Central Florida TDI Club

Central Florida TDI Group celebrates with fantastic lasagna dinner & terrific discussions, tech sessions, fellow-ship and info sharing

The October 16th, 2010 Get-Together of the Cen-tral Florida TDI Club was unique in several ways.

First, this was our first GTG to be held on a day other than a Sunday. Folks have been requesting that we shift from Sunday to Saturday and our movement was slow, only due to concern that certain inaugural members couldnt attend other than on Sundays. Then we were unsure if folks who occasionally or never have attended would even come out on a Saturday.

Second, this GTG celebrated our highest atten-dance to date 27 participants. We almost had to worry about having enough space for everyone to have a seat and enjoy the luncheon. Though this number is just a smidge above our usual Sunday attendance, were going to try our next GTG on a Saturday also.

Third, the luncheon was superb! Our hostess, Sal-ly Mendola, out did herself again with a fantastic, homemade lasagna dinner featuring Italian bread, salad and beverages. Dessert was chocolate-chip cookies.

Fourth, our next GTG is set for a Saturday, March 26th, 2011 in Ocala. You must RSVP by Tuesday, March 22nd. Cost is now $6 per person.

Correspondence is handled by (Mr.) Chris Mendola via email: doctordiesel@cox.net or via phone at 352-572-8421 or 352-694-3705.

The Best Yet !That certainly has to describe the October GTG of the Central Florida TDI club. As mentioned in the previous column at the left, our attendance was the highest to date, some 27 folks turning out for our luncheon and get-together. Many topics were covered, camaraderie was super high, cars were parked all over, and technical info and advice was shared and appreciated. There were also some unusual door prizes, so everyone seemed to have a good time and enjoy themselves.

Read on for some specifics that occurred

Discussions and hot topicsOne of the parts of our GTG that I like the most is the discussions that come up while were eating. This often takes the form of a topic for open commentary, such as common problems folks are having with their cars, or what new facts are being rumored for new VW models. The floor is open to whoever has (authoritative) knowledge to share, be it technical, sales-related, warranty, recalls, whatever.

For several years I held a subscription to Diesel Car magazine (later changed to What Diesel magazine) from the United Kingdom. They publish exclusively for diesel & alternative power readers. Also having toured the UK on three occasions, I have rented foreign cars with the last being a diesel-powered Citreon (mini-)mini-van. The difference between my VW and the Citreon was noticeable with each having its own advantages. The point of this comment is that diesel cars sold in American are usually available in Europe before their arrival on this side of the Pond; what shows up in Europe sometimes makes its way Stateside a few years later.

The discussion moved up a notch, in my opinion, as we got talking about diesel models only seen overseas, primarily Europe, and which ones might eventually come over to the USofA. One of our members, Tonino Tony Petrolo, was a longtime diesel mechanic in Europe and still maintains contact with technicians over in the old country. (contd page 2)

Dec 2010 Newsletter of the Central Florida TDI Club Chris Mendola, Editor doctordiesel@cox.netVW-TDI : Very Willing To Deliver Information/Ideas

Please send any comments regarding this issue to Chris at:doctordiesel@cox.net.

Attendees at the GTG became interested in whether Chrysler would bring diesels into the US now that Chrysler is economically attached to Fiat (which bought into Chrysler when it was floundering last year). Fiat has announced that itll bring the Fiat 500 sub-compact to the US of A in 2011 or 2012. Similar in size to the Ford Fiesta and (BMW) Mini, we wondered if Fiat would bring it with a diesel option. No one had heard any substantiated rumors but Tony remarked that their gasoline engine was certainly competitive with the diesels we have now as it regards fuel economy.

Tony went on to explain Fiats Multijet diesel technology. Their computer system varies the number of injections of diesel fuel into the cylinder so as to reduce emissions, smooth the diesel knock, and provide better efficiency. It was amazing to hear that Multijet technology can provide up to 5 squirts into each cylinder per firing thats right the computer can time FIVE squirts of diesel fuel into each cylinder on each power stroke! Of course, as revolutions increase this process occurs way too fast so the number of squirts are reduced, but apparently are also not needed as much at higher RPM.

Also of interest was Fiats MultiAir gasoline engine technology which dramatically reduces emissions while providing exceptional performance AND mileage in European-emissions guise, achieving low- to mid-40s in miles per gallon. And thats a gasoline-engined car!

