEQNY]

No it doesn't. Warranty is 36k b2b and 60k powertrain, which I would have hit by next summer. It doesn't matter if you get the point.

My error re: warranty period.

Enjoy the focus forums.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Those STs are neat little cars! I hope you enjoy it, even if the fuel economy is lousy.

 

[pparks1]

I got exactly what KBB/Nada say my car was worth at its mileage.

Hopefully that amount was more than you owed on it. That's always the part that I don't like, having to roll negative equity into a new car.

I just ran the #'s on my 2013 TDI SE with Nav/SunRoof and if I got KBB today, I'd be about $6k short of what I owe on the car. But I've only made 3 payments on mine.

 

[Blue_Hen_TDI]

Darn you PParks, you're going to make me admit that I had negative equity in the Passat, aren't you? Well yes. Yes I did, Mr. Poopy Pants.

 

[pparks1]

Darn you PParks, you're going to make me admit that I had negative equity in the Passat, aren't you? Well yes. Yes I did, Mr. Poopy Pants.

I was just hoping that wasn't the case. I always hear such good things about the resale value of TDI's. I've also seen members here get remarkable deals on their Passats, so if you put down some $$'s at the start and made a year or 2 of payments, I could see being able to break-even.

Enjoy your new ride through. When I bought my Passat, the Focus ST was one of the cars on my short list.