Volkswagen TDI Models

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Comments

  • tcasselltcassell Member Posts: 1
    I have a 98 jetta TDI. The Canadian rating for fuel economy is 49/64 (4.5L=UK gal vs 3.78L=US gal). I know these are in optimum conditions. I am getting 46 m/gal, all highway miles and flat driving below 60 m/hr. I was hoping for low 50's/gal. Am I asking for too much? It is frustrating when everyone seems to be getting 650 miles per tank and I am getting 480. I am hoping it is a minor mechanical issue. Any help would be appreciated.
  • billsbuddiebillsbuddie Member Posts: 41
    I think it is a stretch to say the "everyone" is getting 650 MPT. You are probably driving an auto which will not get the same mileage as a manual. Have you done the "ventectomy" to you gas tank? Check these things out on Fred's TDI and you will feel better.

    Remember,many people exagerate on mileage, I had a 2000 NB TDI and was able to average 43 MPG for a complete year. The mileage will vary in the winter with worse fuel.

    I just got a 2005 Golf TDI and so far have averaged better than 44 MPG on my first 2 tanks of fuel.
  • pruzinkpruzink Member Posts: 112
    Walmart sells Power Services Diesel Fuel additive, I always use a bit of that for a Cetane boost and to give a little extra lubricity for the injector components. Most truck stops sell Howe's Anti Jell. During the colder winter months I mix that with the Power Service additive to lower the gell point even more. I've been up in Vermont skiing with the car sitting outside over night in minus digits with no problems. These cars are very popular up in Canada where some people have really long commutes, I've seen posts on some really nasty cold temps where people are running these cars without problems by using additives.
  • pruzinkpruzink Member Posts: 112
    If you haven't done the "ventectomy" mod; I would strongly recomend it. It gets you about 2 more gallons (90 miles) on each fillup.
  • dolphindolphin Member Posts: 71
    ' (Passats require 506.01)'

    Check your sources. Passats require 505.01, although 506.01 is an even better choice, documentation from VWoA states 505.01.
  • madijomadijo Member Posts: 30
    What is a ventectomy? I have a 2004 TDI so far with 16k miles, zero problems and getting 42mpg with mixed driving!
  • dolphindolphin Member Posts: 71
    Some people like to remove the vent button allowing them to fill their tanks right up to the cap.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    It is NOT the "vent button" that gets removed in a "ventectomy". The "vent button" remains intact so you can push it and purge the tank.

    Instead, a "ventectomy" is the removal of the 'guts' of the filler neck that do not allow venting and filling up to the lip of the filler neck. Some VWs come thru without the vent assembly installed. My 2003 TDI did not have one to remove.
  • dolphindolphin Member Posts: 71
    Thanks for the clarification.
  • pruzinkpruzink Member Posts: 112
    Gas tanks by design are set up to trap an air bubble inside as they are filled (it allows for some expansion and contaction). This really isn't necesary with a tank of diesel. When you open your fuel cap, there is a small white lever that vents that air bubble when you screw the gas cap back on (as it is vented your tank gets more room for more fuel). You can also depress it (some people use a screwdriver) at the end of a fillup to keep getting rid of the air pocket and it ultimately gives you the ability to add a few more gallons. Just pulling the gas cap off and removing this check valve will allow a complete fill every time without pushing and fiddling. Freds tdiclub site has pictures and the complete procedure how to do it. I really like being able to get an extra 100 miles out of a tank of fuel. It does nothing to improve your fuel economy (mpg), it just effectively makes your tank a little bigger.
  • nova_craftnova_craft Member Posts: 7
    Thanks for the info guys, I am in Canada, and know more than a few people with the TDI's, for the most part people don't have trouble, but it only takes one tank of bad gas, and cold temps to make things go wrong.

    Thanks again.
  • boat12boat12 Member Posts: 5
    Anyone have any problems with the tensioner bearing on their timing belt wearing out at or before 60K miles? Mine is going on a 2003 Jetta TDI wagon. I've also clogged up 50% of my intake manifold. Does this seem to be a normal VW situation at 60K?

    Many thanks,
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Timing belt tensionors had a known issue of bad ones. By 2003, they should have all been corrected with the design change to the 100,000 mile timing belt (whicb has an oversized bearing on the tensionor)

    How do you know that your timing belt tensionor is a problem? You have to dis-assemble part of the engine to get to it.

