TDI automatics

[JR]

Been keeping an eye out for another TDI the last few months for both the wife and I to drive to work. She works a straight day shift as a RN Case Manager, and I'm all over the place on hours, depending on what's going on at work. Between the 2 of us we could really rack some miles up on it, it would help keep the mileage off her new Mountaineer and my truck, and save quite a bit in fuel as well. I'm looking at something 5-7 years old, mileage isn't as big a factor for me as maintenance records are. My question is are the automatics in these cars a stout unit or should I shy away from them? It seems like theres as many autos as standards floating around out there which is why I'm asking. I really have no preference, the wife is a typical Ohio country girl and can row gears with the best of em...

There is a clean looking Passat with an auto just over the border in PA when we get back from vacation I'm thinking about taking a look at it and am curious how all you tdi owners feel...

The last VW I had wasn't a TDI but more like a... . well a DI I guess... . :-laf 85 Golf, non turbo, off road fuel sipping black smoke belching gutless wonder. And I loved it. In hindsight it was one of the best cars I had for the price, I saved it from the junkyard, put an injection punmp in it from a wrecked Jetta, and drove it another 100k before scrapping it. They sure have come a long way since then!

 

[CKelley1]

the automatic is not really a automatic. neat setup, efficient and very reliable. it is a manual transmission with a torque converter. the engine uses a serpentine belt instead of gears or chain for cam, just change every 100,000 miles

 

[AHarris]

The only bad thing about the DSG is that you have to change the fluid every 40,000 miles. It's a difficult procedure best done by the VW dealer and it's not cheap: around $400.

Get a stickshift or a slushbox.

 

[seafish]

Not quite sure wheteher the 6 yo Passat you aretalking about has the Tiptronic or DSG transmission. BOTH are solid transmissions, with the DSG being higher maintenance, but also MUCH quicker shifting. The early Tiptronics had some TC problems that were resolved by 2005. Give us more details on the car... and maybe we can help more.

 

[JR]

The Passat is an 05 so it is slightly older. I'm really not opposed to a 10 yr old vehicle if it has been maintained. Also not opposed to a Jetta or a Golf, but I would prefer a 4 door so I could pile the rugrats in the back if desired...

05 Passat, automatic, original owner, 135k miles, timing belt supposedly done at 85k, asking 8500 obo. Price seems to be about par with what I've been seeing so far. I see a brand new one parked in the driveway so this one must not have left a bad taste in their mouth. To me thats a good sign if theyre willing to plop the $$$ down on another... .

Are there any particular years that had issues I should be aware of, IE fuel systems, trans, etc?

Thanks guys



Just for fun here is a picture I dug up of ' ol silver... .

]



Can't figure out how to rotate the picture

 

[HBarlow]

The DSG is actually two small manual transmissions with two sets of gears, a computer and hydraulics to shift them and a dual mass manual flywheel/clutch assembly also controlled by a computer.

 

[AHarris]

... and it's all bathed in a very expensive Volkswagen mystery juice that must be changed every 40K

 

[mwilson]

Please read the link that I have provided in regard to the 01M VW automatic transmission used up until '05 or so. I own one and am aware of what I have.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_01M_transmission



If it poops, then I will convert it to a 5 speed manual. Right now it appears to be in good health other than an occasional torque convertor flare that is visible on the tachometer. If it lives until next year I may pull the valve body and send it out to Missouri. There is a shop out there that will ream the bores and install O/S Sonnax plungers.



Just wanted you to be aware that these little time bombs are out there behind many TDI's. Passats only had them from '95-'97. Jetta, Golf and New Beetle used the 01M from '95-'05.



Mike.

 

[GCroyle]

... and it's all bathed in a very expensive Volkswagen mystery juice that must be changed every 40K

Yeah, You even HAVE to use VW approved washer fluid too. Grin, Grin.

My Beetle handshaker also has special mystery juice in its case, yup.

 

[JR]

Thanks for the link Mike. That is the kind of info I'm looking for. The Passat was gone by the time we got back from Wyoming. I'm pretty well set on either a Passat or Jetta, but am willing to look at virtually anything TDI. Aside from any unforeseen maintenance costs, it will virtually pay for itself with all the driving the wife and I do. Will keep you posted on anything I come across and any questions I may have.
Thanks again!

 

[mwilson]

And in case you missed my post from the other day, be sure and check the A/C and cooling fan operation.



Very simple to do,



key to on,

A/C button on,

heater fan on to at least speed 1.



Both radiator fans should be running at low speed. If not, then it needs to be dealt with. If one or both fans are running with the key on, start the car and see if the compressor has engaged and it is making cold air.



That will be on my list for any future used VW purchases.



Mike.

 

[Freebore]

Diesel4life

After I lemoned my 07 Ram with a 6. 7 & its emissions issues in '08, I picked up an 06 Jetta TDI w/DSG and drove it until I found a low mile 07 Ram with a 5. 9 last fall - just sold it. It was loaded - package 2 with almost all options - real leather, moonroof, premium stereo, but hard to sell or at least it was for me, possibly being the winter. Spring came and it was gone.

Another site to look at for TDI info is here:

http://www.tdiclub.com/

There is a lot of info on several different year models there. Some key areas to focus on and some are mentioned here are:

1. The DSG transmission - yes they are expensive to service at a dealer and not much to save by yourself - filter and oil is about $150 or so. Special equipment is needed to fill the transmission from the bottom BUT if you have patience you can drizzle it into where the filter mounts but it is SLOW.
2. Some DSG flywheels were know to grenade, self destruct, etc. Recommendation is to update to a new flywheel PN to avoid the chance, but mine was okay. Some run beyond over 200k with no trouble.
3. The 1. 9 PD diesel was known to have trouble with worn cams due to the narrower lobes on the cam which was a poor design due to cramming the injectors in between the valves in the head which was really aggravated by VW switching to 5W-30 in place of 5W-40 oil they started out with. I switched mine from VW approved oil to Mobil 1 5W-40 TDT and had no trouble - 3 Blackstone lab reports were good. Performance was good, economy was 42 mpg (every tank hand calculated)
4. Air bags warnings - twice I had the dash light tell me my airbag was faulty. I bought VCDS and diagnosed it and it turned out to be the clockspring the first time (under steering wheel). The second time it indicated wiring under the seat to be the culprit but I fixed the known wiring under the seat and it turned out that cleaning all battery grounds in the engine compartment under the air cleaner, etc. , was the solution. These vehicles are fussy in the grounding department.
5. My second DSG service was combined with the 80k timing belt change which also included a new water pump. Got the whole thing done for $1000 from an independent and it worked out very well.
6. Brakes - be careful as some rear brakes wear faster than the fronts due to the emergency cable not being adjusted right from new. I found it too late and had to replace pads and rotors. Had to cut into the rear of the driver console behind the ashtray to reach the adjuster but was easy once I found the shortcut to the adjuster.
7. I bought parts from IDParts.com and 1stvwparts.com - better than dealer prices.

Overall - fun car to drive but a little tough on the maintenance.