Trusted TDI Mechanics - By State

PhDwannabe

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2003
Location
North Central MA
TDI
2003 Golf & 1998 Jetta - Both Sold :(
Thanks for the tips. My first thought was the injection pump seals or something related to the fuel lines/system,not the coolant temp sensor. I haven't noticed any fuel leaking on the ground, but it could be. It only leaks while running and it's been raining here for days now so I haven't noticed any leaking, only smelled it. One thing at a time I guess. I'll either take the car to another "trusted" mechanic nearby or find a fellow TDIer locally who can help out. I have most of the tools needed but no warm garage :( Thanks again!
 

turbocharged798

Veteran Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Location
Ellenville, NY
TDI
99.5 black ALH Jetta;09 Gasser Jetta
Hate to say this but if you can take a trip to Port Jervis and bring the car to Jason (TDIJetta99) he will fix you up no problem. Great guy to chat with too.
 

hevster1

Vendor
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Location
Columbia NJ
TDI
98 NB
Thanks for the tips. My first thought was the injection pump seals or something related to the fuel lines/system,not the coolant temp sensor. I haven't noticed any fuel leaking on the ground, but it could be. It only leaks while running and it's been raining here for days now so I haven't noticed any leaking, only smelled it. One thing at a time I guess. I'll either take the car to another "trusted" mechanic nearby or find a fellow TDIer locally who can help out. I have most of the tools needed but no warm garage :( Thanks again!
Check the fuel return lines between the injectors and pump. Look under the pump and if possible remove the upper timing cover. Look for leaks there as well. 20 MPG is pretty bad so you would need a bad leak or some other condition causing this.
Regarding the bad treatment, If this person is bad with everyone, he won't have a business for long.
 

BobnOH

not-a-mechanic
Joined
May 29, 2004
Location
central Ohio
TDI
New Beetle 2003 manual
Ohio

MOGolf
http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=5699

Jon's Auto - Jon Hamilton - RallyTDI
jonwilliamhamilton
ASE-Certified Mechanic
22291 State Route 4
Marysville, OH 43040
937-209-0187
http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=65315
http://www.jonsautocare.com/

Davidson Import Automotive - Dayton Area
519 W. Main Street
Fairborn, OH 45324
(937) 878-7464

Athens Euroworks LLC
DBA The Dub Doctor VW & Audi Service
11 Hudson Avenue
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 707-6210
email: info@athenseuroworks.com
www.athenseuroworks.com

Growler
Aaron Bruckelmeyer
Growlers TDI service
4428 Drifton Dr
Columbus, OH 43227
growlertdi@gmail.com or PM is best
http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=17936

Eurowerks Garage
(614) 430-9499
5408 Byers Cir W, Columbus, OH 43229-5008
www.eurowerksgarage.com
Brett Fairbanks, formerly a head mechanic for the RallyVW team
Kurt Smith - ksmitty244
Republic, Ohio (East of Tiffin)
419-618-0989
ksmitty24@gmail.com

Whitbread Performance Innovations
3660 Schooler Rd
Lima, OH 45801
Phone: (248) 755.8118
whitbreadperformance@gmail.com
 

Growler

Got Soot Vendor
Joined
Nov 24, 2003
Location
Millersport, Ohio
TDI
Schmutz, 2015 Golf Sportwagen DSG & Schnurren, 2001 Golf GL 2 door 5M
I need to get my Address changed.
11880 Lancaster St
Millersport, OH 43046

email is still the same.
and sorry, no, I do not do swaps.
 

jasonTDI

TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Location
Oregon, WI
TDI
04', 05', 06' TDI's. Audi SQ5, RAM Rebel
WARNING!!!!!

Stay away from V-Depot. 2130 Fillmore St. Hollywood, FL

Customer bought a car from them last fall. Or someone in the area. They did a botched TB job. Tensiner was cammed around backward and out of the hole. About 7-8 lbs of torque on the large idle roller bolt....nice....

