AUGSX
Veteran Member
Yep I second that Squire. And since you stopped modding I have been going through withdraws and spending more money on my car. My wife says you need to start modding again. LOL
rocketeer928 - My 2003 VW Jetta TDI
- Thread starter rocketeer928
- Start date
n8ronJ
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2007
- Location
- Niagara Frontier - Somerset, NY
- TDI
- 2014 BMW 328d XDrive, 2003 Jetta GLS TDI 5speed Platinum Grey (sold), 2010 Jetta 6speed (bought back)
The smile is still on my face! RC2+ is a major improvement and once a new clutch and boost gauge are installed I will be upgrading to RC3. An even bigger smile 
Rocketeer928 - Enjoyed a good weekend and the drives to and from Ho5G.
Rocketeer928 - Enjoyed a good weekend and the drives to and from Ho5G.
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
RC3??? I wasn't aware that you were thinking about RC3 as a next step. But, it'll give you a reason to visit me in western CT for a future Ho5G GTG. I had a great time with you too, and look forward to the next time we can get together, whether in WNY or CT.
I see you changed your signature stating RC2+ already.
I see you changed your signature stating RC2+ already.
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rocketeer928
Veteran Member
Engine Washing
Tonight, I cleaned my engine compartment using Engine Brite. I had left the car home for the day, so the engine was at ambient temperature. I was a bit nervous rinsing off the Engine Brite after its 15 minutes of soaking.
Back in 1992, I had a very bad experience with my Ford Escort the day after washing the engine. After work the next day, I couldn't start the Escort's engine and it made a lot of noise when trying. I had an extended warranty, so Ford ended up tearing apart the engine and giving me a rental for a couple of weeks. They found an unexplained piece of metal in one of the cylinders; I suspect that they didn't want to tell me what happened. I actually had the car for 5 years after that and my in-laws for a few years longer. Ever since, I haven't owned another Ford and I have been very leery of cleaning an engine. That is, until I read Herm TDI's Engine Cleaning thread.
So, I bit the bullet. The engine does look a bit cleaner now, though not spic-n-span shiny. I ran the engine afterwards up to running temperature to help drying, and I re-checked my timing, just in case. Hopefully, no problems on the way to work tomorrow.
Tonight, I cleaned my engine compartment using Engine Brite. I had left the car home for the day, so the engine was at ambient temperature. I was a bit nervous rinsing off the Engine Brite after its 15 minutes of soaking.
Back in 1992, I had a very bad experience with my Ford Escort the day after washing the engine. After work the next day, I couldn't start the Escort's engine and it made a lot of noise when trying. I had an extended warranty, so Ford ended up tearing apart the engine and giving me a rental for a couple of weeks. They found an unexplained piece of metal in one of the cylinders; I suspect that they didn't want to tell me what happened. I actually had the car for 5 years after that and my in-laws for a few years longer. Ever since, I haven't owned another Ford and I have been very leery of cleaning an engine. That is, until I read Herm TDI's Engine Cleaning thread.
So, I bit the bullet. The engine does look a bit cleaner now, though not spic-n-span shiny. I ran the engine afterwards up to running temperature to help drying, and I re-checked my timing, just in case. Hopefully, no problems on the way to work tomorrow.
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
Over the last few years, I've told my German teacher about my TDI and its modifications. What's with her telling me that I have to go super fast and push my car all the time? LOL.
It turns out that she drives like she is on the Autobahn all the time; at least 130 km/hr on the highway. I only average 105 km/hr because I don't want a speeding ticket, and haven't had one in the U.S. since 1991. I got a ticket in Deutschland doing 90 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone in 2007.
It turns out that she drives like she is on the Autobahn all the time; at least 130 km/hr on the highway. I only average 105 km/hr because I don't want a speeding ticket, and haven't had one in the U.S. since 1991. I got a ticket in Deutschland doing 90 km/hr in a 50 km/hr zone in 2007.
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
Not driving the TDI right now. I really, really need to change the rotors and pads. Rears are scrapping like crazy. I have all the parts, but no time to do the job this coming week.
@ Rocketeer, could you post some pics of your TDI as it looks right now?? Just like you did in the beginning but with all mods. I know that the are all around the post but could be nice to watch them all together.