    As for the in take plugging, this has been discussed to death many, many, many times. It is far better to PREVENT it than to deal with it after it happens.
  • madijomadijo Member Posts: 30
    Thanks for the info!
  • mcblazemcblaze Member Posts: 6
    Hey a little off topic (sorry) but i'm considering winterizing my car next season. I'm worried about the motor. I've heard if you let a diesel sit too long, there can be damage to the fuel pump, yadda yadda. But i live in wisconsin, and I don't like driving a car covered in salt. Does anyone have any thoughts on this matter?
  • larrynh914larrynh914 Member Posts: 1
    Hi,

    I was looking at VW's site about the new jetta about to be available in 10 days. Looks good, but I only saw the 2.5 5 cyl available..

    Does anyone know if teh new 2005 1/2 Jetta comes in a TDI version in North America?

    Thanks,
    Larry
  • boat12boat12 Member Posts: 5
    Thank you very much for your response. I also appreciate the promptness of it. I'm told by a trusted source that he can tell by the sound that the bearing is making. It sounds like it doesn't have much longer to live - much like the sound of wheel bearings wearing out. Maybe he's wrong, but I can hear the peculiar sound as well. In fact, I noticed it first.

    My experience so far with VW dealer service is substandard - extremely unprofessional and not acceptable. I'm told continually conflicting advice from one dealer to another and I receive incomplete information. In this example, one tells me the timing belt should be changed at 50K, that the manual is wrong. A call to VW of America said it should be changed at 60K and they refused to let me speak with a supervisor or manager for further verifcation. Another dealer has told me he's not sure but will call me back. Of course, he never did.

    As respects the intake manifold, I am brand new to this recommended forum along with this being my first VW and diesel and have never posted before. I was never advised that this problem would develop. Your welcome of yelling and telling me I am beating a dead horse is to say the least, unique and unusual.

    I'm sorry to say that now I have the problem and prevention is not going to do much for me except once it's clean again.

    I apologize most humbly therefore for mentioning an unpopular subject.

    Again, I most respectfully thank you very much for your response.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Again, I ask... How do you know it is the TIMING BELT tensionor?.... the serpentene belt tensionor would make the exact same sound.

    To properly clean the intake manifold, it must be removed from the vehicle and bathed in solvent. If you are so inclined, search the internet for complete instrucitons including photos to do it yourself.
  • boat12boat12 Member Posts: 5
    Thanks for your reply.

    You have been extremely helpful. And, I will make sure all my friends know about this forum's great resource.

    Goodbye and good luck.
  • fsvfsv Member Posts: 196
    I'll be negotiating price for an '04 leftover tomorrov - Golf TDI GLS. What is reasonable price? Is $17G's too low to ask?
  • boggieboggie Member Posts: 3
    My 2001 TDI had carbon build up at 62,000 and my mechanic said it was a design flaw. He had NEVER seen carbon build up on a diesel engine before and went to the dealer to see for himself.

    Shouldn't Volkswagon of America be recalling this problem and paying for it?
  • boggieboggie Member Posts: 3
    Maybe the carbon built up in the intake manifold, which shold never happen?
  • boggieboggie Member Posts: 3
    My TDI had the Carbon Build up at 62,000. My mechanic went to the dealer with me because he didn't believe what I told him. He says design flaw, the dealer said 62,000 was good because he sees them at 15,000 and blames "poor fuel". I didn't know we all went to the same station.