Used some form of hardening sealant on the VC that was blobbed everywhere. Did NOT seal under the #1 & #5 cam caps, thus the chronic oil leak. Plus a laundry list of other things....

Just fair warning. The sticker says VW & Audi specialists. :rolleyes: Special is an understatement.
 

K5ING

Mega-Miler
Joined
Apr 18, 2001
Location
Krum, TX
TDI
Silver 2001 Golf GL TDI 5-speed
WARNING!!!!!

Stay away from V-Depot. 2130 Fillmore St. Hollywood, FL

Customer bought a car from them last fall. Or someone in the area. They did a botched TB job. Tensiner was cammed around backward and out of the hole. About 7-8 lbs of torque on the large idle roller bolt....nice....

Used some form of hardening sealant on the VC that was blobbed everywhere. Did NOT seal under the #1 & #5 cam caps, thus the chronic oil leak. Plus a laundry list of other things....

Just fair warning. The sticker says VW & Audi specialists. :rolleyes: Special is an understatement.
That sounds exactly like what a VW/Audi specialty shop in Dallas did to my Golf a number of years ago. MoGolf and others at a GTG did the emergency repairs to it when discovered, but IIRC, the tensioner was backwards and that big bolt was hanging on by only a thread or two. They also messed up the cam seal. When they hammered off the old one, it left a burr on the shaft, which deformed the seal on the new one they put on.

Stick with known gurus and stay away from dealers or VW/Audi tune shops!
 
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Chad@EuroTec

Vendor
Joined
Dec 22, 2009
Location
Wichita, KS
TDI
2010 Jetta TDi, 6sp manual
WARNING!!!!!

Stay away from V-Depot. 2130 Fillmore St. Hollywood, FL

Customer bought a car from them last fall. Or someone in the area. They did a botched TB job. Tensiner was cammed around backward and out of the hole. About 7-8 lbs of torque on the large idle roller bolt....nice....

Used some form of hardening sealant on the VC that was blobbed everywhere. Did NOT seal under the #1 & #5 cam caps, thus the chronic oil leak. Plus a laundry list of other things....

Just fair warning. The sticker says VW & Audi specialists. :rolleyes: Special is an understatement.
We see this stuff regularly, unfortunately. Very few places in the area will even touch a VW, let alone a TDI, and when they do it seldom turns out ok. Tensioners tensioned backwards are getting pretty common:( Dead giveaway when the top cam-belt cover has the back broken out of it...
 

jcilforever

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2010
Location
Southeast
TDI
2004 Jetta (SOLD), 2004 Beetle, 2003 Jetta Wagon (parts car) all manuals all for sale
Anyone know a good paint and body shop in SC, Western NC, or from ATL Georgia north?
 

devinestyler

Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Location
MA
TDI
91 IDI 1.6 turbo ecodiesel - dead, 98 1.9 tdi
Cape Cod are

Chris Zanis at Schnell Snail in Bourne, right off 28.

Does high quality work on old beaters like mine for a good price.

774.313.6478
dr.vdub@yahoo.com
GTITDI here on the club.
 

devinestyler

Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Location
MA
TDI
91 IDI 1.6 turbo ecodiesel - dead, 98 1.9 tdi
Braintree Area

Mr. Chill - Chris Hill at Kraftwerke in Braintree just off exit 6 on 93.

Chris does excellent work for a good price.

781.849.9888
 

VeeDubTDI

Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 2, 2000
Location
La Conner, WA
TDI
2018 Tesla Model 3: 217,000 miles
I need to get my Address changed.
11880 Lancaster St
Millersport, OH 43046

email is still the same.
and sorry, no, I do not do swaps.
Address updated on the map! Please double-check for accuracy.
 

manual_tranny

Smyth Performance- Intern
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Location
New Bedford, MA
TDI
2001 Golf @182K; 2000 Jetta @290K
Chris Zanis at Schnell Snail in Bourne, right off 28.