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
nadroba - See Post Nr. 724
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
Thanks; I'm very pleased with the look of my TDI now. I think your description is right; Sporty while maintaining a somewhat conservative look.
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
New Brake Pads and Rotors
Three years ago I installed new rotors and pads on my Jetta, but due to inexperience I believe that I did a bad job. A couple of months ago, the rear brakes were scrapping like crazy and sounded awful. I think where I went wrong was that I didn’t properly lube the caliper guide pins and carrier clips. What can I say; I was a newbie when it came to brakes.
So, at the beginning of July I parked the car and bought all new rotors, pads, pins, and clips. I had anticipated going with “normal” rotors this time around, but I have a high school friend that gave me a good deal on new drilled and slotted Big Bite Rotors from Stainless Steel Brake Corporation, so I went for it.
Upon taking apart the “old” rear rotors and pads, I discovered that the inner rear pads were completely gone and that I was scrapping the metal pad shims up against the inner rotors! And though they still had significant thickness, the outer rear pads were cracked and had fallen off their shims! Not only were the rear brakes trashed, the rust from the inner pad shims and rotors sprayed rust particles all over my rear wheels, which has fused itself onto the aluminum. I tried my best to scrub the rust off, but some is still there. Grr!!!
Upon close inspection of the rear calipers, I discovered that the piston seals were cracked and slashed. Hmm… I wonder if that had anything to do with the premature death of my rear brakes. Instead of taking a chance, I decided to also purchase new rear calipers, and once they arrived, I painted them blue with G2 Brake Caliper Paint.
While working on the new rear brakes, I discovered something I hadn’t noticed before on the Rear Caliper Pin Set that I had purchased. One of the pins has four equally-spaced notches at the boot stop up against the hex-bolt, while the other pin does not. I didn’t notice this when I removed the old, corroded caliper pins, so I had no idea which was the upper and lower pin. Not only was there a difference in this notching, but the machining of the two pins were slightly different, and the notched pin is 1/32-inch shorter. I tried calling the vendor that I purchased the parts from, but they had no idea either (and this vendor had them especially made for them to sell! Hmm…). Of course, the Bentley manual is silent on all this too. I took a guess that the notched pin goes on the top end of the calipers, and hoped for the best.
Here are some pictures of the final product installed:
Since I replaced the rear calipers, I decided to completely flush the brake fluid. I used my Motive power bleeder and the step-by-step directions I had and flushed the clutch and all brake lines. Next, I used the Wilwood Caliper Break In Procedures. The brakes were terribly mushy; worse than before. After doing some research on TDI Club and myturbodiesel, I found out that MKIV brakes are a bit mushy anyway, but my brake pedal still felt too mushy. So, I decided to buy more brake fluid and combine the Motive power bleeder procedure with the Ross-Tech ABS Brake Pump Bleeding procedure, followed a re-circulating purge via the clutch. This technique provided a bit more positive feel on the brake pedal; good enough to be safe on the road. I really wish my brakes grabbed upon the slightest pressure of the pedal. During our year in Germany, we had a Passat Wagon TDI that had excellent braking like this. It took some getting used to, but it was great.
I’m back on the road again…
Three years ago I installed new rotors and pads on my Jetta, but due to inexperience I believe that I did a bad job. A couple of months ago, the rear brakes were scrapping like crazy and sounded awful. I think where I went wrong was that I didn’t properly lube the caliper guide pins and carrier clips. What can I say; I was a newbie when it came to brakes.
So, at the beginning of July I parked the car and bought all new rotors, pads, pins, and clips. I had anticipated going with “normal” rotors this time around, but I have a high school friend that gave me a good deal on new drilled and slotted Big Bite Rotors from Stainless Steel Brake Corporation, so I went for it.
Upon taking apart the “old” rear rotors and pads, I discovered that the inner rear pads were completely gone and that I was scrapping the metal pad shims up against the inner rotors! And though they still had significant thickness, the outer rear pads were cracked and had fallen off their shims! Not only were the rear brakes trashed, the rust from the inner pad shims and rotors sprayed rust particles all over my rear wheels, which has fused itself onto the aluminum. I tried my best to scrub the rust off, but some is still there. Grr!!!
