I only buy used but have one requirement. It has to be black. Just added another jetta to the family fleet.

I recently moved my fence back to expand parking but haven't got it dug out and graveled. So that will be next on the to do list.

Blacks cool...but what happened to the PU?

by pu do you mean pick up truck? It's white and a company truck so I don't have a say in color. It's in the corner of the picture.

Yea that one...it kinda leaps out in the picture...to me

I've become quite the expert shadetree VW 2.0 mechanic over the years. Good little engine.

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

I've become quite the expert shadetree VW 2.0 mechanic over the years. Good little engine.

The newer one has a 2.5 5 cylinder. So fingers crossed, it will be as good.

new to us Jetta timing chain and tensioner need replaced. $1,800.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

new to us Jetta timing chain and tensioner need replaced. $1,800.

Just saying "well that sucks" doesn't quite describe it. Sorry Sean, that sucks. Time maybe to sell a kid or two.

Sean, the timing belt didn't break under power did it????
I've worked on many Vdubs. If it broke under power, it probably damaged the valves. Not trying to stir the pot, just wondering what happened?

Unlike the 2.0, the 2.5 has a chain that's on the back of the motor. It is not one that is supposed to have to be changed like the belts. Apparently it skipped a tooth so hopefully it isn't far enough off to have done more damage. It is drivable but has no acceleration and runs rough from being out of time. At least that's how I understand it. I do all of my own maintenance but I looked into this job and looks like a pita. More than I want to get into. That's assuming the mechanic diagnosed it correctly. I had Autozone pull codes and it had misfires on several cylinders among other things listed. The Jetta is a 2005.5 which was the first year for the 2.5. I guess this is a common problem on the first year 2.5's. Other than that, the mechanic said the later 2.5's are great motors.

Jason, do you have vw's?

FYI, he said the new 2.0's are different than the old ones and not as good. If I had to do it over again I would have gotten another mk4 with the old 2.0.

Hopefully I'm not throwing good money at bad. I guess I'll find out.

Yes. The 2K era 2.0s are tough as nails with proper service.
Sorry to hear about your Jetta.

Yes, The first two years of the 2.5L motors were horrible for that timing chain issues. But typically anything 2.5L after 2007 are bullet proof. So if there is damage, maybe consider a motor swap with another newer 2.5L from 2007 or later.

My ABA 2.0L motor from 1996 is bullet proof as well. over 250K miles and doesn't burn oil, and I drive the snot out of it everyday.

Sorry to hear of your timing belt issue.

I loved my 04 Jetta TDI and am good with my current B7. Only downside are the amount of synthetic oil on the changes/cost of some parts. Out of curiosity you gone to getting a VAGCOM and modding given the VW fleet?

Quote: Originally posted by volock

Sorry to hear of your timing belt issue. I loved my 04 Jetta TDI and am good with my current B7. Only downside are the amount of synthetic oil on the changes/cost of some parts. Out of curiosity you gone to getting a VAGCOM and modding given the VW fleet?

Not yet but I do plan on getting a vagcom soon.

i did 2 timing belts on my 94 dodge shadow.
not something i like to do took me the better part of a day.
plus i did the water pump at the same time cost me under 100$ for both
water pump and belt.
nobody and mean nobody touches my cars
my car was hit from behind back when it new only about 4 yrs old and it was totaled.
i bought the car back from the ins co and found other one hit in the front and put
the car back together i even painted the car in my driveway . im still driving the car to this day.
my pride and joy is my all stock 1930 chevy and i restored about 10yrs ago took me 4 yrs to restore.
good luck with your belt

Quote: Originally posted by bugymangp

i did 2 timing belts on my 94 dodge shadow. not something i like to do took me the better part of a day. plus i did the water pump at the same time cost me under 100$ for both water pump and belt. nobody and mean nobody touches my cars my car was hit from behind back when it new only about 4 yrs old and it was totaled. i bought the car back from the ins co and found other one hit in the front and put the car back together i even painted the car in my driveway . im still driving the car to this day. my pride and joy is my all stock 1930 chevy and i restored about 10yrs ago took me 4 yrs to restore. good luck with your belt

Yeah, I know I'm wimping out on this one. I normally do everything, but I'm just too busy at work to deal with this one. I looked into it a little bit and it's tough to get to. I know what you mean though, I hate letting other people work on my cars.

Are they good cars?

got the car back and runs great. I took it for a drive since I had driven it very little since we have owned it. I can't believe the difference in the 2.5 versus the 2.0. Interstate speeds was the biggest difference. fourth gear takes you to 80 with only 4k rpm. Plenty of pick up in fifth gear while at speed as well. BIG difference from the 2.0.