What did you do to your car today?

[mech644]

The Golf, three weeks ago- oil change and changed the heater core. Thought this was supposed to be one of the easy MKIV cores, not. Car has manual HVAC controls but was built with the one piece Climatronic type plenum housing so everything has to come out, oh well.

The '06 Jetta two weeks- new DSG flywheel, fluid, and filter; 4 new struts and mounts; new drivers side outer CV boot; oil change; new fuel, air, and HVAC filters; and 4 new 15" Blizzaks on steelies so the 16"s can hibernate.

Then this afternoon the battery in the Golf gave up without even a whimper. Always something to do.

 

[vanbcguy]

Searching on the forums reveal little about your 2 differential pressure sensors on a board with a small micro for VNT control. Care to share some details? A PM would be okay if you don't want to make it all public yet .

I used the differential sensors since they are cheap and easily available, plus all I care about is gauge pressure rather than absolute. If you leave the vacuum port open to the atmosphere they are exactly the same thing as a gauge sensor. One sensor is for intake pressure, the other is for exhaust pressure. I figured since the sensors are so cheap I might as well use two. It'll make tuning my VNT much easier!

I'm using an Arduino as the microcontroller. I have the coding mostly done - I used the VNT project that's posted around online as the base and then I've made modifications from there. There's still some logic I need to do around my EGT and EMP sensors but I'm mostly there now.

As far as "control" inputs I will have TPS, engine RPM, the two pressure readings and EGTs. I'm using a mechanical injection pump. The controller will control the VNT actuator and the LDA (fuel enrichment when boost cones on). That will give it the ability to back off fueling if EGTs get too high.

I'm probably also feeding IAT and oil temp through the Arduino as I've got a small LCD a la Scangauge. That way I can have all my vitals in one place. I don't plan on it taking any action as a result of those readings but I do still have a digital output or two left if I think of something later.

Most of my build is documented over on vwdiesel.net rather than here but I might post a thread up once it is all complete.

 

[SD26]

Well, a Cherokee lost control coming at me, crossed the center line, and I managed to move over just a little so that he just took out the whole driver's side of my wagon...and then obliterated the Dakota behind me. Still, the tow truck driver thinks my wagon is totaled. Might find our more Monday...but I think it will be a -15F for a high, so, um, maybe not.

 

[chaloux]

Oil change and clutch/fw kit from Aaron. Dc stage 1 with 14lb flywheel, feels great so far. Also adjusted the shifter, that helped a lot. Didn't have time to install my zerostart though. Next time!

 

[CrazyWJ242]

That sucks SD26...

Typically if the suspension hasn't been hit, and its mostly cosmetic damage you can bring it back to life... its all about those windshield and tailgate pillars, if their damaged alot of insurance companies consider it a write off... as its a safety liablity...

I got my cars fired up, the mkiv, i ended up having to disconnect the fuel line at the tank, blow out the line with compressed air, use my vacuum pump to get the fuel back up to the filter (and check the quality of the fuel) and bleed the injector lines...
the mkv i ended up bringing a small heater out, put it next to the fuel filter and fired it fired right up... still plan on replacing the fuel filter...

also put some of the interior back together on the mkiv... 556,000+km still running strong!

 

[rentstdi]

After troubleshooting my bew for having such a weak start. I forgot about the glow plug recall- recall...!.
I did the first recall and got rid of the ceramic plugs while I was in California. I now moved to Wisconsin and I need to leave the car plugged in if it gets colder that 20f. I'll call the dealer in the morning or maybe later this week after the big cold rush...

Does anybody know if they replace a lot of things or just the plugs and ECM flash

 

[NB_TDi]

Today I put, what's left, of my front bumper cover back on. It's in bad shape from the winters.

Hit a snow bank recently and it popped off again. Got it on, but it's on by a hair.

 

[nkgagne]

Hit a snow bank recently and it popped off again.

Yeah, snow banks are to be avoided. Quality studless winter tires and lower speeds should keep the impacts to a minimum.

 

[NB_TDi]

Yeah, snow banks are to be avoided. Quality studless winter tires and lower speeds should keep the impacts to a minimum.

I have Goodyear Ultra Grip II studded tires with ASR and EDL.

Deer + Ice = snow bank.