One of the most frequent problems mentioned in What Diesel magazine is the mistaken fueling of diesel cars with gasoline, which often occurs due to lack of concentration at the pump or with folks who drive both gasoline and diesel vehicles and forget what theyre pumping fuel into.

Tony gave us some tech-talk on what to do if you accidentally put gasoline in our tank instead of diesel fuel. I didnt take close notes, so I dont want to mislead you, but Im sure hell share those insights at future GTGs if you ask him.

Speaking of Tony, we also sang, For Hes A Jolly Good Fellow to him in response to his wedding announcement. Tony is getting married in January. Congratulations Tonino!

Luis Olivero, a frequent presenter at tech sessions, gave interesting detaila on the repair of his newest TDI a 2003 (I think) Jetta wagon. It apparently had seen better days and Luis got a good deal when buying it, but his good deal came with some real detective work and repair skills in order to get it running. Several months later he said it was humming well until a road trip met with a major loss of power. He thinks the turbo and/or its bearings went bad. But Luis is a real diesel advocate and repair guru, so we expect the TDI wagon will be up n running soon.

Dear Doctor DieselSometimes its the little things that can make a car repair easy or difficult, successful or a nightmare. In this column we share ideas from members that may or may not help you with your next challenge. Dear Dr. Diesel, How do I get my headlight covers clear again? There are so many products on the market that PROMISE to work but Ive not found a good one yet. Ms. Unclear in Florida

Ive personally tried a number of procedures to get my clear plastic headlight covers back to their former, like-new, clear condition. Kit manufacturers make all kinds of promises on their products packaging but Ive never gotten the results that were promised. I came closest when I buffed the clear plastic cover with fine polishing compound. Then, as if by a miracle, I re-discovered an old product on my shop shelf that Id purchased about 20 years ago 3Ms Finesse-It II Finishing Material, part #051131-05928. (This may be an older #.)

Finesse-It II is a polishing liquid that is similar to fine polishing compound yet different, according to some auto paint sources. It is a lotion in consistency and much wetter than buffing compound. I applied it using an adjustable-speed power polisher. (A simple, slow-revolution electric-powered buffer is not fast enough for this task. 3M recommends 1500-2000 rpm with light to medium pressure.)

Care must be taken to not run the polisher at too high a speed and to also keep the polishing pad moving around otherwise the friction of staying in one spot too long will result in melting the plastic. Using lighter pressure, if your buffer is of the single-speed variety, may prevent burning but be aware that the melting process happens instantaneously, so constant attention is always necessary.

If melting occurs, carefully buff-out the melt-spots. Hand polishing may also work but my lenses were too hazy so a power buffer was called for. They look brand new! Hope this helps. Doc

VW-OEM Parts DiscountsCards with information about discounted parts prices from two VW dealerships were also discussed. Both Gunther VW in Coconut Creek (Ft Lauderdale) and VW of Ocala are now extending a 20% discount to club members on most parts. Some exceptions may be interior parts and some others. If you have questions, give the dealer(s) a phone call. A duplicate of the discount card distributed at the GTG is printed on page 5 of this newsletter. Feel free to print it out and use it, while also sharing additional copies with any friends in need. Pete Raissis is the contact at Gunther VW and David Farnham is the parts contact at VW of Ocala.

Does all this sound like interesting stuff to you? Then show up for our next TDI-GTG, Saturday, March 26, 2011! (More on that later.)

Tech sessions#1: Relay 109Rain nor sleet nor snow nor wind nor a bad running TDI will ever keep our resident mail carrier, Frank Preuss, from delivery good tech info to our membership. Frank graced us with an explanation of Relay 109

Test relay 109 by turning ignition switch to on. The glow plug light should light up if relay 109 is Good. It will only light for 1 sec or 2 then go out. Just for laughs I tried to trace all the things that Relay 109, (aka J317-Power Supply (Terminal 30, B+) Relay) powers. This is what I came up with:

N108-cold start injectorN75-Wastegate Bypass Regulator ValveN239-Change-over valve for intake manifold flapN18-EGR Vacuum Regulator Solenoid ValveG70-Mass Air Flow SensorJ52-Glow Plug RelayF36-Clutch Vacuum Vent Valve SwitchF47-Brake Vacuum Vent Valve SwitchF-Brake Light SwitchN79-PCV Heater ElementJ359, J360-Relays for Preheating Coolant (coolant glow plugs)N146-Quantity AdjusterG149-Modulating Piston Displacement SensorG81-Fuel Temperature Sensor

