Spark Plug!...Spark Plug!!..

[tele7]

...$20 per spark plug for my 2001 VW Golf! Wires and plugs just cost me $215 from the VW dealer in Edison. When the hell did this happen?! Anyway, after dumping $600 bucks on plugs, wires and an ignition coil, my check engine light is still on. This time it's the MAF sensor...another $400.

A local trusted mechanic said after market parts won't work on a VW. Safe to say, this will be my last VW.

[PapaBear]

It might be time to start "trusting" another mechanic. Or, you could just get the Mitchell or Chilton manual on your car, and do it yourself. That's all easy stuff to do on your own. Also... The mass air flow sensor was probably new. For a car that old, you could probably get a re manufactured one MUCH cheaper.

[jonyrotn]

It might be time to start "trusting" another mechanic. Or, you could just get the Mitchell or Chilton manual on your car, and do it yourself. That's all easy stuff to do on your own. Also... The mass air flow sensor was probably new. For a car that old, you could probably get a re manufactured one MUCH cheaper.He could probaby get a re-manufactured helicopter for those numbers..

[PapaBear]

The biggest expense might have been the ignition coil. I don't know how it works on a VW, but on my 2000 Chevy Prizm (aka Toyota Corolla) there is no longer what used to be called "an ignition coil". There is a coil for each plug. Therefore, in a 4 cylinder engine, there are 4 coils. Each coil for my car costs 80 to 90 bucks for my car.

I've done two plug replacements on my car. In both cases, the coils were fine. However, if I had taken my car to a dealer for a tune up, they would have probably said I needed to replace the coils.

Even if you don't do the work yourself, it's a good idea to get a good repair manual for your car. That way, you'll have a better understanding of what is really under the hood, and how it works. Modern cars are WAY more complicated than they used to be.

[tele7]

It might be time to start "trusting" another mechanic. Or, you could just get the Mitchell or Chilton manual on your car, and do it yourself. That's all easy stuff to do on your own. Also... The mass air flow sensor was probably new. For a car that old, you could probably get a re manufactured one MUCH cheaper.

He lives in my area and usually does good work, ..pretty cheap too. I can do plugs/wires/oil myself, but anything else I prefer to let him do it. I really questioned him when it came to the plugs and wires, but he still insisted I go to VW for parts. The labor is cheap, but the parts are kicking my ass. At this point, I just want to fix it, get it inspected and dump it.

[PapaBear]

He lives in my area and usually does good work, ..pretty cheap too. I can do plugs/wires/oil myself, but anything else I prefer to let him do it. I really questioned him when it came to the plugs and wires, but he still insisted I go to VW for parts. The labor is cheap, but the parts are kicking my ass. At this point, I just want to fix it, get it inspected and dump it.
He's probably thinking in terms of making the car be perfect. You know... He LOVES cars. "After market" is a relative term, since car manufacturers don't really manufacture all the parts to a car. If you're just looking to get the thing running, passed, and get rid of it.... Do what you can to make it cheap (short of using duck tape). Anyone buying a used VW is probably looking to fix it up anyway.

[donnie_darko]

you got robbed.

and seeing you obviously have an internet connection why aren't you on a vw board getting answers to your questions?

20bucks a plug is ridiculous, and your mechanic fed you a crock of shit.

i think the most expensive spark plug i've seen is four bucks..and i'll admit i haven't kept up with vw's since i lost my scirocco, but i can't possibly believe a 2001 would be that difficult.

[silks]

$400 for an MAF?! Seems kind of steep.

[PapaBear]

i think the most expensive spark plug i've seen is four bucks..and i'll admit i haven't kept up with vw's since i lost my scirocco, but i can't possibly believe a 2001 would be that difficult.
Not really. If you buy the top of the line double platinum plug (even at wal mart) they are about 10 bucks each. The problem is, there are so many parts on the market that are either required or "suggested" for VERY new cars. In most cases, these parts are total overkill for cars that 5-10 years old.

It's kind of like how people waste their money on mid grade or premium gas. If your car's manual doesn't specifically say you need a higher octane fuel, and your engine isn't knocking, you're wasting money by using anything above Regular.

