Trusted TDI Mechanics - By State

[kcfoxie]

I requested the engine be removed. I didn't want to take any chances, and I was looking at complete removal of the EGR system.

We decided not to, as we were able to modify the Van Gough. I have a BEW Van Gough and I don't buy that you can get an angel grinder up on the block w/out the engine out of the car.

The block of the vehicle had to be modified more than a touch to make the BEW Van Gough bolt up. There isn't enough room to grind away at the "fins" on the block from casting to get the bolt holes to line up. The engine needed to come out.

Another shop said they could do it in the car, and said there was no need to remove it, I said BS and went elsewhere.

You're welcome to be entited to your opinion, Mr. There was no 5-speed Beetle with a BEW motor.

The point is, 11k later, nothing has broken free and everything works. What more qualifies you than complete removal of an engine and reinstallation and it all works on the first go?

 

[ymz]

What more qualifies you than complete removal of an engine and reinstallation and it all works on the first go?

Oh, I don't know... I've seen plenty of shops that can r/r an engine/transmission that I wouldn't trust with a timing belt job...

Y.

 

[jasonTDI]

I requested the engine be removed. I didn't want to take any chances, and I was looking at complete removal of the EGR system.

We decided not to, as we were able to modify the Van Gough. I have a BEW Van Gough and I don't buy that you can get an angel grinder up on the block w/out the engine out of the car.

The block of the vehicle had to be modified more than a touch to make the BEW Van Gough bolt up. There isn't enough room to grind away at the "fins" on the block from casting to get the bolt holes to line up. The engine needed to come out.

Another shop said they could do it in the car, and said there was no need to remove it, I said BS and went elsewhere.

You're welcome to be entited to your opinion, Mr. There was no 5-speed Beetle with a BEW motor.

The point is, 11k later, nothing has broken free and everything works. What more qualifies you than complete removal of an engine and reinstallation and it all works on the first go?

I AM entitled to my opinion. You omited facts. Thus my opinion of the job.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Map Updated

Apex Tuning of Raleigh, NC
1060 Corporation Parkway #116
Raleigh NC 27610

919-231-0094

http://www.apex-tuning.com

What can't I say? Gerich has worked on my vehicle for the past 100,000 miles since news. REVO chip around 2500 miles, Unitronic chip at 33,000 miles, new clutch and flywheel around 35,000 miles, rear brakes and rotors at 35k miles (sticky caliper), and timing belt at 90k miles.

At the 90k mile service the engine had to be removed, I busted the infamous "dog ear" off my engine block, and a van gough from DieselGeek was modified to fit onto the vehicle and installed. Gerich did my belt on a stand, and enjoyed every minute of it. Since he's done his mother's BEW 04 Wagon and enjoyed repairing it.

Gerich's history has been with VWs since he could drive. His father has owned a variety of cars, both diesel and gas, and Gerich has grown up doing self-repair. His passion would be VR6 Corrados, and in my experience, Corrado owners have to be mechanically inclined to own the vehicle. He is ASE certified and worked for a large Ford dealer for several years before starting his own shop focusing on only VW/Audi vehicles.

I've been very happy, and feel they're a good one-stop shop for most anything you could need or want for your TDI. Stocking 505.01 approved oils and BRM oil/fuel filters, you'll be hard pressed to find an item the shop doesn't stock or cannot obtain for your TDI.

Added to the Trusted TDI Mechanics Map.

I'm also adding the names of who is recommending shops on the map. I can't update everything that's existing, because that would be a daunting task, but I will try to do it from here-on.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Apex Tuning of Raleigh, NC
1060 Corporation Parkway #116
Raleigh NC 27610

919-231-0094

http://www.apex-tuning.com

What can't I say? Gerich has worked on my vehicle for the past 100,000 miles since news. REVO chip around 2500 miles, Unitronic chip at 33,000 miles, new clutch and flywheel around 35,000 miles, rear brakes and rotors at 35k miles (sticky caliper), and timing belt at 90k miles.

At the 90k mile service the engine had to be removed, I busted the infamous "dog ear" off my engine block, and a van gough from DieselGeek was modified to fit onto the vehicle and installed. Gerich did my belt on a stand, and enjoyed every minute of it. Since he's done his mother's BEW 04 Wagon and enjoyed repairing it.

