VDub Help!

[Starboard M]

Girlfriend has a '09 VW Jetta TDI with auto tranny. She is currently trying to get the 40k service done, and apparently the transmission service is not covered under her extended warranty.


She has called around, and been quoted $500 and $800 from two places for a transmission flush and filter. Couple others simply wont work on it because its a TDI and auto?




IMO, thats a $300 service, not $800, but I have no experience with German cars. I found some write ups online, and it seems like a pretty easy job to do. I know labor, etc is a huge cost, but that much?


Questions for you 'gents:
1. Is that a typical charge for this type of service?
2. Do we need to be ready to bend over and take it while having service done to her car?


3. And finally, does anyone have any recommendations for shops that work on TDI VDubs? We are in the Denver metro area.

 

[DutchVDub]

Autobahn Premier Service

3296 South Acoma Street, Englewood, CO 80110

(303) 935-9065

Talk to Randy. He is the guy I always go to on my VW's and Audis when I can't handle it myself.



According to AllData its an external filter and calls for .6hrs labor to replace, not sure but the quote you were given seems rather steep. Of course I think 300$ for the trans service on my truck was a ripoff.

 

[Kaczman]

Give Anuthee at Dieselland a call. He only works on TDI VW's.

http://www.dieselland.net
16007 W 5th Ave, Golden (6th & Indiana)
512-773-5212

He's busy so you'll need to make an appointment but I won't go anywhere else.

 

[ClarkPeach]

A basic/standard Dexron ATF flush at my shop is $269.

We charge that same 269 PLUS the cost of any "special" fluids, PLUS labor for filters... Farfromgroovins are not cheap to maintain...

 

[DutchVDub]

Yes they are, but keep perpetuating the myth so I can get a hold of them for cheap.

I will say I probably won't do anything newer than a B5.5 Passat or MK4 Golf/Jetta. Audi the newest I'll go is a B6 chassis A4/S4 or C5 chassis A6. After those they get all complicated and over engineered.

 

[zluster]

Yes they are, but keep perpetuating the myth so I can get a hold of them for cheap.

I will say I probably won't do anything newer than a B5.5 Passat or MK4 Golf/Jetta. Audi the newest I'll go is a B6 chassis A4/S4 or C5 chassis A6. After those they get all complicated and over engineered.

If the engine is in the front.........

 

[DutchVDub]

...... Then it's where it belongs.

 

[Starboard M]

Thanks for the help guys.


Called the dealer since my girlfriend had no idea what she was talking about. The $800 quote was for tranny service (fluid flush and filter), as well as air filter, pollen filter, computer reflash, airbag check, brake pads, fuel filters, and a couple pointless system checks.


Since it had to go in for other stuff, she is just having them do all that. I guess its worth it?





Did get a +1 for her seeing why I need a garage though! One down, a lot to go.

 

[Kaczman]

That still seems pretty high but dealers always are. I think I paid just over $1100 for a timing belt, water pump, transmission service, oil change and filters as well as a brake fliud flush.

- Jon

 

[DutchVDub]

Timing belt alone on a V6 Audi is 1100$. I spent 700$ doing it myself after parts and tools. Nice thing though is now I can do it on the Audi and Passat for just the 350$ in parts.

 

[DrMoab]

Timing belt alone on a V6 Audi is 1100$. I spent 700$ doing it myself after parts and tools. Nice thing though is now I can do it on the Audi and Passat for just the 350$ in parts.

And this is why I will never ever EVER own a car built in Germany.

 

[DutchVDub]

It was the easiest timing belt job I've ever done. I guarantee I can knock out a V6 Audi timing belt job a hell of a lot faster than most any other car out there. The entire bumper and rad support comes right off and then you just swing the a/c condenser off to the side. After that just pull up a chair because it's fully exposed and right in front of you. It's like working on an engine sitting on an engine stand.

VW's and Audis are some of the easiest cars I've ever worked on. They come apart like Legos.

 

[DrMoab]

I'd take a hard part to replace that cost me $50 over a super easy part to replace that cost $350 any day of the week.

 

[DutchVDub]

The belt wasn't 350$

The 350$ got me a full kit shipped that included:
- 1 Timing Belt
- 2 'NTN' and 'INA' Timing Belt Tensioner Idlers w/ Hardware
- 1 'NTN' Hydraulic Tensioning Damper (Enhanced Addition)
- 1 Relay Lever (Enhanced Addition)
- 1 Front Motor Mount / Stop (Enhanced Addition)
- 1 Water Pump w/ Gasket
- 1 Viton Front Crank Seal
- 2 Viton Camshaft Seals
- 6 Liters German G12 Plus Antifreeze (4 - 1.5L Bottles)
Appropriate amount for complete cooling system flush.
- Thread Locking Compound (Req'd for proper reassembly as outlined in our supplied instructions.)
- Blauparts™ Detailed Step-by-Step Audi S4 Timing Belt Instructions
Numerous pages and over 30 images of detailed step-by-step guidelines, including front bumper removal.
- Serpetine Belt
- Thermostat w/ o-ring

Yeah, if the damn belt cost me 350$ that would be rediculous.

 

[jimgrms]

What is that american anti freeze won't work in a kruat car ! whats the diff beside price? or is hitler still getting his revenge ?

 

[DrMoab]

My favorite local Jeep dealer is also a VDub dealer. I remember about crapping myself when the dude next to me walked out the door with a set of spark plug wires for his VR6. $300 bucks.

 

[DutchVDub]

What is that american anti freeze won't work in a kruat car ! whats the diff beside price? or is hitler still getting his revenge ?

You do realize that GM specifies its own specific coolant too right? GM cars require DEXCool instead of just plain jane green coolant. Detroit diesel also has its own specific coolant. Just as an example.

 

[zluster]

...... Then it's where it belongs.

Nope it just needs to be put in the back of a different VW!

And now I'm going to go out and drive my Rear engine, AWD, locked lifted VW around in the snow.

 

[DutchVDub]

A Transporter Syncro??

 

[zluster]

A Transporter Syncro??

Yes.