    Volkswagon has a great product and needs to get off the dime and do a recall and repair on this before we all stop buying them.
  • boat12boat12 Member Posts: 5
    My mechanic removed the covers and took whatever apart to check the bearing. He says the tensioner bearing is definitely ready to fail. The car has 60,548 miles. He then took the car to the VW dealer with me to see if they would help as a goodwill gesture. They told me that they would do nothing to help. And, would only say that the carbon build up in the intake valve should have received chemical treatment in the fuel or I was using bad fuel. Of course, I could pay them about $1,000.00 and they will replace the bearing, the belt, water pump, etc. and with another $5-600, they'll clean the intake manifold. That's why I asked the question as there seems at my lowly end that no one within VW has any consistency. Not much of customer goodwill base either. I was never advised that either of these items were issues. And again, they researched the timing belt replacement timetable and finally said it was 100,000 as stated in the maual. The car also has received superior preventive maintenance with the dealer doing most of the majors. On the other hand, my Honda lasted 300k and 15 years with little major work except timing belts and clutches.
  • pruzinkpruzink Member Posts: 112
    You really don't want your timing belt tensioner to fail on a TDI engine. They are interferance engines and there are plenty of posts that I have read on tdiclub.com about the damage sustained after TB failures and you really don't want any part of that. I'm not sure what year your car is, the newer PD TDI's have a 100,000 mile TB change interval, I thought that the earlier models ranged from 40K, 60K, and 80K intevals. In any case, I would recomend buying the colpete kit when they do the job including the waterpump, all new TB rollers, tensioner (obviously), engine mount stretch bolts. I would strongly suggest reading up on the topic as it is much easier to do the job wrong than it is to do it right. Simple things like torquing the engine mount stretch bolts can be a huge headache (the engine mount thread is aluminum is is easily stripped). A lot of people on tdiclub had their timing off quite a bit after having the job done at a dealer. There are posts on that site that really have to be followed to the tee, also contacts for people in your area that might do the job for you (people that have done many TB's). I believe that dieselgeek sells the complete TB kits, you want to be sure to at least look to see what a complete kit includes, and what upgrades over your existing TB and asscociated gear are available.
    As far as your intake manifold is concerned, if they are going to do the TB, it seems like it would be a good time to remove and clean it. This is a very common problem with these engines. There are also dealers that can do an in place BG induction cleaning (they remove the EGR and have a process that cleans the intake, note oil must be changed after doing it that way). Read this article "http://www.motor.com/MAGAZINE/Pdf/122004_08.pdf", it is one of the better ones that I have seen on the Jetta intake problem. To prevent this from happening in the future, I would suggest looking into installing a CCV filter. If your car is not the newer PD model, the EGR valve can be bias closed by someone that has Vagcom. I would expect that in the future (2006 ULSD will be mandated, and our current 500 ppm sulfur fuel will be 15 ppm) and this problem will become much less (people in CA currently usind ultra low sulfur diesel aren't having this problem). People in Europe also have lower sulfur fuel and don't seem to have this problem. In a way, I really can't completely fault VW for this problem, I'm sure they would prefer the lower sulfur fuel, and the EGR is mandated by EPA emissions (it would have been nice for them to include a CCV filter however).
    Don't let that TB tensioner fail on you though. Good luck.
  • billsbuddiebillsbuddie Member Posts: 41
    Try $17, what's to lose? I just bought an 05 Golf GLS TDI manual and paid $19,161, that included a $500 loyalty bonus. There were zero additional fees, just taxes for the state of course.

    Is the 04 a manual or auto?
  • boat12boat12 Member Posts: 5
    Many thanks. I sure appreciate the time and effort you put into your post. I will definitely check these things out!
  • grayghost531grayghost531 Member Posts: 3
    Hi: I'm kind of new to this forum I had a german built 1978 Blue Rabbit diesel that i put 158,000 miles on it before i got smashed in the side and totaled in Tampa. I last month just bought a 2005 White Jetta station wagon TDI and have enjoyed reading your comments on dealers and maint. costs for these diesels. I am looking at doing most of my own maint.work. Which top side oil remover pump do most owners like the best
    Also the dealer in my area has the Castrol TXT 505-01 for $11.95 a quart so I did some serious shopping and found the Motul 5-40 weight which by all accounts is slightly superior for $5.75 a Quart and VW oil filter for $7.65 Thanks this is quite a change for me when I had my 78 diesel there were no forums ROY
  • billsbuddiebillsbuddie Member Posts: 41
    I have a Pella 6000, works like a charm. Just be sure that the oil is "warm" when you change it. Enjoy that TDI, I had an 81 Rabbit and now I have an 05 Golf TDI, no comparison.
  • pruzinkpruzink Member Posts: 112
    If you get the Motul 5W-40, just be sure that it is the one that meets VW spec 505.01. Motul does make a 5W-40 oil that meets this spec, you really must use one of the relatively few oils sold in this country that meet that spec. The Castrol %05.01 oil that the Dealer sells comes in Liter bottles (be carefull not to overfill when doing your change); but $11.95 definitely sounds quite high. You can get the 505.01 Motul from "worldimpex.com" for $5.75; and "tdiparts.com sells a new German oil just introduced into this country "Pentosynth" 5W-40 that meets VW's 505.01 spec for $6.00/ltr.
    I think that Pella sells the most popular topside oil changer, I know they have differant models. I made my own with a vacuum pump that I had. Be sure to suck the oil out of the filter housing and then suck down into the oil cooler which is just below the filter after sucking out the crankcase. You can find more info on the oil extractors at tdiclub.com if you are interested.
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    Availability of the TDI in the new Jetta is being quoted by most dealers as somewhere in the May-June timeframe. I think that is a reliable estimate.
  • lostwrenchlostwrench Member Posts: 288
    I bought a 1980 diesel rabbit new, and it turned out to be one of the best 3 cars I ever owned. On a trip from Connecticut to Seattle to the Great Salt Lake and back to Connecticut, I used just 125 gallons of fuel. I constantly traveled from Connecticut to Washington, DC, using less than 7 gallons of fuel. When she could go no more, she had 279,000 miles on her. I miss that car. ($7000 new).
  • ufoguyufoguy Member Posts: 1
    the owners manual for my new 05 passat TDI states that the 2.0 liter TDI requires 505.01 spec oil. no mention is made of 506.01. i think that is a viscous rumor.

