What did you do to your MKIV today?

[benmarks]

Same here. Looking for convex glass for drivers side (left side) Mk 4 Jetta

If you're just looking for regular glass, I'd recommend the aspherical glass. It has more of a curve and shows more of what's behind you. It looks like Cascade German has a driver's side mirror: https://www.cascadegerman.com/product/1j1857521c/

The one I've never been able to find is the auto-dimming Audi aspherical mirror. They aren't plug & play though, you have to run wires for them.

 

[Nero Morg]

I purchased both my left and right blue aspherical mirrors from Cascade German a few years ago. Best oem upgrade I ever did. I'd call, they don't always have everything they actually have listed online. Also bonus of switching mirrors was now my mirror heat works again.

 

[benmarks]

I agree that it's a great upgrade. It was something I didn't plan on losing when I decided to wire mine for auto-dimming, and it wasn't until later that I realized how impossible it was to find the auto-dimming variant of the aspherical glass.

 

[pkhoury]

What did I do today... per @Whitbread 's suggestion, dumped the water-intruded GL4 from my transmission, put in the cheapest ATF at Carquest and ran it on jacks for 10 minutes around 40-45mph-ish, drained, and now refilled it with Redline Lightweight Shockproof. This is ahead of getting my modded fluidampr from him. Not only am I eager to see if it helps on the clutch chatter, but if I can avoid the grinding I get from first, and occasionallly 4th.

And I have yet another person coming to see a 2003 Beetle TDI I have for sale. Sadly, I'm afraid it's another tire kicker who knows nothing about TDIs...

 

[pkhoury]

Removed my headliner and pillar covers:


And installed a skid plate:

Who makes the skidplate? Dieselgeek doesn't think they'll resume production unless materials costs go down, which probably won't happen, so I'm on the lookout for a new source for mk4 skidplates.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

I just pulled the trigger on a full exhaust system from ID last Friday (with cat; also got a set of mounts just in case) - my repaired (read: with new flex joint welded in) original downpipe is apparently failing again. I figure that after 446K miles it's time to retire the OEM exhaust system.

I get an all-new exhaust at a good price, you make money off the sale, and we all keep the MKIV parts market going - everybody wins!

Had the exhaust and mounts installed a week and a half ago, got to watch the install. Went pretty smooth, considering most of it was original - every bolt and nut came off, to my astonishment - the underside seems to be rust-free, despite the age/mileage (and I just turned 448K miles yesterday.

Only odd thing was that neither I nor the mechanic that installed it could figure out how to open up that "band" style clamp that came with the kit (and which ID said goes between the cat and the intermediate pipe) so it would fit over the expanded-pipe joint. He ended up using a second U-bolt type (the u-bolt one that came in the kit went between intermediate pipe and muffler as directed by ID - I called and asked), and I brought the band clamp home in case I find a use for it some day. He also trimmed down the excess threads on both clamps to avoid snags/cranial gouges...

Oh, and from putting the parts into the car/taking back out/moving the old stuff out of his way, I noticed that this muffler seems to actually weigh noticeably MORE than the VW-original one - maybe by a couple pounds. Found that interesting and unexpected.

The original stuff was in better shape than we thought, but that L-pipe between cat and muffler looked like it wasn't too long from failing - all rust, no clean metal on it.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Who makes the skidplate? Dieselgeek doesn't think they'll resume production unless materials costs go down, which probably won't happen, so I'm on the lookout for a new source for mk4 skidplates.

Looks like a newer version of my Evolution Atlas, with a few extra holes and a cover for the oil drain "port" to me, with a coat of black paint...

 

[benmarks]

It's obviously not as light as an aluminum one, but I think you can still get the steel 1.35mm OEM skid plate: 1J0698930

ECS says they still have it, but it also says "by March 1st" which, being a date in the future, is code for "we might have it but don't be surprised if your order is canceled.

The heavy duty 2.8mm steel one is NLA, however:1J0698931

 

[Rrusse11]

Heavy Duty Aluminum Skid Plate Kit w/ Oil Drain Port & Cover (A4)

DISCONTINUED Volkswagen's oil pans are made of a paper-thin cast aluminum that is easily cracked by many objects such as road debris, manhole covers and speed bumps. While your car may be at stock ...

www.idparts.com

This is the one I've got on my Golf, currently available.