Does high quality work on old beaters like mine for a good price.

774.313.6478
dr.vdub@yahoo.com
GTITDI here on the club.
Chris works on more than just old beaters, and he knows his stuff. Last week he had a 2005 Mercedes CDI in the shop.. despite the fact he had not looked at one before, he had it diagnosed it and it was back on the road in less than two hours. He's been working on airplanes and old European cars since he was a kid, and he's damn good at it. Chris is an encyclopedia of knowledge and he lives with a borderline obsessive German work ethic. He works longer hours than anyone you know, because every job has to be done just right.

Engines leave his shop cleaner than any other shop I've ever seen. Customers leave his shop educated and refreshed. Sticky or leaky injection pumps are no problem, Chris can clean them up and put them back together for you with ease. This guy is a mechanical guru for most anything with an engine and wheels and he needs to be on this list!
 

SilverGhost

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Location
Back in So Flo - St Lucie
TDI
'05 Golf - totaled :(, wife's '13 Beetle - buy back, TDIless
I figured I'd add a comment to this thread because it pertains to the subject at hand.

[rant]
If you are going to track down a trusted mechanic to fix your car, don't beat them up on what they already know how to do. You don't know how to do it or you would have done it your self. Nothing annoys someone more than being constantly challenged by Internet forum know it alls. Going to a master mechanic, that has been fixing cars for a decade or more, then arguing over how XYZ car on your favorite forum doesn't need or does need ABC part changed so your car must have it done, is just going to leave that many less good mechanics willing and available to fix everyone's cars. Even more so when the only thing the same between the cars is the company that built it.

There are also the people who bring a stack of TSBs, some are not even for that car or engine, and want all of the applied to their car. If you have a Jetta, a TSB for a Touareg oil filter won't do you any good. And extended warranty doesn't mean every single car is broken.

It reminds me of the Farmers or State Farm commercial. "They can't put anything on the Internet that's not true. Bonjour"

One last one and I'll get off my soap box. You want my skills and experience, please pay for them. I spent my time and money acquiring the knowledge and the tools fix these cars. This is my job and how I pay my bills.

[/rant]

I know it is ultimately caveat emptor. Just don't scare away or piss off all of the good guys.

Jason
 

spoilsport

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 3, 1999
Location
Houston TX
TDI
2000 Golf GLS Silver (Sold). 2005 Jetta TDI Wagon Tiptronic (daughter's)
I'll second that!

Please do not piss off the gurus!!

Many of us have aging TDIs and wouldn't let anyone but a TDI guru touch them. Gurus are worth their weight in GOLD for their honesty, dedication, knowledge, and skills.
 

Bob_Fout

Oil Wanker
Joined
Sep 5, 2004
Location
Indiana
TDI
2003 Jetta - Alaska Green (sold) / 2015 GTI 2.0T
Hi! Are there any mechanics that you know of near Bloomington or Peoria, Illinois?
Having lived near the Chambana area, I can recommend the dealer in Urbana, O'Brien Auto, for basic maint. For TDI specific things, there is JasonTDI up in Madison, WI, Oilhammer in St. Louis, and a few in the Chicago area. (see the links in the first post)
 

TDIJetta99

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 17, 2005
Location
Port Jervis, New York, USA
TDI
03... Faster than yours =]
I figured I'd add a comment to this thread because it pertains to the subject at hand.

[rant]
If you are going to track down a trusted mechanic to fix your car, don't beat them up on what they already know how to do. You don't know how to do it or you would have done it your self. Nothing annoys someone more than being constantly challenged by Internet forum know it alls. Going to a master mechanic, that has been fixing cars for a decade or more, then arguing over how XYZ car on your favorite forum doesn't need or does need ABC part changed so your car must have it done, is just going to leave that many less good mechanics willing and available to fix everyone's cars. Even more so when the only thing the same between the cars is the company that built it.

