Author Topic: A 11k Km trip in my jetta? CHECKLIST (Read 4404 times)

bobryan · « **on:** July 26, 2008, 11:07:22 am »

I am planning to drive from Red Deer Alberta to Newfoundland, the trip is 11000 kms :shock:. I just bought this car a month ago its a 1991 Jetta diesel with 330kms on it. I wanted to know what kind of things should i check before i set out on the trip i don't really want to break down in Quebec or something haha.

My list of things so far is.

Change oil.
Check motor mounts.
Change radiator fluid.
Bleed brakes.
New wipers.
Check over exhaust.
Check brake pads.

I know im missing things but let me know what you guys would do before you go on a trip like this, is there any part that usually breaks on these cars that i should check, remember i am new to diesel engines. Thanks!

clbanman · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2008, 11:29:41 am »

Take it for an all day (8 or more hours) run before setting out. You'll learn more about the car by doing that than lots of short trips. If possible get some long uphill hauls in during the run.

bobryan · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2008, 11:31:45 am »

will do ALSO i just looked at the radiator reservoir and there is oil / watery fluid on the cap does that mean Bad head gasket? Or is this normal for diesels it doesn't overheat or burn oil to my knowledge.

Infinitrium · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2008, 12:08:35 pm »

Check over your belts and hoses too. Might as well change them while you're at it. Do you know if the timing belt has ever been changed? You should also look over the fuel system for leaks, and change the fuel filter.

madmedix · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2008, 12:31:05 pm »

The HG blew in my Jetta two years ago. It took many flushes with many things before that nasty film stopped showing up in the tank after I changed out the HG. The timing belt/tensioner advice is right on. Nothing like the sound of the pistons and valves being turned into keychains on a long trip if that puppy lets go

I would add tires to your list. What shape are they in? uneven wear? anywhere close to the wear indicators? Do they "hum" at speed? change 'em out if they do. That'll drive you crazy when you get to radio reception poor areas if you don't have XM or Sirius.
How are your window seals? Do they whistle at speed?
How's the steering? car wander unless there's constant input from you on the wheel? Not a biggie but it'll add to driver fatigue over the long haul.

Hope it goes well.

Andy

bobryan · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2008, 12:40:08 pm »

Thanks for the advice thats what i was thinking, the guy before me said it was changed 30k ago but who knows. How hard is the timing belt to change?

-I checked the belts and tires, the belts are good, tires are balanced perfectly, no hum window seals are great.

-Now im concerned about the transmission fluid when i drove it home 150km after buying it 5th gear popped out so i had to hold it in to get home. Now i read that might be caused by low transmission oil. Since then i have drove 800km since then on the highway/ in town for work so i guess i never burned up my 5th gear? Also that was the only time it popped out of gear. So how do i check my fluid or what would you guys suggest? Thanks for all the advice hopefully the trip will go smooth!

jtanguay · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2008, 12:49:58 pm »

inspecting fuel system is also a good idea. very good to keep the following tools in your car

Wrenches & socket sizes:
17mm
13mm
10mm
(at least those! any more is always good idea)

get a nice bar just in case. this should cover most that you need, mainly for tightening the alternator belt etc.

verify that the rad fan works, and inspect all wires. look for greenish corrosion and replace. also carry one of those wire terminal kits with the electrical wire stripper (they come with a wire brush, some wire, zip ties, and sometimes more? good value!). those kits are cheap at princess auto, and is invaluable when you need it! other possible weak points in the wiring system are the starter and alternators. there is a lot of juice that runs through the big wires so give them a good inspection and even give them a bit of a tug to make sure they're not ready to break off (if they do, you'll be thankful they did in your driveway and not far from home :wink:)

tires are also important... i noticed my rear end was very lumpy and would 'drag' to the right side. turns out my tire was at the belts :shock: probably could have popped at any time!!! inspect your tires!!! safety first

inspect the fuel system and if possible, carry a spare fuel filter as you never know. the fuel lines seem to crack on the inside so its hard to tell their condition. i now carry some spare fuel line just in case.

make sure the donut is properly inflated if you don't carry an air pump, and also inspect the jack & tools to make sure they work. mine are all rusted :x unless you have CAA, then you need not worry.

good luck on the trip! i recommend you drop by Giles shop if you can, although it would be a 'minor' detour.

bobryan · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2008, 01:48:28 pm »

Well i have checked everything so far its looking good! The only question is about the transmission does anyone have a answer to that?

