A bit concerned

[Little Raven]

Firstly, hello, I'm happy to know about this forum. I'm in need of either some assurance or brutal honesty. Briefly, here's my short introduction: Just bought a 2004 darling black beetle with 65K on it. Looks immaculate, and seems fine, except the check engine light went on the day after I brought it home. Took it back to the small dealer, they had the Oxygen sensors changed; said if the light came back on, they'd change the Catalytic converter. It did come back on, and they are currently changing the Cat. Conv. They were very nice about it.

My concern is that in the meantime, I've done research on the internet and have discovered that this is the type of thing that tends to happen with New Beetles, along with many other gripes, and complaints, and malfunctions (I saw the cars-that-suck website, etc.).

The thing is, now I am freaked out, and am afraid that I made a mistake, lost my money, and and fearing that I'm in for a bad experience. And what makes me even more nervous is that I went through a hellish experience with my Saab several years ago, then I got a Jeep which has been so reliable - I have loved it and drove it for 6 years w/o a problem. I still haven't sold it yet. I got the Beetle b/c I always thought they were adorable and the Jeep is bad on gas.

Please tell me my worries are unjustified.

[bigcanoe]

Hi Raven,

I cant vouche for the Beetle, but I just bought one similar to what you have. I think all modern cars have their share of problems. You spoke of the Jeep. I had a Jeep Liberty that was in the shop over and over under warranty. I think its just a matter of luck, sadly.

[noR]

I wouldn't be too worried at this point. Many cars are painless and a dream.

O2 issues wouldn't be anything to be concerned about really. A good dealership makes the difference though.

(I wonder if they've ruled out the 2ndary air pump; vac lines, etc. Or if they're just throwing parts at the problem to make it go away.)

[jbthompson]

Don't worry. These are somewhat common problems that are easily fixed. These cars can be a little temperamental but they are great cars if you take care of them. I've had 4 beetles over the past 8 years, and while there have been a few little things, I've never been stranded or had massive repair bills. Changing sensors, light bulbs and dealing with a check engine light just comes with the territory. I had a CEL on my last beetle for over a year, couldn't solve the problem but the car ran great, just the annoying little light. Enjoy your little bug! Oh yeah, check the timing belt too!

[Little Raven]

Thanks so much for responding so quickly
Also, once this issue is settled, for future things (like to have the timing belt checked) I was wondering if most of you guys go to independent VW mechanics or regular mechanics? I've read that the VW dealers are horrible and mean and expensive. Do regular mechanics have the means to deal with check engine lights?

[jazzcat]

Originally Posted by Little Raven

Thanks so much for responding so quickly
Also, once this issue is settled, for future things (like to have the timing belt checked) I was wondering if most of you guys go to independent VW mechanics or regular mechanics? I've read that the VW dealers are horrible and mean and expensive. Do regular mechanics have the means to deal with check engine lights?

find a vw shop in your area and use that instead of dealership

[lkchris]

Cat converters are required by law to be warranted for 8 years/80K miles.

Yours didn't make it, but your new ones ought to be good for 65-80k miles too.

There's no such thing as an exhaust component like this on any car that lasts forever.

You'd feel a lot worse if your car had 85K miles.

BTW, it's also federal law that independent mechanics can have the capability to deal with check engine lights.

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by Little Raven

Firstly, hello, I'm happy to know about this forum. I'm in need of either some assurance or brutal honesty...

My concern is that in the meantime, I've done research on the internet and have discovered that this is the type of thing that tends to happen with New Beetles, along with many other gripes, and complaints, and malfunctions (I saw the cars-that-suck website, etc.).

The thing is, now I am freaked out, and am afraid that I made a mistake, lost my money, and and fearing that I'm in for a bad experience.... Please tell me my worries are unjustified.

Little Raven,

I have three Beetles and I would not have it any other way.

Keep in mind that some information on the net is very biased. It is a fact of life, cars break down and none of us really expect it; there a those who like to take their frustrations to the extreme.

Enjoy your NB, we all do!

[Little Raven]

Thanks so much for your replies
I guess it's like moving, or something, there's excitement, but also some anxiety - plus I'm the anxious type.
The truth is, I always knew the NB would be my next car, I've been melting over them for years.
Hopefully, today it'll be ready with its new Cat. Conv.!
This forum has inspired me to name him (yes, it's a he): Maurice or Olivier - I'm a French freak, and I'm hoping there's no problem with that since the car is German
PS, will the new Cat Conv. affect the way it runs at all? I have noticed a high-pitched sound sometimes, esp. around 30-40 mpg?

