[MalcolmTucker]

I've got an '01 Jetta 2.0 (automatic trans) and am having two issues and I wanted to see if I was on the right track with my diagnosis.

The first one is that the engine seems to be ticking. I'm thinking that it might be a bad lifter.

The second one is that the vehicle seems to be having trouble shifting. The RPMs spike high before shifting and then at higher speeds the RPMS seem to be higher than usual (at 65 mph it's at 3000 RPM when it should be running that at 75 mph). From what I've been reading I think it might be a bad Vehicle Speed Sensor.

Please let me know if I'm heading in the right direction and what a reasonable estimate would be on both (parts and labor).

 

[phoebuspf]

If it is ticking while the engine is hot(not ticking when cold), maybe that's the cam chain tensioner. This will cost $700+ in labor and parts. Need to remove a lot of things and cannot be done with timing belt replacement. Good news is that you can leave it. Actually there is no sound when running, only way you can hear is at 800rpm or so. You can run another 100000 miles or so without repair it.
For the second question, I've no idea, I drove manual. But vw do have tranny problems on these year's auto jetta.

 

[02JettaIV]

There aren't any cam chains on the 2.0 - it's a single overhead cam. The problem is more than likely the hydraulic tappets (same basic thing as a lifter - they are located under each cam lobe) under the cam. The cam and timing belt will need to be removed to change them.

 

[Marc1987]

3000 rpm is normal for 65 mph, my rpm is almost at 4000 going 80. I have an auto to. Itsonly 4 gears man