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Volkswagen Passat Maintenance and Repair

3340 messages,  Last post on Apr 25, 2013 at 10:07 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Passat, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 199 of 334

#1980 of 3340 Power Steering Whine by jdhebert23

Aug 13, 2006 (11:46 am)

I have a 2001.5 Passat 1.8 GLS I bought in March of 2004 with 35k. I've now owned it for almost 2 1/2 years, and it has almost 98k. I can say that I've driven the HELL out of this car, but fortunately I have had very minimal problems with the car so far:
 
52k MAF replaced (recall warranty)
66k turbo vacuum hose replaced (was a simple DIY job with only $10 in parts)
80k both CV joints replaced (ext warranty)
92k timing belt/water pump replaced (prev maint, $450 by my mechanic who loves to work on VW's)
 
but now I have a concern. I religiously have a fully synthetic oil change every 5k miles. I also know to let the turbo cool at 2 minute idle after "spirited" driving. This car is by far the funniest car I've ever owned, and I bought the car expecting high maint problems but comparing myself to fellow Passat owners, I should probably consider myself fortunate. However, my car is nearing 100k and about 3 days ago, I was leaving work and as I rounded the corners in the parking garage, I heard a terrible whine from the steering...I checked the fluid and it looks fine, and it's not any mechanical parts that just need to be greased...it sounds like it's coming from the pump or something. It's hard for me to explain the frequency of this noise but I will try anyway: It does it as I am turning the wheel, but once I turn the wheel to where I want it, it quits. If I go to turn the wheel more in the same direction, then it starts again until I hold the wheel in position. I am not that mechanically inclined, but do you think it might mean it's time to replace belts? I have been trying to stay on top of the maintenance schedule, but I don't know when I should start replacing belts. Also, my check engine light has been on for the last 15k, and the code is coming back as P-0411. I don't want to take it to the dealer which will charge me $90 to diag the code, and I was wondering if someone could shed some light on what might be involved to correct the problem. I researched the code and it said "Incorrect Air Flow" so I changed the air filter (which was awful). The light actually turned itself off for a few days but then came back on. Any help on my power steering issues and/or the P-0411 code would be greatly appreciated.
 
By the way, this is my second Passat. I bought a used 1990 Passat with 94k back in 2001, which succumed to a broken timing belt at 108k (this was before I even knew what I timing belt was...). Also, the power steering in it went out not long after I bought it, but it wasn't that big of a deal for me so I just drove without power steering. I don't want to have a 5 year old Passat with no power steering though, so it is more important to me this time.

#1981 of 3340 Re: Power Steering Whine [jdhebert23] by secondgen7

Aug 13, 2006 (1:06 pm)

Replying to: jdhebert23 (Aug 13, 2006 11:46 am)
The P0411 code has to do with the Secondary Air Injection System, which includes an air pump, vacuum hoses and the combi (sometimes called Kombi or combination) valve. Soon after we got our 01.5 wagon this code popped up. I wound up replacing the air pump and combi valve (which is a PAIN to reach). It doesn't really affect the car's performance but the car won't pass emissions testing, if you have to deal with that.
 
You can get more info, pics, etc at passatworld.com forums. Can probably find out about the power steering whine, too.
 
Also, if you work on the Passat much, I recommend picking up VagCom software and a cable .. it'll allow you to check and clear the engine codes, among other things.
 
Hope this helps,
Dave

#1982 of 3340 Re: engine oil 2 quarts for 4,000+ miles [altair4] by user777

Aug 14, 2006 (9:19 am)

Replying to: altair4 (Aug 12, 2006 12:13 pm)
FWIW: you might want to check to see that the PCV valve is not clogged or stuck. it can contribe to oil consumption.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCV_valve

#1983 of 3340 Re: engine oil 2 quarts for 4,000+ miles [user777] by altair4

Aug 14, 2006 (10:45 am)

Replying to: user777 (Aug 14, 2006 9:19 am)
True. And the PCV system on this car is complicated.

#1984 of 3340 MY BREAK LIGHT WONT TURN OFF AND MY HEADLIGHTS AND HORN DONT WORK :'( by canthelplvnme

Aug 14, 2006 (11:25 am)

I'm sad.
This morning I got in my car to drive to work and i noticed that even though my E-Brake wasn't on, the break light wouldn't turn off. And then i noticed my headlights don't turn on and that my horn doesn't work. I have a 1999 Passat V6. Anybody know what needs to be fixed and how much it might cost me? I've just been pouring money into this car. ugh.

#1988 of 3340 Homelink by fish8

Aug 16, 2006 (4:29 am)

My Homelink in my '04.5 Passat has been flawless!!!

#1989 of 3340 Re: Homelink [fish8] by altair4

Aug 16, 2006 (4:34 am)

Replying to: fish8 (Aug 16, 2006 4:29 am)
Just keep in mind if you start blowing fuse #5, that's your first suspect.

Messages Page 199 of 334

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