Gerich's history has been with VWs since he could drive. His father has owned a variety of cars, both diesel and gas, and Gerich has grown up doing self-repair. His passion would be VR6 Corrados, and in my experience, Corrado owners have to be mechanically inclined to own the vehicle. He is ASE certified and worked for a large Ford dealer for several years before starting his own shop focusing on only VW/Audi vehicles.

I've been very happy, and feel they're a good one-stop shop for most anything you could need or want for your TDI. Stocking 505.01 approved oils and BRM oil/fuel filters, you'll be hard pressed to find an item the shop doesn't stock or cannot obtain for your TDI.

A couple of follow-up questions:

• Have these guys performed a timing belt service for you or anyone you know?
• Do they have VCDS or the equivalent VAG scan tool?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Salisbury Motor Car company in Salisbury Center, NY.

Address:‎
2729 State Rte 29
Salisbury Center, NY 13329

http://www.salisburymotorcar.com

They did a great job replacing both front wheel bearings on my car and I've heard good things about their timing belt service for TDI. A bit out of the way, but worth it.

The standard questions apply...

• Will you go to them for a timing belt service?
• Do they have a VCDS or equivalent VAG scan tool?

 

[kcfoxie]

A couple of follow-up questions:

• Have these guys performed a timing belt service for you or anyone you know?
• Do they have VCDS or the equivalent VAG scan tool?

Yes, and she's quite happy with her wagon. And yes, they did my timing belt and my car is still operational going on 13,000 miles later. (If something wasn't right it would have surfaced by now). Should my camshaft have a failure, this is the shop that will be installing it. I've already got brake components waiting for the Feburary clutch swap.

Yes they have the latest version, with the ROSS-TECH official USB HEXCAN cable.

They also have all the specialty tools for BEW and BRM.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I just got off the phone with Art at Salisbury, and I like what he had to say. They probably average 1 - 3 TDIs per week. They service them, resell them, etc.

Art started working at Salisbury part time when he was 15, purchased the business when he was 28, and is now 45. They work on VWs and Audis exclusively.

Salisbury Motors has been added to the list.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Wow, while I was editing the map and came across the top links to this map statistic... 990 hits generated from this thread.

Again, for reference, the link to the map is http://www.tinyurl.com/tdimap and can also be found on the first page of this thread and in my signature.

 

[kjmiv]

I drive over an hour to have Jason TDI work on my Jetta. Couldn't ask for better company or workmanship. R/R DMF with SMF. When needed he'll be doing the cam and my next timing belt. 120K

 

[tigerkf]

BAR tuning

This is another BAR tuning story. I took my TDI in and had the timing belt changed and a computer upgrade. Total cost $1498. A short period after picking up my car the low coolant light came on. This was the first time I had to put coolant in my car since I bought it and it seemed odd that it happened just after getting it out of the shop. I thought maybe the coolant wasn't topped off. However, I found coolant leaking from somewhere. I looked but was unable to locate the leak. I took it back to Mike at BAR tuning and he found that the plastic water outlet coolant flange was cracked. I left the vehicle so he could repair it. I realized that the flange was probably cracked when the engine was raised (or lowered) for the belt change. I hoped that Mike would repair this for free since the damage was probably caused by the shop. No such luck, he charged me $382.45 to repair something they probably broke. I say probably because I wasn't there but common sense tells you if it wasn't broke when it went in but was when it came out they broke it. I will never use this shop again.

 

[esteeze]

Can the following entry be removed from the "Alabama" section ? I don't think it is a legitimate shop... the name looks like gibberish.

Edsiajb
Birmingham, Alabama

 

[TornadoRed]

Can the following entry be removed from the "Alabama" section ? I don't think it is a legitimate shop... the name looks like gibberish.

Edsiajb
Birmingham, Alabama

It may look like gibberish, but it is his real username.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=6065

He's been a TDI Club member since 2001.

 

[Losha]

I realized that the flange was probably cracked when the engine was raised (or lowered) for the belt change. I hoped that Mike would repair this for free since the damage was probably caused by the shop. No such luck, he charged me $382.45 to repair something they probably broke. I say probably because I wasn't there but common sense tells you if it wasn't broke when it went in but was when it came out they broke it. I will never use this shop again.

