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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 294 of 335

#2923 of 3340 Re: 2004 1.8T GLS 4MOTION PASSAT- Bad Deal [camperman] by longo2

Aug 20, 2009 (7:05 pm)

Replying to: camperman (Aug 20, 2009 5:07 pm)
I too have had my share of VW's starting with a new 1959 Beetle ending with a 1971 Superbeetle, a yellow car that we called "Herman the German". It was the best of the bunch and is probably still running.
  
I am amazed at the variety of electrical and mechanical issues on this Passat Forum! (my first visit)
 
I have been looking at the 06' Jetta TDI's and thought perhaps the Passat would be just as good or better, but found they stopped making the TDI Passat in 2005.
 I have also found a much reported weakness in the 2 ltr Passat engines.
 
The engine counterbalance shaft run by a little chain off the oil pump that is prone to break. For several thousand dollars it can be converted to a gear drive for better reliability, if you happen to know a VW engine Guru who will do it.
 
After reading through the last 10 pages of horror stories on this Forum, I am running not walking from anything to do with a Passat.

#2924 of 3340 2003 Passat Transmission and Timing Belt by navyguy1990

Aug 25, 2009 (6:22 am)

This is Navy Guy again with my 2003 Passat. The Korean service center actually did me right by only charging me about $320 to solve my water intrusion problem. They installed a more rigid tubing for the sunroof drain and the front windshied drain. Plus, they replaced the rear brake pads ($75 for parts) and engine sensor ($40 for part). Considering that the parts were $115, the labor for everything was only $205.
 
Now, I've noticed a different problem. When I slow down from about 25 mph to about 5 mph (typically to go over a speed bump), the transmission shifts very rough when I speed back up. This happens once in about 10 times and typically during hot weather. Do I have a transmission problem? I don't know when transmission fluid was changed out last.
 
Additionally, all the discussions about timing belt replacement is getting me worried. I have 42,000 miles on the car, but it's been pretty much all city stop and go traffic in Seoul, Korea. Should I change the timing belt in order to put my mind at peace?
 
Thanks in advance.
 
Navy Guy

#2925 of 3340 Re: 2003 Passat Transmission and Timing Belt [navyguy1990] by altair4

Aug 25, 2009 (7:02 am)

Replying to: navyguy1990 (Aug 25, 2009 6:22 am)
Navy Guy -
 
Maybe I'm bringing you bad news, but the transmission control module is also located under the carpet, in the front footwell (I think on the left side, but don't quote me on that). Your transmission shift problem might be related to your water intrustion problem.

#2926 of 3340 Re: 2003 Passat Transmission and Timing Belt [altair4] by navyguy1990

Aug 25, 2009 (7:22 am)

Replying to: altair4 (Aug 25, 2009 7:02 am)
Dear Altair4,
I've replaced the transmission control module. I had it ordered from 1stVWparts.com for $1100 and provide it to the Korean VW service center. The $205 labor cost also includes that module replacement.
 
I don't know if the new module takes some time to get used to. . . or build my driving habit history or something?
 
What do you think about the timing belt replacement?
 
Navy Guy

#2927 of 3340 timing belt by krzyss

Aug 26, 2009 (12:18 pm)

VW did not post time requirement for its change, unluckily.
I know one car (I think 2000) that had 80K miles (so theoretically below 105K limit) and its belt broke.
 
I think that you should consider a change next year but could you ask service center to inspect it?
 
Krzys

#2928 of 3340 Re: timing belt [krzyss] by navyguy1990

Aug 26, 2009 (5:57 pm)

Replying to: krzyss (Aug 26, 2009 12:18 pm)
Krzys,
Thank you for your thoughts. I'll ask them to inspect the timing belt next time I take the car in.
Is there any way I can check the transmission fluid level? I was told that the transmission fluid was suppose to last the lifetime of the car, but in light of slight quirks with the transmission shifting roughtly I don't know if I should get the transmission fluid changed out.
 
Navy Guy

#2929 of 3340 Re: timing belt [krzyss] by altair4

Aug 27, 2009 (6:59 am)

Replying to: krzyss (Aug 26, 2009 12:18 pm)
Krzyss's advice is good, I think. I'm in the same spot as you are - 2003 lower mileage vehicle. I think I'm going to look for a deal on the timing belt, water pump, drive belts, and tensioners this fall. I'm at 63,000 miles.
 
