VW owners, chime in! - Page 5

Sniper X · 06-01-2012, 08:13 AM

I feel I should explain, I really WANTED a VW of some sort because after driving one, it is the closest thing to a BMW that I had driven. I loved the way it drove and felt. However, after this thread and talking to the three VW drivers I know, I decided against one solely because all I wanted and NEEDED was a solid totally reliable car that got good mileage AND was at least not BORING to drive. I can say at this point, the Focus has hit the mark! Of course I'll have to see how reliable it is but for the drive and econemy, it is already proven itself to me. I was pushing it again this morning down my road and left everyone behind so far they took about a minute of me sitting at the light to catch up when they normally are all on my ass to pass!

Kokopelli · 06-01-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdiaz

Well, its either a leaking head gasket or a stuck fuel injector, right? Sounds like they've beaten the fuel pump thing to death.

Yep, that's what I thought, but this turned into a reasonably big deal. VW turned it into a training day for its techs from around the country to show them how to disassemble the pump and diagnose if it was faulty. Apparently they found diesel in a section of the pump where there shouldn't have been any.

None of this has cost us a cent.

jdiaz · 06-01-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

Yep, that's what I thought, but this turned into a reasonably big deal. VW turned it into a training day for its techs from around the country to show them how to disassemble the pump and diagnose if it was faulty. Apparently they found diesel in a section of the pump where there shouldn't have been any.

None of this has cost us a cent.

You're lucky. In the US, VW would tell us that the pump is leaking because of our poor quality fuel.

troidus · 06-01-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdiaz

You're lucky. In the US, VW would tell us that the pump is leaking because of our poor quality fuel.

And then charge us US$10k to replace the entire fuel system.

Sniper X · 06-01-2012, 02:44 PM

Funny they can't get a diesel fuel system right. My 1986 Isuzu Trooper Turbo Diesel had 245K on it when I sold it. I bought it with about 180 K on it and owned and drove it every day for 8 years. I put a whopping .85c into it for repairs in that time, and probably 300 in maintenance. I talked tot he guy two years after I sold it and he was still driving it.

Why can VW not get this right?

SourKraut · 06-01-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniper X

Why can VW not get this right?

My 1982 diesel Rabbit lasted nearly to 300K miles with just maintenance despite being totaled twice.

Sniper X · 06-01-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SourKraut

My 1982 diesel Rabbit lasted nearly to 300K miles with just maintenance despite being totaled twice.

Yeahbutt...now...whats up?

SourKraut · 06-01-2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniper X

Yeahbutt...now...whats up?

Beats me, I'd buy a new VW diesel without concern but wouldn't do it thinking that it was going to be the cheapest option. I've found that I can't tolerate driving lifeless appliance type vehicles, despite trying. I can afford new VWs without hardship so they make sense for me. Not to mention that I've had great luck with them and never had a major mechanical issue while owning nearly a dozen of them (well I did put an engine in my 1971 westfalia).

I just traded in my '06 F150 at 64K miles with multiple major mechanical problems which I never would have predicted. The transmission was going (torque converter failure), the 4X4 actuators and front hubs were ruined, rear axle was dry because the diff cover rotted off over the winter and it was clicking/binding, it had multiple engine electricals replaced (throttle body, maf sensor, etc.), ABS problems and the other day the AC compressor siezed. There were other things I forgot I'm sure.

Kokopelli · 06-01-2012, 03:36 PM

[QUOTE=Sniper X;18816603
Why can VW not get this right?[/QUOTE]

Considering the huge number of VW Diesels on the road they have probably gotten it right. In Germany they sell loads of them. If they were as crappy as some people make them out to be, they would not sell any. Our car (my wife's) is a joy to drive. I do it once a week for 10 kms to pick up bread from the local baker on Saturday morning. The rest of the time I use the GS. I hate sitting in traffic, not even a nice car can get me to do that.

troidus · 06-01-2012, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SniperX

Funny they can't get a diesel fuel system right. My 1986 Isuzu Trooper Turbo Diesel had 245K on it when I sold it. I bought it with about 180 K on it and owned and drove it every day for 8 years. I put a whopping .85c into it for repairs in that time, and probably 300 in maintenance. I talked tot he guy two years after I sold it and he was still driving it.

Why can VW not get this right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SourKraut

Beats me, I'd buy a new VW diesel without concern but wouldn't do it thinking that it was going to be the cheapest option. I've found that I can't tolerate driving lifeless appliance type vehicles, despite trying. I can afford new VWs without hardship so they make sense for me. Not to mention that I've had great luck with them and never had a major mechanical issue while owning nearly a dozen of them (well I did put an engine in my 1971 westfalia).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

Considering the huge number of VW Diesels on the road they have probably gotten it right. In Germany they sell loads of them. If they were as crappy as some people make them out to be, they would not sell any. Our car (my wife's) is a joy to drive. I do it once a week for 10 kms to pick up bread from the local baker on Saturday morning. The rest of the time I use the GS. I hate sitting in traffic, not even a nice car can get me to do that.

