Trusted TDI Mechanics - By State

[AndyBees]

Is there a Feedback Thread for the list. Seems people/businesses get added but there's no way to provide positive and negative comments. Or, once placed on the list, are they entombed in concrete?

 

[bhtooefr]

Historically, feedback has either been provided in this thread, or in the vendor accountability thread.

 

[mikezoldi]

JA Autowerks Shrewsbury, NJ

I just had my 2010 Jetta TDI w/ DSG serviced by JA Autowerks at 40k miles and paid $550 not including tax. John is very knowledgeable. Hope the major difference in price has to do with the transmission service, otherwise I am happy with the quality. It wasn't a savings from the dealerships I priced, but I didn't worry about the quality of service.

JA Autowerks
193 Newman Springs Road
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
732-707-1773
http://www.jaautowerks.com
Shop owner is John

Just brought my 2011 Jetta TDI 6-speed to JA Autowerks in Shrewsbury NJ for my 40K service. Ive been calling dealerships and local shops who deal with TDIs and have experience with our vehicles for over 2 weeks. By far he had the lowest price of $375 for a full 40K service directly by the book from VW. I actually got to talk to John for a good 45 minutes since i got there early. He is a very cool and laid back guy who knows his stuff. He was actually able to list everything the 40k service included without the need to look at the book. I could automatically tell that he has experience with TDIs before since had a few of them waiting for service outside the shop. He's very fair price wise and is a certified tech. Ill recommend him to anyone in the local area looking for performance/service work!

 

[TDIJetta99]

What all was done for the 40k? It might not be a bad price depending on what they charge for the DSG service..

There's a laundry list of things to inspect/check, but actual replacement items look to be engine oil+filter, fuel filter, DSG fluid+filter, cabin filter and rotate the tires..

 

[certifiedwreckedvwtdi]

Little Rock Auto Care
Little Rock, AR

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Rock-Auto-Care-Inc/141923615847608?ref=ts&fref=ts

 

[vwjettadsl]

Little Rock Auto Care
Little Rock, AR

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Rock-Auto-Care-Inc/141923615847608?ref=ts&fref=ts

Went to their FB page but did not see anywhere that they mention TDI's or even VW's.

Do they have VCDS? Special TDI timing belt lock down tools?

Please explain to everyone why you are recommending them.

Cheers,
B

 

[7greenhorn]

Flew into FL from WI to buy an '05 TDI. Bought it from a Cadillac dealer so was worried about the Mobil 1 oil they put in 'er. Called Shannon up from Full Throttle and headed up to Orlando on my way home from Ft. Lauderdale. Made it there very late but him and his team still replaced fuel filter, changed oil, and checked the timing belt out for me.

Awesome guy and extremely nice and knowledgable. If I lived down there I'd take it to him every time. Very busy too. Lots of VWs getting serviced.

Thanks to Shannon and his team at Full Throttle also to TDIClub for putting me in the right direction!!! Wish there were more trusted mechanics for WI specifically NE (Green Bay/Appleton). Madison is a 4 hour drive for me

 

[m5sib]

Like to Add: Jim's Bug Center in Waukesha, WI

I've gone over to Jim and his son Jimmy several times with my 2003 Jetta TDI, and have always gotten great work done, and a more than reasonable price. They've done my timing belt, suspension work, replace IP, and numerous other things.

Jim's Bug Center
822 West Saint Paul Avenue Waukesha, WI 53188
(262) 547-9667

ps I'm in no way related to the Bug Center, just one happy customer.

 

[jasonTDI]

And not to slam another shop I've fixed a lot of their "issues".

They have gotten mad at clients for pulling cars from them and put oil covered belly pans on cloth seats more than once.

Cantankorous is the attitude I've heard more than once....And that's ME saying that. Me cranky? Never!

I've gone over to Jim and his son Jimmy several times with my 2003 Jetta TDI, and have always gotten great work done, and a more than reasonable price. They've done my timing belt, suspension work, replace IP, and numerous other things.

Jim's Bug Center
822 West Saint Paul Avenue Waukesha, WI 53188
(262) 547-9667

ps I'm in no way related to the Bug Center, just one happy customer.

 

[ccxsen]

Thanks to the Greengeeker for great service!

