What did you do to your MKIV today?

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Oil change: Last one before IBW reaches 500K

 

[dieseldonato]

Got .260 injectors off burpods last group buy. Installed them last night and loaded a new tune with some revisions needed from before and to account for the slightly larger injectors. Cars definatly running better then before, and I think we got the overboost issue settled. I'll drive and log this week, see whay burpod has to say. I really think it's close to good for my current set up. Last few tanks have me back to 47mpg. Eager to see where this new tune and injectors get me.

 

[CanadianALH]

Got .260 injectors off burpods last group buy. Installed them last night and loaded a new tune with some revisions needed from before and to account for the slightly larger injectors. Cars definatly running better then before, and I think we got the overboost issue settled. I'll drive and log this week, see whay burpod has to say. I really think it's close to good for my current set up. Last few tanks have me back to 47mpg. Eager to see where this new tune and injectors get me.

The .260 power is a problem. Can’t keep my foot out of it car is such a blast to drive. Still getting the same economy too but driving it way harder.

 

[dieseldonato]

The .260 power is a problem. Can’t keep my foot out of it car is such a blast to drive. Still getting the same economy too but driving it way harder.

I had 230's before, so power is similar if not the same. I hadn't planned on getting .260s as I'm dumping tons of money into the shop right now, but burpod favors them and I had the extra money, so why not?
I did drive the car before loading the new tune. It was very similar in manner/power etc.same minor issues I had with it before. The new tune seemed to smooth everything out/refine things a bit more. I did notice it seems to idle a bit smoother, and acceleration is a bit smoother. Power also seems to come on a bit better in the 1600-2k rpm range. I'm not 100% sure if it's the injectors, tune, or a combination of both. I'm happy with the results either way.

 

[PakProtector]

I have a clutch job to schedule before the .260 install... And some other bits...minor ones like front bushings and new struts/shocks.

Douglas

 

[snakeye]

Not my TDI, but my City Golf. Thought I'd clean up a little rust, only to find out after a little peeling that I need to patch up the floor panels.

The sound deadening was a pita to scrape off. Ordered some new stuff, and in the meantime I have a lot of work to do.



Cut out a couple floor pieces from the wreck yard:



Installed one so far with jb weld and rivets:



Now I need to tackle the other side:



Will coat the whole floor with some coal tar epoxy. Should hold up better than the fume coat of silver the car left the factory with. Not sure how the other cars are built, but looking at what's underneath the carpet in this Brazilian mk4, it seems quality control was not a priority. There are blobs of seam sealer all over the place, and despite water clearly leaking in (probably from sunroof drain), I didn't think the car would start rotting from the inside.

 

[P2B]

Saw long beaches on a wagon today and wow do they look good on there! Mine are nice from 15 feet lol. Definitely see a refinish in the future (maybe next winter) I got them for enough of a deal I’m not super worried for this year. Definitely looking forward to going to some meets this summer with the car.

Summers on today...

 

[CanadianALH]

Summers on today...

That’s is one clean looking wagon.

 

[J_dude]

Definitely in pretty good shape for an Onterrible car.

 

[terrydtdi]

Oil change: Last one before IBW reaches 500K

Peter that's great! You got me by 40,000 miles.

 

[Mozambiquer]

Peter that's great! You got me by 40,000 miles.

I just did a timing belt and resealed 11mm pump in a 495k mile alh Golf. He just got it recently as a beater to go along with his 520k mile ckra Passat, which I also did the timing belt in last week. I did remember how much harder a timing belt in an alh is as opposed to a common rail or PD.

 

[TomJD]

Changed the headlight lenses and redid the headlight wiring. I also swapped out the grill with one that was less faded and didn’t have broken tabs.

 

[Fix_Until_Broke]

Dual alternators?!

Donor vehicle was an ambulance - was easier to leave them on, and they fit, so why not?

 

[Fix_Until_Broke]

Loaded it on the trailer...

