New to TDIClub? Introduce yourself here!

kilda

New member
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Location
Baltimore, MD
TDI
2013 Passat SEL
Hi,
I'm a brand new TDI owner. 2 days ago I bought a 2013 Passat SEL, and I couldn't be happier. What's the opposite of buyer's remorse - buyer's elation? I LOVE this car.

My new commute is 50 mi each way, almost all on the interstate. I didn't even know there were diesel cars available nowadays, until I started researching high fuel economy vehicles and someone brought up TDI. I looked into hybrids (mainly Ford Fusion) but read that they weren't the best for this type of commute. Then the minute I test drove the Passat that was it.

I love the way it drives, the way it looks, and how slooooowly the fuel tank gauge is going down! I've driven it to and from work 2 1/2 times so far and I still have almost 3/4 tank. In my old car (Nissan Sentra) I would have had to fill up again already.

 

MonsterTDI09

TDIClub Enthusiast, Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Location
NoVa/NJ
TDI
2010 Jetta DSG/ up keep on 2009 Jetta DSG 2006 Jetta Pag 2 in North SEA Green
Welcome to the club:) We have GTG ever couple of months, look at events under eastern USA.
 

kdurra40

New member
Joined
May 26, 2012
Location
Las Vegas, NV
TDI
2010 Jetta
Problematic 2010 Jetta TDI....

Hey All,
I have a 2010 Jetta TDI, 215K miles and the transmission went out. Took it to a so called VW Transmission specialist and they quoted me $3,000 for a rebuild. Paid them on June 20, 2013 and they promised it the following week. Now, almost 2 months later I still do not have my car back. They have been giving me the runaround saying that the TCM is bad and the entire computer system is going to be replaced (when I took it in it was just fine).

So, they said they were going to replace the TCM and if I took it without replacing the TCM it would burn up the transmission after 10 miles or so. I am really fed up..

My question is: I took the car to have the transmission rebuilt and somewhere along the way these butt heads burned up the computer/TCM and now want me to take it as is. Best of my knowledge the TCM is part of the transmission as a whole, should it not be their responsibility to ensure it is working properly and driveable after the work is done? They want me to take it to a electric specialist at $85 an hour, which is not within my budget. Any suggestions??

Thanks all..
 

MonsterTDI09

TDIClub Enthusiast, Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Location
NoVa/NJ
TDI
2010 Jetta DSG/ up keep on 2009 Jetta DSG 2006 Jetta Pag 2 in North SEA Green
Hey All,
I have a 2010 Jetta TDI, 215K miles and the transmission went out. Took it to a so called VW Transmission specialist and they quoted me $3,000 for a rebuild. Paid them on June 20, 2013 and they promised it the following week. Now, almost 2 months later I still do not have my car back. They have been giving me the runaround saying that the TCM is bad and the entire computer system is going to be replaced (when I took it in it was just fine).

So, they said they were going to replace the TCM and if I took it without replacing the TCM it would burn up the transmission after 10 miles or so. I am really fed up..

My question is: I took the car to have the transmission rebuilt and somewhere along the way these butt heads burned up the computer/TCM and now want me to take it as is. Best of my knowledge the TCM is part of the transmission as a whole, should it not be their responsibility to ensure it is working properly and driveable after the work is done? They want me to take it to a electric specialist at $85 an hour, which is not within my budget. Any suggestions??

Thanks all..

Ask your question here on MKV A5 section
 

Todd_y

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Location
Vancouver Island
TDI
2012 Golf Highline mt
what a great site...

new to tdis with a 2012 golf highline m/t. love the car so far. first volks was a '73 type 3 squareback, followed by a '71 squareback with a 1700 type 4 swap, '79 n/a rabbit diesel 4 spd, and a '73 type 2 westy (a brief, nasty affair with the last of the dual-carbed pancakes) during the '90s.

i used this site a bunch researching and deciding on the golf, finally landed on it as the ultimate all round car for the next decade or two, so i'm in it for the long haul. anyone who has had the misfortune of even a brief drive in a prius should truly appreciate the golf tdi as a far superior car. the prius is an appliance.

i feel like i am rolling the dice a bit with the dpf and egr, but we'll see how they age and wear. i won't be surprised to hit 250k without issues (km eh?), but on the other hand, i am ready to deal with a delete at 100-150k if things go sideways. happy to lurk and absorb some of the site info for awhile- thanks to all who contribute! i remember learning to work on cars before the intertube... dark days in comparison! cheers to all!
-Todd
 
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cnlhubc

New member
Joined
Aug 3, 2013
Location
Boston, MA
TDI
'02 Jetta Wagon GLS 5spd, '00 Jetta 5spd
Need to learn!!

