Author Topic: Grr... don't have a maintenance schedule for this thing... (Read 2636 times)

bhtooefr · « **on:** January 02, 2006, 01:58:46 pm »

I need a maintenance schedule for an 85 Jetta NA IDI diesel...

Does anyone have it? In VW's infinite wisdom, they put the thing in a separate maintenance booklet, not in the owner's manual, and I didn't get that booklet.

Black Smokin' Diesel · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2006, 05:07:08 pm »

The maintenance schedule isn't the same with a brand new engine and one that has 400k on it.

I suggest changing the oil and filter every 3000miles/5000kms. Replace the fuel filter two times a year (beginning of summer and winter). Fully bleed the brake fluid every two years. Replace the tranny fluid every four or five years maybe (if it's a manual). Replace coolant once a year with VW coolant.

When changing the fuel filter, a good shot of ATF fluid will clean the injectors.

That's all I can think of right now... OHHH and replace the glow plugs once a year before winter for optimum cold start power.

bhtooefr · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2006, 05:10:40 pm »

Hmm... was looking for the official maintenance schedule, if anyone's got it... anyway, my car has an estimated 275k miles.

I've heard 7500 mile OCIs, and someone recommended 10k miles on Rotella T 5W-40 synthetic, which is what I planned on running.

chrissev · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2006, 05:14:13 pm »

Quote from: "Black Smokin' Diesel"

The maintenance schedule isn't the same with a brand new engine and one that has 400k on it.

I suggest changing the oil and filter every 3000miles/5000kms. Replace the fuel filter two times a year (beginning of summer and winter). Fully bleed the brake fluid every two years. Replace the tranny fluid every four or five years maybe (if it's a manual). Replace coolant once a year with VW coolant.

When changing the fuel filter, a good shot of ATF fluid will clean the injectors.

That's all I can think of right now... OHHH and replace the glow plugs once a year before winter for optimum cold start power.

Re: replacing glow plugs and tranny fluid. VW states in their maintenance schedule that manual transmission fluid never has to be replaced, because it is just gear oil and is not contaminated through use. Glow plugs only need to be replaced if they burn out. All the rest of the stuff you wrote is correct.

jtanguay · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2006, 07:02:36 pm »

my tranny oil was pretty bad when i got it changed (380'000km on it) i'd say you would only ever have to change it once in its lifetime. But when you change it once, it will need changing every so many years.

VW recommends using their synthetic gear oil.

tylernt · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2006, 10:54:38 pm »

Re: trans fluid, I would upgrade to Redline MTL (synthetic) anyway. Once that's done it should be fine for another 2 or 300,000 miles.

Re: glow plugs, they are kind of expensive to replace every year, so I would wait to do them when the car becomes difficult to start.

Re: oil, diesels put a lot of soot into the oil so even with synthetics providing excellent lubrication for zillions of miles, I wouldn't go more that 6,000 miles between changes to get that soot out of there.

EDIT: here's the maint sched for Jettas up to '84, dunno about '85:

clean air filter 15,000 miles / 12 months
replace air filter 30Kmi / 24 mo
check cooling system 15Kmi / 12mo
replace oil filter 15Kmi / 12mo
valve clearance 15Kmi / 12mo
replace v-belt 30Kmi / 24 mo
replace fuel filter 30Kmi / 24 mo
drain fuel filter 10Kmi / 8mo
clutch cable freeplay 15Kmi / 12mo
check trans fluid 15Kmi / 12mo
replace brake fluid 30Kmi / 24 mo
check brake fluid 15Kmi / 12mo

chrissev · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2006, 07:50:34 pm »

redline is good. gets you more mpg and makes shifting easier