[Vwdiesel] observations on Tdi Passat after 1yr(long)

[griz]

maded wrote:
>
> Greetings all,
>
> I think I suggested comparing notes with Loren about our 97 Passat Tdi's
> recently.  Now, after 1yr of ownership here are some observations:
>
> In general, I really like finally having a "nice car".  It looks good too,
> shiny metallic black, dark dark windows and hugging the ground.  It has
> plenty of room and comfort for the family, 4 doors!  The airbags, kid seat
> belts and aft anchors plus the solid bigger car feel give a real sense of
> security.  The trunk is huge.  It is quiet, you can actually talk to someone
> or listen to music on the sound system and when you close the door, it makes
> a satisfying "thunk" rather than the "pang" I've been used to.  The AC is
> effective and seems to cause no loss in mileage which has been 42-47 on the
> highway.  The Yakima top box takes about 5-7mpg off though. There is plenty
> of power to merge and going over the mountain passes is no problem in cruise
> control in 5th and occasionally 4th gear.

I agree.

>  Of course, having a nice car means worrying more, keeping it clean, "get
> your feet off the back of seat!, no eating or drinking in the car!" and so
> on..

Don't have this option yet.

> There does seem to be some coupling in the throttle by wire, PIO causes a
> slight jerking when trying to drive for economy.  It can be shifted at
> around 2000 rpm and driven on the level at under 2k.  When driving
> "normally" the "jerkiness" is not noticeable.

Still annoys me after 135k.

> The power equipment is troublesome.  The door locks often hesitate, the
> driver side window will not raise fully; the last inch it makes a terrible
> ratcheting sound and must be helped by hand, it then sags back down ~1/2
> inch.  The moon roof has worked well.

Seems to be a common problem. Supposedly a stripped gear in the motor.
Mine
started doing this after someone broke the window, tugged on the door,
and stole wifes purse. Replaced under insurance.

> The PO lowered the car and tinted the windows; Neuspeed sport springs.  Have
> scrapped on some steep driveways.  It looked good with the 15" alloys but I
> bought it with the stock 14" steel wheels and stock Goodyear Eagles.  Those
> tires were terrible, they had a nice soft ride but promptly went flat one by
> one.  I replaced them with some nondescript General tires but wish I had
> kept the the alloys and Toyo performance tires.  The car has an annoying
> pull to the right but dealer says the alignment is right on... suggests the
> lowering is causing sensitivity to the road crown.  Maybe it is radial pull.
> Also, the  tinted the windows are very dark (the PO claimed it was necessary
> for his work, some kind of "agent").  This has been a safety issue looking
> for pedestrians at night.

I wouldn't have lowered a Passat but thats me. Problem I've had is
finding
good replacement strut inserts. Any ideas?

> The power steering is also rather odd.  It has quite a resistance to being
> moved, yet is very sensitive.  Finger pressure on the wheel causes a turn,
> yet deliberate turning is resisted...rather like a dampener is in the loop.
> I can't get used to this...I have to use a 5 & 7 hold on the wheel instead
> of my prefered 10 & 2 or I will wander all over the road.

Don't have this problem, maybe susp. related ?

> As for smoking, it did not when we got it.  Just a little puff at start up
> and hard acceleration.  Now, after a year, it is smoking substantially at
> start and acceleration produces a noticeable haze behind the car.  The MPG
> has also dropped.  With the top box off but the roof rack still in place the
> MPG is about 40.

Mine does when first starting in the morning and when I romp it.
Recently
the check engine light came on and dealer said OBD said it was EGR
related.
Any ideas?

> I have done nothing with the car except get the roof rack and service at the
> dealer; a new timing belt at 65k, new serpentine belt at 75k, 3 oil changes
> using the dealer supplied Castrol this all in ~12k miles.  I will be going
> in to the dealer for another OC and have the window fixed, this time using
> Rotella Synthetic.  Dealer service is expensive, the car is costing almost
> as much  as it cost me to maintain the old airplane I had, but of course we
> put a lot more time in the car.  When I get more time I would like to
> maintain it myself so I will need the maintenance manuals.  If any one has
> an extra set, I would be interested.

Does Castrol make an oil rated for our cars ? Related to the smoking,
did
you check the dipstick after the dealer changed the oil?  The ones I've
been to overfilled by a third to a half quart the first couple of times.
Said the computer told them to put too much in. Third time I checked it
at the dealership and had them remove excess. Never had the same
problem.
BTW, smoked alot when overfilled. Local dealer used Valvoline(?)
Durablend till someone noticed it didn't meet spec's and switched to
Mobil 1 20w-50.

Dennis
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