Been reading posts here for nearly 10 years, but never registered. Had a 2000 Jetta 5spd with roll down windows until 2005, currently drive a black 2002 Jwag 5spd with 150k miles. Car has an Upsolute Chip, which I think was a mistake, but I don't really know. I feel like this car is not as good as the 2000 that I had. This motor is often having problems with smoke, starting in cold, etc. As this car gets older, I'm thinking I need to learn more about how these motors work.
Alternator just seized up, which may have forced the timing belt to slip. So replaced Alternator, timing belt, water pump. Having driven 100 miles since the mechanic finished, I think the last timing belt was done poorly, as the car is running MUCH more smoothly now, with much less smoke out the tailpipe!
Need to refinish headlights, and replace front right fender due to rust, otherwise car is great.
I wonder if anyone uses an engine block heater in the winter? If anything, just to get the cabin warmed up quickly on the morning commute.
Looking forward to learning as much as I can about TDIs . . .
 

MonsterTDI09

TDIClub Enthusiast, Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Location
NoVa/NJ
TDI
2010 Jetta DSG/ up keep on 2009 Jetta DSG 2006 Jetta Pag 2 in North SEA Green
Been reading posts here for nearly 10 years, but never registered. Had a 2000 Jetta 5spd with roll down windows until 2005, currently drive a black 2002 Jwag 5spd with 150k miles. Car has an Upsolute Chip, which I think was a mistake, but I don't really know. I feel like this car is not as good as the 2000 that I had. This motor is often having problems with smoke, starting in cold, etc. As this car gets older, I'm thinking I need to learn more about how these motors work.
Alternator just seized up, which may have forced the timing belt to slip. So replaced Alternator, timing belt, water pump. Having driven 100 miles since the mechanic finished, I think the last timing belt was done poorly, as the car is running MUCH more smoothly now, with much less smoke out the tailpipe!
Need to refinish headlights, and replace front right fender due to rust, otherwise car is great.
I wonder if anyone uses an engine block heater in the winter? If anything, just to get the cabin warmed up quickly on the morning commute.
Looking forward to learning as much as I can about TDIs . . .

Yes we use a heater that warms the up cooling system. The product is call Frost Heater do a search on it. Welcome to the club
 

Meilleur27

Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2013
Location
Ottawa
TDI
2013 Jetta TDI Highline
Hey guys and gals. Just picked up my 2013 Jetta TDI Highline yesterday. I love it! It is my first NEW car, first Volks and first Diesel, so definitely a Newbie!

I am getting my windows tinted on Monday :)

How do I put an avatar photo?

Thanks! :)
 

jay3253

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2013
Location
Boone, Iowa
TDI
2004 Passat
Finally I got two TDIs yesterday an '04 Jetta and '13 SEL Passat. SOOOOOO excited moved about 20miles from work and needed something with great mpg and now I have a TDI to get me there!
 

TornadoRed

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Location
West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
Finally I got two TDIs yesterday an '04 Jetta and '13 SEL Passat. SOOOOOO excited moved about 20miles from work and needed something with great mpg and now I have a TDI to get me there!
Unfortunately your local dealership is Lithia VW in Des Moines -- nationally famous/infamous as a terrible dealership. Do not trust anything they tell you. If they make a promise, get it in writing. Better still, never go there unless accompanied by an attorney.
 

king2323

New member
Joined
Aug 3, 2013
Location
Northern Ky
TDI
2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS
Help with my 00 VW Jetta Speed sensor :(

I have a 2000 VW Jetta Gls automatic and my speed gauge isn't working. Bought a new speed sensor and the gauge still isn't working. It worked till 5 mph then stopped. Really don't know what to do. Any suggesstions??? Thanks!
 

TGITDI

New member
Joined
Aug 3, 2013
Location
Central California
TDI
2001 Golf, 2003 New Beetle; formerly 1979 Rabbit, 2004 Jetta, 2010 Jetta, 2011 Jetta
Newbie TDI lover from Central California

Hi, I have two TDIs, a 2001 Golf with 211K and 2004 New Beetle with 76K. I HAD a 2010 and then a 2011 Jetta TDI, but both were totalled in accidents (not my fault, but I feel jinxed for new cars!)