[LadybugEwa]

Originally Posted by Little Raven

This forum has inspired me to name him (yes, it's a he): Maurice or Olivier - I'm a French freak, and I'm hoping there's no problem with that since the car is German
PS, will the new Cat Conv. affect the way it runs at all? I have noticed a high-pitched sound sometimes, esp. around 30-40 mpg?

Those are good names, and unique
It'd be good if you could find out exactly what codes the car is throwing. Meaning the underlying cause of the check engine light. The shop's already plugged your car in to the computer to determine these codes so it's just a matter of you writing down which ones they are. When you post them here, our resident experts can confirm whether the catalytic converter is the best thing to replace. Sometimes you can get a CEL from something silly like leaking vacuum lines. The high-pitched sound might be your secondary air pump. It does sound like a hairdryer on steroids. Only worry if the rivets shake and rattle about in it, or if lines leading to it have holes.
Like you, I bought my bug with a pre-existing problem or two. After those were sorted, I've had 3 years of reliable and happy motoring. She's required light bulbs, one relay (changed myself in 1/2 hour), and an ignition coil (ditto in 2 hours). And let me tell you just how tough these buggers are. I've severely damaged a steel-panel overhead door at work ($3500 damage) by leaving my bug on a hill and not in gear with a carelessly half-pulled-up parking brake. She rolled down and squished the huge heavy door in more than 6". Damage to the bug? The license plate mounting plate (plastic)slightly squished. That. Was. All.

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by Little Raven

Thanks so much for your replies
...This forum has inspired me to name him (yes, it's a he): Maurice or Olivier - I'm a French freak, and I'm hoping there's no problem with that since the car is German...

My son likes to fish, regardless of what he catches and he has put two stuffed eels in it this weekend, moray I think and I'm afraid to ask if the name of his NB is Eel...

So what's in a name right?

[Little Raven]

Hey, well, I haven't gotten Jean-Luc back yet
I'm ready to go pick him up as soon as he's ready.

Reading the other threads in this section, I actually have two other questions for you guys--

1. Do I need to carry around the thing that goes with the key ("keyfob?")? I wasn't going to because I couldn't think of why I would need it.

2. Someone said in another section of the website, "if it ain't broke don't fix it," that that causes a lot of unnecessary probs. I can see that. BUT, many members were also saying that after getting a new used NB, you should check the timing belt and the water pump. Should I bring it to a shop and have him check for those things even w/o signs of trouble, or just be aware of possible signs in the future (if so, what would those signs be?)?

[noR]

1) Please include a picture of your key. Most of us have switchblade keyfob's. As in, the key is actually PART of the keyless entry remote.

2) Since you have 65K miles, I would check the belt. If it's obviously new, you're fine for another 60K; if it's not, you'll want to get your timing belt/water pump replaced.

You can check it yourself by opening the cover and looking at the belt for teeny weeny cracks in the ribs; or you can take it to a shop to have them open the cover and look at the belt for teeny weeny cracks.

There is no "warning signs"; but generally the waterpump would fail before the timing belt and you've overheat. If the belt went first you'd break the valves in the head and need a new one.

[FootScoot]

Little Raven, sadly you only hear about the bad cars. Very seldom do you hear about the good ones. The people who get the bad are just venting in a public forum, which everyone knows about. The people with good never say anything as they have no complaints. So I take all the bad with a grain of salt. Fortunately I haven't had any problems with mine, but I think the diverter valve is going bad, but I have ordered a new one. It's mostly minor things which I like doing myself. I could probably do a water pump and timing belt, but I'm slow, so It would take a while.

[ThePooper]

Originally Posted by lkchris

Cat converters are required by law to be warranted for 8 years/80K miles.

You'd feel a lot worse if your car had 85K miles.

I just bought my Beetle in January with 84K miles and he now has 88K miles; should I be concerned about something or were you making reference to the catalytic converter issue?

[Beetlemania]

Welcome aboard!

I've had some issues over the years, but with 210,000 miles on my '99 I'd say it's been a good road, and I expect it to continue that way!

I hope you get your problems figured out and get everything running smoothly so you can have nothing but fun with Jean-Luc!

Jacob

[Little Raven]

Jean-Luc is home from the doctor with his new Cat Conv! Thanks so much for all your friendly, helpful replies! I'll post a pic tomorrow (and one of the key thing, too)

[Little Raven]

I hope this works --- here are 2 pics! We went to Disneyland today: 100 miles!
PS, one thing I want to do, is get proper rims--

[SMG]

What the heck is going on with those emblems?

[Little Raven]

Oh, you mean the VW logo? I know, that's another thing I want to do, somehow paint the black portion black again - it's all silver right now, as if someone wiped it clean or something.