Figured I would post this here as well to see if anyone is interested… It is posted also on TDIclub.com, and I have a guy in Boston who wants to buy it. I know how long distance transactions go along, so I am keeping options open:
I have arrived at a split in the road. I have owned my Jetta since June 2008, and it has always been a hate-love relationship (as everyone experiences with their VW). Recently, a line on the power steering rack blew. Upon repair by a reputable local shop, they found that the differential continued to lock.
Upon disassembly, they created/discovered a hole in the Transfer Case. The transmission is FINE, however, it will need a new case. The predicament I am facing is the difficulty in finding a case to place the transmission into. Another option is to buy a used transmission, but that will break the time bank for me in combination with what else needs to be done on the car.
Car: 2001.5 Jetta GLS TDI
Color: Baltic Green, 6/10
Interior: Tan Leather, 7/10
Mileage: 311,xxx KM (this is around 192,xxx miles)
Transmission: 5-speed Manual
Tires: 8/10, also have 4 snow tires mounted on winter wheels
Amenities: Sunroof, Heated Seats, Short-Shifter, VR6 Clutch/G60 Flywheel, prior owner installed a performance chip (not sure on details, pretty sure it was never tuned), Monster Mats, DieselGeek SkidPlate, Euro Glovebox
What this car needs:
-Work described above; transfer case is busted, needs new housing OR used transmission
-Power steering component(s)
-Rear Brakes
-Timing Belt, Water Pump, Tensioners (within 5-10k miles)
Other Misc Info/Repairs to do (not “needed”):
-I have run Bio-Diesel in this car over time, at a variety of blends depending on temperature/season.
-All Oil Changes have been performed at 7,000 mile intervals (a bit more frequent due to the bio, I am very uptight about oil maintenance), Rotella-T Synthetic used with every interval.
-ABS light is on, I personally don’t like ABS, so I have left it alone
-Trunk light is on; does not latch, but never flies open. Original owner had sound equipment installed in the trunk; the sound deadening material weighs down the door.
-CEL —> Glow Plug Harness. I have done everything to my potential to resolve this, I have never once had an issue starting the car in the dead of a Buffalo winter.
-Will need suspension work
I was planning on having this work done by my local TDI guy (BadNewsMike) upon his return from Mexico, but I cannot afford the amount of downtime that these repairs will require. I work two jobs that require me to be on the road all day, most days.
This is not a plug-and-play car, but it would be a good fixxer-upper for someone who has the tools, resources and knowledge to bring this car back to tip-top shape.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to call me at 716-444-6986, or send me a PM.
-Steve