    506.01 is fully synthetic isn't it? does it meet the requirements of 505.01.

    thanks for your help.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Is anyone here using ULSD in your VW TDI? If so have you noticed any loss of power or mileage? I was reading a trucking magazine. They were doing tests on ULSD and noticed some loss of power and mileage.

    Anyone looking for a VW TDI @ $200 over invoice look up Armstrong VW in Portland Oregon. The Internet salesman is very pleasant to deal with.
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    Just the opposite - these engines were designed to run on low sulfur fuel - no comparison to the heavy-duty truck market.

    A lot of truckers complained when CA went to low-sulfur diesel, because many of the older engines were not engineered for this fuel. VWs [and every other EU-designed diesel] were specifically designed for Europe's nearly sulfur-free fuel, and then COMPROMISED for our market because of the crap we sell as diesel in so much of the country. MB and VW are chomping at the bit to get their best diesel technology into this country, which can't happen until late next year when low-sulfur becomes the national standard.

    VW is going to hold back the release of their newest diesels in the next-gen Passat for our market precisely because our fuel compromises power and emissions. The lower the sulfur content, the better, and that goes for every diesel car currently available in this country.

    I know that the very newest truck engines are being developed with emissions and clean diesel in mind - but these will be more expensive, and yes, in the trucking world, I wouldn't be surprised to see some fuel consumption penalty because of the emissions rules. Cleaner air costs money, and the trucking business is notorious for short-term thinking on this issue. The marginal companies and some independents may not be able to afford to stay in business and go to the new technology. In any case, what makes a trucker's life complicated is precisely what the car companies are lobbying for so they can sell clean diesels here.
  • sebring95sebring95 Member Posts: 3,241
    I've used BP/Amoco Diesel Supreme as much as possible in my '00. It's hard to find, so I've maybe run 40% of my 110k miles on it. It's not technically ULSD, but it's 30ppm sulphur and 50 cetane. I've certainly not noticed a loss in power, more likely a slight increase. MPG doesn't change enough to measure. I would imagine the power increase is from the higher cetane, and I'm not sure if all ULSD has higher cetane, or if that's just included with the BP supreme product. There are many other differences though, such as zero smoke on cold starts, zero smell on cold starts, much less odor when fueling, and a substantially quieter engine.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Hi Gagrice,

    Did you finally end up with a TDI?
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Not yet. I have a dealer that will sell for a little over invoice in Portland, and all I have to do is convince my wife we need another vehicle. I have someone that wants my Suburban that is 7 years old and just like new. I may sell it to justify the Jetta Wagon TDI. I really don't need the Sub. I can always buy a beater truck for hauling stuff.

    Sebring
    I have a SOCO station about a mile from my house that sells the BP ECD-1 that is less than 15 PPM. I have run it in my little Kubota tractor and it is cleaner for sure. Power seems the same. I have learned a lot about the TDI from the forum both positive and negative. I think the main lesson is find a good VW TDI mechanic. I'm not sure that any exist in San Diego. I will probably ship the VW to Hawaii for our place over there in about a year. They also use a lot of biodiesel in the Islands.
  • buckeyelarrybuckeyelarry Member Posts: 15
    Any idea impact on ULSD will have on current vehicles. I have appointment to drive 05 Passat tomorrow - down to this or the Toyota Prius. A little concerned about the untested (over time) technology in Prius. A little concerned about impact of new fuel on the Passat TDI.

    First I'd heard 06 Passat TDI being held off. Any idea when it will come out?