Upon close inspection of the rear calipers, I discovered that the piston seals were cracked and slashed. Hmm… I wonder if that had anything to do with the premature death of my rear brakes. Instead of taking a chance, I decided to also purchase new rear calipers, and once they arrived, I painted them blue with G2 Brake Caliper Paint.
While working on the new rear brakes, I discovered something I hadn’t noticed before on the Rear Caliper Pin Set that I had purchased. One of the pins has four equally-spaced notches at the boot stop up against the hex-bolt, while the other pin does not. I didn’t notice this when I removed the old, corroded caliper pins, so I had no idea which was the upper and lower pin. Not only was there a difference in this notching, but the machining of the two pins were slightly different, and the notched pin is 1/32-inch shorter. I tried calling the vendor that I purchased the parts from, but they had no idea either (and this vendor had them especially made for them to sell! Hmm…). Of course, the Bentley manual is silent on all this too. I took a guess that the notched pin goes on the top end of the calipers, and hoped for the best.
Here are some pictures of the final product installed:
Since I replaced the rear calipers, I decided to completely flush the brake fluid. I used my Motive power bleeder and the step-by-step directions I had and flushed the clutch and all brake lines. Next, I used the Wilwood Caliper Break In Procedures. The brakes were terribly mushy; worse than before. After doing some research on TDI Club and myturbodiesel, I found out that MKIV brakes are a bit mushy anyway, but my brake pedal still felt too mushy. So, I decided to buy more brake fluid and combine the Motive power bleeder procedure with the Ross-Tech ABS Brake Pump Bleeding procedure, followed a re-circulating purge via the clutch. This technique provided a bit more positive feel on the brake pedal; good enough to be safe on the road. I really wish my brakes grabbed upon the slightest pressure of the pedal. During our year in Germany, we had a Passat Wagon TDI that had excellent braking like this. It took some getting used to, but it was great.
I’m back on the road again…
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rocketeer928
Veteran Member
While I had my Jetta on jack stands waiting for the new rear calipers to arrive, I decided to make a change to the Oettinger grille. The grille came with cheap plastic grating. As can be seen in this picture, I must have had something fly into my grille, which broke off a piece of the plastic. I think you'll have to have a really good eye to see the broken piece close to the VW emblem, but believe me, it's there (or not, depending on your perspective).
[FONT="]Therefore, I purchased a sheet of gloss-black Aluminum Diamond Mesh Grille. It looks much better and seems to me that it will hold up better.[/FONT][FONT="]
Front view before:
Front view after:
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Therefore, I purchased a sheet of gloss-black Aluminum Diamond Mesh Grille. It looks much better and seems to me that it will hold up better.[/FONT][FONT="]
Front view before:
Front view after:
[/FONT]
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cevans
TDIClub Enthusiast, TDI Parts Ninja Vendor , w/Bus
Brakes look great.
I just match them up to what came off the car - take the top pin out, find the match, put the matching one in. Repeat bottom.
Its been over a year since I put the new pins in my Jetta and Golf, and a few other Jettas, so I couldn't remember which was which. Sorry this was a problem!
Pins are duplicates of the OEM - but you can't buy the OEM pins from VW, so they must be custom made.
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
I guess you identified yourself as the vendor. Ha, ha! In no way am I trying to bad mouth you guys, as I think you do a great job.
It's partially my fault. I didn't expect there to be a difference between the upper and lower pins, so I never looked closely when I pulled them out. By the time they were out it was too late to do any matching, which is why I called you last Friday.
Though pricey, I like the look better than the OEM grille, and it makes my Jetta a little more unique. I knew I was going to get some painting done on the front of my car, so I bought it just before that point. The fit isn't the best, as there is a slight tilt. But, it's nothing a little old lady (the original LOL) would notice riding by on her horse and buggy.
Bob_Fout
Oil Wanker
cevans
TDIClub Enthusiast, TDI Parts Ninja Vendor , w/Bus
No worries naming names - You get so much stuff from us its probably assumed!
MikeS_18
Top Post Dawg
what about name calling? is that fair game too?
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
Bye Bye Wiper Blade Inserts
I'm either a big dope or my brain is getting old prematurely. After passing CT emissions yesterday using my EGR-ready RC5 ECU, I proceeded to swap back to the RC5 ASV Euro-tune ECU. While I was at it, I decided to give the windshield wiper arms a spray coating of gloss black paint. So, I removed the wiper blade inserts and placed them on top of the sunroof glass.
