[Torqu3]

I've been on here for awhile learning and helping where I can, so some of y'all may recognize me, but I'm just now getting around to posting. So here is my car. Purchased on the 1st of August so I could park my 2010 Jetta TDI. Had 72k miles when I bought it, now up to 81k. Been running an EGR block for about 5k miles now, and that's about the only upgrade. Harmonic Balancer was replaced 2 days after purchase after it failed while driving. Has been solid ever since. I want to thank everyone here for being so welcoming to all of us newcomers. I don't know how I could have kept this car without y'all.

After a wash 2 days ago.

One of the best angles IMO. These tail lights are phenomenal.

Went with the matte black wheels for awhile, then went gloss black. Gloss black looks stellar, but I have no pictures form that time. Tire shop scraped my dip pretty bad so I had to peel it, so the wheels are silver until I can afford to get them powder coated. Incidentally this photo was taken with my old DROID phone, and looks awful compared to the others. My new Pixel was used for all of the other photos.

The only real upgrade I've done to the car other than the EGR block.

And how it sits now. This was the day I returned my Jetta and I had to get one last picture.

[babyfaby]

Welcome to the forum!

[Persian Whisperjet]

Nice shots! Looks very clean!

[atwal187]

Looks mint , welcome

[ASBSECU E93]

@Torqu3 - did you see my wheels after I had them powder coated? I debated new wheels, but like the look of the OEM's (You and I have the same).

For about 75 per wheel - not a bad deal, and I had each checked to make sure they were round.

[GodStang]

Looks great man! I am wanting to powder coat my brakes.

[Torqu3]

Originally Posted by ASBSECU E93

@Torqu3 - did you see my wheels after I had them powder coated? I debated new wheels, but like the look of the OEM's (You and I have the same).

For about 75 per wheel - not a bad deal, and I had each checked to make sure they were round.

I saw them! Your car looks slick, but I feel like gloss black really compliments this color perfectly. The stock sport package wheels look nice, but are still heavy. Not too big of an issue anyways. My clear coat is peeling off so I think I'll get them repaired then powder coated a nice glossy black.

[ASBSECU E93]

Originally Posted by Torqu3

I saw them! Your car looks slick, but I feel like gloss black really compliments this color perfectly. The stock sport package wheels look nice, but are still heavy. Not too big of an issue anyways. My clear coat is peeling off so I think I'll get them repaired then powder coated a nice glossy black.

Great thing about powder coating - endless color options.

I went with Cadillac Gray Metallic.

[ASBSECU E93]

Something else I did to tie in the black color - painted the bottom silver bumper grills black too.

[335dlci]

I have the same exterior color/setup minus the black kidneys!

[Yozh]

Nice car. Welcome.

[Torqu3]

Originally Posted by 335dlci

I have the same exterior color/setup minus the black kidneys!

Okay have gone overboard with the dip, but I feel like black really compliments this color, so I've been going with that. The blue calipers behind gloss black wheels is stunning. Next up is the lower grills by the fog lights to go black. After that I think I'll be set until I can afford powder coating.

[Torqu3]

I'mm planning on stage 2+ later on down the road when I have the cash, but until then I'm getting all maintenance out of the way. My only trouble areas are the thermostat and transmission fluid. I think I've gotten the general idea for the thermostat, just a bit nervous about it.

As for the transmission filter and fluid, where do we fill up the pan? I saw a guide that shows a plug on the side where you pump fluid in, but our cars have an ATF reservoir in the engine bay. Can we fill it from there? What's the protocol?

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by Torqu3

I'mm planning on stage 2+ later on down the road when I have the cash, but until then I'm getting all maintenance out of the way. My only trouble areas are the thermostat and transmission fluid. I think I've gotten the general idea for the thermostat, just a bit nervous about it.

As for the transmission filter and fluid, where do we fill up the pan? I saw a guide that shows a plug on the side where you pump fluid in, but our cars have an ATF reservoir in the engine bay. Can we fill it from there? What's the protocol?

