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We are a bit behind on some news this weekend but this is why. We are dropping in a NewSouth Performance PowerGasket™ along with checking the thermostat and waterpump at 60k. We will have a how-to write up soon.
PowerGasket™ gives you up to 5% more power from your engine by reducing the temperature of the incoming air to your engine.
If you are running an after market exhaust w/ a high-flow cat and are constantly getting that dreaded CEL, this part should fix it. It comes down to spacing your 02 sensor out of the direct airflow.???????? ????? ????????
2 Faults Found:
Car:
2000 1.8T New Beetle GLX running a GHL 2.5″ TB exhaust and GIAC software.
The steps should be identical to all MKIV’s. Placement of your sensors may vary based on your exhuats, but probably not.
Don’t worry we are not getting all soft here at oneighturbo.. but I’ve been driving mostly highway lately. I love my car and I love driving it. I have done a good amount of work to improve it’s overall character. Unfortunately, I have not hit a track yet or 1/4 mile. Now that doesn’t mean I race on the public streets or drive way above the speed limit but I do like to drive fast. Fall temps are also in the air so the ‘ol turbo is lovin it!
I’ve started keeping up with zen habits and found this article regarding driving habits. Not to much is new, I mean we’ve heard it over and over about gas savings and stress levels. Take those and combine them in relation to saving a few minutes in your drive or overall commute. It really does come down to insignificant minutes saved. Remember, this is not Petit Le Mans or the 1/4 mile drags where mere seconds are won by.
I maintain my vehicles gas mileage and for a modified New Beetle 1.8T engine running premium gas, I’m averaging 23.2mpg highway. I do use cruise control when I can, usually interrupted by those slow drivers in the FAST lane!
This brings me to the “Stress” side of it. I’m not a late person for the most part. If I am, I’ll blame the kids or forgetting to put the recycling out. So I’m not rushing, as I said I like driving. I do get annoyed by these slow drivers or ones who are just plain inconsiderate of others. Here in Atlanta we have lots of those who think the world revolves around them. Cellphones, make-up, reading, eating and more. My thinking is this, if your not going faster than the car to the right of you.. get over and completes when there are no lanes left.
Do you notice the “pods” that you eventually catch? Everyone just settles within regardless of lane choice.
So if you can’t beat em and trying is causing extra stress… join em. Settle in one of these “pods”, set cruise on and chill with some favorite tunes, talk radio or whatever sooths you.
I still want my BIG TURBO kit!
Click on over to zen habits and see if the 5 reasons will help you..
I drive slower these days. While I used to be a bit of a driving maniac (ask my wife), passing everybody and stepping hard on my accelerator, I would also get increasingly frustrated when people would drive slow and keep me from driving fast, or cut me off. Driving was a stressful experience.
Not anymore. These days, driving is a much more calm, serene experience, and I enjoy it much more.
I look around at other drivers and wonder whether they really need to get to where they’re going so fast, and whether they’ll slow down when they get there. I wonder if it’s really worth burning all that gas and getting so angry and risking so many lives. And then I think about other things, because driving for me has become a time of contemplation.
I heartily recommend driving slower — for many reasons, but one of the best reasons is that it has made me a much happier person. It’s such a simple step to take, but it makes an incredibly big difference.
Technorati Tags: Zen Habits, driving habits, oneighturbo, saving gas
A first in our long overdue How-To series!
Please bookmark, digg or download the PDF (180k) for your convenience!
Vehicle performed on: 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T
Other models: MKIV 1.8T’s (All models), Audi TT’s, Audi A4’s
What you need:
Philips-head and/or Flathead screwdriver
Arc joint pliers
Rags
Electric cleaner
MAF cleaner
Beverage of choice (Diet Mtn Dew for us. Ommegang if it was later in the day!)
Time: Noob – 1.5hrs, Experienced: 30-45min
Legal: We are not responsible for any problems you encounter during this how-to.
Intro:
This is a very simple process. If you’ve been experiencing hesitations, rough idle etc, your MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor may be the culprit. If you have a CEL, this could be it. Within the housing sits the sensor (need pic). This can become dirty or if running an oiled filter like K&N. Some say that these filters do not effect the MAF, however I ran one and had gone through 3 MAF’s. I’ve since moved on to a mod’d OEM air-box running the OEM paper filter and have had no issues..
Take a swig of beverage.
Step 1:
Depending on your set-up, I find it easier to take the air-box out as well. I am running a Forge T.I.P which is a heck of a lot stiffer than OEM so just pulling the MAF out is a pain.
