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Volkswagen Passat Maintenance and Repair

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

You are in the Volkswagen Passat Forum.

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

    
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Messages Page 221 of 334

#2200 of 3340 A Few Bumps in the Road by jdhebert23

Apr 15, 2007 (3:48 pm)

Well, I loaded a few posts in here about my 2001.5 Passat and how well the car has run since I bought it in March 2004 with 35k miles. It now has 113k miles and at the end of February the oil inter cooler, thermostat and belt-driven cooling fan went out. It caused it to overheat as "STOP!" and "CHECK COOLANT" displayed in big, bold red letters on my driver display. $450 later, it's up and running. I thought it was strange that the oil inter cooler went out because I am careful about allowing the car to idle after "spirited" driving.
 
Now, I have a whole new problem. A few months ago I noticed a fast-paced rattle, almost like a vibration, as I cold-start my car. The sound went away within seconds, almost after the fuel injection system did its job. Lately, I've noticed the sound takes longer to go away, and usually after I rev the engine a few times up to about 2,000 RPM's to get rid of the sound.
 
I had my mechanic (who works for a VW dealer but does work for me on the side ) about it and he diagnosed it to be the cam shaft tensioner. I think it's a little weird that my car has only 113k miles and now I have to sink another $500 into it (which I still think is one hell of a deal) to get that fixed. Last year I had the front brakes replaced ($255), timing belt/tensioner pulley and thermostat ($450) and new tires ($450). Looks like I'll be putting a lot of money into it this year as well.
 
Has anyone else had to replace their cam shaft tensioner this soon? I've never had to replace one in any of my previous 8 vehicles (only one of which was a 1990 Passat that succomed to a snapped timing belt). Any help would be appreciated.

#2201 of 3340 Re: A Few Bumps in the Road [jdhebert23] by altair4

Apr 19, 2007 (1:48 pm)

Replying to: jdhebert23 (Apr 15, 2007 3:48 pm)
Based on what I've read on Passat-specific forums across the web, I'd say it ain't uncommon at all!

#2202 of 3340 Re: A Few Bumps in the Road [jdhebert23] by quizzoman

May 02, 2007 (11:41 am)

Replying to: jdhebert23 (Apr 15, 2007 3:48 pm)
Hey - My experience might be similiar to the fast paced rattle you are hearing. At about 100K on my 2000 1.8t Passat I started noticing a low-engine rattle that would come and go. It sounded like a tinging noise almost like the engine was loosing oil, but the oil was fine. I really started bothering me in places like drive through food places where I could hear the engine loud and clear while idling. When I would hear the noise I could push the throttle to about 2.5k and the noise would stop. Eventually, it got so bad that the low oil pressure light started coming one, which gave me a clue to what was up.
 
Come to find out that the common sludge problem with the Passat was affecting my car. I ended up pulling the oil pan to find that sludge had completely filled the oil pickup screen for the oil pump. Which explaines why oil wasn't getting to the engine correctly. After replacing the oil pump the car is running better than ever.
 
However, this process did involve a lot of work. For the oil pan to be removed the engine needs to be hoited on the half frame about 6 to 12 inched, but not totally removed. This is very dooable with the tools and a hoist. I might still have instructions on how to do it.
 
If you have any questions or want the instructions or pics I took e-mail me at danpembertoncomcast.net.
 
Good luck...

#2203 of 3340 Re: A Few Bumps in the Road [quizzoman] by lilengineerboy

May 02, 2007 (11:57 am)

Replying to: quizzoman (May 02, 2007 11:41 am)
Come to find out that the common sludge problem with the Passat was affecting my car. I ended up pulling the oil pan to find that sludge had completely filled the oil pickup screen for the oil pump. Which explaines why oil wasn't getting to the engine correctly. After replacing the oil pump the car is running better than ever.
 
Has oil consumption increased at all? Sometimes valve guides can fail without lubrication, as can the the bearing surfaces and piston rings can wear. It pays to be very aware of what is going on with your vehicle, it sounds like you might have caught it when it was just an oil pump vs a new motor.

