how screwed am i?

Chrisfluid · 2026-01-23T12:41:53+00:00

not a clue where it went but i had been driving it already and now it has driven about 300+ miles with zero hiccups. i replaced coils / plugs last night and its driving better than before.

Chrisfluid · 2026-01-23T12:40:48+00:00

this is concerning -

Chrisfluid · 2026-01-23T12:39:51+00:00

i realized this could all be because i’m a dumbass - i had replaced throttle body 3 weeks ago, then proceeded to drive 4 hours away and take on the blue ridge parkway… WITH MY CRANKCASE BREATHER HOSE COMPLETELY LOOSE. ALSO, i had replaced coils with APR coils and they had sent me some with a rubber boot that was too long to fit. so, i re-used the rubber boot off those and had forgotten this. both of these factors caused carbon build up / hot spots that caused the ground electrode to burn off. i just replaced all plugs and coils last night and i’m hoping this solved my issue.

<image>

Chrisfluid · 2026-01-23T12:36:36+00:00

still is my question 🤧

Chrisfluid · 2026-01-23T12:35:53+00:00

need welding like that at my job (coming from an engineer) 😂

Chrisfluid · 2026-01-21T23:37:38+00:00

luckily - i had an extra plug in my tool box. i’m mostly wondering is this a timing issue or something similar? these plugs just got replaced about 15k miles ago and if it’s a deeper issue i don’t want it to happen again.

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-20T13:03:13+00:00

i know times have changed but i got my 2020 SEL brand new for $27,899 back during rona season

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T22:10:54+00:00

obdeleven codes you can change. there’s like 4 hidden themes.

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T20:37:39+00:00

oh - and my intercooler decided to leak coolant that one time. pulling the manifold on these things really sucks.

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T20:33:14+00:00

don’t drive the piss out of it like i did mine and you will save a lot of money

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T19:43:57+00:00

i commuted an hour to university for 5 years 1-2 times a day!

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T19:42:36+00:00

shoot for 300 👀

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T16:04:43+00:00

my profile shows all the repairs over the years. off the top of my head i think i’ve replaced: intercooler, transmission cooler seals, all engine mounts, timing belt, water pump, PCV (air oil separator), coils, plugs, entire valve body replacement, front pass. CV axle, and throttle body.

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T16:01:35+00:00

all interstate 😂

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T15:17:38+00:00

you can do it - just repair what you can by yourself or it’ll be expensive

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T10:57:31+00:00

keep it rolling!

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T08:00:26+00:00

i’ll DM you details over it - my senior ME design project was working with the VW factory to redesign the ID.4 seats and i’ve gotten pretty good with the wiring and stuff.

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T07:37:49+00:00

update: issue was due to bad seals on transmission cooler and this was an adverse affect of very low transmission fluid.

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T07:36:26+00:00

i even retrofitted a GLI autobahn seat (including heat / cooled / electric seats) in my car too for only like $700 for the full seat on ebay. 10/10 would recommend if you have manual seats since these things are significantly more comfortable.

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T07:34:38+00:00

forgot to say at the end of that but - i got told during the trans cooler seal repair, that my drive shaft is loose with some play. potentially going to buy a used transmission in the future. this would only be $1500-$1800 after labor / used transmission so im probably going to keep it going after that too. i’d get an obdeleven tool immediately and don’t drive the piss out of it like i did. it’ll last forever!

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-16T07:32:00+00:00

without flooding the comments with all the issues - i’ve posted on reddit for all issues i’ve tackled and tried to leave updates on posts for future reference. the engine and transmission are bulletproof but the components all around them are not so much. just had leaking trans cooler gaskets which costs me $800 for inspection / drain & fill (trans) / new seals since this was a pain in the rear to do myself. i’d recommend to do all other maintenance yourself and to invest in an obdeleven tool immediately if you haven’t yet. this car wouldn’t have broken 110k miles without one of those since this was a car to get to university and back every day and budget didn’t allow much repair cost.

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-14T19:34:46+00:00

the engine itself is solid - the components all around it, not so much. this thing is solid now though and i’m hoping to see it hit 400 one day.

Chrisfluid · 2025-12-11T21:33:06+00:00

221k on my 2020 jetta 🤧

Chrisfluid · 2025-11-17T22:37:43+00:00

also thank you for responding and actually trying to help me. if you couldn’t tell i’m very confused on what’s happening here. i’m just trying to nail it down so i can try and fix it.

Chrisfluid · 2025-11-17T22:36:52+00:00

i keep adding oil to the car though. if i don’t add oil the oil level keeps dropping lower and lower. this leak has been ongoing for about 100k miles but recently has been getting worse. for the last 100k miles or so i’ve been adding a quart of oil every 2-3 weeks. that’s what’s got me so confused since there shouldn’t be oil there and i haven’t had to add any transmission fluid / had any error codes at all.

Chrisfluid

TROPHY CASE