VW Repair shop Seattle WA

dabble · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:37 pm Post subject: VW Repair shop Seattle WA

I can't seem to figure out my poorly running engine so I am going to take my 2.0FI to a shop. Any in Seattle come highly recommended?
_________________
1973 Westy with a 78 FI 2000cc
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-9157.png]Click to view image[/URL]

1vwdog · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:41 pm Post subject:

Northwest Connecting Rod. Reputable , quality work and knowledgeable staff.
_________________
71 Chianti Westy

Daverham · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:16 pm Post subject:

The 2 most well-known shops are:
• Woflsburg Motorwerks in Ballard
• Bowwow (Autovice) in Lynwood (http://www.autoviceservice.com/)

I can't speak how well they do. I do my own work.

You can also get more suggestions from:
• http://www.cascadekombis.org/
• http://www.facebook.com/groups/PNWdubfolk/

bummerbus · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:34 pm Post subject:

I am not sure how much actual work jerrry does at northwest connecting rod, I believe it's mostly a machine shop and engine builder. I got some heads worked on by him and was very happy with the price and are so far doing great.

Bowwow or autovice is the most known and a friend swears by them (Doug)for his vanagons and beetle.

There is also Buterra out in Juanita. They were super helpful and honest when I was chasing some gremlins. Basically he drove my bus around the block told me what he thought was wrong and sent me on free of charge. Though I am pretty sure try mostly do watercooleds and type 1s
_________________
‘75 FI-1800cc.

Stuartzickefoose · Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: Best Seattle repair shop(s)?

JSMskater · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 8:02 am Post subject:

Franklins VW has my vote -- I picked up my bus (almost sight unseen) near bellingham and by the time I was past the airport in seattle I was losing a quart of oil every 10 miles from a pair of leaking valve covers.

It was sunday around 11am, and everything else was closed, . Bowwow, a few no-name places I'd found on my phone, etc. I needed valve cover gaskets for sure, and maybe a valve cover. Obviously for a t4 these are not easy to find in a strange city on sunday on a whim. I drove past Franklins, having heard some good things from the t3 seattle people.

MAN was I blown away!

Franklin was alone in the shop that day, but when we rolled in he gave me a new valve cover and fresh gasket for free, despite insisting to pay him for it. he toured my dad and I around the shop and showed us his projects and loaned me a jack and some room in the drive bay to swap out the gaskets and valve cover.

TLDR: Franklin is a 100% awesome guy, great shop. take your business to a guy who eats sleeps and breathes vw's and obviously has an upstanding ethic.
_________________
71 Squareback-FI -- 73 Bay (subaru powered)
TOOB Member #3
I make D-jet FI connectors

Stuartzickefoose · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 8:05 am Post subject:

Whats TLDR?

Krautski · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 11:30 am Post subject:

The first time I took my bus to Wolfsburg was also the last.

I know a lot of the shop owners in the area. I'd recommend Fine Tuning although its been a while and I forget how much aircooled they do.
_________________
BUS FOR SALE

timo78 · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:07 pm Post subject:

The Wagonshop in Kirkland. Calvin and Greg are good aircooled veterans.
_________________
Green Bay Bus

> 78Grµn Westfalia `Donkey`
.
It may be bigger than you and it may be bigger than me, but it’s not bigger than you AND me; can you dig it?

notchboy · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:49 pm Post subject:

Stuartzickefoose · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:30 am Post subject:

he isnt as samba addicted as i am...so ill spill the news first. Razz

we took off his new plug wires from autozone, and replace two which were shocking me repeatedly when i touched the dizzy, using the best two old ones he had, because two of the old wouldnt work (one had no resistance (open short) and the other was to short for that side of the engine)
next we checked the advance and found it to not be working properly. so i tore out the dizzy, threw it in a vice, tore it down to nothing real quick, lube the SHIZZ outta the shaft (and the advance plate), which was stiffer then a rock, and then put it back together and inserted it back into the hole (in the engine)

did anyone else re read that? Shocked

L>O>L>>>>

set the timing at 28* with no hoses at full advance, took it for a test drive and he said it felt MUCH better...so i told him to re lube it ever few times he drives it and we will check it again and see how it works out. if it doesnt free up enough, then i suggested a used distributor from ken.
_________________
Stuart Zickefoose

2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual

206-841-7324
[email protected]

Stuartzickefoose · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:34 am Post subject:

I lied...he is addicted also....
from the Ljet help area...

dabble · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:13 am Post subject:

Daverham · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:02 am Post subject:

chrisd1891 · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:57 pm Post subject:

I got my engine built at NW Connecting rod. Someone messed up the oil galley plugs, so I got it back and it leaked oil everywhere. I'm still trying to get it sorted. It's been a long ordeal, but Jerry seems willing enough to come fix it. Allegedly it should be sorted out this weekend. Confused

Take that for what you will. I heard good things about NW Connecting Rod, but my experience has been poor. No doubt they're knowledgeable, but this little mistake really screwed things up. Lots of money and time wasted. It is what it is, I guess. Sad

Next engine that goes, I'm rebuilding it myself.
_________________
74 Bay + 93 Corrado SLC + 2015 TDI Wagon

Admin at Aircooled Rescue. Register to help out your fellow VW folks.

Malokin Martin · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:22 pm Post subject:

NW connecting works on engines... but from my understanding this doesn't include an engine that’s installed in a bus... You bring them an engine out.... they are THE go-to engine people in WA. (just don't let him talk you into bead blasting your case...)

I use roadhaus to find shops in my area… (anecdotally Wolfsburg Motorwerks has gotten numerous bad reviews there…)

http://roadhaus.com/shops_search_map.php?state_id=47

I’ve had a reasonably positive experience with Mike at Wagenschmitt in the U-district

(206) 545-3500

http://wagenschmitt.com

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Daverham · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:38 pm Post subject:

I also keep hearing about these guys, at least in regard to suspension:

http://www.group2inc.com/auto-projects.html

Supposedly they do a lot of VW bus stuff. Not really sure what, exactly.

1vwdog · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:43 pm Post subject:

I found Jerry to be a standup guy. I do think it is a hard industry to stay afloat. My hat is off to the local guys who stick with VWs. The broad reach VW once had has shrunk over time. I might raise some hackles with that comment. I only mean to say that the VW days of seeing them everywhere has changed and to keep a business going solely focused on VWs has to be tough.
_________________
71 Chianti Westy

Stuartzickefoose · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:43 pm Post subject:

Krautski · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:53 pm Post subject:


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2