E45-Cruise Control SwitchE227-Button for Cruise Control (set)J248-Diesel Direct Fuel Injection Engine Control Module On the A4 (1999-2004) VW, above where the clutch, brake, and diesel pedals are, there is a plate that must be removed. There are 3 torx screws holding it in place away from the firewall. On the firewall there are two white plastic things that hold in place that end of the plate - dont mess with these - the plate slides out of them - just remember to properly slide the plate into them when putting the plate back into place.

1. adjust drivers seat all the way back2. remove the above-mentioned plate3. lying down under the dash you will see the relay 1093. remove the large relay that is in the way4. remove relay 1095. insert new (grey color) relay 1096. insert the large relay that was in the way7. slide plate into the two white things at the firewall8. install the 3 torx screws

#2: Changing a serpentine belt Well, it sounded easy enough when I volunteered to demonstrate how to change a serpentine belt. I had done it before when changing my timing belt, and I remembered it being easy, but

The Bentley shop manual lists using a 15mm socket. Change that to 16MM on some models including my 2002 Jetta wagon. The space between the frame (unibody) and the belt tensioning mechanism is rather tight. Using a serpentine tensioner tool (a long, flat bar with a 3/8 square drive on the end) revealed that the shallow 16mm socket must be shallower than most sockets, that is, not to exceed 3/4 in length. I had one with my tensioner lever but somehow misplaced it. I bought an old, used 3/8-drive, 12-point, shallow 16mm socket and ground it down a bit on each end. If you dont have a serpentine tensioner tool you can make one (if you have access to a welder) by using a flat, 1/4 thick by 1.25 wide (or wider) steel bar about 24-36 long. Drive a hole in one end large enough to insert a short, flat piece of 3/8 square steel, which is then welded into place from the back side.

Youve got a low-cost bar thats great when leverage is needed. As long as youre at it, attach piece of 1/2 square stock on the other end and have yourself a lever for 1/2-drive sockets!

#3: Water leaks inside?One topic that was going to be discussed but slipped through the cracks was one way to reduce the probability of water getting into your VWs front seat area.

Unfortunately, VW has a reputation for leaky door seals on some of its cars. I had one seal changed on my Jetta in the first year of ownership. When water started appearing in the foot well again I got concerned. But further investigation revealed that the water was coming from under the dash, not from around the doors!?? Close inspection revealed that water was entering around the kick panels under the dashboard. Further investigation revealed that leaves that got into the cowl area near the windshield wipers had gravitated down into the pocket between the front fender and the inner structure. Removing the bolt holding the bottom edge of the fender allowed me to pull the fender out enough to gain access to the built-up leaves. They were piled up about 16 inches high! In less than a minute the leaves were gone and my wetness problem disappeared. Apparently the leaves formed a dam and rainwater coming down from the cowl area hit the leaves and was diverted into the interior.

#4: Trailer brake controllerSome folks at the GTG showed interest in how to install a brake controller in a TDI. A brake controller is an electronic device that actuates the electric brakes in a trailer being towed. When the pull vehicle slows down the brake controller sends proportioned voltage to the electric brakes in the trailer to assist the pull vehicles brakes in stopping the car-trailer package. The brake controller uses a decelerometer to sense how quickly the pull vehicle is slowing down and sends a proportionate amount to the trailer.

The system used in my installation is a four-wire system, which is common to many brake controllers. One wire goes to ground. Another wire gets 12VDC from the battery (or other power source in the cars electrical system). The third wire connects to the brake light switch or wiring. The fourth wire carries power from the controller to the brakes in the trailer.

Investigation revealed the best location for the power from brake lights was in the rear of the Jetta where the brake lights are fed to the trailer (a hard-top travel trailer in this case). Wiring directly from the under-dash brake switch of the VW doesnt work as the wiring goes through the ECM or other electronic device under the dash, so the brake light wiring at the rear of the car is the best choice.

Installation takes a few hours but saves over $150, so at $30-$50 an hour, Ill do my own installation, thank you.

