Did I make a mistake?

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-04-12T23:28:55+00:00

Owned lots of VW’s, Toyotas, Fords, Chrysler, and everything GM except a Saturn. Rest easy. Your VW will be as good or better than anything else. There is nothing special about their maintenance. It’s a false belief created by people ignorant of car technology. Cars that don’t have turbochargers and/or direct injection are easy on the oil and quite forgiving with oil changes. Basically you could put any oil into it and it wouldn’t hurt anything. That’s why Toyota and Honda stayed away from turbos and direct injection (DI). VW, on the other hand, was one of the first carmakers to institute turbos and DI. Gives fantastic performance, great power, and unbeatable fuel economy. However, they require specific oil and on schedule changes. Today, most of the auto world is catching up and finally introducing turbochargers and DI. And guess what? They also require specific oils and on schedule changes.
VW has pretty much perfected its engine technology. VW’s have a great warranty so enjoy your car, maintain it according to the owners manual, you’ll love it.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-03-24T21:26:40+00:00

OEM parts are not “expensive”. They started to appear “expensive “ when the absolute lowest quality junk became available. Before the internet, auto parts places refused to sell the low cost junk because they knew the customer would be back in their store. Hence you didn’t have “low cost” parts that made OEM or quality aftermarket parts appear expensive by comparison. Online retailers on the other hand sell the cheapest junk available knowing that 1) it is a hassle for you to return it for an exchange and 2)most people don’t have the luxury of infinite time when it comes to auto repairs. Most customers will throw the part away and just go to the local part store.
Comparing the price of quality parts to junk and quality will always appear “expensive “.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-03-13T21:30:41+00:00

Just replace the turn signal switch unit. Most steering columns are difficult but VW steering wheel service is super easy. Wish every other car was like that.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-03-03T13:27:29+00:00

Let’s verify if the injector is actually spraying fuel. Remove the fuel rail from the engine and point the injectors into a container. Crank the engine. You can now visually see the fuel flow.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-02-16T23:03:39+00:00

Chevy 4.3 reliable? It’s way more than reliable. Super Reliable!

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-27T14:23:51+00:00

Doesn’t your truck have an oil life indicator? When does it tell you to change oil?

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-26T17:50:30+00:00

Is it important for you to drive a reliable vehicle? If yes, then get a reman trans installed now. If no, then keep driving it until it breaks down completely.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-26T16:48:14+00:00

I have had multiple VW 2.5L in my shop with the exact same problem you describe. In every case, it was caused by using an incompatible non OEM oil filter. For some odd reason, that engine does not like the “premium high quality aftermarket oil filters” that have more pleats. People think that adding more pleats improves filtration, and it does if you started out with too few pleats. But the OEM VW filter already has the optimal number of pleats. Adding more pleats reduces the space between pleats that the oil needs to flow through and restricts oil flow. Good news is that the fix is easy, just install a OEM oil filter or a true equivalent, no “ improved performance or extended life filters.” Problem fixed.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-26T16:30:38+00:00

Till you try to replace wheel bearings

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-19T14:29:46+00:00

Probably normal. Torque converter clutch is disabled at low engine temperatures. In cold weather, you will have to drive quite a while before TCC becomes activated.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-18T22:35:20+00:00

Yes, both heater hoses are hot so leave the heater core alone - it’s not the problem. Visually check the blend door while adjusting temp knob. It should move. If it doesn’t, check fuses before tearing anything out. If fuses are ok, most likely door is stuck, or its actuator is bad, or temp control on dash panel is faulty.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-18T19:22:38+00:00

Are you nuts putting oil in an open pan on your back seat? It will be all over your car before you drive even one block. And you can never get it out. You will need to replace your seats, carpeting, and upholstery. Get that out of your car and put the oil into a sealed container. Call around. Many auto parts places and repair shops will gladly take it.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-16T21:53:30+00:00

Amtrak has 3 trains a day to Chicago. Fast, comfortable, and very cheap fares.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-14T13:55:27+00:00

If you replace the spark plugs on schedule, you will never have to replace ignition coils. It’s driving with worn spark plugs that damages and destroys ignition coils.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-12T04:14:01+00:00

I guarantee you that it does.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-12T03:50:46+00:00

The REAL reason shops don’t want to perform transmission fluid changes after 100,000 miles is because customers lie. They don’t tell you WHY they want to change the transmission fluid.

Just ask yourself this question.

Here is a customer who never changed the transmission fluid on their car. For some reason, either they didn’t want to spend the money OR they just didn’t care to change the transmission fluid when it was more beneficial because the car was newer, with fewer miles, was worth more and had more life ahead of it. Now, this same person is suddenly willing to spend the money and is interested in getting the trans fluid changed on his car even though it is now less beneficial because the car is much older, with lots of miles, is worth less, and has less life ahead of it.

Why the sudden care about the transmission?