It's the poor fuel quality in the U.S., specifically its lubricity. The wear scar rating of U.S. diesel is 520. VW needs 460.

jdiaz · 06-01-2012, 06:32 PM

Kokopelli is in New Zealand, IIRC. US fuel isn't to blame on his car.

Is there an additive one can use to obtain the desired wear scar rating?

rdrce698 · 06-04-2012, 10:13 AM

2009 GTI. 52,000 mostly trouble free miles. The dealer replaced the intake manifold under warrantee a while back. I do most of my own maintenance. I paid around 25k no money down with zero interest and at the time that was the best all around car for the money I could find. As soon as I drove it I was hooked. I really like it. 25-27 mpg mixed driving. I've gotten as much as 30 with all highway. My kids Accord is bulletproof and is a great first car for her but is no fun at all to drive. This thing does everything well, is comfortable and fun to drive.

Sniper X · 06-04-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troidus

It's the poor fuel quality in the U.S., specifically its lubricity. The wear scar rating of U.S. diesel is 520. VW needs 460.

can't some OTC additive fix that?

Commuter Boy · 06-04-2012, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdiaz

Kokopelli is in New Zealand, IIRC. US fuel isn't to blame on his car.

Is there an additive one can use to obtain the desired wear scar rating?

Yes. Stanadyne or biodiesel in small quantities, among others. There's a thread on it at Freds with breakdowns of the effects of all the major diesel additives on lubricity.

jdiaz · 06-04-2012, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Commuter Boy

Yes. Stanadyne or biodiesel in small quantities, among others. There's a thread on it at Freds with breakdowns of the effects of all the major diesel additives on lubricity.

Interesting. Illinois has 5-10% minimum blend of biodiesel across the board.....all the MBZ guys are freaking out because they can't get straight diesel here.

06-01-2012, 08:13 AM	#61
Sniper X ^OP De Oppresso Liber Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Central New Mexico, 7420ft above sea level Oddometer: 30,360	I feel I should explain, I really WANTED a VW of some sort because after driving one, it is the closest thing to a BMW that I had driven. I loved the way it drove and felt. However, after this thread and talking to the three VW drivers I know, I decided against one solely because all I wanted and NEEDED was a solid totally reliable car that got good mileage AND was at least not BORING to drive. I can say at this point, the Focus has hit the mark! Of course I'll have to see how reliable it is but for the drive and econemy, it is already proven itself to me. I was pushing it again this morning down my road and left everyone behind so far they took about a minute of me sitting at the light to catch up when they normally are all on my ass to pass! __________________ "I claim to be frightened of horses but do so only to get out of attending parades. It's peculiar but ...it works. The Horses get it. RESISTANCE IS NOT FUTILE. IT'S VOLTAGE DIVIDED BY CURRENT

06-01-2012, 02:44 PM	#65
Sniper X ^OP De Oppresso Liber Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Central New Mexico, 7420ft above sea level Oddometer: 30,360	Funny they can't get a diesel fuel system right. My 1986 Isuzu Trooper Turbo Diesel had 245K on it when I sold it. I bought it with about 180 K on it and owned and drove it every day for 8 years. I put a whopping .85c into it for repairs in that time, and probably 300 in maintenance. I talked tot he guy two years after I sold it and he was still driving it. Why can VW not get this right? __________________ "I claim to be frightened of horses but do so only to get out of attending parades. It's peculiar but ...it works. The Horses get it. RESISTANCE IS NOT FUTILE. IT'S VOLTAGE DIVIDED BY CURRENT

06-01-2012, 03:36 PM	#69
Kokopelli Yeah, right! Joined: May 2003 Location: Waimauku Oddometer: 4,250	[QUOTE=Sniper X;18816603 Why can VW not get this right?[/QUOTE] Considering the huge number of VW Diesels on the road they have probably gotten it right. In Germany they sell loads of them. If they were as crappy as some people make them out to be, they would not sell any. Our car (my wife's) is a joy to drive. I do it once a week for 10 kms to pick up bread from the local baker on Saturday morning. The rest of the time I use the GS. I hate sitting in traffic, not even a nice car can get me to do that. __________________ R1150GS R80GS Basic __________________

06-04-2012, 10:13 AM	#72
rdrce698 Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: long Island,New York Oddometer: 54	2009 GTI. 52,000 mostly trouble free miles. The dealer replaced the intake manifold under warrantee a while back. I do most of my own maintenance. I paid around 25k no money down with zero interest and at the time that was the best all around car for the money I could find. As soon as I drove it I was hooked. I really like it. 25-27 mpg mixed driving. I've gotten as much as 30 with all highway. My kids Accord is bulletproof and is a great first car for her but is no fun at all to drive. This thing does everything well, is comfortable and fun to drive. __________________ It's a Big Block chevy in a motorcycle,,,,,,,being ridden by a gorilla, why? natedog39

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06-01-2012, 06:32 PM	#71
jdiaz . Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Elburn, IL Oddometer: 31,097	Kokopelli is in New Zealand, IIRC. US fuel isn't to blame on his car. Is there an additive one can use to obtain the desired wear scar rating?