[Desertrat713]

I have a 2003 Jetta GLS with 1.8T. I have all these lights on and recently it started doing this whole surging thing. While I’m rather proficient in American and Japanese engines this German engine is proving to be quite problematic in comparison. I replaced the head timing belt and water pump about 10000 miles ago and it has been running quite well until this week. I lost the exhaust flange gasket and replaced it today thinking it would fix this surging issue but it has not. Wish it would let me post a video but it won’t. 🤬😡

 

[Desertrat713]

No I haven’t autozone says they can’t because their scanner doesn’t support vw. Bull I know. And all the mechanics want to charge me 100+ to scan the codes.

 

[Desertrat713]

Well the head gasket let go yesterday so that’s firsts. And I think the turbo needs rebuilt. So thats my weekend. She’s deadlined until I fix those issues.

 

[Desertrat713]

Update. Replaced all gaskets in the top end. Installed a new KO4 turbo( reman turbonetics). Idles like a dream! Cruises at 60mph like a champ. 0-60mph time. Eventually. It accelerates like it’s a fully loaded semi. 1st gear at WOT( all will be at WOT) 25 at best, 2nd gear maybe 30, 3rd 45 if I’m lucky, 4th possibly 50, 5th I can get to 60 and it just cruises like a dream. Wastegate seems to be losing vacuum and staying open when the throttle is cracked open. I can hear it hissing. I can also hear a vacuum leak whistling somewhere under the hood while I’m accelerating. So with a little more tweaking I think it may be back to where I started. Then it will be getting the trouble lights off. Can the ABS system actually cause performance issues when there are issues within the ABS system? If so chock up another dumbass idea to the Germans.

 

[Desertrat713]

If anyone lives in the west central Indiana area cares to come take a look and help me out I’m all ears on any help and more than willing to learn new stuff!

 

[Desertrat713]

No. No one wants to touch it even to scan codes. Eventually, I plan on buying my own scan tool. Apparently that’s gonna be cheaper

 

[Desertrat713]

Yeah where I’m at there isn’t a local group for anything.