When do you service your Jetta TDI?

I have a 2002 Jetta TDI manufactured in Jan 2002 and acquired in late June 2002 and I am approaching 30,000 KILOmetres. I have been calling around and the dealers want quite a bit of money for this service. The manual says to replace the fuel filter @ 32,000 km. How "finicky" is it to do so in my make and model?

The dealers also want to flush the brake fluid. That's not in the manual. On this car, how does one tell if the fluid is good or not? They also want more $$ for additives. What kind are they referring to?

As far as parts go, any concerns in buying aftermarket filters?

Thanks.

Reply to
Pavel
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I go by the book basically... I would do the fuel filter, as the water seperator is in there... the filter is a pretty cheap item, may as well do it. Oil change will be in that service... and about the fluids, the coolant and brake fluid should be done every 2 years apparantly... thats what the manual says, I go by it... yeah it's a little pricey to goto the dealer, but there are always indy shops, or the ole' "shade-tree" home garage.

I just had my 90K service done (same as a 30) and it cost around $600 at the dealer, that was oil change, all new filters, coolant, brake fluid, steering fluid, automatic transmission fluid and filter and computer reset... Then they told me I needed new front brakes... I bought nice cross drilled Zimmerman rotors and PBR pads for around $350 bucks, and a friend and I put them on, then I also needed new tires the week before this (service, tires, brakes... all in three weeks... yes, wallet is depleted nicely) so I got some $600 Nokian WRs.... lots and lots of money to keep a car running by the book, but I think it's insurance against bigger, costlier problems.... so it's worth it IMO.

Reply to
Rob Guenther

Hmmmm ... Let's see ... $50.00 for a VW (Mann or Bosch) filter or $3,000 for an injection pump (plus labor) ... not much of a decision to make there. Replace the filter.

The brake fluid is supposed to be flushed at 2 years regardless of mileage to rid the fluid of the moisture that it collects (brake fluid is hygroscopic - in other words water loving). Not flushing the fluid can lead to premature wear of the hydraulic parts in the brake system due to rust. The dealer's right about on time with that recommendation.

Additives? - probably Stanadyne fuel treatment ... not a bad thing to add at each tank anyway (increases the cetane rating of the fuel and adds additional lubricants for that very expensive injection pump) ... most TDI drivers use either Stanadyne or Power Service additives at each fueling.

You may want to visit Fred's (

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) - there's more infothere about TDIs than you can possibly keep up with. As far as parts go (like fuel filters) - try
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-great prices and even better service.

Reply to
Erik Dillenkofer

I just did a search and there was a post of one VW user that doesn't like aftermarket parts. I wonder if MANN filters fit in that category? The price of OEM vs aftermarket is more than double. I also plan to get rid of the car in a year or so anyways. So, I wonder what' the difference in quality with MANN filters?

: > The dealers also want to flush the brake fluid. That's not in the : > manual. On this car, how does one tell if the fluid is good or not? : > They also want more $$ for additives. What kind are they referring : > to? : >

: > As far as parts go, any concerns in buying aftermarket filters? : >

: > Thanks. : >

: :

Reply to
Pavel

So you agree, aftermarket is ok? I already add fuel treatment, so I'll pass on that one. Can I do the fuel filter myself or should I leave that for the pros?

: > The dealers also want to flush the brake fluid. That's not in the : > manual. On this car, how does one tell if the fluid is good or not? : > They also want more $$ for additives. What kind are they referring : > to? : >

: > As far as parts go, any concerns in buying aftermarket filters? : >

: > Thanks. : >

: :

Reply to
Pavel

How do you know that? The place where I fill up has a lot of VW TDIs pull in, and I've never noticed one of them adding any additives. I typically add some a couple times during the coldest days of winter, wouldn't even consider it when the weather is milder or hot.

I'd say most TDI drivers just fill up their cars with diesel and that's it. I'd bet less than 5% are religious about fuel additives.

On the other hand, my car gets all scheduled maintenance. Been driving VW diesels since 1978.

Reply to
Al Rudderham

I had a MANN oil filter installed when I got my oil changed at my independant Audi Performance mechanic (he touches VW's as well... actually he has more VWs in the driveway then Audi's...) and it was fine, changed the oil at 10000kms. There is most likely a nicer markup with OEM parts.

Never had an issue with using the MANN filter; my friend who went with me for the oil change, as his car needed one too had an Italian built (he's Italian, so he got an Italian filter... don't know the logic behind it, the mechanic said they were about the same quality/price) filter installed in his 2003 Golf TDI, no issues as well.

Reply to
Rob Guenther

Reply to
Rob Guenther

Cool, do you have any idea where can I get some instructions online?

Reply to
Miso

Mann makes the filters for VW - they're the same unit in a different box. Fuel filter is easy to change, takes 5 minutes as long as you know how to turn a wrench. Make sure you fill the filter with either clean diesel or fuel additive (small funnel helps a lot here) so you don't have to crank the car forever to get it to start.

Here's the procedure:

1) loosen the clamps on the two fuel lines and pull them from the metal fittings on the filter (they'll be tight so work slowly) 2) remove the "mickey mouse" clip from the plastic recirculation valve on top of the filter and pull the valve straight up (you'll see why it's called a "mickey mouse" clip once you remove it) 3) loosen the bolt on the bracket that holds the filter and remove the filter (careful, it's full of fuel) 4) replace the o-rings on the plastic recirculation valve and lube with a little diesel 5) replace the filter and fill to the top with additive 6) reinstall the plastic valve and the "mickey mouse" clip 7) reinstall the fuel lines and the clamps 8) start the car and make sure you're not leaking anywhere

Reply to
Erik Dillenkofer

Check out :

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Reply to
mcyben

How about a how to video?

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Reply to
DDB

Thanks Erik!

Do the o-rings come with the Mann fuel filter or do they have to be purchased at the dealer?

: > : > The dealers also want to flush the brake fluid. That's not in the : > : > manual. On this car, how does one tell if the fluid is good or : > not? : > : > They also want more $$ for additives. What kind are they : > referring : > : > to? : > : >

: > : > As far as parts go, any concerns in buying aftermarket filters? : > : >

: > : > Thanks. : > : >

: > : : > : : >

: :

Reply to
Pavel

The o-rings normally come with the filter (in a plastic bag inside the box).

Reply to
Erik Dillenkofer

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