Tranny service is easy. Just takes time & patience. Temp gun, torque wrench, security torx bits and an oil extractor is all you'l need IIRC. The ATF reservoir is for your power steering and uses standard ATF fluid, not ZF tranny tranny fluid. ATF is red, while zf tranny fluid is golden, like motor oil. Power steering fluid should also be checked and serviced, but once you have an extractor, that is a 10 min fluid replacement

Here is a good thread with post from Whisperjet and link with video from ZF on tranny fluid change process

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t=transmission

[Torqu3]

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

Tranny service is easy. Just takes time & patience. Temp gun, torque wrench, security torx bits and an oil extractor is all you'l need IIRC. The ATF reservoir is for your power steering and uses standard ATF fluid, not ZF tranny tranny fluid. ATF is red, while zf tranny fluid is golden, like motor oil. Power steering fluid should also be checked and serviced, but once you have an extractor, that is a 10 min fluid replacement

Here is a good thread with post from Whisperjet and link with video from ZF on tranny fluid change process

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t=transmission

That's hilarious that I never realized exactly what that ATF reservoir was actually for. It didn't make sense to me to have ATF all the way up there, but it also doesn't make sense to have ticking timebombs strapped to the car, and we had actual engineers put those on it.:

Guess I need to buy a temp gun and extractor. I keep seeing people using that one extractor with a single handle and hose, like shown in the ZF video linked in the thread you showed. I've got a Differential fluid change to do soon, so I think it's time to buy a legit extractor/transfer pump like that.

Thanks for all of the info!!

[Yozh]

You do not really need an extractor for the transmission service. Ususally, you would be replacing the pan as part of the service. Pan has an integrated filter in it as well as two magnets to capture any of the particles. They are not expensive and come with new gasket. Pan also has a grain plug to drain most of the oil before removal.

What you really need is a good power filler, as the fill plug in an awkward position and you have a short window at 40C tranny temp to make sure your level is right.

Here are some guides:

http://www.thectsc.com/6-speed-trans...ange-procedure

http://www.thectsc.com/bmw-6hp26-6hp...vel-procedures

[Torqu3]

Originally Posted by Yozh

You do not really need an extractor for the transmission service. Ususally, you would be replacing the pan as part of the service. Pan has an integrated filter in it as well as two magnets to capture any of the particles. They are not expensive and come with new gasket. Pan also has a grain plug to drain most of the oil before removal.

What you really need is a good power filler, as the fill plug in an awkward position and you have a short window at 40C tranny temp to make sure your level is right.

Here are some guides:

http://www.thectsc.com/6-speed-trans...ange-procedure

http://www.thectsc.com/bmw-6hp26-6hp...vel-procedures

I know about the drain and fill plug, as well as the whole procedure for replacing the pan and fluid. Perhaps extractor isn't the right word. I got a pump like what they use in the video I'll link below. I can use it to get fluid out, as well as put fluid in, so it'll be perfect for pretty much everything. I've already made my mind up about ordering a kit from thectsc. Cheap prices and quality parts.

Also, I live in Texas where on summer days the ambient temp can approach 40C anyways, so it shouldn't be a huge issue with holding the temperature at 40C.

Thanks for the help! Here is the video I promised.

[geost]

Nice color. IMO, that is the only good color, but I might be a little biased


jk!

[Torqu3]

Originally Posted by geost

Nice color. IMO, that is the only good color, but I might be a little biased


jk!

I would have loved a LeMans blue with saddle brown interior, but I'm happy with my space gray paint and beige interior.

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by Yozh

You do not really need an extractor for the transmission service. Ususally, you would be replacing the pan as part of the service. Pan has an integrated filter in it as well as two magnets to capture any of the particles. They are not expensive and come with new gasket. Pan also has a grain plug to drain most of the oil before removal.

What you really need is a good power filler, as the fill plug in an awkward position and you have a short window at 40C tranny temp to make sure your level is right.

Here are some guides:

http://www.thectsc.com/6-speed-trans...ange-procedure

http://www.thectsc.com/bmw-6hp26-6hp...vel-procedures

My bad, poor word choice...I meant to say I used a suction gun...specifically the one below. Helpful tool for tranny, power steering and diff fluid change.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Yozh]

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

My bad, poor word choice...I meant to say I used a suction gun...specifically the one below. Helpful tool for tranny, power steering and diff fluid change.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have originally use that gun for my tranny oil fill. Works ok, a bit awkward. I have now Motive Power Fill that should do the trick.

PS: sorry for the thread hijack.

[Torqu3]

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

My bad, poor word choice...I meant to say I used a suction gun...specifically the one below. Helpful tool for tranny, power steering and diff fluid change.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Funny you linked that one, since it's the exact one I ordered earlier today. Those things show up in DIY videos all the time, and seem so handy to use. I might end up using a smaller OD, longer tubing just so it's a little easier to use. Glad to hear it worked out well for you.