'New' 2003 VW Jetta TDI purchase

[Mark Rinker]

I bought a used TDI today for my daughter that is headed off to college this fall. Has 99,8XX miles on it - my understanding is a timing belt and glow plug (s?) are in order as preventative maintenance items.

1) Any insight on complexity - i.e. should I drop it off at a VW dealership, or buy the parts and do this myself in the garage?

Car seems to run fine, however accleration is a little slower than I expected, and it 'flattens out' under full pedal requests. No black smoke (unburned fuel) at exhaust under any conditions, but wondering

2) What would cause the car to have normal accleration through 3/4 throttle, but nothing under WOT requests?

Any help appreciated.

[ToddMeister]

Maybe EGR is plugging up the intake manifold, heard this happens frequently on the TDI's...

[npauli]

should I drop it off at a VW dealership, or buy the parts and do this myself in the garage?

This isn't first hand, but I've heard the VW dealerships are, um, less than perfect when it comes to TDI's. I believe tdiclub.com is the VW equivalent of the diesel page, and you might want to read up there about timing belt changes and the other quirks that go along with these vehicles.

[rustyk]

It's been a long time since I turned wrenches on a Krautmobile, but the basics of Euro expectations are different from US, for gasoil burners.

However, the torque shouldn't flatten as the turbo spools up , but note that the Euro interpretation of "flatten" is different than on this side of the pond. Euros expect a somewhat flat curve, but tending more towards the high end of the RPM curve, while we expect muscle at the lower end.

What I'm saying is that the typical performance of a German TD is speced for high speed, high output, at Autobahn speeds. Check it out at 120 mph...:D

[Mark Rinker]

This isn't first hand, but I've heard the VW dealerships are, um, less than perfect when it comes to TDI's. I believe tdiclub.com is the VW equivalent of the diesel page, and you might want to read up there about timing belt changes and the other quirks that go along with these vehicles.

Found that site yesterday, looks like a wealth of information. Taking some time today to take the car to the VW dealership in St. Paul for its 100K service, less the timing belt. Told the scheduling gal that I'm fine for their 100K service package :eek: if I can go on a drivability test with the Service Manager or Tech to diagnose (or dispel) this perceived problem.

Hope to pick their brain, then use TDIClub.com and personal knowlege for regular maintenance from here on out...

[Mark Rinker]

Mission accomplished, although it required a few hours at the VW dealership today. They have a nice little scheduled service racket going there - very loyal repeat customers that make all their scheduled service visits. Glad to find the former (female) owner had been one of them - my car had been in every 5K miles like clockwork for oil, filters, etc.

The service history showed a cylinder imbalance code set way back in 2006, the repair included pulling the head to investigate and replacement of at least one connecting rod. A little disconcerting, but at 100K if its still running fine, I guess the warranty repair at ~45K miles in must have been a good one, 55K miles later...

Biggest problem was the EGR system was indeed ~2/3 plugged with the nastiest black gooey sludge I have ever seen accumulate in an engine. Like tar!
Bought the gasket set ($49) and will do the 'decarbonization' myself...they wanted the car for 3 days and quoted $700 for that fix alone!!! :eek:

Oil and filter is now changed, fuel and air filters are done, tires rotated, brakes inspected and have the part numbers in hand for the timing belt, pulleys, rear brake rotors and pad repairs...

...just a little mini-Duramax. ;)

[16gaSxS]

Mark, I picked up a TDI Jetta last summer and I have lurked on Fred's TDI site for several years as I been wanting a VW TDI for 4-5 years. If you don't know for sure if the Timing Belt has been changed DO IT ASAP the BEST belt is good for 100K miles while some are only good for 60K miles. If they break bye bye top end... which happened to a friend of mine who had a nice Passat Wagon. Good look with the VW I love mine.

[Mark Rinker]

Sounds like good advice, thanks.

I am amassing all parts needed to get service items up to date for 100K more trouble free miles...

[mattb5150]

Hi Mark,

I've been a TDI Club and DieselPage member for a while now and have both a Dmax and 96 Passat TDI. I would suggest getting on the TDI club local section and asking about good independent local shops who can do the timing belt for you. Some can be a big PITA as the motor mounts need to be removed while engine is supported. I believe yours is good for 100k miles on that year. Mine have to be done every 60k miles. I wait until a guru has a timing belt get together (GTG) somewhere local and have them do it for me usually at a very good price and these guys are devoted TDI wrenchers. Just my 2 cents.

Matt

[Mark Rinker]

Did exactly that - found a guy close to my hometown that works weekends fixing TDIs. Not cheap, but he has the specialized expertise in these tasks that I don't...

My plan is to have him do the timing belt, de-carbonization of intake, set ignition timing, replace glows and thermostat(s?).

Brakes, filters and fluids maintenance I can handle...

[raunch]

I'm not sure if '03 the touted the tranny fluid as "lifetime", but if they do...it is definately not lifetime. I had mine changed ('05 Passat TDI) at 100K and it looked terrible. A good clean/flush and new fluid, it's like a new tranny now.