New to VW, Just bought 2012 Jetta TDI

[SGolliet]

(admins delete if not allowed, thank you)
Good Morning everyone,

I have recently bought a 2012 VW Jetta TDI with 6 speed manual with 189k miles. I bought the car in private sale for a really low price, which I figured it has some problems. I have noticed the heater does not work, first gear is hard to shift into other gears are fine. Guy said it sometimes needs a little budge to get into first, but other than that sounded fine, ran fine, nothing out of the normal for a car with that mileage.

Looking at service records I have found it was taken to get oil changed every 10k miles or so, but guy claims he did it himself every 5k or so. I am not new to turning wrenches, but am new to Volkswagen. Is there something you think is worth upgrading for the longevity of the vehicle and what might be some things I should look at prior to making this my daily vehicle?

Let me know, thank you very much.

 

[borninabus]

well....the first thing you might want to learn is how make your posts in the appropriate forum. this is where people who put TDI engines into other vehicles do their business. check out the forum for 2012+ jettas and you will find what you are looking for.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Welcome! I don't see that this thread has been moved or re-posted, so I'll answer here.

First, the heater most likely doesn't work because the heater core is plugged. Common on emissions fixed common rail TDIs. You probably need a new heater core.

Second, the hard shift into 1st is not "normal." I suspect the dual mass flywheel, clutch, or throwout bearing/clutch slave cylinder is failing. Odds are it'll get progressively harder to shift until you replace the clutch and flywheel assembly.

10K oil changes are fine for these cars. Changing it more often is a waste of money and natural resources. Just be sure to use oil that meets VW's 507.00 specification. It'll say so on the bottle.

You might want to find a local VW specialist that works on TDIs (not just gasser VWs) and have them do a scan for fault codes. It'll give you an idea if anything else is up with the car before it lets you know by breaking down.

 

[forrest resto`s]

Lets not forget the DPF,s.. the failures..any record of it being replaced on your car? ( Had 3 replaced in mine, Now have the delete!).. Yes have it scanned with a VCDS and see what the specs are for all the "emissions" parts/operations ..also that the coolant is correct type..probably a flush and replace may help with heater core? MAYBE!?

 

[johnsTDI]

really No DPF issues here or anything from my 2012 TDI jetta still on original DPF only way someone messes one up is useing wrong spec oil when doing an oci" You need to use 507.00 spec low ash oil (like Mobile1 ESP) or (lique Moly Top Teck) 5w30 if your buying a TDI for just its local fuel economy dont buy one if your daily commute is 45 minutes or an hour a away on the freeway buy it. thats where the Jetta TDI is happy at serving you with-out DPF issues.my VW TDI has so far 262.000kms still going strong no issues at all been a amazing vehicle