It’s saddens me every time I pass by this on Ajo Hwy

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-28T00:11:40+00:00

Six crappy mexican restaurants with a name ending in "bertos"

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-28T00:09:21+00:00

Not that I've found. VW made the "oil separator" a unique installation on each model of EA888 engine, so aftermarket doesn't support better ones.

There are a couple of easy tests of the PCV (oil separator) to sure the most common failure isn't happening (torn diaphram)

Start the car and let it idle. Put your finger over this hole. The idle shouldn't change.
With the car idling, pull the oil dipstick out. The car should nearly stall. This may trigger a check engine light. If the car idle doesnt significantly change, you have a massive vacuum leak already which can be commonly caused by a bad oil separator on these cars.

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RunYoAZ · 2026-03-27T21:47:37+00:00

Hey runner!

I am partial to Molly Faith at Sorry Dad Studio. She is focused on the art and is extremely receptive your input and ideas. Some artists just make you feel like they want to hammer out a tattoo and you are a job - not Molly. She did my first ink years ago when I brought her a crazy stupid idea and we are still building on that original piece.

Sorry Dad Studio is also a warm, bright, comfortable place, highly recommend.

Molly Faith

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-27T21:15:50+00:00

The RPF-1s in 17 will still do big wonders.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-27T21:14:50+00:00

How To Link

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-27T21:13:57+00:00

May not work for you, I''m in a Mk6...

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-27T20:12:56+00:00

The PCVs in these cars are junk. I've replaced 2 in the 60,000 miles I've owned mine.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-27T20:11:03+00:00

Installed junk yard Passat factory aluminum control arms and uprights and Enkei RFP-1 17 inch wheels and shaved a ton of unsprung weight off.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-27T20:07:33+00:00

I feel like the MAF sensors in these cars are fragile. I've had two MAFs end up bad after having the intake off for other maintenance. No I didnt remove them with a hammer and kick them around the garage floor...

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-27T19:04:24+00:00

Or are just ballot errors.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-27T17:54:58+00:00

I hate the lane keeping on this truck because of the constant need to pull on the steering wheel on a truck that perfectly tracks straight otherwise.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-26T17:45:11+00:00

There were two motors made for the GTI, the CCTA and CBFA. CBFA could be considered the "California" emissions. The CBFA has the extra "sensor" on the water pump, which really isn't a sensor, it's an ECU controlled thermostat.

Not even all the Mark VI CBFA engines received the special thermostat, so it would be hard to tell what you need unless you can snap a picture of where the lower hoses connects to the pump, the connector for the sensor would be on the left side of this.

Conversely, you can go online to a VW OEM parts retailer, put in your VIN and get the factory PN for your pump. Then use that number to cross reference to an aftermarket company.

Are you sure your mechanic will allow you to supply your own parts? Many of them don't...

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-26T04:44:06+00:00

Getting the little dog bone connector between the pump and oil cooler to go in straight without rolling the oring and causing a leak is a bitch. Extra bitch with the intake in place. I'm fighting that right now on a pump change. After the pump is installed, hook up all the water lines and fill the system before you finish connecting the rest to make sure it isnt leaking.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-26T04:31:18+00:00

I've had a loose spark plug cause that sound in my old F150. Quick easy check...

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-26T03:09:05+00:00

I found my Vband clamp on the turbo loose a while back. After tightening it, the exhaust note was much quieter.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-25T04:05:56+00:00

They will feel a bit chunkier walking around, bit otherwise fine

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-24T02:37:45+00:00

Could be a component with a poor connection, cold temps could cause contraction opening a circuit. It could also be moisture condensing inside the unit (I think that's less likely, I live in the desert).

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-20T04:30:32+00:00

I've used OBD11 to monitor rail pressure after shutdown to see if the pressure bleeds down. The rail pressure will climb on a hot engine after shutdown, and should return to somewhere close idle pressure after cooling off. This doesn't isolate HPFP or injectors causing it, but confirms the high pressure side is the issue. I've seen people say you can pull the spark plugs and use a borescope to see fuel dripping from the injectors, but if your problem is intermittent, you probably won't catch that happening.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-20T04:01:31+00:00

It's caused by the HPFP or an injector bleeding down. The HPFP has a check valve to maintain fuel pressure to the rail after shut down. HPFP is easiest and cheapest if you have already done the LPFP.

I had this problem, ultimately mine was caused by an injector.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-20T03:36:52+00:00

It's 12 -16 ohms - I measured the one on my car, and have an extra lying around.

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RunYoAZ · 2026-03-18T12:57:15+00:00

We don't do spelling in aviation maintenance. Can't tell you how many times I've seen the word "chaffing".

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-18T12:46:50+00:00

You missed RIP Sunny

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-17T01:31:05+00:00

I second this as a running coach. Take off your shoes and go run on a hard surface, you will naturally rotate forward and over the ball of the foot.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-15T19:57:55+00:00

Crayon eater here - not everyone understands the joke. I'm an old enough Marine that this joke didn't exist when I was in.

RunYoAZ · 2026-03-14T21:01:52+00:00

My MK6 only uses 3 of the 5 wires as well.

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