1994 Volkswagen Jetta

Valerie’s 1994 Jetta is a trooper. It’s needed only minor repairs. While this log has started rather late in its life … here ’tis anyway:

• 4/12/2008 –227.0K — oil change and another Bosche 3421 filter. Although the last one seamed to be leaking slightly.
• 10/20/2007 — 221.7K– Oil change. Bosch 3421 Filter.
• 8/4/2007 — 218.1K — Fuel line sprung a leak — squirting fuel around the air filter box. Bought some bulk fuel line and a few tools from the nearest auto parts keep going.
• 7/29/2007 — 217.7K — Yeeaaahhh…. about that left rear wheel bearing that was getting sloppy — it was a bad assumption to think that the since the wheel turns smooth, the bearings must be OK. The outer bearing (small one) was well on it’s way to complete self destruction a mere 100 miles after taking up the slop. The disc rotor started grinding against the brake caliper bracket! Ooops. Replaced the bearings in the left wheel.
• 7/22/2007 — 217.6K — Replaced rear brake pads. Found left-rear hub to be sloppy on the bearings. Tightened castle nut and it cleaned up nicely (turns smoothly, so assuming the bearings are OK). Did the lazy mans grease packing on both rear hubs.
• 7/4/2007 — 216.6 K miles — Oil change. Plastic crank case breather tube broke in yet another spot — patched it with a spot of heater hose.
• 2/11/2007 — 211.8K miles — Oil change. Watching the oil drain out and run over the funnel-shaped drain pan in the sunlight, I thought I saw a bit of metal shimmering in the old oil. Cut the filter open to be sure it wasn’t my imagination. Inspection of the filter pleats revealed a bit of carbon looking sludge, but no metal at all. It’s possible that this was residual metal dust stuck to the drain pan from another project, or it may have really just been a small amount in the bottom of the pan. Either way, no worries. The quanity is nothing to be alarmed about if it did come out of the engine. Ran a magnet over the top of the funnel and there was practically no ferrous metal.
• 9/17/2006 — 208.4K miles — Oil change.
• 1/20/2006 — 204.9K miles — Oil Change.