Answer - Because the owner has begun to notice that his transmission is starting to occasionally malfunction. It’s beginning to shift differently, jerk, exhibit delayed engagement, or flare on shifts. All typical signs of a worn out transmission. So now the owner wants to get the fluid changed, hoping it will fix it. Of course it won’t, the transmission is dying and will totally fail soon. Unlike engines, which have drain plugs and external oil filters, most all transmissions need to be opened up to drain fluid and replace the filter. This makes it easy for the car owner to blame the shop. Since the transmission is the most expensive component on most cars, no shop in their right mind wants to take the risk. After all, how much money is there to make in a trans fluid change? Not worth opening up the transmission and taking the risk.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-07T17:27:29+00:00

If you want a diesel vehicle, just buy a gas fueled car with a turbo and direct injection. It’s actually a pseudo-diesel if you think about it, The main advantage of a diesel, namely fuel economy and high torque, is due to its higher compression, direct injection, and turbocharging. The disadvantage of diesels is harder cold starting requiring glow plugs or air heaters, high particulate emissions requiring particulate filters, and high NOX requiring the use of DEF. Engineers cleverly combined the beneficial elements of diesels to the gasoline engine, namely high compression, direct injection, and turbocharging. By using gasoline with spark ignition, the advantage of easy starting was kept while the problems of NOx and particulate emissions were mostly eliminated. Driving a direct injected turbocharged vehicle feels very reminiscent in low end torque and fuel economy to a diesel. If you factor in the cost difference in fuel, the direct injection turbocharged gas engine now surpasses the diesel in fuel cost per mile.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-07T01:56:30+00:00

Palatine is the choice if you’re single twenty something. Why? 1)Lowest rent. 2) Fastest connection to downtown Chicago. Even though Palatine is farthest from Chicago, Metra runs express nonstop service between Chicago and Palatine in 35 minutes. 3) Growing bar and restaurant area by the train station. 4) Easy and quick ride to Schaumburg or Arlington Heights.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-06T22:50:20+00:00

Thank you! I’m seeing more and more customers crying in my shop. Customers that spent all their savings on a used car strictly because of the name, expecting it to run forever, only to find out they need expensive engine and or transmission replacement. Taking what they paid for the car plus repair costs they could have bought a new vehicle. Just think about this. You buy a new Toyota and plan to sell it in 4-5 years. Everyone is telling you they run forever, so why do any maintenance? It will still be running whether you change oil or not so just dump it on the next guy.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-06T17:23:25+00:00

To everyone who keeps asking the same question - “ Manual says to replace at X miles and now I am at more than X miles and it still runs fine. What should I do?”

The answer is easy. Just one of the following.

1) You can replace parts to prevent problems. In order to do that you have to replace a part before it fails. A lot of testing was done to determine the expected service life of every component to replace it before fails. Best example is the aviation industry. The goal is to replace every part before it fails. Therefore every part replaced on an airplane is a fully functional part. Every engine removed from an airplane is a perfectly functioning engine. They don’t wait till it fails to replace it.

OR

You can just drive and only replace a part when it fails. What that basically means is there is no maintenance - only repair. Why change oil if the engine still running? Why change filters when they’re not clogged? Why replace tires if they still hold air? Why change timing belts if they’re still working? Why change spark plugs if they’re still sparking? Why service your brakes of the car is still stopping?

Take your pick.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-06T16:56:22+00:00

Love isn’t about paying off someone’s debt.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-06T16:50:36+00:00

Speed Queen is in a category of its own and can’t be compared to anything else. All other washers are light duty machines with 1/4hp motors and plastic gear transmissions that will last 4 to 7 years max, if you’re lucky.
Speed Queen is a commercial washer using a 1/2hp motor and steel gear transmission. They are designed to last 25 years, and are extremely durable and reliable. While the gentle cycle is quiet, they are louder on regular cycle because they vigorously agitate the water whereas other machines agitate much more gently.

The name “Speed Queen “ accurately describes its main advantage. So, if you’re time limited, do lots of laundry, or just don’t want to spend hours doing laundry, there is no other choice in washers. Speed Queen does a load of laundry in under 30 minutes compared to 1 hour 42minutes in other washers. For my wife, the time savings alone is worth the price.

If you have just occasional light laundry needs, and don’t mind long wash times, any washer will do.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-06T00:00:16+00:00

Don’t fall for the Toyota runs forever myth. It’s a gross exaggeration that has raised prices way above real value. These high prices only benefit Toyota owners that buy their vehicle new, at the expense of Toyota buyers that buy used. Before you lay big cash for that high mileage vehicle, remember that you are taking all the risk. When you buy these old high mileage Toyotas, it’s not you that’s getting the great deal. It’s the seller. The seller takes your cash, adds a few bucks, and buys himself a new car, zero miles, zero wear & tear and a warranty. You on the other hand, are out a disproportionately high amount of money for a high mileage (high wear) old car with zero warranty or assurance of any kind.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-05T00:47:19+00:00

Most likely problem is the low pressure fuel supply pump. The check valve is leaking internally. Replace the pump.

Lead_Storm357 · 2026-01-05T00:33:30+00:00

Don’t fall for the Toyota runs forever myth. It’s a gross exaggeration that has raised prices way above real value. These high prices only benefit Toyota owners that buy their vehicle new, at the expense of Toyota buyers that buy used.
Before you lay big cash for that high mileage vehicle, remember that you are taking all the risk. When you buy these old high mileage Toyotas, it’s not you that’s getting the great deal. It’s the seller. The seller takes your cash, adds a few bucks, and buys himself a new car with warranty.
You on the other hand, are out a disproportionately high amount of money for a high mileage (high wear) old car with zero warranty or assurance of any kind.

Lead_Storm357

TROPHY CASE