Found a TDI

[jmeehan]

We bought a '03 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed tonight. I saw it yesterday and fell in love on the test drive. My wife drove it today and liked it.

She's been unhappy with the poor gas milage her truck had been getting. We traded in the '02 1500 4X4, with the 360, that gets 12 mpg.

I asked if I could install gauges and she said "What ever you'd like. "

When I mentioned "Diesel fuel only" she said "It's so quite I might forget".



So I offered to install a strait pipe so she'd remember it's a diesel at the fuel station and I got the look. :-laf

 

[Rescue Ram]

That's too funny. "The look" :-laf Congrats on the new car.

 

[FATCAT]

Aw yes, you will love it (check my signature). I always thought about installing a gauge or two, but since I'm leaving it stock, there is no need.



Enjoy it, just get to someone who has the VAGCOM software and have them plug into your new car and shut down the EGR. Check out www.TDIClub.com for a list of people in your area. They are glad to do it for you.

 

[av8r]

The LOOK!

Get used to the look! I get it almost every time I fuel either of my Jettas. Sometimes a good Samaritan will come running up to you telling you of your errors!! :-laf



I've put a boat-load of miles on mine and they work great! I love 'em!



Vag-Com up-grade is mandatory! Just had to clean the intake on the '01. But now, after a few key strokes, never again! :-laf

 

[jmeehan]

Thanks for the info everyone. I found a link to the TDI Club on here last night after we got the car home. I joined today.

I'm thinking of picking up the VAG-COM software myself, I need to find a laptop first. The TDI website listed one member in Alaska, before I joined. Maybe I didn't look in the right place.

I took the plastic motor cover off tonight and got lost. I can't see the turbo, well I can see a very small sliver, or the turbo to intercooler hose. This will be a learning experiance.

I bought a couple filters today, now I just need to decide what oil I want to run. I'm leaning towards a non-synthetic 5W40 and changing it every 5000 miles. I still need to research this.

 

[Rescue Ram]

It is advisable to run synthetic. The turbo bearings don't live very well on dino oil. You will see a lot of posts on this subject over on TDIclub. I personally use Rotella 5w40.

 

[av8r]

Rotella 5W-40 since 1st oil change. I recommend as well. When changing the oil, make sure to pull the filter while the drain plug is open. There is a check valve at the bottom to drain the housing to the pan this will open when the top is removed. If you don't you'll get unfiltered dirty oil in your new clean stuff.

 

[PStorey]

Congrats on the TDI. The Vag-Com is great program for VW's and Audi's. Been to Uwe Rosses house to test Beta releases of the S/W for the Audi's. Anyhow, The turbo IS behind the engine near the fire wall under the exhaust manifold. Rotella T Full Synthetic is great oil. Many TDIers use it and go 10,000 miles between changes. As a rule of thumb Oil and Air filters at 10k miles Fuel and pollen filters at 20 kmiles. Do the EGR mod to assist in keeping the soot levels down on the intake. Get the best fuel you can qand drive it like you stole it. worldImpex.com and or TDIparts.com are great parts places. They help support the TDI club. As for gauges boost is good that is really all that is needed. The suspension usually bites the dust at 50k miles or so. Bilsteins are a perfect upgrade.



Yo FATCAT hope you are still warm with the new heater. .



PeterV

 

[RACE427]

Dell has special on a Centrino Lap Top right now for $ 1000. 00 Automotive programs run best with Pentium Processors/ Good Luck and enjoy that program with your new TDI. Looks like you bought your wife her first " Big Rig starter set" !!

 

[jmeehan]

What does VW consider severe service for these engines? I can't find anything in my owners manual or on the TDI site. The reason I ask is my Dodge is on the severe service maintanence schedule.

Will synthetic oil go for 10,000 miles or one year under severe service conditions? I worry about moisture and acids building up in the engine. Does the TDI oil get hot enough to burn the moisture out of it?

I'm considering a 5,000 mile/six month oil change schedule due to our short drives here, less then ten miles. Or is this overkill with synthetic? Thanks, Jeff

 

[Rescue Ram]

I have never found reference to a "severe duty" cycle in any VW lit. In my personal opinion, 10k miles between oil changes is too long. I run 5k and still feel like I am neglecting the engine. Considering the cost of the engine, I find frequent oil changes to be very affordable. People at TDIclub will tell you that anything less than 10k is wasteful. In the end, it comes down to personal choice and comfort level.

 

[PStorey]

I agree personal preference on the oil. Its the ingested dirt and other road particulate that causes damage. I can not recall it there is a snow screen on the '03's IF so clean it There is a door that bypasses the screen and the extra dirt gets in that way. It is located on the snorkel before the air box. As for the short commute the TDi community does feel that the synthetic IS the way to go. These TDis are close tolerance engines and the feeling is use the best oil you can afford. In the cold synthetic is a good choice because of its flow characteristics. These TDi's heat up pretty well so it should not be much of an issue in burning off moisture.

 

[FATCAT]

Congrats on the TDI. The Vag-Com is great program for VW's and Audi's. Been to Uwe Rosses house to test Beta releases of the S/W for the Audi's. Anyhow, The turbo IS behind the engine near the fire wall under the exhaust manifold. Rotella T Full Synthetic is great oil. Many TDIers use it and go 10,000 miles between changes. As a rule of thumb Oil and Air filters at 10k miles Fuel and pollen filters at 20 kmiles. Do the EGR mod to assist in keeping the soot levels down on the intake. Get the best fuel you can qand drive it like you stole it. worldImpex.com and or TDIparts.com are great parts places. They help support the TDI club. As for gauges boost is good that is really all that is needed. The suspension usually bites the dust at 50k miles or so. Bilsteins are a perfect upgrade.



Yo FATCAT hope you are still warm with the new heater. .



PeterV

Yo Peter, long time no talk. Yes, the TDI heater worked great this winter ...

Any more TDI GTG's this summer?



jmeehan ... you will DEFINITELY want to install the TDI Heater since you live in Alaska (www.tdiheater.com). Also, if your getting the VAGCOM software, don't forget to get the adaptor to connect the laptop to the COM port on the car.

As for oil, I use the AMSOil Series 3000 synthetic oil all year since the 1st oil change. I have over 72000 miles on it now and no problems.