MikeWire wrote:Can you explain the DIY's on your Jetta?
I don't know about the rest of the VW engines, but the TDIs do not have any freeze plugs. Hence, nowhere to install an engine block heater. TDI's don't warm up very well idiling, and it takes about 2-3 miles of driving to start warming up. I wanted to install something so I could have heat right away. There's a company that sells a coolant heater (FrostHeater
http://www.frostheater.com/frostheater.htm) but they want $113 for the kit. So I just went to Kamp Implement and purchased the same ZeroStart heater, some hose, and hose clamps and did my own kit. It plumbs into the oil cooler and does a pretty good job. It's fairly unnoticeable to the eye, which I like.
The only complaint I have is a random CEL. Because there are two temperature sensors, and the coolant heater seems to primarily heat the front part of the block, there's a difference in the temperatures at the sensors when you start the car. This throws a code, and a CEL. But I'll put up with it just so I don't freeze my butt off in the winter.
Here's the install guide I used:
http://pics2.tdiclub.com/gwillie/zerost ... nstall.htm
The mirror heater indicator light is simply an LED that I put in parallel with the mirrors heater power. Located right behind the mirror, it let's me know that my mirror heaters are on allot better then looking at the position of the mirror switch. I hated driving around with my mirror heaters on all the time.
I forgot to mention I put some tinted wide-angle mirrors on it also. When I was trying to pop of the mirror to get to the wiring I managed to crack my driver's side right down the middle
. As you can see, my new mirrors are starting to de-laminate.
I still like them though.
Here's a picture someone took of theirs . You can get a good idea of the difference from stock.
"When you want to be a somebody; you drive a new car...When you know who you are; you drive an old car."