NEXT TDIGTG MEETING SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011The focus of our next GTG will be auto body repair and painting. Weve discussed doing this before but, quite frankly, this is a topic that can consume a six-month tech school semester (at a minimum), so one day?? But so many have asked for this topic that were going to give it a good shot.

Discussion will cover (at a basic level): Banging out dents when to do and when not. Preparation before painting:

o Hammeringo Grindingo Sandingo Welding auto bodies: yes & noo Masking tape procedureso Primingo Finish sandingo Block sanding

Basecoat clearcoat Spray gun operation, use & clean-up Painting safety Compounding & buffing

How Do I Register for the March 26th, 2011 GTG in Ocala?We do require pre-registration for all GTGs so that we may prepare the correct amount of food, beverages, snacks and handouts. Registration is now $6 per person. You can either phone us at 352-694-3705, 352-572-8421, or email us at doctordiesel@cox.net. Registration opens February 1st, 2011 and ends Tuesday, March 22nd. You must be registered by March 22nd!

Special thoughtsSpecial prayers and thoughts are asked for Patricia Raissis Pete Raissis, shop foreman at Gunther VW and Central Florida TDI member, has been a loving husband and soulmate to his wife, Patricia, as she battles cancer. We ask that you include her in your thoughts and/or prayers as she fights against this disease. Thanks in advance for your caring.

Got some repair ideas to share with other TDI owners? Bring them to the next GTG in Ocala on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Cant attend? Drop us an email with specifics, and be sure to include your name, email and a contact phone number in case we need to get some more facts for publication in our newsletter.

See yall in Ocala SATURDAY, March 26th, 2011! Bring a

friend, too!

Your VW OEM discount parts card is here!44If you have any questions about each companys discount program, contact them directly via email or phone call. Print this page and cut out the card at right. Fold it and keep it handy for future savings.

We appreciate the help of Pete Raissis of Gunther VW and David Farnham of VW of Ocala for their cooperation and assistance in making this goal a reality.

Feel free to share this information with other VW owners and/or shops.

All www.Tdi Club members can get 20% off list price on parts. Toorder parts online visit our website at www.gunthervw.net, order parts from the service and parts tab. Atthe end of the check out write TDI-CLUB in the coupon box . The 20%discount will be subtracted from the total. Write your Tdi Club user name in the comments box. Once your user name is verified your order will be processed.

To order by phone call parts direct at 954-590-3840 or use the dealer main toll free number at 888-846-1676. State you are a Tdi Club member to the parts person to get the 20% discount.

Note: The 20% discount is for TdiClub member personal use. If you are a business please start a business account with us.

20% discount to cf-tdi members on just about all parts excluding trim (seat panels and stuff like that). Also discounts on maintenance items. Keep in mind some items have a short mark up on them; giving 20% off on those items will cause us to sell items below cost. Since thats not practical, I will do cost +10% on just those items. This should ensure better pricing than found online. Re: freight Any additional charges will be 5% over invoiced part. Usually a stock order is 2 business days, but we can & will accommodate special needs situations, i.e. car down type stuff. Contacts: at dfarnham@gettel.com or MonteCoates at mcoates@gettel.com

All www.Tdi Club members can get 20% off list price on parts. Toorder parts online visit our website at www.gunthervw.net, order parts from the service and parts tab. Atthe end of the check out write TDI-CLUB in the coupon box . The 20%discount will be subtracted from the total. Write your Tdi Club user name in the comments box. Once your user name is verified your order will be processed.

To order by phone call parts direct at 954-590-3840 or use the dealer main toll free number at 888-846-1676. State you are a Tdi Club member to the parts person to get the 20% discount.

Note: The 20% discount is for TdiClub member personal use. If you are a business please start a business account with us.

20% discount to cf-tdi members on just about all parts excluding trim (seat panels and stuff like that). Also discounts on maintenance items. Keep in mind some items have a short mark up on them; giving 20% off on those items will cause us to sell items below cost. Since thats not practical, I will do cost +10% on just those items. This should ensure better pricing than found online. Re: freight Any additional charges will be 5% over invoiced part. Usually a stock order is 2 business days, but we can & will accommodate special needs situations, i.e. car down type stuff. Contacts: at dfarnham@gettel.com or MonteCoates at mcoates@gettel.com

How would this affect YOUR rates?

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