This is the last year for these tires

 

[FJ40Jim]

Did the 180,000 mile maintenance:
Timing belt, WP, serp belt, serp roller, set timing.
LOF.
Tested GP's, found 2 dead, replaced all 4 original GP's w/ new bosch.
Pulled frt bumper & headlights, changed all 4 headlight bulbs to euro silverstar, replaced both dead citylight bulbs.
Changed one rear marker & one rear brake bulb.
New wiper inserts, got rear squirter pointed at the glass again.
Topped off (dangerously low) transaxle oil.
Looked at rear beam bushings but found the axle is 69mm diameter and the new bushings are 72mm OD. Need to source a 02-later rearbeam to hold these SEAT Cupra R bushings.
Found pass rear brake cable is bubbled up with rust and not releasing fully, ordered new cable.

It's cold out today, gonna see how the car starts w/ timing set right and 4 new GP's. Hopefully it will fire right up.

Some leftover bits:

 

[Lensdude_com]

Did the 180,000 mile maintenance:
Timing belt, WP, serp belt, serp roller, set timing.
LOF.
Tested GP's, found 2 dead, replaced all 4 original GP's w/ new bosch.
Pulled frt bumper & headlights, changed all 4 headlight bulbs to euro silverstar, replaced both dead citylight bulbs.
Changed one rear marker & one rear brake bulb.
New wiper inserts, got rear squirter pointed at the glass again.
Topped off (dangerously low) transaxle oil.
Looked at rear beam bushings but found the axle is 69mm diameter and the new bushings are 72mm OD. Need to source a 02-later rearbeam to hold these SEAT Cupra R bushings.
Found pass rear brake cable is bubbled up with rust and not releasing fully, ordered new cable.

It's cold out today, gonna see how the car starts w/ timing set right and 4 new GP's. Hopefully it will fire right up.

I think this is what they call deferred maintenance
...lucky that you got the trans fluid topped-up before losing 5th gear

 

[wallaby]

Oil change with Schaeffer S9000 and Mann Filter.

Picked up a used door off CL and began stripping it of parts so that my buddy can paint the door/mirror. All because of a hit and run NYE.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Looked at rear beam bushings but found the axle is 69mm diameter and the new bushings are 72mm OD. Need to source a 02-later rearbeam to hold these SEAT Cupra R bushings.

I think you measured wrong. Some people say that very early A4s had smaller rear axle bushings, but few people have actually encountered them. The Cupra bushings should fit in an '01 fine, if they're the same diameter as the stock replacement.

 

[bluvw69]

Installed my P3 digital interface today:

 

[Bfoutz]

Brakes

I picked up new front wheel bearings and new pads and rotors all the way around. Ran into a problem though I spent all my money and now have to wait o buy speciality tools. Any one have a wheel bearing tool and caliper tool near cicero indiana? Maybe a warm garage? If so please email me Bfoutz101@icloud.com

 

[BlankThis]

bluvw69 that looks great!

 

[Hyde7278]

I picked up new front wheel bearings and new pads and rotors all the way around. Ran into a problem though I spent all my money and now have to wait o buy speciality tools. Any one have a wheel bearing tool and caliper tool near cicero indiana? Maybe a warm garage? If so please email me Bfoutz101@icloud.com

What year car. What special tool for the wheel bearing? Also the caliper tool for the rear you can get as a loaner at Autozone, Advanced auto.

 

[Hyde7278]

Replaced the TB, water pump, tensioner, rollers, ect. Couldn't finish forgot coolant and my torque wrench at work. Have to finish up tomorrow after work.

 

[nkgagne]

This morning, tried in vain to start it.

-26 C.

 

[romad]

Today: Had the Fuel Temperature Sensor replaced. Yesterday: Washed it.

 

[BlankThis]

Ordered a nice leather mk5 shift knob and I'll be trying to retrofit it to the mk4

 

[FJ40Jim]

Did the 180,000 mile maintenance:
Timing belt, WP, serp belt, serp roller, set timing.
LOF.
Tested GP's, found 2 dead, replaced all 4 original GP's w/ new bosch.
Pulled frt bumper & headlights, changed all 4 headlight bulbs to euro silverstar, replaced both dead citylight bulbs.
Changed one rear marker & one rear brake bulb.
New wiper inserts, got rear squirter pointed at the glass again.
Topped off (dangerously low) transaxle oil.
Looked at rear beam bushings but found the axle is 69mm diameter and the new bushings are 72mm OD. Need to source a 02-later rearbeam to hold these SEAT Cupra R bushings.
Found pass rear brake cable is bubbled up with rust and not releasing fully, ordered new cable.

It's cold out today, gonna see how the car starts w/ timing set right and 4 new GP's. Hopefully it will fire right up.