    For that matter - pricing for the 06?
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    About your comment ". A little concerned about impact of new fuel on the Passat TDI." Have you not been paying attention to the other posters?

    The TDI engine was designed for ELSD and will run much better with it. Anyone that has access to ELSD for their TDI is very lucky indeed.
  • buckeyelarrybuckeyelarry Member Posts: 15
    I'll pass this along to the dealer - as they did not have answer 3 weeks ago.
  • sm3323sm3323 Member Posts: 3
    Hello,

    I would like to request to some help/advice on certain problem.

    My car has 70k miles on it and began stalling and losing engine power. The engine light also came on. I took it to the dealer. The dealer said that I had carbon build up in the EGR intake and air flow meter.

    I cleaned out the carbon build up in the EGR intake but still have the same problem.

    I purchased an OBDII tool and came up with the following faults:
    P0725: engine speed inp circ malfunction
    P1780: this is not in the user manual
    P1850: data bus powertrain missing message from engine contr.

    The user manual is not very helpful at all into going about fixing these faults.
    I'd apprceiate any help/advice anyone can give me.
    Thank you!
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    I can only repeat: ALL current automotive diesels from VW and Mercedes will run BETTER on low-sulfur diesel.

    From what I've heard, there will be no diesel in the new-gen Passat until the '07s are shipped, in the latter part of calendar year 2006. By then, low-sulfur fuel will be the standard nationwide, and thus no longer an issue. So, only gasoline Passats for about 18 months when the new car debuts later this year.
  • buckeyelarrybuckeyelarry Member Posts: 15
    Please update your experience of mileage for you Passat TDI - and type of driving, city/hwy. Thank you.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    By then, low-sulfur fuel will be the standard nationwide,

    Hopefully the TDI and others will be able to meet California's strict standards on ULSD.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    The California emmissions requirements have been brought into question many times.

    One of the big problems with them are that they are based on "emmissions per MILE" instead of the more realistic way of measuring "emmissions per fuel consumed"

    A diesel engine uses so much less fuel than a gasser, the emmissions are actually LESS when measured with "emmissions per fuel consumed"

    Although the emmissions from a diesel engine are cleaner than most gassers in many respects, The diesel engine has more SOOT output from the tailpipe than a gasser does.

    VW, DC and other diesel engine manufacturers are already working on the SOOT problem. (exhaust filters are the current technology)
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...there are two problems meeting CARB standards:

    -One is indeed particulate matter ["soot"], and the solution there is a new-generation of exhaust traps that have been available in EU for some time, but which are just being rolled out in quantity now. These are a vast improvement over attempts to do this same thing 20 years ago, which MB tried and gave up on. Targets are to go at least 150k miles without servce.

    -The second issue is more problematic: NOX emissions. While compression combustion is more efficient in nearly every respect, it is harder to control NOX than in spark combustion engines. There is a lot of confidence between Bosch, Peugeot, MB, VW and others involved that the problem can be solved with a combination of more precise injectors, timing, combustion chamber design, and additives [urea injection seems to help; again, the idea would be for this not to have to be added except at major services like 30k or 60k miles]. I have to emphasize, though, that at this point there is only HOPE and a positive general direction to the engineering - no one has actually produced an engine yet that meets CARB standards for 100k or 150k miles...but no one has given up, either, and the general presumption is that the engineering involved will eventually happen.

    IN BOTH CASES, [NOX and particulates], the fuel required will have to be less than 15 ppm of sulfur. In the EU, by 2007, their diesel fuel will essentially be sulfur-free. Ours will vary by region, from 30 ppm to virtually zero. We shall see where all of this leads...
  • steprovsteprov Member Posts: 9
    My wife is very interested in purchasing one of these because it is "cute".(It's a 1.9 L Diesel) I'm more concerned about the reliability. How good is it? Should these be avoided or are they a safe bet? What are the problems to watch for? Your input will be greatly appreciated!!!
  • vwinvavwinva Member Posts: 71
    Have run a used TDI GLS wagon for nineteen months and 55K with only one problem. Fuel sensor that I replaced for $56. Do need to watch out for EGR problem. My engine warning light started flickering at @85K. Took the mechanic about an hour to clean out the manifold. Most of the routine maintainance you can do yourself. You save as much on maintainance as you do on fuel.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    I beleive that the "EGR problem" that you refer to is one in the same as the "plugged intake manifold" that you already had cleaned out.
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