There are also the people who bring a stack of TSBs, some are not even for that car or engine, and want all of the applied to their car. If you have a Jetta, a TSB for a Touareg oil filter won't do you any good. And extended warranty doesn't mean every single car is broken.

It reminds me of the Farmers or State Farm commercial. "They can't put anything on the Internet that's not true. Bonjour"

One last one and I'll get off my soap box. You want my skills and experience, please pay for them. I spent my time and money acquiring the knowledge and the tools fix these cars. This is my job and how I pay my bills.

[/rant]

I know it is ultimately caveat emptor. Just don't scare away or piss off all of the good guys.

Jason
I get people like that in here all the time, thankfully it's more non-tdi people than anything.. I try not to take it personally but I do have to turn certain people away from time to time..

The best is "well MY mechanic said this, and MY mechanic said that"... Well why didn't you have your mechanic fix your car if they already know what's wrong with it? Why did you bring it to me?? Oh that's right, you brought it to me because YOUR mechanic has been throwing parts at the car for 6 months and it's still broken, perhaps more broken than when they started..
 

PeterV

TDIClub Enthusiast, HO5G Doyen & Zen Master
Joined
Aug 17, 2000
Location
So, NH.
TDI
2000 Jetta 5 sp.
And there are those of us that are proud to say that TDIJetta99 is MY mechanic.

The TDI might be non existent if it were not for the great GURUS we have here.
 

Losha

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2005
Location
Sioux Falls, SD
TDI
06 Jetta TDI DSG, 2001 Golf TDI, Audi S6, A8, Toureg
I get people like that in here all the time, thankfully it's more non-tdi people than anything.. I try not to take it personally but I do have to turn certain people away from time to time..

The best is "well MY mechanic said this, and MY mechanic said that"... Well why didn't you have your mechanic fix your car if they already know what's wrong with it? Why did you bring it to me?? Oh that's right, you brought it to me because YOUR mechanic has been throwing parts at the car for 6 months and it's still broken, perhaps more broken than when they started..
Hahaha, thats a such a true statement. I get those too sometimes, or like some old school retired mechanics that still think they are in 60-70s era and they tell you how you should fix their own VW/Audi. As well there are those people that you take your time and tell them all the do's/don'ts and turn around and do it their own way then they come back to complain that their vehicle having issues, really?
 

YEAAAAH

Veteran Member
Joined
May 4, 2012
Location
USA
TDI
NONE
Please add to the trusted mechanic/GURU List:

TDIclub handle: 1963gp

Allen Bristow
270 Longwood Drive
Stafford, Virginia 22556
Phone Number (cell) (540) 287-4060

My experience:

I met Allen at a GTG a couple weeks ago and he helped me put my new injectors in and adjust my timing. I had been looking for a guru to do my timing belt for a while and I could tell he really knew VWs. I just had him do my timing belt for me and he did a great job. He has all the tools, lifts, VCDS etc, and he charged a fair price. I will be having him do my clutch job in a month or two. He is a great guy and really has a passion for these cars.
 
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bugpower

Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2013
Location
MD
TDI
bug
Just want to put in a good word for Mark 1 Volkswagen Repair in Walkersville, MD. Timing belt, water pump, other parts and labor for $917. I was quoted $1200 over the phone but they said the PD TDI is less complicated so less cost than the older ALH TDIs. They also took care of some other services. All in all a great experience.
 

opie1988

Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2008
Location
Stafford,Va
TDI
2005.5 Jetta TDI
Please add to the trusted mechanic/GURU List:

TDIclub handle: 1963gp

Allen Bristow
270 Longwood Drive
Stafford, Virginia 22556
Phone Number (cell) (540) 287-4060

My experience:

I met Allen at a GTG a couple weeks ago and he helped me put my new injectors in and adjust my timing. I had been looking for a guru to do my timing belt for a while and I could tell he really knew VWs. I just had him do my timing belt for me and he did a great job. He has all the tools, lifts, VCDS etc, and he charged a fair price. I will be having him do my clutch job in a month or two. He is a great guy and really has a passion for these cars.