The cracked coolant flange on side of block is very common problem. So it possible that it was just coincidence that after TB replacement with fresh coolant it started leaking or they bumped in when removing vacuum pump. If he just all had to do was replace flange then I don't see how the bill would be so high. The flange at dealer is only like $35 + G12 coolant another $20 total about $55-60 in parts from dealer, and 15min of work. Maybe you should look at invoice and post what exactly you been charged for.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Still looking for trusted mechanics outside of the USA... anyone in Europe? More locations in Canada? Anyone?

 

[tigerkf]

Losha, I have invoice in hand. The following is the breakdown:


PARTS
(UNK.)- $22.71
Flange-$37.50

LABOR
remove cylinder head fuel lift pump. remove and replace water outlet
coolant flange. Flush coolant system. $287.19

Total cost w/sales tax- $382.45

I don't know why the coolant system was flushed I didn't ask for it. Maybe it's required!? The UNK. was added by me since the invoice is blank there. I think I got screwed on this one!!!

 

[jasonTDI]

The unk is probably the metal gasket for the fuel pump. I'll assume you have a PD since it sas fuel pump on the invoice.

 

[KROUT]

This is another BAR tuning story. I took my TDI in and had the timing belt changed and a computer upgrade. Total cost $1498. A short period after picking up my car the low coolant light came on. This was the first time I had to put coolant in my car since I bought it and it seemed odd that it happened just after getting it out of the shop. I thought maybe the coolant wasn't topped off. However, I found coolant leaking from somewhere. I looked but was unable to locate the leak. I took it back to Mike at BAR tuning and he found that the plastic water outlet coolant flange was cracked. I left the vehicle so he could repair it. I realized that the flange was probably cracked when the engine was raised (or lowered) for the belt change. I hoped that Mike would repair this for free since the damage was probably caused by the shop. No such luck, he charged me $382.45 to repair something they probably broke. I say probably because I wasn't there but common sense tells you if it wasn't broke when it went in but was when it came out they broke it. I will never use this shop again.

That is an price excessive but I would have charged to fix it too. I have had them break by lightly touching them. Its a bad design flaw from vw. They are extremely brittle after 70k.

I dont understand why he charged 300 to change it. It takes all of 20 minutes.

 

[esteeze]

It may look like gibberish, but it is his real username.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=6065

He's been a TDI Club member since 2001.

Ah! I didn't realize it was a tdiclub user name.

 

[mdtdiguy]

I have a great timing belt change story. I had my timing belt changed by Tom Earl(ninedee_golf). I purchased most of the items needed for my service from impex. Saved me cash and Tom did not have to front the money. He did all of the following to my recently purchased 96 passat tdi:

Complete timing belt change, replaced chinese made tensioner which was installed backward with a german made one) with rollers,accessory belts etc and water pump. It also included replacing missing bolts and a vacuum hose that was almost cut in half by the vibration caused by the previously improperly installed belt

Fixed exhaust leak from missing bolt where the exhaust pipe meets turbo(Shop which is on our list diagnosed it as wind noise and said I had to remount windshield)

Oil change with Rotella t and mann filters

Cabin filter changed which included taking out the rubber gasket the filter is seated on, washing out the area with soap, resealing the gasket with silicone and placing a new filter

Fixed oil leaks from the screws from the top of the engine and oil sending unit replaced screws and gasket and oil sending unit

Fixed injector pump leak with new gasket(another shop on our list wanted me to buy a rebuilt one for 1200 or send it out to be rebuilt)

Replaced coolant hoses where the diesel from the pump has leaked on and expanded them

did a coolant flush and when a leak appeared from a shot o ring from the water pump went ahead and replaced o ring. Threw in a free bottle of G11 coolant

Adjusted all the doors so that they are functional, Previously only two could open from outside

Replaced a busted vacuum hose in the engine computer that was causing a check engine light fault code with a heavy duty silicone hose

replaced two missing headrest

Did a power steering flush

replaced assorted missing bolts which were left off or broken by previous mechanics

All this for under 500 bucks!

 

[VeeDubTDI]

That's one hell of a good deal for $500! Glad you're happy with his service.

