2005 New Beetle

[2005Beetle]

I bought a used Beetle yesterday with a coolant light on. They told me not to worry, just buy their extra warranty. I noticed that in the CarFax report that the coolant reserve tank had been replaced and figured that to be the cause of the light. I bought the extra warranty for $1,000 and got the car home.

I'm hoping that this site will be able to help me diagnose this problem.

[antonym]

Whats the mileage?

If the coolant light is blue.. you are fine.. it goes away after the car warms up. If it turns RED. (steady or flashing).. you are in trouble. STOP the car and get it towed.

The timing belt and water pump on our cars need changing ever so often, especially since the original water pump has a plastic impeller and liable to fail. The replacement has a metal impeller. Find out from the dealer if these have ever been changed (timing belt, water pump, timing belt tensioner).

Also for future reference, when you ask questions it is easiest to include mileage, type of engine (ie 20V-1.8T or 2.0L or 1.9 diesel). The year is good but there are various trim levels that require different treatment.

WELCOME!! And have fun...


..and POST OFTEN.....


...and POST PICS!!!

hehe

[MichelleRoze]

Good point! If it's blue don't worry, just means the engine is cold. Take off slowly from dead stops and it is recommended not to go over 55mpg while the blue coolant light is on (atleast it says that for my TDI).

To better assess the issue we do need mileage, and any service records you have. If it's a red coolant light, stop driving it!! Your warranty won't cover a dead engine due to overheating (atleast I don't think it will). Let us know more and we'll try to help.

Welcome to the Org, always glad to have a new member and answer questions! We need to see pics of this new beauty though

[2005Beetle]

The picture in my profile shows the beetle opening and closing its doors, hood, and trunk when I took out my camera. It's very photogenic.

It was a Geek Squad car from Best Buy's computer repair that I picked up at a used car lot. It is a 2.0L engine and has 62,700 miles on it.

I was tricked into buying the extended warranty when I saw that coolant blue temperature light on and that Carfax vehicle history report said that the coolant reserve tank was replaced and the cooling system was checked. I thought that maybe there would be a problem with the cooling and the engine was blown or a cracked head or something like that was around the corner.

[Johnny Ohio]

Hi! Welcome to the Org!

Well, since you have the extended warranty.

Don't worry it may help you down the line.

Enjoy your Bug!

[2005Beetle]

I took it to the dealer in the next town over and someone test drove it and told me that it was fine and that there are 6 gears. That explained the rapid shifting that I was concerned about.

He also told me that I don't have to change the transmission fluid.

I'll have to get into it further in June.

[2005Beetle]

So, I drove the new beetle to Las Vegas from CA and what a long strange trip it was. We ended up coming home the same day with a couple rest stops on the way back.

Today, because of that rough drive, I took it in for an oil change at the VW dealership and sat in the waiting room. Then the service writer approaches me with other things that needed to be fixed. The brake pads front: 9mm and rear: 6mm. The antenna was missing. The tire tread was at 9/32 and the left front fender liner was torn. Also, the rock sheilds were missing and the brake fluid is dirty.

I bought the antenna and got out of there. I was wondering if these rock sheild have to be removed for an oil change?

[MichelleRoze]

rock shields? Not sure what those are. The underbody plastic cover? If that is missing then YES get one!! Better yet, get a metal one if that's what's missing. The oil pans are very thin metal and a small rock or bottoming out could puncture your oil pan and you'll have a dead engine before you know it. Otherwise, I'm not sure what rock shields are unless they are mud flaps???

I did see your comment about not having to change tranny fluid. DON"T listen to that advice. CHANGE your tranny fluid every 40K!!!! Regardless if it's an auto or manual, it is VERY important to change the tranny fluid. VW "claims" to have made a "lifetime" fluid that you NEVER have to change. It's only the lifetime of the tranny which can be shortened due to not changing the fluid!

The dealership will try to sell you on EVERYTHING that is wrong. Any mechanic will probably do that to you (especially if your female, I know) you did the right thing by coming here first to check. We will help you. Some of us, ok most of us, have been scammed at one point or another. We'll let you know what is extremely important to fix and what can wait.

[CoriBug]

So your NB didn't come with the plastic shield? If you drive on gravel/rough roads, save your money and get the DieselGeek panzer plate. The plastic one from VW is NOT worth $200. I went through 2 in 3.5 years. Is this the same dealer you bought it from?

[snappy]

When I bought my 2005 GL 2.0 a few months ago I also had the coolant light come on and stay on- blue- on and off all day, not just upon starting. I took it to the dealer and it turned out to be a simple sensor thing that they replaced for free (still under warranty). Hopefully you got yours figured out. It is a bit alarming to see a light come on as you drive!
I also had the "crayon smell" and still have it and was very relieved to read here that it is a normal thing for the NB.
I hope you still love your bug even though you had to go through some rough things right off the bat.

[2005Beetle]

Originally Posted by MichelleRoze

rock shields? Not sure what those are. The underbody plastic cover? If that is missing then YES get one!! Better yet, get a metal one if that's what's missing. The oil pans are very thin metal and a small rock or bottoming out could puncture your oil pan and you'll have a dead engine before you know it. Otherwise, I'm not sure what rock shields are unless they are mud flaps???

I did see your comment about not having to change tranny fluid. DON"T listen to that advice. CHANGE your tranny fluid every 40K!!!! Regardless if it's an auto or manual, it is VERY important to change the tranny fluid. VW "claims" to have made a "lifetime" fluid that you NEVER have to change. It's only the lifetime of the tranny which can be shortened due to not changing the fluid!

So, the shield does have to be removed! Do you think the shield was removed to change the oil and then just not put back on to try to sell me a new one? I didn't go look at it when they had it in the air. I let them stick it to me. Should I buy the shield even though I bought a 1-year warranty from the car lot where I bought the car? I have one year to destroy it without worry. That plate looks like something anyone can make too. Hmmmm, I wonder... I'm pretty unlucky so I probably shouldn't try it.

[2005Beetle]

I hope I didn't make a mistake when I let them use synthetic oil. Should I switch back to regular oil at the next oil change?

[MichelleRoze]

I had replied early but maybe it didn't go through....

Synthetic oil is fine. I actually prefer it, but I also have a TDI. I believe with your's being a 2005 you have to use synthetic. I could be wrong. Either way, I'd keep using it, it's better for the car.

Get a panzer plate for sure! I don't think your warranty will replace your engine if you bust your oil pan because you didn't have a cover. I'm sure that's in your records somewhere and they could opt not to get you a new engine. Then you'd just have a shell of a good car. Don't do that. Panzer Plate they are kinda pricy but they are worth your weight in gold!!!

[2005Beetle]

What's the oil change interval with synthetic oil?

[2005Beetle]

I checked Motor Oil Myths and Facts
and they said that "Synthetic oils withstand higher temperatures before breaking down, and have more base stock and less viscosity modifiers. Synthetics wear out, become acidic, and eventually become saturated with suspended soot particles, just like regular oil. Again, an oil analysis is a good investment to determine the optimum oil change interval. Never exceed the manufacturer requirements for normal service."

So, it sounds like there are the same oil changes required. But that site also pointed out that our country (USA) has always recommended too many oil changes and the new oils don't really require it. Maybe I can just start changing the filter once a year and adding a quart of this synthetic fluid. They used Pennzoil Synthetic 5W30.

[2005Beetle]

The car just sat there when the light turnd green and I pushed it off the road.

I was able to limp it home with the gears in the speedo all lit up and no # indicating what gear I was in.

Since I have the insurance policy I took it in to their mechanic and after a week he calls to get authorization to tear it down because the tranny fluid looked dirty. I give him the go ahead and he'll start on it next week.

I called the insurance company to ask why he is calling me to get authourization when he should just replace the whole thing like VW does but the representative says he has to find out what is wrong with the transmission. I hope they don't try to stick it to me because the policy says, "all internal lubricated parts, torque converter, cauum modualtor, front pump." Everything in the transmission is lubricated!

[mybugrocks]

Welcome to the org sorry you are having such problems, hopefully you can get them resolved soon

Where in CA are you from?? I am in Torrance/South Bay hope to see ya around

[2005Beetle]

I'm in Simi Valley.

It's a shame that I'm having trouble with the transmission since I asked the dealer's mechanic to change all the fluids when I first bought the car but they wouldn't touch the transmission fluid since it was "lifetime." Then, me being the procrastinator I am, and the fact that I have this stupid insurance plan for repair, made me not do it myself. The insurance plan did turn out to be a rip off when I had to wait a week for the repair shop to even call me on the status and then when they start call and say I might be responsible for the first $650. They conned me big time.