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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 83 of 335

#812 of 3340 Antenna Replacement - Cost? by bronsonb

Mar 25, 2005 (7:36 pm)

Hello - Today my wife discovered that this small plastic/rubber gasket at the base of the antenna on her 1999 Passat sedan is split and was coming off.
 
I just looked online to see if that part can be purchased by itself, but it looks like you have to purchase the entire mast and base and replace the unit.
 
That would mean removing the headliner to get access to the nut that hold the unit in and connect the cable.
 
Has anyone on this board had an antenna replaced at the dealership before? If so, how much? I found one post from 2001 where a guy said the dealership quoted him $600 for a new antenna. Yikes! Part of me is ready to put the split gasket back on and try some silicone to seal it rather than pay $600 to replace it.
 
I saw one post where someone mentioned going to a stereo shop to get them to replace the antenna. That's an idea I might check into.
 
I will stop by the VW parts store tomorrow to see if they do, in fact, sell just the gasket and if there's a way to replace it without removing the mast base. We'll see. But in the meantime, any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks!

#813 of 3340 Oil Drain Plug Location by japher

Mar 26, 2005 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: bronsonb (Mar 21, 2005 9:31 am)
I bought a 2004 Passat with a 1.8L engine last October. Six months and 5000 miles have now gone by and its time for the first oil change, which I prefer to do myself. Unfortuately, I can't find the oil drain plug. I've crawled around below the engine and can't find anything that looks like an oil drain plug. I hope I don't have to move the plastic fairing that covers the bottom of the engine.
 
I'd apprecate some guidance.

#814 of 3340 Drain Plug Location by bronsonb

Mar 26, 2005 (3:36 pm)

Japher - Yup - you have to remove the plastic skid plate at the bottom of the engine. It's not TOO hard. There are two plastic screws located on the inside of each front wheel well. One half turn unlocks those and they pop out.
 
Then there are 2 screws located under the front bumper along with a nut (11mm?) at the center of the front bumper. Then at the back of the skid plate are three screws, one on each end and one in the middle. I think a half turn removes each of those.
 
The skid plate will then drop down but shouldn't come off entirely. Once it drops, you should see the oil pan and the drain plug.
 
Also, to get to the oil filter, you'll need to remove the coolant reservoir. You don't need to disconnect it - just unscrew the screws and move it to the side to access the oil filter.
 
And I am sure others will reiterate this: Make sure you use a VW oil filter (should be a rather large one) and use 5w40 or 0w40 motor oil. 5w40 is available at NAPA and 0w40 at various places (I know Advance Auto Parts carries it).
 
I know when you remove the filter, a lot of oil comes out, so be prepared to soak it up with something. You'll see what I mean when you get it off.
 
Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions.

#815 of 3340 Re: Drain Plug Location [bronsonb] by japher

Mar 26, 2005 (9:23 pm)

Replying to: bronsonb (Mar 26, 2005 3:36 pm)
Thank you very much Bronsonb. It wasn't much fun, but I completed the job.
 
I used 5W30 oil, which my owner's manual lists as an alternative. Unfortunately I did not have a VW filter. I used a penzoil filter I bought earlier today. It isn't quite as big, but it does fit,> I won't make a habit of using aftermarket filters and hope this one will be okay until the next change.
 
Thanks again.

#816 of 3340 Re: Drain Plug Location [japher] by jrct9454

Mar 27, 2005 (8:02 am)

Replying to: japher (Mar 26, 2005 9:23 pm)
If you're a serious do-it-yourselfer, you should invest in a Top-Sider, or similar device, to pull the oil out through the dipstick tube and not use the drain plug at all. These are very effective and not all that expensive these days - do a Google search and you'll see plenty of alternatives.
 
Also, be VERY careful about the oil you use, and keep meticulous records. VW loves to deny engine claims if you have deviated even in the slightest way from their maintenance recommendations. For that reason alone, I would be very wary of using a non-OEM filter in this car. Make sure the oil you use meets precisely the standard VW states in the manual for this engine.

#817 of 3340 Re: Drain Plug Location [jrct9454] by duchess809

Mar 27, 2005 (9:48 am)

Replying to: jrct9454 (Mar 27, 2005 8:02 am)
Greetings
My question is how do I enter the radio code. I have my husband's 1999 v6 Passat, I have the radio code but do not have the owners manual. Can someone tell me how to enter the code or where to find the directions of line. Thank you for your patience as I did not discuss oil changing issues but I saw you were online earlier today and seemed knowledgeable. Sincerely, Maggie
ps the tow truck driver left the lights on, the battery went dead when it was towed to the mechanic for new cv joints. It will be a great surprise for him if I can get this fixed today.

#819 of 3340 Passat Issues: Good and Bad by bill1975

Mar 27, 2005 (10:09 am)

Hello. I've been monitoring this forum quite a bit and have been on some other VW forums as well. I'm going to be purchasing a "new used" car soon. And have it down to a Passat and Mazda 6. I'm a little confused as it seems people either love and have few, if any, problems with the car, or they hate it, and its a total piece of junk. My impression is: 1) Internet forums usually are home to many people who want to gripe or have problems, so I'm not getting a balanced view 2) The Passat requires more vigilent maintenance, 3) If I can find one that has used only synthetic oil and has no ignition coil issues, I should be ok. 4) Some early models had control arm issues. Was this fixed? If so what year? 5) VW has fixed things bit by bit since the introduction of the B5 - I've noticed most complaints are on models through 2002. I've heard few complaints about 2003 - 2005 models. Anyone know specifically what has been fixed? It seems the last few years (03-05) have been better but VW got such a black eye from the oil sludge and coil issues, that any improvements have gone unnoticed.
 
So thats what my impression has been. I would appreciate any input. I really love the car and was shocked to hear so many bad things about it. It seems to be more reliable than most VW cars. I also don't mind doing some of my own basic maintenance so hopefully that will prevent some dealership horror stories.
 
Thanks for your help!

#820 of 3340 Re: Oil Change service [david4862] by dasato

Mar 27, 2005 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: david4862 (Nov 27, 2002 9:47 pm)
I'm not a mechanic but I would. I'd suggest you ask th dealer
 
anyone out there know Passat's? I have a 2001 and Have a OBD code of P0171 "Engine Too Lean". I've replaced the suction value and cleaned the air passage to the turbo (4cylinder). Car only has 35k on it and I'm frustrated that this this is occuring w/ such a new car.
 
HELP!
 
d

#821 of 3340 Re: Passat Issues: Good and Bad [bill1975] by dasato

Mar 27, 2005 (6:43 pm)

Replying to: bill1975 (Mar 27, 2005 10:09 am)
Hello there. Yea, you are probably right about people and their responses. Most people only voice concerns not positives. I think this is human nature (right or wrong). I own a 2001 Passat. I would say from a looks standpt it is good but from an engineering one prone to require maintenance. I'm dealing w/ an emissions control issue w/ my Passat w/ only 35k miles. In addition to that there was valve cover leak that needed to be replaced due to leaking oil, cup holder issues, etc... Personally I think Honda's and Toyota's are the most reliable out there. Nutshell, I'll never buy a VW again. Can't say much about the Mazda but I haven't heard near the issues as VW.
 
Good luck!
 
d

Messages Page 83 of 335

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