Just bought a "fixed" dieselgater

[Fat Charlie]

Got to be great, a diesel factory re-tuned for efficiency!

I've always figured that side rails aren't anywhere as bad as crossrails, and the elevated side rails can be more easily fixed with inserts than removal. Smooth them out and almost all the problem goes away.

Diesels always need grill blocks, though, especially in the north- and yes, Ellington counts as north for a diesel.

[pete c]

Does anyone make inserts for the rails?

I am a bit hesitant to use grillblocks as the temp gauge, from my understanding, is more of an idiot light than a gauge giving actual temps.

Has anyone here done a grill block on a mk6 tdi?

[Fat Charlie]

Most temp gauges are idiot lights. Get an SG or UG, they're wonderful things.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

You should unfix it.

Why pollute just to pollute?

VW replaced the NOx catalyst and Particulate filter with larger items that can actually do the job of reducing emissions. They retuned the DSG for higher shift points. All together this results in the exact same 0-60 and 1/4 mile times and a reduction of 1 mpg (The particulate filter regens more because it is actually being used)

For my 2014 the warranty is 10 years / 120K miles from original sale date or 4 years / 48,000 miles from the time the car is fixed.

Parts Covered Under Extended Warranty
 The entire exhaust after treatment system, including the Selective
Catalytic Reduction converter (SCR), Reducing Agent (AdBlue®)
Injector, other Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system components, Diesel
Particulate Filter (DPF) including Oxidation Catalytic Converter, the
exhaust flap, and all sensors and actuators;
 The entire fuel system, including fuel pumps, high pressure fuel rail,
fuel injectors, vibration damper, pressure control valve, and all sensors
and actuators;
 The EGR system, including EGR valves, EGR cooler, EGR filter, EGR
temperature sensor, all related hoses and pipes, and all sensors and
actuators;
 The charge air temperature sensor and air-mass sensor;
 The turbocharger, including the turbocharger damper;
 The glow plug;
 The On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system, any malfunctions detected
by the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system other than those related
to the transmission

Additionally, the engine long block warranty shall cover the engine
sub-assembly that consists of the assembled block, crankshaft, cylinder
head, camshaft, and valve train.

[pete c]

I think the dieselgaters are the best deal out there in the used car market today. They get better highway mileage than any comparable car. Many former fans have turned on them or prefer ALHs. And the rest of the public who never really gave them a thought, has even less interest. The result is great prices.

It is a fantastic highway cruiser, reasonably fun in the twisties and 4 gear pulls on long highway uphills brings a smile to my face that no hybrid can match. And it is cavernous inside.

Do you have the DSG? 37 seems a bit low for mileage. I have been anywhere from 43-45, but it is largely interstate or lightly trafficed state 2 lane highway. On such roads with rolling hills and little traffic, I can easily exceed 50 mpg.

[pete c]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Diesels always need grill blocks, though, especially in the north- and yes, Ellington counts as north for a diesel.

You in Ct, fat charlie?

On Rt 16, I suppose? I know it well. Grandparents lived in East Hampton.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by pete c

I think the dieselgaters are the best deal out there in the used car market today.

I agree. TDIs used to hold their value so well that it made no sense to buy a 2-3 year old car. Now they are less than 50% of MSRP. We had a 2003 Jetta Wagon TDI with a 5 speed but when it came time to replace it in 2013 you could buy a lightly used Prius for way less than a TDI and the fuel is cheaper.

Originally Posted by pete c

Do you have the DSG? 37 seems a bit low for mileage. I have been anywhere from 43-45, but it is largely interstate or lightly trafficed state 2 lane highway. On such roads with rolling hills and little traffic, I can easily exceed 50 mpg.

Ours is a DSG. We wanted a manual but of the 65 TDI Jetta sportwagens an the dealer lot only 1 was a manual. It had 130K miles and quite a bit a wear and tear. So we ended up with a DSG and other things we didn't want like the giant sunroof.

The TDI is my wife's primary car and most of the miles are from her commute to work. (7 miles / 6 traffic lights). I figure 37 mpg isn't bad considering city EPA is 29 mpg. On the longer trips we have taken I get low 40's loaded with 4 people and either camping or ski gear.

In September my Spark EV lease with end and I'll start driving the TDI on my 25 mile commute. The mpg should come up AND I'll don't like the idea of driving a diesel on a lot of short trips where it doesn't come up to operating temperature.

[pete c]

Your wife needs a bicycle. 7 miles is ideal bike commute distance. It is a terrible diesel commute.

[Piotrsko]

SHORT commutes lead to EGR system failure, plugged DPF, P0401 Cel.

Don't ask me, look at the issues on the TDI forum.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by pete c

Your wife needs a bicycle. 7 miles is ideal bike commute distance. It is a terrible diesel commute.

She has a bike and occasionally, on perfect days, rides it to work.

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

SHORT commutes lead to EGR system failure, plugged DPF, P0401 Cel.

Don't ask me, look at the issues on the TDI forum.

I'm aware of that. That is why I will be driving the TDI come September.

On the bright side the EGR and DPF are warrantied until 120K miles. Ideally the DPF will plug up about 115K miles and be replaced under the dieselgate warranty.

We should have waited another year to get the TDI but I didn't know if they would still be available. They still are but selection is limited. My dealer only has 11 TDI Sportwagens today and only one with less than 50K miles.