time to buy a Toyota.   :<)

chris

In a message dated 11/15/05 11:21:52 AM Eastern Standard Time,
steeles@HORIZONVIEW.NET writes:

>
> A cold, rainy wind started blowing the beautiful gold and red leaves down as
> November dawned gray and damp.
> This November has NOT been good for me or my Jettas.
> Numero uno:
> 2002 Jetta Wagon VR6, AT, "Flyer".
> November 1, the wife mentioned to me that her engine was "making a noise";
> so I test drove it.  At cold low revs there was an intermittent, distinct
> metal pinging which sounded like a pulley hitting a shroud. It was engine
> speed, not vehicle speed related.  When warmed up it went away except at
> around 2K rpms.  I put it on a lift at my friend's shop and pulled the
> engine covers and shrouds to inspect with no apparent external solution.
> Timing chain? Valve train?  It sounded high on the block or in the head.
> At 59,900 miles (100 left on the drive train warranty), I decided to take it
> the 60 miles to the @#!X>%@#ing dealer.  That afternoon,  as I started it to
> begin the trip the sounds became louder and much more frequent. Tow truck
> time...  BOY! Was I dumb enough to join AAA at the basic and NOT the step up
> membership level? Yep. I got the first few miles free and the $35 hook up
> fee waived. The extra $30 Gold level would have paid for a 100 mile tow.
> Remember to make that change, soon.
>
>