 

[jamest]

Independent Automotive Services
4825 N 7th St Phoenix, AZ 85014
602-234-9783
indyvw@qwestoffice.net

I've been taking my two TDIs here for at least 3 years now and am always happy with the work performed. Many other local TDI owners here in Phoenix also trust them to work on their cars. They only work on VW's and Audi's and have tons of experience with TDIs. You can trust them to do timing belts replacements correctly, I've had 2 done there so far. Only negative is that they tend to be really busy and if you have your broken down TDI towed in it could be a day or two before they can make time to look at it. Otherwise if you schedule ahead everything is great, and they always answer their phone which is nice.

 

[BalticgreenA4TDI]

Tech's. in Peterborough, Ontario

I vote for "Schnell's VW", just outside Peterborough, Ontario (Cavan). Randy was raised VW, his dad started him in the field. Very friendly guy, good rates (less than dealer), inspects the underside bits every time he does an oil change, no extra charge. Several late-model parts donors. Can't say enough good about the treatment I've received from him and his wife for my TDI '01 Jetta, my wife's '98 Beetle (now sold), and my 1990 Jetta gas.
Always diagnosed my CEL with his VAG Com whenever I dropped in unexpected (though if he couldn't do the repair at the same time he'd tell me what to do myself or what to tell the dealer it needed).

I admit I've used the dealer more in the last year because it's only a 15-minute walk each way from work whereas Randy's is about a 15-20-minute drive out of town.

"Peterborough VW-Audi" (the dealer) is always courteous, and service is good, but at typical dealer rates.

Jon A.

 

[brownda]

KMH Motors for New Hampshire and Northern Massachussetts

Keith saved me hundreds of dollars compared to my regular mechanic (and well over $1,000 compared to the dealership) rebuilding the turbo on my 2000 Jetta TDI. He spent at least 1/2 with me when I visited the shop educating me about my car and the problem with the turbo. He is a veritable encyclopedia on the topic of TDIs and I would give him my highest recommendation!
--
Keith Harley
KMH MOTORS
Specialized VW /// Audi Sales & Service
9 Butterfield St.
North Chelmsford, MA
01863
978-766-9151

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Independent Automotive Services
4825 N 7th St Phoenix, AZ 85014
602-234-9783
indyvw@qwestoffice.net

I've been taking my two TDIs here for at least 3 years now and am always happy with the work performed. Many other local TDI owners here in Phoenix also trust them to work on their cars. They only work on VW's and Audi's and have tons of experience with TDIs. You can trust them to do timing belts replacements correctly, I've had 2 done there so far. Only negative is that they tend to be really busy and if you have your broken down TDI towed in it could be a day or two before they can make time to look at it. Otherwise if you schedule ahead everything is great, and they always answer their phone which is nice.

Added

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Keith saved me hundreds of dollars compared to my regular mechanic (and well over $1,000 compared to the dealership) rebuilding the turbo on my 2000 Jetta TDI. He spent at least 1/2 with me when I visited the shop educating me about my car and the problem with the turbo. He is a veritable encyclopedia on the topic of TDIs and I would give him my highest recommendation!
--
Keith Harley
KMH MOTORS
Specialized VW /// Audi Sales & Service
9 Butterfield St.
North Chelmsford, MA
01863
978-766-9151

So what was the problem with your turbo?

I added KMH Motors to the map.

 

[Ralphpowell]

Add Ray Revill to this list for West Virginia

Ray Revill
Clarksburg, WV
304-838-3217

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Give us some more info as to his abilities and tool collection, and he will be added. We need some background info about new mechanics.

Also, an address would be helpful. If he doesn't want his exact address published, then an approximate intersection will suffice.

Thanks!

 

[k_harley]

Cool...

brownda's turbo had a clogged up vnt, I cleaned / rebuilt it and saved the cost of a new turbo ($850) and he only had to pony up for the labor. His non tdi familiar mechanic just wanted to replace the turbo, as would the dealer.

VeeDubTDI,
How do I get onto the list on the first page?
Is that what you meant?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I only maintain the map. jwlionking maintains the list in the first post of this thread. He usually updates it every month or so.

The map can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/tdimap