AaronW
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2021
- Posts
- 210
- Reaction score
- 231
- Location
- MT
- First Name
- Aaron
- Truck Year
- 89
- Truck Model
- V3500
- Engine Size
- 454
All:
So I've got a 2003 Jetta TDI. It's got a bit over 200,000 on it. I shelled the turbo: put a rock through my oil pan, didn't realize how bad the leak was. It was already going to need some transmission work, it's the 4 speed auto, not the manual, and I'd say there's a better than average chance it's got some serious engine damage.
I looked into junkyards, for a whole engine/transmission combo, and it looks like I could probably get a low mileage setup for $3000-4000. I've never worked on a diesel before.
So here's what I'm wondering: I'm really a shade tree mechanic, skill-level wise. Do you think that I'd be biting off way more than I could chew, if I took on replacing the engine and transmission? On one hand, ok, it's just taking one thing out and replacing it with the same thing, but I also have no idea what I'd be getting myself into.
Thoughts? If I could end up with a low mileage TDI that gets 40 mpg, for 3000-4000 bucks, and take a year or so to put it together, that doesn't sound like a bad deal to me. I really liked that car. However, I also don't want to get myself so far over my head that I end up going crazy and wasting a bunch of money.
Aaron
So I've got a 2003 Jetta TDI. It's got a bit over 200,000 on it. I shelled the turbo: put a rock through my oil pan, didn't realize how bad the leak was. It was already going to need some transmission work, it's the 4 speed auto, not the manual, and I'd say there's a better than average chance it's got some serious engine damage.
I looked into junkyards, for a whole engine/transmission combo, and it looks like I could probably get a low mileage setup for $3000-4000. I've never worked on a diesel before.
So here's what I'm wondering: I'm really a shade tree mechanic, skill-level wise. Do you think that I'd be biting off way more than I could chew, if I took on replacing the engine and transmission? On one hand, ok, it's just taking one thing out and replacing it with the same thing, but I also have no idea what I'd be getting myself into.
Thoughts? If I could end up with a low mileage TDI that gets 40 mpg, for 3000-4000 bucks, and take a year or so to put it together, that doesn't sound like a bad deal to me. I really liked that car. However, I also don't want to get myself so far over my head that I end up going crazy and wasting a bunch of money.
Aaron