Stay tuned for the "rest of the story..."

Ok - some back story before the "rest of the story..."

The above Roadmaster wasn't out of winter storage yet so was going to use the Jetta to pick up some items for a friend of mine using my smaller trailer (lots of pics in the towing thread). I've been daily driving the Jetta all winter, no issues other than a starter and battery that were replaced. The Jetta sat for the month of April as I drove a different vehicle for a while - drove it to it's parking spot, no indications that anything was amiss.

So, go to start the Jetta the night before the trip with the trailer, key on, cranks over fine, fires up a bit rough/stumble (normal), runs on all cylinders for ~15 seconds then dies. Hmm - that's weird...

Hit the starter again and it cranks over super fast and easy, doesn't start. Uh oh... Try it again, same thing. ***?
Start checking things - can't find anything wrong, timing belt is good, tensioner is good, no lifters are spidered, etc
Grab the compression gauge - 150 psi in 3 of 4 cylinders (didn't do #4 because it's a hassle to get to and with the results of the previous 3, doesn't really matter anyway...)

So, because I'm spoiled with a good friend that let's me use his shop with a hoist, I drive the other vehicle to get my Roadmaster out of storage, borrow my uncles trailer (shown above), bring that home with my other car on the trailer, push the Jetta on the trailer to take it to my friends shop to dig into it deeper. I don't know what's wrong, but I don't want to tear into this outside in my driveway.

Get to my friends shop, double check everything, cam/IP/Crank timing are spot on, another lifter check, pull the crank damper pulley, no issues with the timing belt - can't find any reason that it has 150psi compression.

On a lark, try to start it again and it starts to catch, then a bit more, then running on it's own (2 cylinders maybe), and after a few more seconds on all 4 cylinders. It starts to stumble and die again, but saves itself and keeps running. So, put everything back together, clean up my tools, take it out for some "exercise" and it runs fine. Shut it off, restarts fine. Let it sit overnight, starts right up the next morning. So, load it back up on the trailer and bring it home. Did a compression test tonight and got ~380 psi on the same 3/4 cylinders (cold engine, 18:1 CR, Stage 2 Cam installed straight up, etc)

Best guess is that the rings got "sticky" and were not sealing well, therefore low compression, sounds like it's freewheeling when cranking and no start.

My friend says he's had this happen 2 times in 40 years on diesels - Both were manual transmission trucks and was able to tow them in gear to get them spinning fast enough to make enough heat to start combustion. One of them was 10+ years ago and still runs fine today.

I was expecting to find something catastrophic and for it to be the end of the line for this car, but not yet .

As the late Paul Harvey would say..."now you know, the rest of the story"

 

[SilverGhost]

One in a million chance rings lined up on multiple cylinders?

Jason

 

[GlowBugTDI]

Ok - some back story before the "rest of the story..."

The above Roadmaster wasn't out of winter storage yet so was going to use the Jetta to pick up some items for a friend of mine using my smaller trailer (lots of pics in the towing thread). I've been daily driving the Jetta all winter, no issues other than a starter and battery that were replaced. The Jetta sat for the month of April as I drove a different vehicle for a while - drove it to it's parking spot, no indications that anything was amiss.

So, go to start the Jetta the night before the trip with the trailer, key on, cranks over fine, fires up a bit rough/stumble (normal), runs on all cylinders for ~15 seconds then dies. Hmm - that's weird...

Hit the starter again and it cranks over super fast and easy, doesn't start. Uh oh... Try it again, same thing. ***?
Start checking things - can't find anything wrong, timing belt is good, tensioner is good, no lifters are spidered, etc
Grab the compression gauge - 150 psi in 3 of 4 cylinders (didn't do #4 because it's a hassle to get to and with the results of the previous 3, doesn't really matter anyway...)

