Comments on: Highest Mileage VW Diesel Found Right Here in Our Backyard

By: costa

costa — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:58:30 +0000

olá,

também tenho um jetta de 91. o actual motor tem 595000 km mas já teve outro antes. na totalidade a carroçaria tem à volta de 1200000km.
só quero mostrar o meu espanto pela durabilidade destes modelos… cumprimentos

By: Khurram Malik

Khurram Malik — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:08:17 +0000

I have 1989 1.6 L Diesel Jetta with over 300k on it and it still runs good and gets 40-50mpg! I also found the original sales receipt and owner’s manual in the VAG box under the steering wheel.

By: Dan Volkens

Dan Volkens — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:27:02 +0000

Not sure what’s happening there pfc cancel. When the shop replaced the engine, could they have not put something back together right between the engine and transmission? That would suck, but something is definitely not right with it.

By: pfc cancel

pfc cancel — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:47:05 +0000

i own a 2001 vw new beetle gls tdi auto trans with 97K. The car recently got a new motor because the oil pan cracked and the engine seized up. now i have a proublem with the trasmition every time i put the car in drive the gear wont shift i have to press on the pedal slightly for it to jump into gear even when im at a full stop it losses gear this proublem does not last very long only about a mile or so before its fine when the proublem first occured i changed the transmittion fluid and filter but the proublem still consist i dont see any loss in power and have been driveing like this for several months now any idea what can be the proublem?

By: Dan Volkens

Dan Volkens — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:18:18 +0000

Hey Andres, I don’t have much experience with the older models, so I can’t recommend any particular things to look out for, other than general things related to buying an older car. I do continually hear that the TDIs are pretty bulletproof engines, so it should be in good shape. Just look out for rust, suspension problems, leaks, etc. Good luck!

By: Andres

Andres — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:10:28 +0000

I am strongly considering buying a 1990 Jetta Diesel with 314k miles on it. I know very little about these cars and am looking for advice.

By: Dan Volkens

Dan Volkens — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:53:08 +0000

Hey Stephanie, that’s a strange problem. Maybe check out the oil pump?

Meliisa, alternators usually last a pretty long time in VWs, so it’s odd to have to be replaced. As far as the price, that seems very high to me, however, there is a lot of labor involved in changing it. I’d try another place for a better price. Good luck!

By: Meliisa

Meliisa — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:41:37 +0000

I just bought a used 2003 VW Jetta w/ 51K miles about a week and a half ago. The Car Fax states that the alternator and battery were replaced in 03′. It’s at the dealership as I type for a new alternator. Luckily, for me, the car is still under it’s 60 days Warranty, but would have cost me $775. Questions…
1- how long does an alternator last on this vehicle?
2- does it really cost that much to replace? I doubt it costs $775, since I’ve seen the part for less and the labor isn’t that long, no?!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:54:04 +0000

I own a 1986 Turbo Diesel Jetta, the odometer stopped working at 262,785 about 4 years ago. The engine was rebuilt at 152,000 and I have kept it running with frequent oil changes and maintainence. I have installed a new clutch for the first time last year.

I recently replaced the alternator and shortly after that, the oil light and buzzer would come on when I deccelerate from 5th to 4th and the tachometer drops to 2.8. However if a throw it in neutral and acccelerate quickly past 3.0 the buzzer stops and idols just fine. I check the oil and there is plenty in there.

Is this a pressure issue or perhaps just a short as a result of the alternator replacement.

Also on a side note, I need to locate a new turbo any ideas?

By: TDI Curious » Blog Archive » Looking for the TDI with the most mileage in Canada

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:41:54 +0000

[...] the TDI with the most mileage in the United States belongs to Syl Schmid, the proud owner of a 1986 Turbo Diesel Jetta that has 562,000 miles on the counter (that’s 904,451 [...]

By: Slobodan Pavlovic

Slobodan Pavlovic — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:59:45 +0000

Slobodan Pavlovic, Keswick, ON. Canada
I would like to inform you about my VW Jetta 1994, 1.9 L turbo diesel.
My wife calls her “Fraulein” in German means Miss.
I have made 541 000 Kilometers so far and It steel going strong with ORIGINAL Clutch plate!!!
I am regularly changing oil every 6-7000 km and every time add 250ml of oil additive like “Roslon” to keep engine clean.
My winter fuel consumption city/highway (40/60%) is just over 1000 km per tank.
In summer, only on highway it is 1150-1180 km.
I believe these results have something to do with keeping engine clean (piston rings), the way I am driving, and I am doing Timing adjustment myself!

By: Parlons TDI » Blog Archive » À la recherche de la TDI affichant le plus grand kilométrage au Canada

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:04:08 +0000

[...] aux États-Unis appartiendrait à Syl Schmid, le toujours heureux propriétaire d’une Jetta Turbo Diesel 1986 affichant plus de 562 000 milles au compteur (904 451 [...]

By: Dan Volkens

Dan Volkens — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:47:22 +0000

Nice Brad! Hey Scotty, Your battery could be completely hosed, or there more likely could be a problem with the alternator.

By: Scotty

Scotty — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:47:18 +0000

Problem: I drove my jetta to a friend’s house. it drove fine. When I went to drive home, it would not start, turn over or even light up? The CD automatically ejected and I can’t figure it out? I even tried jumper cables and still nothing? Could it be the starter? Alternater? Electrical?
Help?

Thank you so much!

By: Brad Noble

Brad Noble — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:32:35 +0000

Hey I have a 1990 VW Jetta, it’s a 1.6 L turbo diesel. I currently have 570,000 Kilometres or so on it. That’s all I really wanted to say. Thanks, and Also Volkswagen is awesome!!!!!!!!

By: Dan Volkens

Dan Volkens — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:58:23 +0000

That’s great David!

By: David Richards

David Richards — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:45:26 +0000

I have a 1990 jetta with 343,000 miles. Run geat drive everyday.

By: Dan Volkens

Dan Volkens — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:12:41 +0000

Sounds like there’s an ignition problem in the third cylinder. I wouldn’t let that go too long. Best to get it in to a mechanic or dealer to have it checked out.

By: Scotty Moore

Scotty Moore — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:26:31 +0000

Thanks for your suggestion Dan. Another question about the 2003 TDI Diesel.

I had a yellow light appear on my dashboard – I got the code and it’s PO 673: glow plug, cly #3.

Does that mean anything to you? The car is running fine and I’m in FL, so no major weather (we just were on the outside of tropical storm Fay). I’m concerned with unnecessary fixing as we’re on a tight budget.

Thoughts? Thansk man!
Scotty

By: Dan Volkens

Dan Volkens — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:55:52 +0000

Hey Scotty, you're right. Every tire does have its pros and cons, big time. I would suggest heading over to www.TireRack.com and checking out some of the tires available for your car, and associated reviews. That should give you a feel for the best overall tire to get.