 

[Zak99b5]

Drove it to Massachusetts to pick up som, erm, supplies.

Helped #2 son change his oil and spark plugs in his 03 Golf.

Received shipment from ID Parts to change out the tranny fluid in her 05 Golf.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Spark plugs?

 

[Zak99b5]

Spark plugs?

Yes, both kids’ Golfs are gassers. And autos. Looked for a TDI when my daughter bought her car, but the only one we found was an 05 that had boost issues (and it was an auto as well). My other two driving kids (there’s two more too young, 6 total) at least drive manual trannies.

 

[Zak99b5]

The “her” above is daughter #1. Forgot to type that.

 

[csstevej]

Well finally got the front struts and bigger springs installed on my youngest daughters car, also replaced the rh rear caliper and disc along with the pads on that side. Caliper was definitely toast as was the disc…..
Car drives really nice now , plus I had installed a 2” lift kit almost 8 years ago, with that beef on a budget spring set I got from idparts, the front of her bugs wheel arch to ground is 29”…..mine same setup minus the beefier springs sit at 27 1/2”.
Gonna see if they settle a little…….may have to cut the customs spacers in half …..time will tell.

Funny most of my issues on all my cars vw ,Toyota, Chevy , all are double the amount of issues on the right side..

 

[PakProtector]

Right side ov the road is rougher. And my first counter to that is what I am taking as a clunking strut mount on the left side of my '02. I have the 034 track density on my white Jetta, and am contemplating black PowerFlex for the black one wid the clunk. It is disgraceful; new struts and likely re-used the bearings and mounts...either way it is going to come apart again soon.
cheers,
Douglas

 

[Rrusse11]

Got my set of glow plugs installed with a new wiring loom. Trimmed the wires on the harness and crimped with shrink butt
connectors to the existing wires rather than try and track down where the clip is. This at the recommendation of my guru.
Needs to be taped up after a successful test run home.

Started yesterday by squirting the base of the glow plugs with Marvel Mystery Oil as a penetrating oil. First when cold and
then when I got back from errands, block warm. Same routine this morning. I bought the latest Harbor Freight 20v brushless
1/4" impact driver, 3 speed settings, variable. With an 8inch long 1/4" wobble extension I was able to access each plug
without having to remove any fuel lines. They all came out pretty easily on the lowest speed with the new driver rattling
them gently. Whew! Reading the horror stories I did NOT want to break one. I'm sure the repeated hot/cold application
of oil helped. Overkill doing all four, only one was bad, but I doubt I'll be doing them again for a loooong time. Lots of
the high price high temp nickel based never seize on the threads.

Lo and behold my guru had the valve cover CCV rubber grommet on his shelves! A shot of silicone and it sealed up the
breather for my catchcan elbow. My $9 LED headlamp proved its worth, made seeing what I was doing with my hands
free much easier. My only regret was that I shoulda' bought the whole package deal of harness & glowplugs from the
outset, ah well, c'est la vie. No more CEL on the 20 minute ride home. Now to reset the locknut on the turbo actuator.
If I punch it I'll spike to 30psi of boost. Lol, impressive! but it's pushing the turbo beyond sustainable limits.

 

[MukGyver]

I finally pulled the trigger and ordered an Evolution Atlas belly pan and ramps so I could actually have room to install it. All the narrow winding roads around here have drop offs at the edge of the roadway and it would just take once running off of it.

Speaking of glow plugs my indicator light hasn't been coming on for months and I never did notice when it quit coming on. There has been no cel or issues starting up and the vcds shows nothing for glow plugs. Are there a small number of culprits for this?

 

[Rrusse11]

Mukgyver,
I don't know this, but my understanding is that if the temps are high enough, there's no need for the GPs
to kick in. Certainly when engine is warm, no sign of the pigtail when restarting.






















PS

 

[MukGyver]

Mukgyver,
I don't know this, but my understanding is that if the temps are high enough, there's no need for the GPs
to kick in. Certainly when engine is warm, no sign of the pigtail when restarting.

Thanks that was my thought too. It did get down to 30 and sat overnight still no GP light. It may not be getting cold enough still. I'm guessing there is a temperature signal the ecu sees when the key comes on? Not that I would mess with it but I wonder if the response to it is adjustable in vcsd.

