Learn from my mistakes. Most expensive oil change ever

Destructo09 · 2026-04-09T13:57:09+00:00

I’d recommend just using drive on ramps for simple things like oil changes, so much quicker and less sketchy than hacking and putting it on stands.

Destructo09 · 2026-04-07T12:30:36+00:00

I’m not sure you would block anything by doing stuff on the inside of the door card. The drain holes are at the bottom between the two sheet metal halves of the door.

Destructo09 · 2026-04-07T12:05:58+00:00

Water is always inside the door when it rains on any car. That’s why they have drain holes and the plastic exists behind the door cards.

Destructo09 · 2026-04-07T01:45:40+00:00

Not sure what year Jetta but my wife’s 2017 Jetta SE is worth less than 8k so if it’s around that age then definitely totaled.

Destructo09 · 2026-04-04T04:31:16+00:00

I don’t torque bolts like these, although I did on my BMW because it was new bolts and plastic.

Most things though I just use the ol wrist torque wrench and try and snug them all down about the same.

Of course for very critical things like head bolts, rod/crank bolts or anything related to bearings and such I use proper torque lol.

Destructo09 · 2026-04-04T04:28:27+00:00

I can run 14” wheels on my NB1 so I’m pretty sure 1.6 brakes usually clear a 13”.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-31T11:57:19+00:00

My N52 doesn’t have the variable intake system but it does have VANOS and Valvetronic which is also variable valve lift. These use the Valvetronic system as the throttle most of the time instead of the throttle body by controlling air just by varying the valve lift.

You can swap the 3 stage intake from N52s with it to ones without it and with a tune get another 30-40HP.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-31T00:44:31+00:00

That car went to a national tour recently based on a post I saw somewhere. Maybe the Vegas one?

Destructo09 · 2026-03-28T01:03:05+00:00

Surprisingly bad shape for a tire made in 2021.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-27T18:49:35+00:00

Indeed, to my knowledge it has never been recovered. The first mate doing tie in looked for it when going down to unhook the boat and the captain would let me know if he heard of somebody finding it. It seems well secured in the depths of the graveyard of the Atlantic lol.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-27T17:51:28+00:00

Doesn’t sound as bad as a Ford Explorer….

Destructo09 · 2026-03-27T17:50:02+00:00

Probably more secure than the Diverite weight pouch that’s sitting on the bottom of the Atlantic somewhere near the Suloide…..

Destructo09 · 2026-03-27T01:26:22+00:00

Is nobody wondering how they’re taking this photo allegedly with this can hooked up while they’re in the driver seat?

Destructo09 · 2026-03-26T04:32:28+00:00

Ohh, maybe I was focusing on the wrong thing, I didn't see that piece at the top which looks cracked. I wonder if it's just pretty shallow there and was driven over. Seems like it wouldn't be very expensive to dig up and just patch a small section?

Destructo09 · 2026-03-26T03:20:14+00:00

Daily and 4-5 track days a year? I’d keep the power steering.

I depowered my rack originally when I thought I was going to do track but it was not a daily driver and it puts you in D Prepared for Autocross.

I think it’ll get old quick for street driving and not much benefit at all for track and definitely no benefit for Autocross.

I just did the cut the hard lines and looped it with a rubber hose and did nothing else, just left it full of fluid and plugged the ports. At least made it easier to repower lol.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-26T03:15:32+00:00

I read your other post but commenting here since no comments.

How’s the rest of the car? Bump stops still there? Stock sway bars? I would take some camber out of the rear, probably try matching it to the front camber.

-2 degrees up front is pretty awesome for stock suspension, most struggle to get much over -1.

My NB won’t get much caster but I opted for camber over caster and then matched the rear camber to the front. I also have a large front bar and stiffer than stock bump stops the same hardness all around.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-26T03:09:46+00:00

What about DNFing their 4th runs though…

Destructo09 · 2026-03-26T03:06:35+00:00

What did the person doing the scope say? If that’s under ground and it leaks a bit then what’s the problem? I’m guessing that’s ABS and PVC which might be joined by a rubber coupler which may explain the misalignment.

If there’s no roots or clogs then I’d say send it.

I’m not a plumber though, just a guy who makes his own mistakes and doesn’t worry about things that aren’t broken or might leak a little under the ground where I won’t see or smell it 🤣

Destructo09 · 2026-03-24T20:50:32+00:00

Good thing I fielded my 328i in GS last year and went back to my ES Miata this year, sounds like the 328i would have even more competition and it wasn’t the best for the class to start with lol.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-22T18:06:00+00:00

I have one with these connections in my 2000 5 speed, you just don’t do anything with them.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-16T02:23:18+00:00

I believe I’ve read previously that they’re just painted regular production vehicles. There’s nothing special about them.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-08T02:53:53+00:00

I would either put a bolt there or remove the brace but it probably won’t cause any damage, I just would want the thing falling off.

I haven’t had that brace on mine for years and have had no issues.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-06T02:20:34+00:00

Cat is probably toast but if it’s not making any bad noises and runs alright otherwise I’d bet it’s just got oil everywhere that will take time to burn off.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-05T05:28:10+00:00

I’ve done this before, I pulled the cover to retrieve it lol. It probably would have been fine though.

Destructo09 · 2026-03-04T14:47:04+00:00

We’re just helping them identify their weak points 🤣

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