[Vwdiesel] 04 VW Jetta Diesel flywheel defect

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

I have an 89 Jetta na diesel and had it in the shop for some winter 
maintenance, and as I sat in the waiting room I had a chance to chat with 
the Service Director. I mentioned that I was happy with my ancient vintage 
oil burner, but was interested in the TDI's.

He said that maybe I was lucky not to have one. He described an 
exasperating experience the company had recently with the correction of a 
"shuddering clutch" in a customer's 04 Jetta TDI.

The customer complained that shifting gears was accompanied by a serious 
shudder or vibration that was alarming and unpleasant, and he asked that 
the shop replace the clutch.

The mechanic discovered that the dual-mass flywheel was mounted in rubber 
to reduce vibration, and the rubber was deteriorating and failing, allowing 
the flywheel to move around.  This was putting extra stress on the 
transmission, and was in general a very weak and problem-prone system.

It was also a very costly repair. The flywheel replacement was $835 just 
for the part.

I am posting this because it changed my enthusiasm for owning a used TDI. I 
also Googled "shuddering clutch" associated with TDI, and got hundreds of 
hits describing similar nightmares.

So, I'm even happier than I expected to be with my simple old vintage VW 
diesel.  Ohio had a record breaking amount of rainfall this year, and that 
may translate into vastly increased amounts of snow and ice this winter. It 
is probably time to put on 4 new winter ice tires, in addition to a 
freeze-plug electric block heater.

Doyt Echelberger