New (to me) '04 Jetta - should i be concerned?

[willfull04]

I just picked up a '04 Jetta, unfortunately after finding this site and the buyers checklist. The seller, actually a friend who is moving overseas, had the car checked out by a local recommended mechanic, supposedly familiar with TDI's. He said no issues other than the tensioner causing a belt-squeeking when putting the wheel in full deflection left or right. So after finding the buyers checklist here i was checking to see if i had that skid plate, and saw the soot shown in the below pictures. I also noticed a thin, almost water-like in consistency, in the cup that surrounds the oil fill cap. Should i be concerned about these? Towards the left side of the block there is a "U" shaped pattern of soot - from having a GMC 6.5 turbo diesel in the past i would assume thats a gasket (and it looks easy to replace). My experience with TDI's is so far very limited. Previous owner was 2nd owner, purchased from dealership (it was trade-in for newer TDI apparently) at 85k miles or so. I picked it up at 135k and timing belt was not replaced by the second owner (and probably not done prior to 85k miles, so not done yet).

Edit: A cleaning of the engine is also on the to do list after i either find out its nothing to be concerned about (diesels are dirty....soot...yada yada) it is diagnosed.

[chittychittybangbang]

Wow, thanks for the pictures, they really help. Many people ask for help but pics help describe the problem.

You need an aftermarket "doggie collar" clamp or new elbow hose. Someone put a clamp on the intake. Look through the timing belt change article BEW engine and you'll see the link to where you can buy these and a picture showing the problem. That's the leak on the left. There are some valve cover leaks, I would snug those up before washing the engine. The most obvious one is above the black ball, the vac reservoir.

The oil filler gasket can be replaced but if there's enough room you could tighten up the cap by bending the tabs and see if that helps. If not, get a new gasket. Then you can see if it's still leaking anywhere. I don't know what would be thin liquid sitting there other than oil.

Before you do a TB, also check the camshaft for wear. There's an article on how to inspect and replace.

You're also missing the engine cover. It quiets the engine and helps hold in some heat in the winter.

A common problem on these engines are leaking or old/cracked vacuum lines so as long as you're looking around, give them all a good inspection.

[willfull04]

Apparently for the last 40k miles, the previous owner has been using shell rotella T synthetic, it meets cj-4, ci-4 plus, ci-4, ch-4 ratings but does not explicitly state 505.01 specifications nor is it on the approved VW lists. Should i do a oil change to a 505.01 as soon as possible (once timing belt replace is complete) and inspect for damage on cams/rollers etc or am i ok to wait till the next interval. On the plus side, she changed oil every 5000 miles instead of 10k. The other vehicle the owner had was a 1993 dodge cummins, i believe they were treating the much newer TDI the same as that engine.

[chittychittybangbang]

I have a suspicion that the oil weight makes more of a difference because many who have used only 505.01 have cam wear but the official answer is only use 505.01 engine oil.

[willfull04]

thanks. been reading up on oils and additives, most if it is in engineer speak and takes 2 or 3 reads for me to get a basic understanding. making it worse is when i read forums it seems there are as many opinions as there are posters.

[Growler]

I would run nothing but Mobil 1 Turbo diesel truck in that engine.

seems to be the best easily avaiable oil that will protect the cam in there. I would do a very thorough inspection of the camshaft looking for wear before I put on the timing belt. because if you need one, timing belt time is the best time to do it.

then use nothing but Mobil1 TDT from then on.

[willfull04]

Timing belt is being done as we speak, should be picking it up in a couple hours. The mechanic said the cams looked brand new! (i was a little worried since the PO was using T6...but its a quality oil). With that piece of good news i plan on finishing out this oil change interval (another 4000 miles) and switching to mobil 1 tdt per all the recommendations. T6 has had good comments from a few people on this forum and another, to keep oil from being wasted would i be ok doing one more interval to finish off the oil the seller provided with the car?

[Growler]

T6 is a good oil. mobil 1 TDT is better for your 2004. if you have another gallon of the T6, I would say go for it, and not waste it. then switch it over to a steady diet of the TDT.

who is doing your timing belt on the 2004? Scott Krout? not sure i know too many people down ther ein florida that do good TDI work. if they use VCDS (and they should) to check the torsion value after the service, find out what they set it to

also be sure they replace the lower roller, tensioner, water pump, and a minimum of 4 (up to 7) stretch bolts on the motor mount. we dont want to hear about your engine falling out due to improper timing belt procedures.

Aaron

[willfull04]

I took it to Dean Lee with VW Specialty Inc in Fort Walton Beach (i live in navarre). I found him listed on a VW recommended mechanic list. Tensioner and water pump are being replaced stretch bolts were not specifically mentioned, but i will ask when i pick it up. I'm not familiar with VCDS but i can ask about that too.

[Growler]

you will want to verify that your timing belt kit of parts includes everything in this setup from idparts.

http://www.idparts.com/catalog/produ...roducts_id=511

it may not come with a new serpentine belt, or cam seal if yours isnt leaking. otherwise, the roller, tensioner, and waterpump will all need replacing. the the 4 leftmost bolts in that kit are MUST replace because they are one time use. (not reuseable) the rest of the bolts are not MUST replace items, but good to have on hand in case. also do be sure the guy uses G12 coolant to top off what gets spilled when the waterpump gets replaced.

also note that the new PD timing belt interrval as per VW is 80k miles.