Oil pan rupture

[DocJim]

I would like to know if there is any official information as to the clearance for a 2000 Jetta VR6 with stock suspension.
I live in Sask. and am moving to Kelowna in April. The car is presently in Kelowna. Last fall while in White Rock B.,C. my wife punched 2 big holes in the oil pan when she hit a manhole cover in the middle of an alley.
The ciy of White Rock is now refusing to pay for the damages.
I need a hand with ground clearance specs. on this vehicle.
Thanks.

[Khyron]

Re: Oil pan rupture

Our oilpans are quite low and quite fragile. I cracked mine open on a pot hole with stock suspension. If anything, I find I get better clearance with my sport suspension because the springs are much harder to compress.

From VW.com
Ground clearance (")
GTI - 5.1
Jetta - 5.2

Looking at that picture, it looks like she put the wheel right in the groove, and was probably going quick enough to have the springs compress an inch or so. But that doesn't look like a pothole worthy of having the city pay unfortunately. She turned off the car in time or did you get engine damage?

Avoid ruts and maybe look at buying a skidplate?

Khyron

[R_Ethug]

Re: Oil pan rupture

i love whiterock.. that place rules..

sorry bout the pan

[B5]

Re: Oil pan rupture

Your car have load(driver+passengers) and traveling at speed. The stock VW specs clearance is measured at the car standstill which will not hold. With a big dip like that it is likely the stock marshmallow suspension killed your oil pan.

[DocJim]

Re: Oil pan rupture

So where do I go for a sportier suspension?

[Derick]

Re: Oil pan rupture

So where do I go for a sportier suspension?

I don't think a "sportier" suspension is the answer. Just ask anyone on here with aftermarket suspension about scraping From the people I know who tried, It really seems like getting the city to pay for this kind of stuff is a losing battle. Really, it just comes down to careful driving and sometimes luck IMO. You can try your best to convince them, but I think you should be ready to just take your lumps (no pun intended).

[Stonewall]

Re: Oil pan rupture

By the looks of the picture the dip is really not all that bad compaired to some people have hit here and the fact that it is in an alley. If it was a construction area etc you would have a foot to stand on but here I don't think you do. If you want a better suspension with stock height go here linky . They make an awesome suspension that I have heard nothing but good things about (other then not lowering the ride height). Enjoy Kelowna it is a beautifulplace with little to no work :P Just watch out for the crappy roads in the mission and don't have any bran before trying to cross the bridge.

[NeonGTI]

Re: Oil pan rupture

A 'sportier' suspension could be an option. A set of coilovers set to stock spring height could mitigate the problem. You would get stiffer springs and somewhat stiffer shocks.

You could also stuff a taller profile tire on. It would screw up your speedometer, but could be good for a 1 cm+ lift.

Does anyone know if coil-overs will go above stock height? Can you crank em up so the VW would look like an 80's AMC Eagle?

[R_Ethug]

Re: Oil pan rupture

no all coilovers when set to their highest setting are still a 1.5" drop from factory VW suspension

[DocJim]

Re: Oil pan rupture

Its the manhole cover that sticks up 4 1/2" above the surface. The city is shrugging their shoulders and their insurance company is unwilling to pay. Once in Kelowna I will proceed through small claims court just as a matter of principal.
Now lets get some info on some new coil overs and exhaust recommendations.
I have a Brullen dual exhaust on my Audi TT and I am very pleased with the sound and the look. I have been using LLTEK for my Audi parts.
I am looking for a good reliable source for VW aftermarket parts and service here in Canada. I am assuming you have been using Concept 1?

[R_Ethug]

Re: Oil pan rupture

eutuning.ca

rpiequipped.com

pgperformance.com

[MrHeavyFoot]

Re: Oil pan rupture

no all coilovers when set to their highest setting are still a 1.5" drop from factory VW suspension

H & R makes a set, sometimes called the "Dune Buggy" coilovers, that go from +1" to -1". H&R Part number is 29525-3.

[DocJim]

Re: Oil pan rupture

Ryan; I looked through VW.com but I could not find info on ground clearance. Where did you find it? Thanks

[R_Ethug]

Re: Oil pan rupture

that was geoff who posted it.. i'm guessing its under the detailed specs when you 'build the car' online

[Khyron]

Re: Oil pan rupture

Dimensions GL 2.0L GLS 2.0L GLS 1.9L TDI-PD
Wheelbase 98.9 in 98.9 in 98.9 in
Front Track 59.6 in 59.6 in 59.6 in
Rear Track 58.8 in 58.8 in 58.8 in
Length 172.3 in 172.3 in 172.3 in
Width 68.3 in 68.3 in 68.3 in
Height 56.7 in 56.7 in 56.7 in
Ground Clearance 5.2 in 5.2 in 5.2 in

http://www.vw.com/jetta/specifications_us.htm

Khyron