You will have 2 philips-head screws to the rear of the air-box. These along with the tabs hold the cover down.
Leave in place for now. If you do take out, unlock the SAI hose, just under MAF. * See pic above
Take a swig of beverage.
Step 2:
Gently press tab to unlock and pull plug off MAF. Tuck up and out of way.
Take a swig of beverage.
Step 3:
There are two (each side) philips head screws that hold the MAF to the air-box. Remove these. Unlike the air-box, these come out completely. Since they are a bit of a pain, I recommend putting a rag under your work area. If you do drop one/both they will fall here rather than into the engine area.
Take a swig of beverage.
Step 4:
Loosen clamp around neck of TIP (Turbo Inlet Pipe). Just push this down the pipe and out of the way. * See pic above
*If you have the OEM tube, you will have one of those self squeeze clamps. They are a nightmare/dangerous and I suggest switching to a normal clamp like I have. You will need a very large set of arc joint pliers.
Take a swig of beverage.
Step 5:
Slowly pull MAF off/out of air-box and then out of TIP. This is one of those figure it out on your own. What I mean is that it’s semi-tricky and you just have to wiggle/play it out. DO NOT DAMAGE ANYTHING!
Take a swig of beverage.
Step 6:
Take cleaner and spray the sensor, screen* and plug area. It will dry fast and you can wipe any extra off. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL.
* The screen is to control air flow/turbulence across the sensor.
That’s it.
Take a huge swig of beverage.
Step 7:
Reverse order. Make sure all is snug and bolted down. You don’t want any air leaks.
Take this time to look over your engine too. This is a great way to learn and examine your car.
While pulling the MAF plug off, I noticed the red plastic didn’t look right. Looking closer it has started breaking off, becoming brittle?
Our 1.8T’s run very hot. If your still running the cloth VAC lines, inspect them for drying/cracking. Another big CEL among 1.8T owners. If possible, buy some silicone hose and replace all. Silicone is indestructible when it comes to engine heat.
If you do loosen you air-box cover, take this time to look at the filter. Shake it out but do not let dirt get on top of the filter, MAF sensor side. I usually bang straight down on flat surface. OEM filters are very cheap to replace at your oil change interval. Hopefully with a 1.8T your running a synthetic oil and at a 5k or more change depending on driving habits and environment.
Let us know if this How-to helped out in the comments. We are planning many more.
- the 1.8T dub crew
Legal: We are not responsible for any problems you encounter during this how-to.
Technorati Tags: VW, Volkswagen, Volkswagen MKIV, How-to, oneighturbo, Mass Air flow
“Many people disappear when they screw up. I wish to ‘man up’ before this community with my story.”
This is how TDIClub forum member DuluthRooster starts a post explaining how he ran a Jetta Wagon on waste vegetable oil for about 50,000 miles but then, sadly, had a terribly negative experience and ended up replacing the engine. He details the damage done to his engine by using VegOil that probably had too much water in it also probably also wasn’t filtered enough and the steps that he needed to take to figure out what was wrong and how to fix it over in the forums. It’s great reading if you want to know the dangers of using waste oil in your car, even if you think you know what you’re doing.
I don’t want to steal his thunder too much (his pictures are worth checking out, too), but here’s how he ends his post:
Continue reading ‘TDIClub member ruins Jetta by using VegOil’
Nice write up from Mrad over volksbloggin. You either have headlight issues or you don’t but you always see that one light out on a dub.. that’s part of being an owner.
One of these days I’ll get some of my how-to’s done. 
Another great option is to get a VAG-COM for your laptop. You can also find local dubbr’s to help you out if thay have one. Trade a 6-pack or so.. Obviously not needed for a bulb change but great for you own diagnostics and $$$$ dealer savings.
One of the thousands upon thousands of VW owners out there with a burned out head light? Don’t shell out $79 to have the dealer change it. Roll up those sleeves and do it yourself!
Burnt out headlights are all too common for VW owners. Replacing them through a dealer or auto shop can be a real pain, and quite pricey (unless you’re still under warranty. Then VW will replace it for free). So after my second headlight in under a month kicked the bucket, I decided that I wasn’t going to roll up to my friendly VW dealer and fork over my hard earned cash for something that could be replaced in a few minutes. I consulted my buddy Dax.
Click on over!
Technorati Tags: VW, Volkswagen, volksbloggin, MKIV, How-To, VAG-COM, oneighturbo