I'm a TDIclub newbie who had the unfortunate experience of taking my 04 Passat TDI to the local dealership for repair of a check engine emissions light. Unfortunately, they got me for $2300 before actually fixing the problem-which turned out to be a leaking vacuum hose. Meantime, they replaced the timing belt, fuel filter, air filter, MAF Sensor, etc before I rediscovered the forum and found a trusted mechanic within 150 miles. At the same time, I discovered the issue with the PD BSM, and decided that with 85K miles I should have it done. The greengeeker (Nick S) in Cambridge, MN served me well. Nick was a breath of fresh air and worked with me to do the work and suggested a much needed transmission servicing. Now, I have discovered that there may be a glowplug problem- thanks to Nick, who pointed our that my car started hard in the cold weather. Now, I need to get the glowplugs changed and the onboard computer flashed. I'm also going to put in new engine mounts first chance I get. So, consider this a public testimonial of support for greengeeker's work. Thanks Nick!

 

[Jeremizal332001]

Newbie here

Hello all! I am new to the tdi world. I just bought a 2006 Jetta TDI from a dealer with 88,000 miles on the car. It was the used car managers personal car and it's very very clean. Brought it home on Sat and didn't drive it until tuesday afternoon. I went out to start it and it wouldn't start?? It was only a high of 15 that day here in Ohio. So I jumped it then it started right up. I took it back to the dealer they said they would take care of it. On the way there they temp gauge was moving all around. It was not heating up , but when I came to a red light the temp would drop down to about a quarter and the heat would start blow cold air. The dealer told me that diesel engines do that?? Should my engine temp be dropping that much? I called another deal and talked to their service dept and they said no. I hope I am not getting a lemon?? I am in the Canton, OH area if anyone knows any good and trustworthy mechanics in case they don't properly fix my car? Thank you very much!!!

 

[bhtooefr]

Not dealers, that's for sure.

How far was the drive to the dealer? It can take quite a while to warm up, although it shouldn't go from warm to cold when you come to a stop (maybe if you sit for a long time).

 

[sruchris]

On the way there they temp gauge was moving all around. It was not heating up , but when I came to a red light the temp would drop down to about a quarter and the heat would start blow cold air.

Sounds like you need to replace either the temp coolant sensor and/or the thermostat. You can replace both yourself for less than $100. I'm in the Akron area and there are no good TDI mechanics around. The closest are in Columbus and Pittsburgh.

 

[MrSafety]

... maybe you have multiple things gone wrong !

I went out to start it and it wouldn't start!
It was only a high of 15 that day here in Ohio.
So I jumped it then it started right up.
Your battery might have been low from sitting in the cold!
On the way (to the dealer)... the temp gauge was moving all around.
It was not heating up ,
but when I came to a red light the temp [gauge] would drop down to about a quarter and
the heat would start blow cold air.
An engine with an aluminum head should heat up the coolant within ~5 minutes...
maybe longer in your "frigid" temperatures!
So I would agree that you might need a thermostat!
The dealer told me that diesel engines do that?? <--"BS",
definitely do go back to that dealer!
Should my engine temp be dropping that much?
I called another dealer and talked to their service dept and they said no.
I hope I am not getting a lemon?? "Lemons" are very rare... lets not go there yet!
.............
Have any good mechanic check your thermostat by using a "UV" temperature scanner
which should give a definitive diagnosis on whether the thermostat is stuck open!
.................
IF you end up replacing the thermostat (a good idea regardless in your climate),
and get the engine to properly warm up...
then see IF you can get hot air out of the HVAC/heater vents?
................
IF you still can NOT get hot air,
then you probably have an altogether different problem in the HVAC system.
...........
Q1 - Do you have the standard HVAC or the fancy fully automatic "Climate Control" type?
.....................
I hope you have the standard type... either way you probably have an air type mixing box...
NOT a water ON/OFF valve... and VW's of this vintage often have problems with failures
where the cable to the air mixing box comes loose & falls off...
and yes, a fix at the dealer could be very ex$pensive...
but this is nothing an innovative DIYer canNOT fix (I did on my Son's 2002)!
...............
[edit] My "gut" says that most likely you just need both a thermostat & coolant temp. sensor!
Get back to us with more feedback info.
Regards,
Sam Ross

 

[Jeremizal332001]

so the drive was about 45 min from my house to the dealership. The dealership called and replaced the engine temp coolant sensor and put in a new battery so hopefully that's the problem?? I live about a hour from Cleveland and about a hour from Pittsburgh. I grew up in Western Pa so I would rather to take it to someone that knows what their doing if I have any further problems. Thanks you guys very much for your input in really appreciate it!! So if you could let me know which mechanic in Cleveland and Pittsburgh that would be awesome!! I love the car though and only had it for a few days. I am going to be driving it about 3000 miles per month. Can't wait to see how much I save in gas!