[tele7]

He's probably thinking in terms of making the car be perfect. You know... He LOVES cars. "After market" is a relative term, since car manufacturers don't really manufacture all the parts to a car. If you're just looking to get the thing running, passed, and get rid of it.... Do what you can to make it cheap (short of using duck tape). Anyone buying a used VW is probably looking to fix it up anyway.

Thanks PB. I will definitely take the duct tape approach from now on. Lesson learned.

[PapaBear]

Thanks PB. I will definitely take the duct tape approach from now on. Lesson learned.
I said "short of using"! You don't want to be a bad person!!!

BTW... I'm on the "duck" side of the "duck VS duct" issue.

[tele7]

you got robbed.

and seeing you obviously have an internet connection why aren't you on a vw board getting answers to your questions?

20bucks a plug is ridiculous, and your mechanic fed you a crock of shit.

i think the most expensive spark plug i've seen is four bucks..and i'll admit i haven't kept up with vw's since i lost my scirocco, but i can't possibly believe a 2001 would be that difficult.

I've looked into soaking my MAF in a ziplock bag filled with alcohol. (from the VW board) This guy has nothing to gain where I decide buy my parts. He's just had bad experiences with Jetta's he's worked on in the past with after market parts. And you're right, I should have looked into it more, but I had to take care of it during lunch while at work.

[joethebartender]

...$20 per spark plug for my 2001 VW Golf! Wires and plugs just cost me $215 from the VW dealer in Edison. When the hell did this happen?! Anyway, after dumping $600 bucks on plugs, wires and an ignition coil, my check engine light is still on. This time it's the MAF sensor...another $400.

A local trusted mechanic said after market parts won't work on a VW. Safe to say, this will be my last VW.

Way too much money. Find a european repair shop don't dare go to the dealer anymore!
trust me...
(my last 4 cars)
1987 VW scirocco 8 valve
1990 VW jetta GLI 16v
1996 Audi A4 V6 2.8L
1997 Audi A8 4.2L

[zathrus]

wait till you have 2 replace the tires. if you get them from vw, it'll cost you around $800.00. when we had our vw (2000 jetta) the check engine light came on three times. once was because the thermastat was stuck and the 2nd time, the brake sensor failed, the 3rd time, we thought it was because the o2 sensor was bad. that was replaced and a couple of days later the light came back on. we gave up on it at that time and a couple of months later traded it in on a mimi van.

[biggestmexi]

is your Jetta a TDI? Unless it is then 20 dollars a spark plug is really ludicrous. Even if you bought the platinum plugs (which are shit anyway) it would still be cheaper. It does sounds like your mechanic is getting OE parts which for VW are pretty expensive(actually anything dealer is expensive). I would go to your local auto parts store, they sell maf cleaner and if they don't have a bottle sitting out that says "MAF CLEANER" llok for something a long the line of that and read the bottles. Also sea-foam is a great product if you have a high mileage vehicle. Tires are cheap. I do not know why ANY ONE IN THE WORKLD WOLD GO TO THE DEALER FOR THEM.:wallbash:. Just ridiculous. ERRR. Look at the side of the tire and get the size then travel over to tirerack.com (http://www.tirerack.com) which will undoublty cost less then you could buy the same tires you pick out in the area. I have done so. They are also very fast shippers. And who told you it was the MAF sensor causeing the Check Engine Light? If you have an Autozone they scan the computer for free. Take it there. Is the car running roughly?

And check rockauto.com (http://www.rockauto.com) for parts for your car. Great prices. And do not duct tape anything on your car.:huh:


PapaBear - they are not double platinum. Its not records were selling. It double tipped

[Gvac]

German cars are hideously expensive to work on. They're labor intensive, as everything under the hood is nearly impossible to get to, and the parts cost a fortune.

Every time one of my friends tells me they're looking at an Audi, a BMW, or a VW I try to steer them away.

German engineering my ass.

[biggestmexi]

German cars are hideously expensive to work on. They're labor intensive, as everything under the hood is nearly impossible to get to, and the parts cost a fortune.

Every time one of my friends tells me they're looking at an Audi, a BMW, or a VW I try to steer them away.