#2204 of 3340 Re: A Few Bumps in the Road [quizzoman] by pat

May 03, 2007 (5:26 am)

Replying to: quizzoman (May 02, 2007 11:41 am)
You know what would be great is if you would put together a CarSpace guide. You can include your pictures there and it will be available to anyone anytime.
 
And welcome!

#2205 of 3340 Re: A Few Bumps in the Road Update by jdhebert23

May 04, 2007 (9:27 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (May 02, 2007 11:57 am)
I posted the original "A Few Bumps in the Road" post and here's a follow up:
 
I got the car back from the mechanic this evening and he also had to replace the timing belt again because the timing tensioner hydraulic leaked all the hydraulic fluid out which caused my timing belt to become loose. Thankfully we caught it before it jumped. Back to the cam shaft tensioner and the rattle: I asked him about the sludge and he assured me that my car is sludge free and that's due to my religious Mobil 1 oil changes that I give it as well as the 2-3 minute idle rule after "spirited" driving. I'm still mystified that all this is going on at only 113k miles, but all I can figure is that this is the consequence of my former mechanic not replacing the timing tensioner pulley when he replaced the timing belt and water pump. Thankfully my new mechanic is certified by VW (he is a tech at a dealer ) so he knows my VW better than my former mechanic. I should be good to go now. The whole job cost just under $1k. Add that to the cooling system failure I experienced in February, that's already $1,500 this year alone in repairs. Hopefully it will be the last of them.

#2206 of 3340 A Few Bumps in the Road Update 2 by jdhebert23

May 05, 2007 (4:16 pm)

Replying to: jdhebert23 (May 04, 2007 9:27 pm)
Another thing I noticed when merging on the highway this morning was that the turbo charger isn't boosting like it should. I can clearly hear the whine when it actuates but I don't feel the thrust I used to feel when accelerating. I spoke to my mechanic about this issue today and he is going to look at it. I suggested maybe a loose/busted vacuum hose because the engine seems to be producing a little "white noise" similar to the sound of a vacuum hose gasping for air.
 
My question is this: At what mileage is typical to warrant a turbo charger rebuild? I've heard the K3/K4 is capable of being rebuilt but I am unsure of the mileage. Also, if estimated cost could be included, I'd appreciate that information as well.

#2207 of 3340 Wiper Blades - no new ones will fit by waid10

May 07, 2007 (3:45 pm)

I have a 2001 Passat. I went to a local Autozone to get new wiper blades. I bought some mid level Rain-X blades. The guy at Autozone tried for 30 minutes to fit the new wiper blades onto my car but could not find a connector that would make them fit. He said that their (Autozone's) selection of blades fit about 98% of cars, but they have had trouble with Volkswagen in the past. He said that I will have to take the car to a VW dealer to get new blades. The closest VW dealer is over an hour away. Plus, I just can't believe that I can't get new blades at an auto parts store. Anyone else have experience with this issue?
 
Thanks.

#2208 of 3340 Re: Wiper Blades - no new ones will fit [waid10] by jdhebert23

May 08, 2007 (9:27 am)

Replying to: waid10 (May 07, 2007 3:45 pm)
I've never had problems putting blades on my car (01.5 Passat). Maybe you should consider taking it to another auto parts store. I've always been able to snap the old ones off and put the new ones on in less than a minute in the Wal Mart parking lot. I usually buy the Michelin brand wipers. They seem to perform very satisfactorily, and they are very reasonably priced. Can you maybe post some pictures of what your wiper arms look like?

#2209 of 3340 Timing belt snapped. To fix or not? by pinhigh1

May 09, 2007 (9:19 am)

Help! The timing belt just snapped on my 2001 Passat 1.8T while driving on interstate 70mph / 2500-3000 rpm. Has 109k miles. VW dealer est is $2K if no damage to head; $4500 worst case. Edmund's estimates my trade value at $5K in a private sale before this issue. Have no idea of $$ value for scrap. Can should this car be repaired? Any / all input welcomed!

Messages Page 221 of 334

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