 

[MrSafety]

... SEARCH this same THREAD for Cleveland & then Pittsburgh !

so the drive was about 45 min from my house to the dealership.
The dealership called and replaced the engine temp coolant sensor and put in a new battery so hopefully that's the problem??
I live about a hour from Cleveland and about a hour from Pittsburgh.
I grew up in Western Pa so I would rather to take it to someone that knows what their doing if I have any further problems.
Thanks you guys very much for your input in really appreciate it!!
So if you could let me know which mechanic in Cleveland and Pittsburgh that would be awesome!!
I love the car though and only had it for a few days.
I am going to be driving it about 3000 miles per month.
Can't wait to see how much I save in gas!

Jeremiza,
SEARCH this same THREAD twice [ " Trusted TDI Mechanics " ] using your desired cities... once using " Cleveland " & then once for " Pittsburgh "
..............
[edit] I already found 15 " hits " for Cleveland and 10 for Pittsburgh
Regards,
Sam

 

[MrSafety]

I see my TDIforum.com SEARCHes were NOT much help... !

I see my TDIforum.com SEARCHes were NOT much help... !
---------------------
It sounds like you live near Youngstown, OH...
so try GOOGLing [ Youngstown, OH vw mechanics ] or other cities...
and then make some calls to the more interesting HITs you will see !

Regards,
Sam Ross

 

[bhtooefr]

I'd be careful about googling, you may well get a bad one.

You do have a TDI, so driving it a longer distance to get a good mechanic shouldn't be a problem.

The closest ones on the map are probably F&P Auto in Hunker, PA, and Growler in Millersport, OH. (Well, it has him in Columbus, but that's out of date.)

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Hi all, we are always looking for good TDI mechanics in our area. Matt is awesome but his schedule is super full traveling all over California (a BIG state). I just heard of a new TDI mechanic in Santa Monica who supposedly moved out from Madison, Wisconsin recently (that would be golden b/c they are less than a mile from me). Anyone heard of this guy? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. We are desperate out here.

http://oceanautocare.com/josh/

 

[jasonTDI]

"Hummer" Josh Huemmer is his real name.

He "trained" with me for 2 years. While he's not a tdi expert he knows a lot about them when you guys consider what is available in your area. He's done some timing belts for sure but really knows heavy work like suspension, clutches etc. He can do heater cores in anythings as well.

His new boss is an ex-VW master tech and has trained him in gas VW's as well. They do a lot of V6 TB's and other work. He's going to be ASE certified soon and is taking classes to learn sprinters and their electronics.

I'm just glad he moved out there. It's where he needed/wanted to be and got him away from a lot of bad influences here, he's doing well because of it. Me kicking him in the but daily must have done something!

 

[kjclow]

"Hummer" Josh Huemmer is his real name.

He "trained" with me for 2 years. While he's not a tdi expert he knows a lot about them when you guys consider what is available in your area. He's done some timing belts for sure but really knows heavy work like suspension, clutches etc. He can do heater cores in anythings as well.

His new boss is an ex-VW master tech and has trained him in gas VW's as well. They do a lot of V6 TB's and other work. He's going to be ASE certified soon and is taking classes to learn sprinters and their electronics.

I'm just glad he moved out there. It's where he needed/wanted to be and got him away from a lot of bad influences here, he's doing well because of it. Me kicking him in the but daily must have done something!

Now if you can only send someone down to Charlotte, that would be great!

 

[ymz]

Now if you can only send someone down to Charlotte, that would be great!

Well, Omar Sidak is still in Davidson... I believe he's still doing work, although only part time...

Y.

 

[kjclow]

Well, Omar Sidak is still in Davidson... I believe he's still doing work, although only part time...

Y.

Anytime I've emailed him, I get no response.

 

[SFHGolfTDI]

Thanks, Jason. That's helpful. I guess I'm curious whether he should be on the "trusted mechanics" list (if he's not a "TDI expert") or if he would benefit from a little more experience. If he's done some TDI-specific TBs, maybe worked on IPs?, injectors?, etc., maybe he should be added? They are definitely advertising him as a TDI guy, so he will probably get some more experience with time.

I went to Gordon's shop once before he had Josh, and Gordon was honest about not working on TDIs, so I never took it back. I'm sure he got asked many times so this is a good way to grow his business. They have great reviews there as an honest shop.

"Hummer" Josh Huemmer is his real name.

He "trained" with me for 2 years. While he's not a tdi expert he knows a lot about them when you guys consider what is available in your area. He's done some timing belts for sure but really knows heavy work like suspension, clutches etc. He can do heater cores in anythings as well.

His new boss is an ex-VW master tech and has trained him in gas VW's as well. They do a lot of V6 TB's and other work. He's going to be ASE certified soon and is taking classes to learn sprinters and their electronics.

I'm just glad he moved out there. It's where he needed/wanted to be and got him away from a lot of bad influences here, he's doing well because of it. Me kicking him in the but daily must have done something!

