Romance cooling off, I'm scared of the OM1

[Nicefeet]

I have an 112k mile 2000 GL with the dreaded OM1 trans. I'ved owned the car over a month now and it runs and drives fine. All the major services are up to date.

I serviced the trans a few weeks ago and found the pan had never been off according to the date stamped on the filter. The pan was surprisingly clean, the fluid somewhat dark and very little build up on the magnet.

Most of the miles on the car are true highway miles at sustained speeds. Not much stop and go stuff. The former owner is a family member who lived in the sticks 30 miles outside of town.

I'm starting to contemplate selling the car because this trans scares me. Granted the OM1 is probably not as bad, as say a Chrysler FWD automatic. A five-speed swap is out of the question as 115HP is not worth rowing gears for. already had a Jetta so I know that experience.

Anyone have any good OM1 stories on longevity?

[noR]

sounds like you serviced the trans, found no signs of trouble, and got freaked out that it's ready to fall apart.

Good luck.

[Nicefeet]

Originally Posted by noR

sounds like you serviced the trans, found no signs of trouble, and got freaked out that it's ready to fall apart.

Good luck.

Maybe I'm just reading too much online.

[Smileybug]

Not sure I've heard of many getting past 150k. I think 200k is nearly unheard of. The 5-speed is actually great in these cars. I have one myself. I wouldn't say a swap is out of the question. The NB is pretty peppy with the manual and the 2.0. Now, you want a pain, try 68hp Mk1 TD Jetta with a 5-speed. Its definitely an experience. I love that car and have a blast driving it, but its definitely slow.

[beej]

Rodney just turned 229K on his original O1M. Still shifts like new.

[MichelleRoze]

There is a kerma mod that you can do to the 01M that has been known to increase the longevity of these transmissions. Something about putting a little more fluid and torqueing the screw just two turns more...and that'll increase the pressure on the torque converter or something. Anyway, I hear it helps. They talk about it a lot on the TDIclub. I'll see if I can find the info.

And a swap shouldn't be out of the question. Really. I just swapped mine. 90hp stock! I probably have 100-ish due to mods. And I STILL blow other cars away. I love having a stick now. And if you aren't in much stop and go, then why not? I'm in Atlanta, I'm ALWAYS in stop and go, even on the highway and I still love it. If I could just pop it into 5th gear and be done with it I would love it. But I'm always in 1st - 3rd gears....back and forth. I'd say it's worth "rowing" if you love the car. Besides Beej, I know one other person who has around 230K on their 01M and it's great. Just service it. Often. And look into the Kerma mod. You might never have an issue until you are really ready to sell the car. Don't freak out. There is a lot of bad mojo out there about the 01M. I don't talk highly of the 01M but I was kinda chomping at the bit for a manual by the time mine started to go. There are for sure problems with them....but I think if they are taken care of and driven right, they can last longer than 150k. Mine hit 150k and started to die rather quickly. It had only been serviced once and was due for another. By that time I didn't feel it was worth it....so it got swapped. Never fully died, but I"m sure I didn't have much time left.

[katiex10204]

Originally Posted by beej

Rodney just turned 229K on his original O1M. Still shifts like new.

wow that is awesome!! good for you!

[Tim Bramble]

FYI, I've got 223,000 miles on my automatic. Most of those were highway commuting miles by the first owner, so I think that helps. However, he never had the transmission serviced.

I am getting some torque convertr shudder between 40 & 60 mph, but I just drive it above 60! I'll swap in a 5 speed once I get the suspension and wheels/tires upgraded. It runs like a top!

[CASilBug]

I wouldn't worry about it as long as you take care of your car, it will take care of you.

And you've done your diligent duty on your GL.

[onegin]

Mine died HARD around 90k (I was the 3rd owner and the first two probably never serviced it). One of the reasons why I got rid of the car and why I went manual on the next Beetle. The old tranny never felt right. Best of luck to you - shifting isn't that annoying on the Beetle, I drive in traffic every day and wouldn't go back to the old setup.

[kcfoxie]

On a 2.0L the O1M has seen up to 230k or so. There are key factors to this:

-All Highway driven
-Driven by non aggressive drivers
-They're all early O1Ms (like 98s, 99s & 00s)

I've seen a 1998 2.0 go to 201,000 before traded in for a newer model at work. The girl never once did a fluid change. The 1.8T and TDI seem to be far more prone to killing the O1M.

Honestly? If you're nervous about it, sell the vehicle. You can cover the 5spd swap by selling the O1M to a willing recipient. There is a market for them.

[procupine14]

The 2.0 isn't too hard on the 01M. The 1.8T is definitely worse. Talk to people over on the TDI club where not many of them ever make it past 100k. There is one guy over on TDIClub that has a Jetta TDI with 01M that to date has seen 600,000+ miles and THREE trannies.

The torque is the killer

[jason m]

Originally Posted by Nicefeet

I have an 112k mile 2000 GL with the dreaded OM1 trans. I'ved owned the car over a month now and it runs and drives fine. All the major services are up to date.

I serviced the trans a few weeks ago and found the pan had never been off according to the date stamped on the filter. The pan was surprisingly clean, the fluid somewhat dark and very little build up on the magnet. Good sign no junk in the pan
Most of the miles on the car are true highway miles at sustained speeds. Not much stop and go stuff. The former owner is a family member who lived in the sticks 30 miles outside of town. Highway miles are easy on trans.

I'm starting to contemplate selling the car because this trans scares me. Granted the OM1 is probably not as bad, as say a Chrysler FWD automatic. A five-speed swap is out of the question as 115HP is not worth rowing gears for. already had a Jetta so I know that experience. If the trans does not start slipping in the next few thousand miles, don't worry it will hold up a good long while. People get in trouble when they drain the very dark, stinking trans fluid and put in fresh fluid that breaks loose all the varnish and junk from thousands of miles of neglect. gennerally those trans fail hard within a few hundred or thousand miles depending on you're driving habits. I would not worry from what you posted it sounds like an easy driven auto that should last. IMHO
Anyone have any good OM1 stories on longevity?

DOnt worry, be happy