 

[PakProtector]

Got some entertaining applications for anti-seize, and concluded that moly di-sulphide is going to cause me the least issues. It is slippery; and the nut factor is about 2/3 what dry is steel on steel. Most certainly not going to screw 'em in very tightly. The Henkel 8012 is 65% moly by weight...and I have a 4-oz sample that is 72%... I do not want the anti-stick compound to make the dissimilar metals bit a risk.
cheers,
Douglas

 

[Zak99b5]

Thanks that was my thought too. It did get down to 30 and sat overnight still no GP light. It may not be getting cold enough still. I'm guessing there is a temperature signal the ecu sees when the key comes on? Not that I would mess with it but I wonder if the response to it is adjustable in vcsd.

My GP light always comes on when I turn the key. Usually for just a moment, unless it’s cold. But it never doesnt come on.

 

[MukGyver]

My GP light always comes on when I turn the key. Usually for just a moment, unless it’s cold. But it never doesnt come on.

Oh my goodness I've been looking at the WRONG area of my cluster the whole time. It does come on!!

 

[tdidieselbobny]

I was hoping IDParts would've shipped my parts yesterday that I ordered Thursday night, kinda need the oil cooler seals. I started it up on Thursday morning to take it for inspection, opened hood so I could wipe up any diesel from pump, and noticed oil coming out from the 4 corners on top of cooler under filter housing . Positive I changed that not too long ago, but I ordered both again to do it. I got the FAG wheel bearing today, so I may do that tomorrow so car can pass inspection(failed for wheel bearing)... ip triangle socket and fuel temp sensor also in that order, if it's only the top 2 case seals I think I can change them after watching a couple youtube videos on it....

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Sorry about not shipping yesterday. We got snow and ice and nothing was working reliably. We're not as robust as you upstate New Yorkers.

 

[PakProtector]

Friday morning I wanted a gasoline heater from an Iveco running an air cooled Deutz. Freezing rain on a cold car. Had to stop a few times to scrape the windshield before it got warm enough to melt and stay clear. This in SE Mi at about 0500...and then the wiper fluid light came on.
cheers,
Douglas

 

[Mozambiquer]

Friday morning I wanted a gasoline heater from an Iveco running an air cooled Deutz. Freezing rain on a cold car. Had to stop a few times to scrape the windshield before it got warm enough to melt and stay clear. This in SE Mi at about 0500...and then the wiper fluid light came on.
cheers,
Douglas

I was driving back from Chattanooga with a new b5.5 Passat wagon I picked up for my little sister. It was freezing rain and ice. The car was from Florida and I found out that the washer fluid was not the cold weather stuff... What would normally have been a 10 hour drive took about 15 hours.

 

[J_dude]

Well, today I pulled the car in the shop at work to do injection pump seals, all things considered it went well but I think the the head o-ring may have been cut going back in, it’s not leaking fuel so I guess I will see how it starts tomorrow morning and go from there. I have a spare from the DieselGeek kit so I guess I’ll just chalk it up to more experience.
Also upgraded my park brake cables to the heavy duty ones and replaced an abs sensor. Tightened up my armrest and threw a little loctite on the bolt while I was doing the cables. So I guess the day wasn’t entirely wasted haha

 

[Mozambiquer]

I got another Mk4 today. Traded my diesel ranger for a 2005 BEW Jetta and some cash. It's in decent condition, white on black with 293k miles. Needs a turbo oil drain and maybe a few other little things.
Recent cam, turbo, EGR delete and a bunch of other things.

 

[Zak99b5]

Friday morning I wanted a gasoline heater from an Iveco running an air cooled Deutz. Freezing rain on a cold car. Had to stop a few times to scrape the windshield before it got warm enough to melt and stay clear. This in SE Mi at about 0500...and then the wiper fluid light came on.
cheers,
Douglas

When I had my ‘78 Bus i lived in Maine. In the winter I had to scrape the inside of the windshield to see

 

[Zak99b5]

Installed the new Monster Mats. They are (as reported) not as thick as they used to be. But still an upgrade from the factory original carpet mats, complete with holes by both the gas and clutch pedals.

Also tried cleaning the MAF on daughter #1's 05 Golf. She’s getting an intermittent P0101 code. She also had a little glob of sludge on her dipstick. She has a short drive to work, and it’s been cold.