Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 10:09:45 -0800
Reply-To: Donna Stewart <DStewart@CHRM.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Donna Stewart <DStewart@CHRM.COM>
Subject: Re: Question about TDI Jetta Problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
I'd have to review the warranty again but he needs to stay on the dealer about this. A lot of them don't know what they're talking about. I don't know if the timing belt is actually a chain-I'd have to look at the Bentley; I just had mine replaced in connection with the 80,000 mile service (expensive-I only did the timing belt part). My TDI has been problematic; fried the turbo because of a small oiling tube that became clogged (coked) despite all precautions (correct oil change at correct interval, allowing engine to cool after hard runs, etc.) I'm overall happy with the engine despite this mishap, but dislike the lack of overall quality in the newer cars and WILL NOT be buying a new VW in the foreseeable future, if ever again. For all the complaints on this list about the temperamental nature of Vanagons, I've never (knock on wood) had the problems with any of my Vanagons that I've had with my New Beetle. From what I hear at the dealer my car's quality problems are fairly common. If I didn't have such a long commute I'd sell my Beetle and just run my Vanagons; I may still do so.
Donna, 1990 and 1987 Vanagons + a not so happy Beetle
>>> Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET> 12/12/02 09:39AM >>>
My cousin Brian bought a 2001 Jetta TDI. 50k miles later his car loses
power and dies while driving down the road. After having it towed to a VW
service shop they are telling him he needs a new fuel pump. Pricing them
they are around $1300. What I am wondering is this:
I have heard that the new TDI engine has a timing chain instead of a belt.
If this is true then does the belt just drive the fuel pump? If so then
could he merely have a broken belt for the fuel pump and the shop is really
just yanking his chain? He spoke to the VW dealer and they are saying that
the fuel pump does NOT fall under the power train warranty (hard for me to
believe).
Anyone with input or experience with a similar problem would be appreciated.
I don't have any experience with the new TDI cars since they are so new that
there isn't really much in the aftermarket for them yet, and also since most
of them have not yet had any major problems because they are only a couple
of years old.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
Phone: (856)-327-4936
Fax: (856)-327-2242
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