Karmakanix

Here's a guy that can tell me which of the two vent-hoses connecting to the manifold is cracking based on my description of the idling roughness caused by the resulting vacuum leak.... Because, he informs me, the oxy sensor signals the fuel injection arou nd 21 times per second.... The amazing thing is thaty sometimes theory can get in the way of practical ability, but this guy just loves these cars enough that I feel a bit like the "other man" when I go pick it up... OK, OK - so his shop is in Berkeley, has "Karma" in the name, and usually at least one VW Kombi inside, but this is my second Audi (I plain wore out the first one, an '83 Turbo bought new) and I wouldn't trust it to anyone else...

These guys have been taking care of my VW Golf for a couple years now. They are always willing to take the time to walk me through the repairs and explain what's going on. They definitely give me a good view of what's going on with my car and what maintenance/repairs I have coming up. Steve definitely knows these cars backwards and forwards! It's good to know a mechanic who is so friendly, too (I'm a woman and don't feel at all intimidated).

OK. Steve ROCKS! My 97 jetta is on the road safely because of him...He is super nice and super good and super reasonable... Which is why he had to hire a manager. SIGH. She kinda gets in the way--she over-estimates everything (when you can get in to see him,how long it'll take to fix and how much it'll cost) to such a degree that when she is on vacay or sick, and Steve answers his phone, the difference is alarming. That and the fact that he rolls in at ten am--those are my only gripes. Other than that, my jetta and I trust him with our lives.

My 1999 VW Jetta TDI is a diesel car which I run on biodiesel fuel. I know much less about diesel than I do about gasoline cars. The TDI is a special case, also, because of computer control mechanisms in the engine. I have had the following work done by Karmakanix: Remove, clean and replace intake manifold, and exhaust gas recirculator (never done on any other car I owned, repair of manual transmission linkage, replacement of clutch. Interpretation of "check engine" light code as "glow plug" fault, and immediate replacement of 3 of the fouled plugs and special careful replacement of the one remaining "frozen" foul plugs which might have required a cylinder head replacement had the correction failed. All steps of the diagnosis, possible remedy and actual repair were explained to me in detail. Per hour labor charge is not cheap, in my view: $120/hr, but worth it. Headlamp bulbs (2) were difficult to replace due to placement and requirement to do from the rear, not the front. This was done for the cost of the bulb 2 different times, and no labor cost. I recommend the shop.

In 1997, I bought a '97 Jetta GLS. After the warranty expired, I took the Jetta to Steve for everything. At one point, in 2006, I gave it to my mother. She blew threw 4 clutches in one year. We got a discount rate. Eventually, when I had to confiscate my mother's keys, I just gave them the car. Next to me, they knew this car from stem to stern. I believe it's still on the road to this day, and well-cared for, I'm sure. As soon as I buy another car, and get rid of my Ford Escape, I'll probably buy another VW just so I can have them take care of it for me. They'll never rip you off or tell you a bunch of hooey. Just, ya know, be patient. Everybody with a VW in Berkeley (and that's a lot of people) knows Steve and Karmakanix, so they it's a very busy shop. It might take a little longer to get you and your VW back on the road, but at least you'll be safe and in a well-running vehicle.