An update... just picked the car up from VW and everything was 100% covered under the warranty no questions asked. They paid for a rental car for 10 days and are reimbursing me for towing. They even threw in a free oil change! With a smile!
He told me they installed an updated Bosch high pressure fuel pump design which is better engineered to handle U. S. ULSD that has a lower lubricity than does European ULSD. The entire fuel system, from tank to injectors and EVERYTHING in between, was replaced.
He also told me that every HPFP replacement his dealership performed was fully warranted by VW regardless of how much gasoline they found in the diesel fuel. All 3 cases at this dealership (including mine) had traces of gasoline in the diesel. This was 3 cases out of several hundred VW TDIs they've sold since 2009. Regardless (even in one case--not mine--where a wife put gas in the diesel tank by mistake), VW made the $7800 repair (their cost) under warranty.
Word of wisdom to VW TDI owners; BE DAMN CAREFUL WHERE YOU REFUEL! Sometimes mistakes are made by fuel delivery trucks and diesel fuel tanks can become adulterated with trace amounts of gasoline. My wife filled up her diesel tank at Murphy Oil (Walmart) 180 miles before the HPFP grenaded. From now on, if it doesn't say BP, Exxon, Mobil, Shell, Marathon, Phillips 66, or Shell on the pump, it WILL NOT be pumped into this car!
Our trusty Cummins also have HPFPs too (as does any common rail diesel)... so the advice applies there too.
Although I still fault Volkswagen for putting a weak part on the market that isn't robust enough to withstand diesel in the U. S. market, I applaud them for graciously standing behind their product! When it runs, this is an absolutely delightful car!
Simplysmn: enjoy your new Jetta with no regrets. Keep up with maintenance and get it all done at the VW dealer. Although you may experience a glitch or two, at least you can drive with the peace of mind knowing that VW will stand behind their products.
VWoA redeemed themselves to me by standing behind their product; I'll give VW and my Jetta SW TDI another chance.