I joined this forum hoping to get advice on my Golf for a problem that sounds like limp mode. It was losing power badly going up hills, so much so that it was dangerous. A few weeks after it started this, the CEL lit up. My husband took it in and it was some airflow sensor. The sensor was replaced and everything seemed fine.


So I tried to take it on a 200-mile trip last weekend. I drove about 65 miles on the freeway at about 70-75 MPH. Then it lost power and would not go more than 55-60 MPH. I ended up turning around and going home (behind a big rig in the slow lane). I did not know to try cycling the ignition. It's one of those situations you cannot create on demand, it happens when it happens.


The dealer of course recommends replacing the turbo at $$$$$$ but can't guarantee it will solve the problem. How do I go about finding someone trustworthy to work on my car? I love my Golf TDI which I have owned since new. I don't want to have to get rid of it.


Thanks in advance.


Ann
 

TornadoRed

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Location
West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
So I tried to take it on a 200-mile trip last weekend. I drove about 65 miles on the freeway at about 70-75 MPH. Then it lost power and would not go more than 55-60 MPH. I ended up turning around and going home (behind a big rig in the slow lane). I did not know to try cycling the ignition. It's one of those situations you cannot create on demand, it happens when it happens.


The dealer of course recommends replacing the turbo at $$$$$$ but can't guarantee it will solve the problem. How do I go about finding someone trustworthy to work on my car? I love my Golf TDI which I have owned since new. I don't want to have to get rid of it.
Limp mode is triggered when there is a threat of damage to the turbo. Pushing in the clutch and doing a quick restart resets everything.

The turbo actuator could be sticky, or the turbo control valve could have a vacuum leak. You almost certainly do not need a new turbo, but they are a very high-profit component for the dealerships so they're very eager to replace them whenever possible.

TDIs that have been babied a lot tend to have more problems with sticky actuators or clogged turbo vanes. Regular exercise, vigorous exercise, can prevent such problems in many cases. Easing into wide-open throttle (WOT) instead of slamming the pedal down is best and should prevent limp mode.

See the list of Trusted Mechanics in my signature, to see if someone is nearby. You should consult a TDI expert for all problems involving the turbo, the timing belt system, or the fuel injection system.
 

FiremanTDI

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 2, 2013
Location
Chatham, Ontario
TDI
2013 JSW/Golf Wagon TDI, 2013 Audi Q7
Hey everyone! Newbie here.

Looking to buy my first TDI in about a month. Wife and I are very excited. Having trouble deciding between comfortline Jetta TDI or trendline Passat TDI. Any input would be great.


FiremanTDI
 

Cerisecons

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2013
Location
San Diego, CA
TDI
2013 Passat TDI DSG
Hello, I bought our 2013 Passat last weekend, love it. This is not my first Diesel as I drive an 01 F-350 7.3, this will allow me to put the big guy in the garage to rest while I drive the economical diesel. Definitely looking forward to learning more here as I know there are few similarities between the two.
 

Holly Money

Well-known member
Joined
May 22, 2013
Location
Duvall, WA (near Seattle)
TDI
MKIV golf gls
Yes we use a heater that warms the up cooling system. The product is call Frost Heater do a search on it. Welcome to the club
I was thinking about getting a nose mask or something of the sort come winter. I know for people in the northern states its definitely recommended. I live in a beach town in SoCal and the coldest or gets is like 50. Should I even bother?
 

Collin J

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2013
Location
CT
TDI
2013 Jetta TDi Reflex Silver Metallic 6MT
New guy here with a 2013 VW TDi in Reflex Silver Metallic. Not new to forums, I was on plenty when I had my truck but I am VERY new to both VW's and the diesel engine. I have some plans for my TDi but right now I am just enjoying the mileage.

Figured most time people on forums like pictures so here are just a few quick shots of mine at the dealer. Hope you like!



 

FiremanTDI

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 2, 2013
Location
Chatham, Ontario
TDI
2013 JSW/Golf Wagon TDI, 2013 Audi Q7
Hello, I bought our 2013 Passat last weekend, love it. This is not my first Diesel as I drive an 01 F-350 7.3, this will allow me to put the big guy in the garage to rest while I drive the economical diesel. Definitely looking forward to learning more here as I know there are few similarities between the two.
I think I must test drive both of them. All I can see is there being more room in the Passat.
 