German engineering my ass.

no, that is when you need to repair them. They arent that much more expensive than taking your "american" made car to the dealer. And all newer cars have that cluttered under the hood syndrome now. Audi and BMW are great cars. BMW just recieved engine of the year i blieve two years in a row:bye:

[SatCam]

butt plug?

[Gvac]

German cars are hideously expensive to work on.

no, that is when you need to repair them.

:blink:

[Reynolds]

Tune up on my 99 VW Jetta cost 492 yesterday. Needed wires, plugs, rotor, distributor. He said most of those were stock parts (still after 220,000 miles). Last few weeks every time it rained my car would stall.

[tele7]

Tune up on my 99 VW Jetta cost 492 yesterday. Needed wires, plugs, rotor, distributor. He said most of those were stock parts (still after 220,000 miles). Last few weeks every time it rained my car would stall.

My car would stall when it rained as well.

Thanks for the help everyone

[grlNIN]

I paid a little over a dollar for each spark plug to be replaced last weekend.

Of course i asked what parts needed replacing and went to an Auto store and bought them myself.

Aren't dealers notorious for ripping you off during servicing?

[biggestmexi]

:blink:

ok lets say pontiac chevy chrysler ford mercury parts are 25-50 percent less expensive maybe.

VW 100,000 miles 1 $500 repiar= $500 dillars and is going to last another 100,000

Said manufaturers 100,00 miles 3-4 repairs at 250 = $750-$1000 dillars not going to.


thats what i mean sorry Jvac

[biggestmexi]

I paid a little over a dollar for each spark plug to be replaced last weekend.

Of course i asked what parts needed replacing and went to an Auto store and bought them myself.

Aren't dealers notorious for ripping you off during servicing?

YES

reynolds. you would NOT replace the Distributor in a whole if you are getting the dist. rotor. When you buy the Distributor you get the whole shebang so this is not replacing the Distributor. this is cap and rotor. but i also included that.

THIS IS FOR A 99 JETTA GL:

CHAMPION spark plug Part # 71 {COPPER PLUS (***See Promotions & Rebates Page for Rebate Information***) #RC12YC}
w/SOHC; OE Style {.040 gap} - 1.49 each

POWERMAX Part # 700209 {Premium Plug Wire} - 42.79


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # GB345T {TRU-TECH} rotor
8 Valve - 3.45
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # GB450T {TRU-TECH}cap
8 Valve - 7.88


so total is for 6 cyl = 63.06 total then whatever shipping is.


A-1 CARDONE Part # 3185407 {[Distributor] Reman.}
w/o Module - 183.79

with replaces the whole dist. is equal to $235.59.

you people, this is an EASY job pull stuff and put it back.


prices are from rockauto.com

[Gvac]

ok lets say pontiac chevy chrysler ford mercury parts are 25-50 percent less expensive maybe.

VW 100,000 miles 1 $500 repiar= $500 dillars and is going to last another 100,000

Said manufaturers 100,00 miles 3-4 repairs at 250 = $750-$1000 dillars not going to.


thats what i mean sorry Jvac

No apology necessary - I was merely pointing out that when they require repairs, German cars are extremely expensive. Reliable Asian cars like Honda and Toyota have plants here in the U.S. and are generally much cheaper to maintain and repair than their German counterparts, and require much less maintenance than American made vehicles for the most part.

[biggestmexi]

true but most parts made for honda are not made by honda.

[ahhdurr]

When I owned my Golf I said "this is my last VW"

I've owned Zero VW's since and have been much happier.

[donnie_darko]

i female friend just had her 02 sensor replaced at honda for 300 bucks...

i would've felt guilty charging anyone 100 bucks to do that, seriously the hardest part of doing that in your garage would be jacking the car up high enough to get to it....in a dealership it couldn't have taken more then 10 minutes.

its the price we pay for dependability, if a cars gonna run for 300,000 miles, the dealerships have to make up for it somewhere.

and i can understand the convenience of dropping your car off at a dealership, and getting a nice loaner car, i've done it a couple times, but each time i say i'll never do it again, something irks me about spending 75% more then if i were to do it myself.

i know a few new cars don't even have sparkplugs/wires any longer...i wonder how much it would cost to replace that system...ugh

[biggestmexi]

i know a few new cars don't even have sparkplugs/wires any longer...i wonder how much it would cost to replace that system...ugh

which?