It did fire right up, but idle was a little rough until timing was set. Still had a problem with lazy boost control. Mityvac moved the VNT actuator smoothly through the full range, did not leak. Vac gage showed only 16" of vac at best, with it momentarily dropping below 10 when the brake pedal was whacked. Groped around and found the plastic hose to the brake booster was split open at both ends, allowing substantial vac leaks.
Replaced cracked plastic hose w/ 7/16"ID hydraulic return hose. Shows 25-30" of vacuum now, and boost control is very accurate.

Put it outside in the -5F temp, opened the hatch and one of the struts was nearly froze and proceeded to blow the rock hard seal out the end as the hatch was opened. Got a new OEM strut from local Worldpac dealer, all better now.

Christmas vaca is over, wife takes TDI to work and I go back to wrenching on paying vehicles. I couldn't afford much more of this fun.

 

[duwem]

Installed 42 DD shifter cable end bushings. Freaking cold out, but it does seem more notchy going into gear.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Necessary PM for longer 01M trans life

Just had the third trans oil and filter change on the 02. And again, other than a small amount of brassy residue in the pan, the fluid was in good condition.
The trans had thrown TCC codes a couple of times in the past few months so I am trusting that this service will keep any more at bay. No codes were showing when he checked.
Also replaced the leaky PS pressure hose and added new fluid.
And finally had the bailing wired muffler welded up so it won't break off.
The 03 is just out of the shop with a rattle tracking saga still in progress.

 

[dremd]

Got an alignment.
Got a new hood release tab.
Sprung a coolant leak (slow) I'm going to have to find it tomorrow (going to be warm here tomorrow).

 

[mech644]

Had it towed, 1st time ever. I am monumentally GDFPO. Driving home from work, car is running fine, stop in Ellsworth at the Irving to fuel up, shut engine off, pump fuel until I get foam in the filler neck, wash and squeegee the windows, start trickling fuel in again until its filled to the cap; my standard routine do the same thing every time at the same station.
Get in the car and crank it up, turns over but no start, not even a hint of firing, just like the pump was bone dry. But 10 minutes beforehand I drove the car in to the station, 20 minute drive with not hint of a problem. Give it a minute and try again, same same. Ok, go inside the store get a receipt from the cashier just cause I'm getting bad feelings about this, hit the head, then go back out and try again. Cranks but no start.
Unless it's the pump solenoid my thinking is I got a dose of water at the pump and while I was washing the windows it settled at the fuel pickup and froze, 3*F tonight.
I knocked the valve out of the pick-up tube 6 years ago, haven't had an issue since. So tomorrow I get to pull the sending unit and look for ice in the tank, and loose a day of work, and maybe even get to argue with Irving on the phone if it is a big dose of water.
Major suckage.

 

[oldpoopie]

Had it towed, 1st time ever.

Id be surprised if it iced up a warm engine like that without even sputtering and trying to start. Check that the antishudder valve isn't stuck closed and its starving for air.

 

[79TA7.6]

Id be surprised if it iced up a warm engine like that without even sputtering and trying to start. Check that the antishudder valve isn't stuck closed and its starving for air.

This stumped me once. Then I discovered the intake and EGR were clogged something bad. All the nice gooey stuff made the ASV shutter stick closed. Good thinking there Justin.

 

[BlankThis]

Had it towed, 1st time ever. I am monumentally GDFPO. Driving home from work, car is running fine, stop in Ellsworth at the Irving to fuel up, shut engine off, pump fuel until I get foam in the filler neck, wash and squeegee the windows, start trickling fuel in again until its filled to the cap; my standard routine do the same thing every time at the same station.
Get in the car and crank it up, turns over but no start, not even a hint of firing, just like the pump was bone dry. But 10 minutes beforehand I drove the car in to the station, 20 minute drive with not hint of a problem. Give it a minute and try again, same same. Ok, go inside the store get a receipt from the cashier just cause I'm getting bad feelings about this, hit the head, then go back out and try again. Cranks but no start.
Unless it's the pump solenoid my thinking is I got a dose of water at the pump and while I was washing the windows it settled at the fuel pickup and froze, 3*F tonight.
I knocked the valve out of the pick-up tube 6 years ago, haven't had an issue since. So tomorrow I get to pull the sending unit and look for ice in the tank, and loose a day of work, and maybe even get to argue with Irving on the phone if it is a big dose of water.
Major suckage.

I had the same thing happen to me in December. It ended up being that the fuel filtered had gelled up and was limiting flow of fuel.

 

[duwem]

DROVE IT.

Stupid sub zero temps for the last week, nice to get it out and drive it again.