Ask the Car People.SM


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

    
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 283 of 335

#2815 of 3340 1998 Passat Timing Belt Tensioner Saga by zephon

Feb 19, 2009 (8:24 pm)

My daughter purchased the car last July 08. It had a little over 140k miles on it. Don't know anything about it's maintenance history except that it had a clean car fax.
 
A couple of weeks ago, she got in it to go somewhere and it would not start. It would turn over but not fire up. We took it to a garage and after checking the spark plugs, they checked the timing belt and discovered that the tensioner had failed. It was probably original. It was the type with the ball and socket piston to tensioner linkage. The ball and socket were badly worn and that is where the failure occurred. Anyway, they replaced it with a newer design that VW came out with about 5 years ago according to the mechanic. Also replaced belt, pulley, and water pump while they were in there. First question- was there any kind of a recall to replace the poorly designed tensioner assembly, the ball and socket style?
 
They got it back together, started it, but it ran poorly so they decided to check for damage to the valves. They bore-scoped the cylinders and saw that one valve looked bent, so they removed the head to inspect it further and discovered that it looked like one valve in each cylinder had hit the piston head. So, they sent the head off to a machine shop and that is where we stand right now. I don't know if they'll have to replace more than just the four that are visibly damaged. Hope not. The valves could have been damaged when the tensioner first failed, when we tried unsuccessfully to start it, or when the mechanic started it and it ran roughly. No way to tell.
 
I can't see getting out of this for less that $2000 and probably more.

#2816 of 3340 all warning lights on, gauges don't work but car runs fine by Illini_Mike

Feb 19, 2009 (10:13 pm)

This is a weird one:
 
I have a 2000 Passat that sat in rain for a couple of days. Then I turned it on and all of the warning lights were on, none of the gauges worked (temp, gas speed), the clock/milage did not work but the car ran fine - even the radio worked. That was a few days ago. Today I started the car and the same conditions re-occurred. I disconnected the battery for a few minutes but that did not change anything.
 
Any help would be appreciated.

#2817 of 3340 Re: 1998 Passat Timing Belt Tensioner Saga [zephon] by altair4

Feb 20, 2009 (8:10 am)

Replying to: zephon (Feb 19, 2009 8:24 pm)
Zephon, you would need to check either your owner's manual or perhaps VWoA's website, but I believe the change interval on the timing belt is 105,000 miles, so the car is quite a bit past that line. Most people will change out the tensioner, water pump, etc, while doing this job since everything is exposed. I don't remember any recall on the original tensioner. Sorry to hear the news - it's a lot of money to put into a 11 year old car.

#2819 of 3340 Re: Air ventilation (climate control) problems [yesims] by camperman

Feb 20, 2009 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: yesims (Feb 18, 2009 11:24 am)
There are 2 cables running to your switch; one controls the defog and the second controls the other three settings. Sounds like the cable might have snapped. In my limited experience with my 2000 Passat I found that cable to be pretty stiff and I had to remove the cover plates and the small tray between the radio and the controls to see behind the controls. I then sprayed it to see if I could work it loose. It helped somewhat.
With the problems I have had with this vehicle including gaskets, seals, tie rod ends, lock cylinders, and other items mechanics at 2 garages who specialize in Vw\W have advised me to sell it asap. They both say the Passat are very expensive and " just get rid of it".

#2820 of 3340 Resolve (800) 544-8021 by greatcars

Feb 20, 2009 (7:34 pm)

Have you guys purchased any material from this company? VW directed me after I requested 08 passat information. But it's expensive: the 08 passat repaire manual cost 100 bucks. Thank you, no.

#2821 of 3340 Re: VW Passat 2002: Engine Light: Code: P0735, P0811, P0716 [mercedeservice] by michellebrgss

Feb 22, 2009 (9:06 pm)

Replying to: mercedeservice (Feb 12, 2008 3:02 pm)
Sorry, I don't have any advice, but I was wondering if you found out exactly what the problem was and how much it cost to fix it. I have a 2000 VW Passat and had codes 17119 5th gear ratio (PO735) and 17125 Tec no power slow (P0741) come up on a diagnostic test. It has 108,000 miles and I'm just torn between trading it in or getting it fixed. I have been quoted a very high price for repairs.
 
Thanks!

#2822 of 3340 Buying 2002 Passat GLX V6 by abhiku

Feb 24, 2009 (3:53 pm)

I'm buying 2002 Passat GLX V6 from private party for $7K. It has 60K miles on it.
 
I was just reading this forum and saw all the posts about problems. It looks scary.
 
The car seems new, had only 60K miles on it. What I should be looking for? Should I look for japanese car?
 
Appreciate your help!!
 
Thanks

#2823 of 3340 Passat Recall lists by abhiku

Feb 24, 2009 (3:58 pm)

Anyone knows where I can check passat recall lists e.g. what they recalled for passat in last 5 years.

#2824 of 3340 Re: Buying 2002 Passat GLX V6 [abhiku] by tsf7

Feb 24, 2009 (5:10 pm)

Replying to: abhiku (Feb 24, 2009 3:53 pm)
Opinions will vary, but I, for one, have been very happy with my '02 Passat. Mine is a GLS 1.8t w/ manual transmission. It has 125k miles now (bought used in 2005 w/ ~ 35k miles), and the only problem it has had is a bad drivers side door sensor at about 115k miles. I've replaced one CV shaft at about 100k miles and a few headlights. Other than that, no repairs aside from scheduled maintenance. Doesn't use a drop of oil, all the electricals still work, and the stock brakes lasted me 120k miles. Still gets 30+ mpg on the freeway (w/ the 4-cylinder, so your mileage will probably be lower), and it is fun to drive. The leather and interior has held up very well, too -- people are usually very surprised when I tell them how many miles it has after getting in.
 
People with bad experiences will obviously feel differently than I do about my car, but that is the same with all makes. The Japanese car (2001 Acura TL) we had before the Passat went through 2 transmissions, one dash board, and several other small problems in the 55k miles we had it. It had good power, but wasn't has fun to drive IMO. And it used a lot more gas. Of course, no one can tell the future with the vehicle you choose, but in my experience, the Passat has been a great car.

Messages Page 283 of 335

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement