Hi, everyone. I'm planning a tune-up for my '97 GTI
VR6. My car has 127,000 miles, and had it's last
tune-up at ~80,000 miles, at  VW dealer.

I looked through the Bentley Manual to see what needs
to be replaced, and I see no mention of an EGR or PCV
valve. Are there any valves like that that should be
replaced a VR6 of that vintage?

Also, I still have the original timing chain. Is it
overdue for replacement? Again, I couldn't find any
published spec in my Bentley. I think the
tensioners/chainguides are worn. There a slight
clacking noise, that sounds a little like the valves,
but it's lower in the engine, coming from the timing
chain area.

VW also says the fuel filter should be good for the
life of the car. I've head most manufacturers consider
the life of a car to be 100k miles. Should I replace
the fuel filter, or is it really good forever?

Finally, what is the life expectancy of the O2
Sensors? This, too, was something I expected to find
published. For my 84 GTI it was every 30 miles. Are we
suppose to just wait until the computer systems on
newer cars tell us the sensors are bad? My CEL came on
a few weeks ago, but the car is running fine, so I
expect it might be an O2 sensor...

Thanks

PRentice

You could always run by your local dealership and see what they have listed
under their 120k maintenance schedule.

Things off the top of my head:

-Serpentine belt.  It's the large 7-ribbed belt that drives all of your
accessories.  It is simple to replace and only requires a bolt to loosen the
belt tensioner.  I believe the bolt I used was a M8x40x1.25 (I believe the
bentley calls for a M8x80 bolt... but the 40mm version had plenty of thread
and worked great for me).

-Spark Plug Wires.  Please stick with OEM wires.

-Spark Plugs.  Again, please stick with OEM NGK (Copper or Platinum).  The
dealership might try to sell you the Plats at an extremely rediculous price.
Copper plugs work just fine, but they don't last quite as long.  You can get
either plugs from Napa (or most other autoparts stores) for much cheaper.
Go ahead and change the wires and plugs yourself since you have the handy
spark plug wire tool attached to your hood rod (hopefully).

-O2 sensors.  I believe it is generally recommended to change these every
60k miles, but they can generally last much longer than that.  I have 122k
miles on my '97 GTI VR6 and my original O2 sensors are still working fine.

-Fuel Filter.  Go ahead and have this replaced.  I haven't replaced mine
yet, but I've heard from others that it does infact make a difference.

-Transmission Fluid.  I'd recommend flushing this with fresh fluid.  It
requires 2.1 quarts of 75w-90 gear oil.  Either use OEM VW Fully Synthetic
G50 Gear Oil, or Redline MT-90 Synthetic Gear Oil.



PCV valve:  I believe that is the wierd hose device attached to the intake
tube just before the throttle-body and connects to the valve cover.  Pull
the intake tube off of the throttle-body and see if you have any oil buildup
in the tube.  Replacing the PCV valve can be expensive, so most folks pull
it off of the intake tube and re-route the dripping oil into a canister,
then plug up the hole in the intake.  I still have mine connected and I plan
to just leave it alone.


Timing Chains:  If you are on your original clutch, you may want to wait
until your clutch is worn and starts slipping.  Replacing the timing chains,
tensioners, and guides require pulling the transmission out.  Replacing the
clutch requires the same work, so do both at the same time to save a bunch
of money.  Just make sure the shop doesn't charge you double-time for R&R of
the transmission.

CEL:  If you have an AutoZone Autoparts store near by, try visiting them and
have them scan your ECU for you (it's free!!!).  They can scan and clear
your CEL for you.  Your OBD-2 plug is located right next to the cigarette
lighter (hidden behind a plastic cover with an engine symbol on it).


-Chuck

P B <vw97gtivr6@yahoo> wrote:
> Hi, everyone. I'm planning a tune-up for my '97 GTI
> VR6. My car has 127,000 miles, and had it's last
> tune-up at ~80,000 miles, at  VW dealer.

"Simpson, Chuck" <csimpson@zeltech> wrote:
> [...]
> Timing Chains:  If you are on your original clutch, you may want to wait
> until your clutch is worn and starts slipping.  Replacing the timing chains,
> tensioners, and guides require pulling the transmission out.  Replacing the
> clutch requires the same work, so do both at the same time to save a bunch
> of money.  Just make sure the shop doesn't charge you double-time for R&R of
> the transmission.

  Chuck covered everything very well already (enough to prompt me to
  add his email to the gti-vr6 Web library!), so I will just add
  this:  if the timing chain is to be replaced, take the opportunity
  to replace the upper & lower chain guides as well, as those are
  problematic and will require the exact amount of work as to replace
  the chain and/or the clutch.  Indeed, I have only heard of problems
  with the guides, not with the chain.

--
Andy Nguyen