MHNM

New member
Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Location
Bellingham WA
TDI
2011 Jetta Sportwagen
New to diesel, want to go biodiesel

Three days ago, my wife and I bought a 2011 Jetta Sportwagen, intending to run it primarily on biodiesel (B75 available one block from us), but friends tell us we should not run it on anything but B5. Is this true? Is there a mod I can perform or have someone perform to allow us to run mostly on biofuel? We have been thinking of making our own...

Thanks in advance.
 

MonsterTDI09

TDIClub Enthusiast, Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Location
NoVa/NJ
TDI
2010 Jetta DSG/ up keep on 2009 Jetta DSG 2006 Jetta Pag 2 in North SEA Green
Three days ago, my wife and I bought a 2011 Jetta Sportwagen, intending to run it primarily on biodiesel (B75 available one block from us), but friends tell us we should not run it on anything but B5. Is this true? Is there a mod I can perform or have someone perform to allow us to run mostly on biofuel? We have been thinking of making our own...

Thanks in advance.

VW approved used of B5. There is no mod, to run a higher % Bio. With Bio it doesn't burn hot enough for the DPF to burn off the soot, to replace a DPF is not cheap. It also dilutes the engine oil, because it doesn't evaporate like D2 does. There other reasons to. Do some research in fuels lubricants section. Welcome to the club
 

TornadoRed

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Location
West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
TDI
2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
Three days ago, my wife and I bought a 2011 Jetta Sportwagen, intending to run it primarily on biodiesel (B75 available one block from us), but friends tell us we should not run it on anything but B5. Is this true? Is there a mod I can perform or have someone perform to allow us to run mostly on biofuel? We have been thinking of making our own...
Thanks in advance.
If you want a diesel that will run on fuel you make yourself, get an old Mercedes or Rabbit with indirect injection, that is, where the fuel and air are premixed before being drawn into the combustion chamber.

With your direct-injection Sportwagon, stick with a blend of B2-B5 if possible. With a higher biodiesel blend you may need to shorten the oil change interval, as there is a possibility of fuel contamination. The higher the percentage of biodiesel, the greater the risk of damage to the engine and, because the turbo is oil-cooled, the turbo could also be damaged.
 

boothinator

Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Location
Arlington, VA
TDI
2013 Jetta SportWagen TDI
Just bought a new 2013 Jetta SportWagen TDI in Tornado Red, and I think it is great! I've never had a new car or a good car before, and I think this really fits the bill. Great fuel mileage, and I love the torque that it can put out.
 

CFL_TDI

New member
Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Location
Central Florida
TDI
2013 Sportswagen TDI
Newbie

Taking delivery of a 2013 Sportswagen TDI w/ Manual. Just wanted to introduce myself say thank you to all the forum members. Your posts helped with my decision to purchase.
 

adrenalator

New member
Joined
Aug 2, 2013
Location
ontario Canada
TDI
1998 jetta TDI
HI guys/girls

I'm new to the forum and new to VW's, but I just bought a 97 GL none intercooled and a 98 TDI. and figured this forum would be a good place to wander around and read the wealth of info that all of you veteran's have posted.and also a good place to query any questions.

A little back ground on myself, I am a class A mechanic with a long past in turbo charging and power sports performance, recently some of our snowmobiles took a couple of world records with top speeds of 191mph in 2000' and 186 in 1000'.using a turbo charger 1000cc yamaha based engine.

So I am hoping that some of the tricks I have learned over the years with intake and exhaust mods I can incorporate that over to the TDI platform.to see if we can up the HP per IB of boost on these already strong engines.

Thanks for having me and I look forward to reading and chatting with you in the future.

Cliff
 

MHNM

New member
Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Location
Bellingham WA
TDI
2011 Jetta Sportwagen
Thank you

Thanks MonsterTDI09 and Tornado Red, we haven't been able to get a straight answer from anyone here with whom we have spoken. Too late, we already paid for the 2011 Sportwagen, guess we'll be fueling it with B5.

MHNM
 

foggedz

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 5, 2013
Location
Rockford, IL
TDI
2013 Jetta TDI
Hello everyone. My name is Kyle, and I just purchased a 2013 Jetta TDI. This car will be replacing my 99 Chevy Silverado as my daily driver. I'm hoping to more than triple my MPH, and save some money.

I'm looking forward to learning some tips, tricks, and mods to get the best performace/MPG from my car.
 
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