Yup! I forgot they were there. While the wiper arms were drying, I decided to take a drive to test out the ECU and fill up with diesel. I heard this strange noise while starting the trip down my road, not giving it a second thought.
This morning when I was ready to reinstall the arms, that's when I had the "ding-dong-dang-it" moment. What a dope I am. I found one disassembled insert and one of its metal braces on the road in front of my neighbor's house, but that was it.
They were PIAA silicone blade inserts, so I ordered new ones today from Amazon. It was either that or buy all new wiper blades, but since I just got done painting them...
I'm sitting here laughing at myself while writing this.
BTW, my EGR-ready RC5 tune really stinks. Sorry Jeff, but it's not such a great tune, IMHO. Really bad turbo spikes at low rpm, lots of smoke, and poor fuel mileage compared to my other tune.
I'm either a big dope or my brain is getting old prematurely. After passing CT emissions yesterday using my EGR-ready RC5 ECU, I proceeded to swap back to the RC5 ASV Euro-tune ECU. While I was at it, I decided to give the windshield wiper arms a spray coating of gloss black paint. So, I removed the wiper blade inserts and placed them on top of the sunroof glass.
Yup! I forgot they were there. While the wiper arms were drying, I decided to take a drive to test out the ECU and fill up with diesel. I heard this strange noise while starting the trip down my road, not giving it a second thought.
This morning when I was ready to reinstall the arms, that's when I had the "ding-dong-dang-it" moment. What a dope I am. I found one disassembled insert and one of its metal braces on the road in front of my neighbor's house, but that was it.
They were PIAA silicone blade inserts, so I ordered new ones today from Amazon. It was either that or buy all new wiper blades, but since I just got done painting them...
I'm sitting here laughing at myself while writing this.
BTW, my EGR-ready RC5 tune really stinks. Sorry Jeff, but it's not such a great tune, IMHO. Really bad turbo spikes at low rpm, lots of smoke, and poor fuel mileage compared to my other tune.
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
How far did you drive with the EGR-ready tune? The car needs time to adjust.
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
I installed it last Saturday until yesterday, so 6 days. That tune has always acted as I described, no matter how long that ECU has been in my TDI. It's the first time I really complained about it, though.
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Interesting. My ALH ECU is RC3 for stock nozzles, so not an exact fit. It's a bit laggy because it's not set up for the PD150 MAF. But otherwise it drives fine.
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
100,000 Miles
I turned 100,000 miles today on my way to work this morning. I actually drove around my workplace campus to get 99,999 to tick over to 100,000 so that I wouldn't miss it and could take a picture.
This isn't the only reason to remember today (this week). My wife and I are into our fifth day without electricity due to Tropical Storm Irene and our inept electrical company. The picture will come once we get electricity, which might not be until Sept 8.
We got electricity back up this afternoon. Yipee!
I turned 100,000 miles today on my way to work this morning. I actually drove around my workplace campus to get 99,999 to tick over to 100,000 so that I wouldn't miss it and could take a picture.
This isn't the only reason to remember today (this week). My wife and I are into our fifth day without electricity due to Tropical Storm Irene and our inept electrical company. The picture will come once we get electricity, which might not be until Sept 8.
We got electricity back up this afternoon. Yipee!
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rocketeer928
Veteran Member
Yesterday with only 7,500 miles on it, the timing belt I replaced on my wife's Honda Civic last October broke. Interference engine; Thousands of $$$ damage to fix. Very demoralized... Never again!
dieselfuel
Veteran Member
Bummer, sorry to hear it.
Never again a Honda? Or never again doing a TB on a Honda...?
Never again a Honda? Or never again doing a TB on a Honda...?
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
The latter. My wife and I do like the reliability of Hondas, and have owned three for over the course of 15+ years. I'm thinking and hoping it was a faulty part and not an error on my part, not that that will help now. I did a lot of research, have the thick shop manual, and have step-by-step instructions with plenty of pictures. It was actually an easier job than the TB job on my TDI.
rocketeer928
Veteran Member
rocketeer928 on a Good Day
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zurgin1251
Veteran Member
Nice car. Go Sabres!