+2 for Allan, He just completed the cam, timing belt, flywheel etc etc on 2005.5 TDI Jetta. WOW what a difference. and very reasonable. He actually had 3 white Jettas out by his garage at one time, maybe should have bought that blue one..LOL
 

JonRotten

Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2013
Location
CT
TDI
2006 Jetta TDI
Looking for a trusted mechanic in Western CT. I see bmike's garage in Naugatuck. Anyone have any information? Positive or Negative feedback?
 

quietmission

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Location
Boston, MA
TDI
2000 Golf TDI , 04 S500, 95 GTI TDI (Past)
I want to share a good experience that i had with dealing with Chris aka GTI TDI. First off, this guy is definitely serious about his work and he would not have it any other way. That's a proven statement with his personal work on his mk2 TDI that won an award at last year's TDI Fest.
I drove to Cape Cod to meet him for the first time and possibly do a thermostat & take some logs of my car. It turns out to be a wonderful experience as he went above and beyond to get my car right. It took me a while to get this car from my previous mechanic and i wanted to have logs taken because power was not there and i was puking diesel all over on a hot engine. You get the picture and the stentch i had to breath in while inside the car. Well, it turns out that all that was need was someone to take a couple of extra steps to either pay more attention to details or point me in the right direction. There are no excuses either for not treating people with respect regardless of our background and differences.
Well Chris is an exceptional mechanic whom i would reccommend to anyone here for anything that they need done to their car. Try him and you will see what i am talking about and the wealth of knowledge that he is willing to share with other fellow TDIers. His outstanding personality and also his drive to help others will make your experience definitely a positive one. It's the little things that he will do or point out to you that make the difference between a so called mechanic and a good mechanic. For example, Chris said that your hood can't open right and I would not have let you take a car that is leaking diesel on the highway under any circumstance. Well Chris would not have that on his consience and made sure that he check thoroughly everything and made me a little gismo to fully retract the hood open latch. I am grateful for that and btw the hood fell a little on his forehead and gave him a nice bump but he said to me he would rather it be him at his shop than me on the side of the highway trying to see why smoke is coming from my engine leaking diesel. Another example is that the fuel leaks was nothing more than the line incorrectly torqued at the injectors and it was as easy as that. I bought lines under previous advise but not even needed at this time. It's these little things that will win you over when someone takes pride in there work and care about their customers or fellow tdiclub member. It was nice also to meet Burpod while i was at GTI TDI's shop and i got to see his cool little tdi rabbit.
Thanks to Chris, no more fuel leaks, no more turbo leaks, hood is fixed, thermostat is done, little bolts get put in to secure my timing belt cover, and car feels good now. It's still needs a lot but i don't have to hear a mechanic pointing fingers to the tune for every inconvenience.
Chris (GTI TDI) keep up your good work and I hope that you continue your drive and passion to do right by other members of this community.
 

GTiTDi

TDIClub Enthusiast, Macht Schnell! Vendor , w/Busi
Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Location
3 Spruce st Wareham, gateway to Cape Cod Massachus
TDI
'91 GTI CJAA swap,'02 Jetta wagon ALH swap, '03 GTI 1.8T rally car, '03 Sprinter 3500
Man what a nice comment. It was my pleasure to help you. Your car will be pretty schnell once we get a clutch in there that'll hold the torque!

When you first contacted me I thought it was quite a drive for you to come down from Boston, but once you explained the two year debacle you went through driving all the way to Rhode Island, I realized I wasn't all that far away after all!!

It is amazing how plugging an exhaust leak cures a turbo that won't spool due to a "bad tune" :rolleyes: Now we just need to order the fittings for the EGT probe, but at least that is cheaper than buying a whole new probe! Thankfully it was hanging out on the heater hoses!

Trusted mechanics should not be blowing smoke up people's arses, but making there TDI blow smoke out it's arse!!! :)
 
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