So, because I'm spoiled with a good friend that let's me use his shop with a hoist, I drive the other vehicle to get my Roadmaster out of storage, borrow my uncles trailer (shown above), bring that home with my other car on the trailer, push the Jetta on the trailer to take it to my friends shop to dig into it deeper. I don't know what's wrong, but I don't want to tear into this outside in my driveway.

Get to my friends shop, double check everything, cam/IP/Crank timing are spot on, another lifter check, pull the crank damper pulley, no issues with the timing belt - can't find any reason that it has 150psi compression.

On a lark, try to start it again and it starts to catch, then a bit more, then running on it's own (2 cylinders maybe), and after a few more seconds on all 4 cylinders. It starts to stumble and die again, but saves itself and keeps running. So, put everything back together, clean up my tools, take it out for some "exercise" and it runs fine. Shut it off, restarts fine. Let it sit overnight, starts right up the next morning. So, load it back up on the trailer and bring it home. Did a compression test tonight and got ~380 psi on the same 3/4 cylinders (cold engine, 18:1 CR, Stage 2 Cam installed straight up, etc)

Best guess is that the rings got "sticky" and were not sealing well, therefore low compression, sounds like it's freewheeling when cranking and no start.

My friend says he's had this happen 2 times in 40 years on diesels - Both were manual transmission trucks and was able to tow them in gear to get them spinning fast enough to make enough heat to start combustion. One of them was 10+ years ago and still runs fine today.

I was expecting to find something catastrophic and for it to be the end of the line for this car, but not yet .

As the late Paul Harvey would say..."now you know, the rest of the story"

Maybe look into doing a hotsoak with seafoam or b12 to let it seep past the rings and break things down that may be causing them to stick. Just to be sure it doesn't happen again. Just as an extra step of caution. If it's been running for a few days now without issue its probably ok.

 

[Mozambiquer]

20240515_193030.jpg

• Mozambiquer
• May 16, 2024

20240515_191953.jpg

• Mozambiquer
• May 16, 2024

20240515_191944.jpg

• Mozambiquer
• May 16, 2024

I picked the beetle up.
The drivers side door and the front frame horn are bent, and the engine mount is broken. The engine is going into my sister's Jetta, but I'm undecided on fixing up this beetle or parting the rest of it out.
It has no rust, which is a big plus, and the white bug is just simply a nice look, but I am not sure whether I should add to my list of things to do...

 

[STDOUBT]

the white bug is just simply a nice look

Agreed! I really like the A4's in white.
Those wheel covers are hella cool - never have seen any quite like that before!

 

[Mozambiquer]

Agreed! I really like the A4's in white.
Those wheel covers are hella cool - never have seen any quite like that before!

Yep, regardless, I am thinking what I can do with the wheel covers...

 

[KrashDH]

Yep, regardless, I am thinking what I can do with the wheel covers...

Make a belt buckle

 

[burpod]

Make a belt buckle

that seems like a bit blazing saddles outlandish!!!

 

[benmarks]

After 3+ years of searching, and two false starts with sellers in Australia, Cascade German came to my rescue and just informed me that my carpeted trunk trim from a 4Motion Jetta/Bora sedan donor car finally arrived! These were the last parts I needed before my conversion would be complete (in a 4Motion MK4, the rear floor sits 5 inches higher):

4motion_trunk_trim.png

• benmarks
• May 17, 2024

 

[irvingj]

Idiot time.. was trying to get a 1982 Yamaha Virago 750 up on its main stand and it tipped... and put three deep gouges in the paint on my 2005 J Wagon's left rear quarter panel... grrrrrrr!

 

[csstevej]

Finally had time to work on youngest daughters 03 NB’s A/C system.
Pressures were even on both suction and pressure so I ordered a RCV from polar bear along with seal kit.
It was pretty straight forward to do , but was unhappy as the oil wasn’t clear but had an grey tint and I didn’t have time to replace it nor the oil .
So I trudged ahead and replaced the RCV installed new gaskets , vacuumed system for 30 minutes and checked for leaks , which were none .
I serviced the Freon to the correct amount and pressure and suction was good , I got 36 degrees out the vent .
I know in the future I’m gonna be replacing parts , but this gets her on the road for now.