CoolAirVw · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2008, 07:01:08 pm »

Quote from: "bobryan"

Thanks for the advice thats what i was thinking, the guy before me said it was changed 30k ago but who knows. How hard is the timing belt to change?

If you have no way to verify his word like a receipt for the work performed or a receipt for the TB then you should change it. This is not optional, due to the risk of catastophic damage to your engine, that you dont want on a long trip like that. Dont trust him as far as you can throw him.

Quote from: "bobryan"

-Now im concerned about the transmission fluid when i drove it home 150km after buying it 5th gear popped out so i had to hold it in to get home. Now i read that might be caused by low transmission oil. Since then i have drove 800km since then on the highway/ in town for work so i guess i never burned up my 5th gear? Also that was the only time it popped out of gear. So how do i check my fluid or what would you guys suggest? Thanks for all the advice hopefully the trip will go smooth!

That type of problem could make you break down on your trip. Make sure you dont have leaks, and fill the trans according to the following link. http://www.brokevw.com/020oil.html

If I were going on a long trip like that with a "questionable" trans I would at least pull the 5th cover in the car and inspect the gears. 5th is high in the trans (relative to the bottom of the "sump". and if the trans is low it will be damaged first.

BrokeVw's site has info on how to get to 5th to inspect it. http://www.brokevw.com/

Here's what happens to 5th when trans is run low. (from broke's site.)

Fisher · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2008, 10:57:35 pm »

I always carry a spare set of Hard Fuel Lines with me on cross Country Trips, I've had them break on the Road a couple times.

The best advise is to go on a couple six or eight hour long trips, you'll pretty much know how its going to go then.

Take a few tools and the Bentley Manual and just go. Have a good drive.

bobryan · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2008, 10:46:30 am »

Uh oh lol, the transmission tear down is to much to take on right now. i am planning to leave on the trip Aug 1 and have no garage so i will just change the transmission oil and hope for the best :S. That was a very helpful site so thank you for posting it! The only thing now is the timing belt i have never done this before so does anyone have a sit or instructions on how to do this? Thanks for all the help so far ill check into the hard lines!

fatmobile · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2008, 12:26:28 am »

It could be a long way betweeen fuel stops so,..
good time to test fit some Depends :lol:

Dakotakid · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2008, 10:19:52 am »

Did anyone tell this guy to jack up the car and lay under it and inspect the seals where his axles exit the transmission?? Seems like this trans has been low on lube. It has got to be going somewhere.

With any luck, you will not be coming home a bit slower in 4th gear. These are old cars which like good maintainence. Your haste and enthusiasm my prove costly. But, have fun anyway.

Wayland · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2008, 06:32:59 pm »

So how did the trip go? About a year ago I drove a beater 85 NA Jetta from Vancouver to Boston and back. I'd only put about 600km on it before leaving, but I looked it over pretty thoroughly before the trip, plus did the clutch, brakes, and tires. The only problems I had were the alternator falling off in N.Ontario, because I forgot to retorque the alt.pivot bolt after adjusting the belt that morning (luckily I had a spare bolt), and coming back my temp gauge started reading really high, but it turned out to be a power supply issue to the gauges, not a hot engine. Not bad for n 11,400km trip. Definitely one of the cheapest, most reliable cars I've had.

bobryan · « **Reply #14 on:** September 27, 2008, 08:50:15 am »

haha EPIC FAIL. Transmission started leaking and popped out of fifth after 60kms.. Hahahaha we ended up rushing and taking my brothers Pontiac sun fire. Im sure when i get a new transmission ill attempt the trip again you cant beat 54mpg.