I've had the belt looked at during inspections, but I still don't trust the dang thing. It's so expensive if you crash the valves with the pistions!
 
I've got nothing better to add about your rough shifting. Did it start right after you had the TCM changed? Or was it later? Maybe corrosion on the connections? The level can only be checked from under the car - no dipstick (deleting a dipstick is the stupidest thing I've seen on this car). Do you have any indication of a transmission leak?

#2930 of 3340 Re: timing belt [altair4] by navyguy1990

Aug 28, 2009 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: altair4 (Aug 27, 2009 6:59 am)
Altair4,
I don't have any indication of a transmission leak and I think this occurred sporadically prior to the TCM change. I've noticed that the rough shift occurs when the transmission shifts from 2nd to 1st while traveling less than 5 mph. Normally, the car stays in 2nd gear even at slow speed and the subsequent acceleration is very smooth because no gear shift occurs until upshift to 3rd gear. When the car has to go uphill or go over a speed bump, the speed slow down sufficient level that the transmission has to shift down to 1st gear. Additionally, when I come to sudden stop (like when you see a ball bounce in front of the car), I've noticed that the transmission down shift to 1st gear with an audible sound.
 
Navy Guy

#2931 of 3340 Re: Passat Timing Belt and Valve Damage [mindymoore1] by vwdawg

Aug 31, 2009 (8:26 am)

Replying to: mindymoore1 (Aug 17, 2009 1:48 pm)
mindymoore1: I'm not aware that anyone has responded to your inquiry, but I have some thoughts for you. Unfortunately, no good news here. You did not indicate how many miles you have on your '01, but I believe the factory spec indicates that the timing belt should be changed by 90,000. If you delve more deeply into the Passat forums, you'll see occasional owner reports that a belt broke at 80,000 or even 70,000 miles. Many owners change their belts well in advance of the 90,000 spec, especially considering the obscene consequences of a broken belt.
 
With regard to the "shop", here's some thoughts: 1) The "valve": What you are referring to is the "valveS" (two to five per cylinder). Your valves were probably just fine, and they're not normally checked before a belt is replaced. Unfortunately, when the belt "slipped" (more likely, broke), the valves likely hit the tops of the pistons and are bent or broken. 2) It IS a bad idea to drive a vehicle with a bad TB, but it would not be irresponsible for the technician to start the car in order to drive it into the shop. I am wondering if the extended time that the car was parked resulted in all of the oil draining out of the engine; with reduced lubrication, perhaps that additional bit of friction caused the TB to break. Of course, it could also just be that one-in-a-million coincidence that the belt would break at the exact time that the car was being driven into the shop. 3) I don't see that the shop would have any negligence in this matter...I don't see that they did anything that would cause the damages. My guess is that the belt change was either overdue, OR if not, this was one of those freaky, premature failures. While Audis and VWs are very attractive cars and fun to drive, they are prone to various catastrophes if maintenance items are left unchecked. Not sure you have done the repairs to your car. If yes, and you have the 1.8T engine, be sure to pay attention to the forums on OIL SLUDGING, i.e., use approved SYNTHETIC oil (Mobil1 5W-40, etc.), or you might be in for MORE disturbing events. Good luck! vwdawg

#2932 of 3340 Re: Passat Timing Belt and Valve Damage [vwdawg] by altair4

Aug 31, 2009 (1:41 pm)

Replying to: vwdawg (Aug 31, 2009 8:26 am)
I just checked the maintenance schedule on VW's website for the 2001 1.8T engine and the only maintenance for the Timing elt is a check at 40,000 and 80,000 miles, but for the timing belt tensioner, they have listed replacement at 40,000 and 80,000 miles. It's the same for the 2.8 V6. There is no actual listed change interval for the belt on their schedule, which goes out to 100,000 miles. But it seems that if the tensioner is being done, you'd have the belt changed then, too. We don't know if any of this stuff was done.
 
I know the listed change for the 1.8T for the 2003 MY, the change interval is 105,000 miles. But there's no way I'm going anywhere near that distance. Bummer with the belt breaking when they pulled it in.

Messages Page 294 of 335

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