You'll have to let me know how you like the VAG COM reader. I've been putting off getting one for a long time.
TWT -- The Wrenching Thread (12 Viewers)
- Thread starter jfz80
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You'll have to let me know how you like the VAG COM reader. I've been putting off getting one for a long time.
Also, and this will make @GLTHFJ60 happy, since we decided to keep the VW i'm going to address some of the issues and see how long we can make the thing last. I figured first OEM trans lasted about 190k so if this one lasts that I can be happy with that although i'm still at a loss as to how the first one went out (i'm guessing PO wasn't using the correct fluid).
So i'm ordering the Uber fuel filter designed to use the CAT 2 micron fuel filters. While the OEM filters are decent many on the VW sites and various diesel mechanics say they don't filter enough. Plus an OEM filter is $27 and a CAT is $7.50 and lasts about 4 times as long.
Bypass oil filter, same reason as the fuel filter, OEM is said to just not be good enough to help the engine go the distance.
Panzer skid plate. Stock plastic skid fell off years ago when the car bottomed out on a curvy road. Another regular complaint on the VW site for the MKIV jettas is the front suspension squats to easily and the oil pan hangs down way to low for this. This has lead to numerous threads on oil pans smaking the road (as ours has, although a light grazing so we got away easy) and putting a hole in it and taking out the engine. Also avoid anything in the road like the plague such as a lego block or you may put a hole in the pan. So diesel geeks have made a skid plate just for the MKIV's and that will be going on there soon.
Other than that change the fluids replace the million sensors and relays that will inevitably go out and we will see if 400k is attainable.
When the injectors go its upgrade time to a set of PD150's. If the cam goes (PD engines have this issue but the BRM not the BEW that we have are the main culprits of this) then a colt stage 2 is in the works. Turbo... upgrade that also.
We shall see how long this little red kraut can go.
So i'm ordering the Uber fuel filter designed to use the CAT 2 micron fuel filters. While the OEM filters are decent many on the VW sites and various diesel mechanics say they don't filter enough. Plus an OEM filter is $27 and a CAT is $7.50 and lasts about 4 times as long.
Bypass oil filter, same reason as the fuel filter, OEM is said to just not be good enough to help the engine go the distance.
Panzer skid plate. Stock plastic skid fell off years ago when the car bottomed out on a curvy road. Another regular complaint on the VW site for the MKIV jettas is the front suspension squats to easily and the oil pan hangs down way to low for this. This has lead to numerous threads on oil pans smaking the road (as ours has, although a light grazing so we got away easy) and putting a hole in it and taking out the engine. Also avoid anything in the road like the plague such as a lego block or you may put a hole in the pan. So diesel geeks have made a skid plate just for the MKIV's and that will be going on there soon.
Other than that change the fluids replace the million sensors and relays that will inevitably go out and we will see if 400k is attainable.
When the injectors go its upgrade time to a set of PD150's. If the cam goes (PD engines have this issue but the BRM not the BEW that we have are the main culprits of this) then a colt stage 2 is in the works. Turbo... upgrade that also.
We shall see how long this little red kraut can go.
I almost got the full ross tech one but that is a hard pill to swallow. In the end I ordered one of amazon that was still a little pricey at $150 but had great reviews. I'll let you know how it works tracking down the bum sensor.
Upgrading injectors, the turbo and cam won't help the motor last long!! I like your plan on the filters though.
Meh, won't stress it that much. That motor is the one thing VW made incredibly strong. I should clarify what I mean by upgrade though and add the PD150 injectors and the upgraded turbo I have in mind are from the EURO engine. Only thing different was the ECU programming and those two things. The 150 is the amount of HP the engine had from the factory as here we got the PD100. The cam is really only an upgrade to make sure the lobes never wear out again if they still made a stage one i'd do that but they dropped it from the line up..... stage 2 is only a 10 ft/lbs upgrade unless major head work is done. So when I say upgrade i'm not looking for a 200+whp 450 fl/lbs race motor just what they got in europe.
EDIT: Sorry I meant the PD130 injectors not the 150. So take everything I said 150 in and put 130 in.
I should drink coffee before I try to type anything.
Obviously the 130 stands for 130HP.
The PD130 injectors also are said to deliver better mpg over the PD100's. The PD150's don't effect MPG either way.
EDIT: Sorry I meant the PD130 injectors not the 150. So take everything I said 150 in and put 130 in.
I should drink coffee before I try to type anything.
Obviously the 130 stands for 130HP.
The PD130 injectors also are said to deliver better mpg over the PD100's. The PD150's don't effect MPG either way.
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NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
Dash lamp harness pre terminated , then terminated and wrapped. This is an item often overlooked. 28 year old wires often do not like carrying extra current for new dash lights, switches etc. This harness uses OEM lamp circuit to fire relay with battery power to any new dash lamps
JToobe
SILVER Star
Read thru the thread regarding the charcoal cannister...were you experiencing any issues or did you proactively do this? where did you source yours from? If you proactively did it, any noticeable changes?
JToobe
SILVER Star
Brother in law just called to share that he recently purchased an 05 4Runner with about 290k miles for $5k. Great condition but when he took it to same local shop (I also often use, very trustworthy) to get some work done he knew it needed, timing belt mainly, they discovered it had a blown head gasket. $7k+ to replace engine. I'm not mechanically inclined nor is he so posting it here to get some input from those of you that have knowledge/wisdom/experience with this......shop recommends he sell the car.
When hot I was (am?) getting classic 80 vapor smell, huge tank pressures, gas puking, boiling, etc.
The VC120 mentioned in most other threads is the auto zone part #. I crossed the part number so I could pick it up from either Advance or O'Reilly (CP1018 is the same part number at both stores). There are many cars that used the same canister but if you wish to shop the part at some other store a 1994 base model Corvette should get you there.
This is not my daily driver so too early for me to be able to report results. I can tell you having a corvette part on there made it no faster.
Other threads have given me a couple options to follow up with .... first item being zero ethanol fuel due to lower boiling point and second to double check exhaust to be sure it isn't dumping heat on the tank.
Curious .... was the mechanic saying the blown head gasket had caused other serious damage and thus the engine was toast (i.e. why not replace head gasket and be on his way?) I have never had someone else replace a HG for me so I don't know today's rates .... I would guess $1500. Granted $1500 is a lot to spend on a 290k motor that isn't being rebuilt.
Is it safe to assume your brother took it for a test drive? Did he notice anything wrong with the truck, how it ran or how it drove?
How did the shop determine that the head gasket is bad?
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
I'd say that this is certainly second opinion territory.
JToobe
SILVER Star
Thanks @Rice & @GLTHFJ60 & @NCFJ , I can't speak to the details and don't have a complete understanding of the issue(s) .... have encouraged him to get a 2nd opinion and got a recommendation from someone in my office to get that from who have also proven to be fair and quite reasonable on labor. I believe the blown head gasket resulted in a crack or possibly cracks in the block between 2 of the cylinders on either one or both sides (V6 for the 4R's?). Hate that this happened to him, he works at a non-profit, has 4 kids and the oldest starts college next week! I'll probably be digging in my pockets to help out....no improvements to the herd for a bit longer!
if the motor is trashed look for a low mileage replacement.... 7k is a bit steep
NCFJ
Supporting Vendor
Have your brother check out local used car lots, Heather used guys she called "Motor Loaders". You bring them the same motor or trans from the same vehicle with whatever they tell you they will need and they swap out the motors and get it running. She used to pay $500-$800, generally a couple days and she'd have the car back.
Well the scan function works well.... doing individual systems isn't bad. The full system scan take a while but the unit isn't exactly a RAM powerhouse lol
I was betting on a rear sensor, turns out it is my PS front one. Going to reclean it and the ABS ring today and check for any broken or cracked wiring before I order one as the sensor is $70.
Full scan told me I had a CPS that has an intermittent/passive fault so i'll be replaceing that also as it must be starting to go bad if the new starter doesn't fix it up (bad starter on these TDI's can have a hard start/crank that will trip the sensor)
I'm not 100% sure yet but I don't think the unit will activate any systems like purging the ABS module if you need to bleed it. That sucks because that is a very useful thing to be able to do and the only way to do it. So if it doesn't i'm stuck with the option of having a dealer of VW garage do it or getting the more expensive ross tech unit and getting rid of this one. All in all it works well and will report back if I can figure out if it does purge the ABS.
Got all the decking finished up on the F550 bed yesterday in the rain. So much rain this time of year.
Need to seal it and mount the fill necks before they fall down onto the road again
Just noticed your new rig, sweet F550. Is it a 7.3 or a 6.0?? If 6.0 Head studs installed and EGR fixed or deleted?
Soldering Iron - 1, Me - 0
Oh man that sucks, burns are the worst!
