BillM

LOL!!! What can I say, I'd rather do things myself then pay someone else to do it, especially when it comes to my cars/trucks. Reels on the other hand are delicate little things which I probably don't have the patience for Awesome car, I love the MK3 AHU/1Z cars.

I love my Abu Record 60 for tossing big baits for muskie and pike, no complaints.

It helps if you are using crappy fuel for sure. In stock form the cars leave a little to be desired as far as performance is concerned. My car right now makes 180whp/300ftlbs, it's an absolute blast to drive if I can get the tires to stick Standard Oil Change Interval (OCI) for TDI's is 16,000kms.. You are only wasting your money if you are doing it before that. I run extended OCI's (20-25,000kms) because I'm on the highway all the time.. If you are mostly city driving, 10k is probably a good number to do a oil/filter at. Which oil you use really depends on which model you have. Different engines require different oils obviously.. If you have a 99.5-03, then any decent semi or full synthetic 0w40 or 5w40 diesel oil will do. I run Mobil 1 TDT 5w40 I get at Walmart, great oil for these specific engines.. If you are running the PD engines ('04-'06) you need at a minimum of a VW505.01 certified oil, most guys are running VW507. For this oil, I'd definitely get it at the dealer... Your OCI really depends on the grade of oil and how you drive your car. The best thing to do if you want to run extended oil change intervals is to get a OA (Oil analysis) from Blackstone... As far as the cams in the '09-'11 cars, they are completely different engines then the PD's, they are Common Rail opposed to Piezo Injection.. No cam issues with the new cars, although some people have had HPFP issues (High Pressure Fuel Pump).. You need the proper set of tools when doing a TB.. Cam lock down, crank lock down and the injection pump lock down pin. ALL bolts are TTY and should be replaced. This includes the 3 engine mount bolts and the IP pulley bolts (Although the IP pulley bolts can be replaced with non TTY bolts). During your TB change you should also be replacing the waterpump all the rollers/pulleys. I've seen so many shops skimp out on this which causes a failure down the road. Either do it right or don't do it at all

You can get PowerService at Canadian Tire, Grey or White bottle, your choice really. If you get condensation in the tank, you could end up with icing issues, opposed to the actual fuel gelling. Like I mentioned before, all Canadian diesel is pre-treated at the plant to avoid this. Gelling isn't a common problem up here, unless you are running BioD or you are getting your diesel at a low volume station which might be contaminated with water. There is also a mod you can do to the fuel sender unit that's located underneath the rear passenger seat. There is a check valve in some of the earlier model cars that can restrict the flow of fuel, a lot of guys just drill out the check valve. Might wanna look into it...

Adding gas line antifreeze to a diesel isn't a very good idea, stick to PowerService if you are going to add anything I don't add any additives to my TDI in the winter, all Canadian diesel is treated with antigel additives, this is one of the reasons why you notice a little less mileage in the winter compared to the summer. The only thing I can say is that make sure you fill up at a high volume station in order to lesson the odds of you getting water in your diesel. As far as the years are concerned, here's a quick run down. 99.5-'03 Golf/Jetta - These are MKIV model year cars. Rotary pump ALH engine, best for mileage and the most reliable. This is what I own, my TDI has 560,000kms on it and no signs of giving up just yet. '04-'06 MKIV Golf and '04 Jetta - These cars have the BEW Pumpe Duse engines, a little bit more power then the ALH powered cars, but are known for having cam issues. Mileage isn't as good as the rotary pump engines..These are piezo injected cars (there is an extra lobe on the cam of the engine which runs a fuel injector). '05-'06 MKV Jetta - This is the new style of Jetta with the BRM PD engine. This engine is known for eating cams!!!!! Stay far far away. My parents had one of these and my mom totaled it, no one was hurt but I'm glad they no longer own it, ticking time bomb. '09-Current year Jetta, Golf and Golf Wagon - These have the new 140hp/236ftlbs CR (Common Rail) engines.. Way better power delivery then any of the previous model year cars. Mileage is about the same as the PD cars, still not as good as the ALH powered Jettas and Golfs. These engines are as smooth as butter and come with 6spd manuals or DSG equipped transmissions.... If I were you I'd stick to a 99.5-'03 car.. Timing belts are done every 160k, that's about a $650 job if you can't do it yourself. They are response quite well to a few mods which really wake them up and make them a lot more fun to drive. Any other questions just let me know

Dead smelt or big emeralds.. Berkley Gulp in the smelt pattern should be the ticket.

Warm enough for the guides not to freeze A few degrees above zero, but with the wind it felt a lot colder then it actually was.

The east ditches, combat fishing at it's finest!

Brian, should be good to go now bud

Mike PI's avatar is a giant splake! There's a pic of it in the latest OOD...

Some additional pics from my camera from the weekend.

An absolute blast Mike, great way to start the season I could only chuckle after hearing a few locals say the river was unfishable, lol.

Wetskins are great, but you'll be soaked due to sweat in no time, I know I am in mine. The BPS suits are being marked down to $169 for the bib or jacket this week, that's what I'm going to pick up.

lol! I think the consensus is that they aren't in very good shape right now

I doubt you'll get many responses except for 'Go find out for yourself', lol.

Brian, you should be steelheading

Good to hear Mike!!

Lots and lots of ice, hopefully Wallico chimes in, he's been up there recently.

Bring a graph with you. An absolute necessitie when trying to entice lakers or whities from the deep. Goodluck!!!!

Better get out quick season is almost over.

I should tale a leave of absence from work, lol

I remember the days when it used to be held on Dixon Rd at the International Center. That was always a great trip with the oldman when I was a kid. So much stuff you could barely take it in during a single day. Now it's just more floor space with less vendors, reminds me more of a car show then a fishing show. No thanks.

That's a cow!!!! Good job!

There are only 4 other arenas in the league that have similar setups like this. They definitely need a design change so this doesn't happen again.

Do not let your neighbour touch the computer again, lol.