 

[earthexplorer]

Hi, I just wanted to post that the address for Christian at V-Dub Autohaus in Spring, TX needs to be updated. The correct address is 17545 Kuykendahl Rd, Spring, TX. I would also like to add that I had a great experience taking my TDI to Christian. I only had the brake fluid flushed and fuel filter replaced, but I would rate Christian as a top notch mechanic capable of any repair job on a TDI. He spent a great deal of time answering technical questions I had, which says a lot as I tend to annoy people with being overly technical or paying too much attention to details. His knowledge of TDIs is very impressive, yet he is not condescending or belittling like some mechanics can be. He even drove my car to get a feel for it's condition. I was able to accompany him into the shop which I found to be very clean. I was impressed by the organization of his tools and just the overall professional feel. If you are looking for a good TDI mechanic in the Houston area, I would say please do not hesitate to pay him a visit. I would also like to add that he works exclusively on VW and Audi.

 

[jasonTDI]

Thanks, Jason. That's helpful. I guess I'm curious whether he should be on the "trusted mechanics" list (if he's not a "TDI expert") or if he would benefit from a little more experience. If he's done some TDI-specific TBs, maybe worked on IPs?, injectors?, etc., maybe he should be added? They are definitely advertising him as a TDI guy, so he will probably get some more experience with time.

I went to Gordon's shop once before he had Josh, and Gordon was honest about not working on TDIs, so I never took it back. I'm sure he got asked many times so this is a good way to grow his business. They have great reviews there as an honest shop.

He's careful.

That's the best thing. If he has a question he stops and figures it out first. I taught him that. I'm a strict task master if you "f" up.

Not a guru but trusted on ALH for sure. He can do all the 40-80K services on CR cars as well. He'll get there. Plus he calls me.... He said something about getting a private line to the pope....lol. I would not go that far.

 

[PhDwannabe]

Stay away from Ed Karpinski!!! (AKA Marcellus Street Garage) - Syracuse NY

Just wanted to add that I just had a horrible experience with Ed Karpinksi at Marcellus Street Garage in Syracuse, NY. He basically called me stupid for following any advice I found online including Tdiclub. I am having a fuel mileage issue (getting~20mpg) and can smell diesel all the time. He is telling me I need a new glow plug harness (which I just replaced with a homemade version from which I built with instructions found on here) and a coolant temp sensor. Am I correct in that these two things could not cause over a 50% reduction in fuel mileage? His tone with me was downright nasty and he specifcally said I don't know anything because I didn't scan the computer (the check engine light was on for the all too common glow plug intermittent fault - I changed all four plugs last weekend and she starts like a champ now, but have a major fuel problem). Anyone know of a reliable tdi mechanic in the area that isn't a complete ass? I'll never go back to Ed again and I would advise everyone to stay away. My friend who owns a gasser golf also has been treated poorly there recently. Maybe Ed was good in the past but he sure is not now. I may have to start going to Waterloo, NY for service but would prefer to stay local.

 

[kjclow]

Just wanted to add that I just had a horrible experience with Ed Karpinksi at Marcellus Street Garage in Syracuse, NY. He basically called me stupid for following any advice I found online including Tdiclub. I am having a fuel mileage issue (getting~20mpg) and can smell diesel all the time. He is telling me I need a new glow plug harness (which I just replaced with a homemade version from which I built with instructions found on here) and a coolant temp sensor. Am I correct in that these two things could not cause over a 50% reduction in fuel mileage? His tone with me was downright nasty and he specifcally said I don't know anything because I didn't scan the computer (the check engine light was on for the all too common glow plug intermittent fault - I changed all four plugs last weekend and she starts like a champ now, but have a major fuel problem). Anyone know of a reliable tdi mechanic in the area that isn't a complete ass? I'll never go back to Ed again and I would advise everyone to stay away. My friend who owns a gasser golf also has been treated poorly there recently. Maybe Ed was good in the past but he sure is not now. I may have to start going to Waterloo, NY for service but would prefer to stay local.

First place I would check for a fuel leak is the fuel pump under the back seat. I had both of the plastic nipples on the top of mine crack in my 2000 Beetle. Didn't notice it until I had it in the shop and on the lift for something else. It only leaked while running but the odor was there all the time. I just didn't realize what I was smelling. Felt like an idiot when I realized it.

 

[bhtooefr]

For what it's worth, that's not a pump, that's a level sending unit. (Unless you've retrofitted one off of a PD.)

In any case, what's extremely common, especially in older cars, is for the seals in the injection pump to start leaking. If those are leaking, the pump can either be resealed, rebuilt, or replaced with a rebuilt unit.

 

[kjclow]

OK, all I knew was that it was leaking fuel all over the garage while running.