My question for you guys is …… is there a good write up on what needs to be change and how to flush out the system.
I know I’m looking at a compressor , condenser , receiver dryer , expansion valve.
Also what good compressors are there to be had , I know they’re nissen , Valero , Bosch and sanden plus after market ones .
Thanks In advance.

 

[skyking1]

Hello all, long time no see.
I have a gunmetal 2003 Beetle with 181K on all original stuff. Brakes made a noise so I checked them and I'm ordering up parts tonight.
It has been ducking and weaving for a while on the OEM struts, so I think new strut assemblies, rear shocks, loaded control arms as well as the brakes.
Still choosing struts. Too many options for these MKIV.
Someday I want to cut up a TT and frankenQuattro the beetle. For now I will just drive it.

 

[Nuje]

My question for you guys is …… is there a good write up on what needs to be change and how to flush out the system.
I know I’m looking at a compressor , condenser , receiver dryer , expansion valve.
Also what good compressors are there to be had , I know they’re nissen , Valero , Bosch and sanden plus after market ones .
Thanks In advance.

Given the specific question and probably good answers, I'd suggest starting a bespoke thread for this topic - easier to find for future searchers (I'm thinking of myself here, too, of course ).

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Hello all, long time no see.
I have a gunmetal 2003 Beetle with 181K on all original stuff. Brakes made a noise so I checked them and I'm ordering up parts tonight.
It has been ducking and weaving for a while on the OEM struts, so I think new strut assemblies, rear shocks, loaded control arms as well as the brakes.
Still choosing struts. Too many options for these MKIV.
Someday I want to cut up a TT and frankenQuattro the beetle. For now I will just drive it.

I'd go with Bilstein B4s or B4 Sports. They work great with the NB's lower ride height.

 

[csstevej]

Given the specific question and probably good answers, I'd suggest starting a bespoke thread for this topic - easier to find for future searchers (I'm thinking of myself here, too, of course ).

Lol yes I’m going to start a new thread , just wanted to throw what I did and potentially where I may be going to next.

 

[Zak99b5]

With the arrival of warm weather, I am now able to use the fob to lock and unlock the driver's door. Rest always work with the remote; the actuator in driver's door is lazy and takes a break from October till mid-May.

 

[GlowBugTDI]

20240515_193030.jpg

• Mozambiquer
• May 16, 2024

20240515_191953.jpg

• Mozambiquer
• May 16, 2024

20240515_191944.jpg

• Mozambiquer
• May 16, 2024

I picked the beetle up.
The drivers side door and the front frame horn are bent, and the engine mount is broken. The engine is going into my sister's Jetta, but I'm undecided on fixing up this beetle or parting the rest of it out.
It has no rust, which is a big plus, and the white bug is just simply a nice look, but I am not sure whether I should add to my list of things to do...

Sad to see it banged up. Looks like a sweet ride. I see the side markers below the mirrors are gone and covered with decals. I haven't seen that before.
It'll be a lot of body work for you. As much as I hate to say it good luck on straightening that front end. I'm sure it can be done, but it'll be a lengthy process trying to get it perfect. On the beetles it doesn't take much to have the front end lines be off. Especially since there isn't a whole lot of room you can fudge with on those. Everything is bolted to everything up front. My beetles front clip is still about 1/2-3/4" off to the drivers side. I think part of it could be resolved with replacing the rad support, but even so it took multiple attempts replacing structures and trying to figure out what was bent for me to get it this close. What might make the difference is someone with experience or with the tools designed for straightening a car. I just couldn't figure out what or where it was off as everything looked and measured almost perfect except the rad support.
View media item 159185Note side to side the difference in body lines adjacent to the hood where the bumper and fenders meet.