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Volkswagen Passat Sludge Issues

292 messages,  Last post on Jan 08, 2011 at 7:11 AM

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

Messages Page 18 of 30

#169 of 292 Still having trouble and hope someone can help by sandysea

Jan 26, 2008 (10:32 am)

I posted earlier on; my VW 2004 1.8T Passat; only 30K miles; filed complaints about the dealership as this "letter" was sent prior to my purchase and since I bought it as a demo, I never got this letter. My oil changes were using non synthetic oil as I did not know and the 3.2 part of my manual when purchasing the vehicle is not even in there!!
 
Question however; my car when I accelerate sounds like "closest to an aquarium that has pebbles in the filter"....just sounding like bubbling and like particles are stuck...is this what you are referring to and can this be fixed with any of the products that will remove sludge?
 
God help me; I owe 13K on the car, VW of America will not honor my warranty as I didn't adhere to a "letter" they sent that I never got. I bought my car in Nov 2004 and the letter went out prior to that.....I am at a loss for what to do...

#170 of 292 Re: Still having trouble and hope someone can help [sandysea] by majicman

Jan 26, 2008 (11:29 am)

Replying to: sandysea (Jan 26, 2008 10:32 am)
I don't know about sludge causing your noise... your description makes me think pre-ignition (knocking). Do you use premium grade gas? Or regular? I have used (out of ignorance) regular gas in my Passat for over three years without a peep from the engine about it. If your noise is caused by pre-ignition I would suggest checking the plugs to see if they have carbon deposits. If yes, then replace them and use the higher grade of gas. Does your computer store any fault codes (check engine light on)? If you don't know it might be worth having the codes checked by a mechanic.
 
If you want to research the Auto-RX stuff I am experimenting with, follow this link to their web site... http://www.auto-rx.com/ The testimonials there seemed to make sense to me so I am giving it a shot. I will be posting my results as the "cleaning" is moving along.
 
Believe me I know what it is like to be upside down in the loan! I hope you find a solution to your problem.
 
Jim

#171 of 292 Re: New Engine at 75,000 miles OIL SLUDGE [majicman] by shipo

Jan 26, 2008 (6:19 pm)

Replying to: majicman (Jan 26, 2008 9:16 am)
"Well, I think I am a pretty clear thinker and am not easily persuaded of things that don't make sense. I may be misinformed but I figure it is worth the try. $60 vs. $900 ... which would you chose?"
 
Were it that I was in your shoes I'd try it too, I just wouldn't be holding my breath for stellar results.
 
"Even if I have to do the $60 thing and fail, it is only $60 so please stop trying to rain on my endevor... You don't have to be supportive, but you don't have to be negative about it each time you reply either."
 
Please understand that I'm not trying to rain on your parade, it's more that I'm trying to suggest to you that if you don't have high expectations of this endeavor, you aren't likely to be too disappointed if/when it fails to solve all of your engine's problems.
 
As for why I'm not bubbling over with enthusiasm and optimism for your chances of getting good results from Auto-RX; the fact is that I've been wrenching on engines since the early 1970s and I've seen many-many of these seeming miracle treatments come and go over the years, and so far at least, I have yet to see a single one do the job it claimed to do. The fact is that sludge is fairly hard and dense stuff and is very difficult, if not impossible, to remove with any form of a solvent that won't do considerable damage to other parts of your engine.
 
"I talked with the mechanic this morning, (picked the car up from the VW garage after the oil change) he said the engine looked pretty clean with respect to sludge."
 
Hmmm, interesting. I'd love to know what component(s) he took a look at to determine the level of sludge in your engine.
 
Going back to your first post, you wrote that your 1.8T was triggering a low oil pressure light and that the "the cam chain tensioner is having a problem." You might could well be correct that the low oil pressure is to blame for the problem (and should probably be replaced as a result). As for the pressure problem, is could be for one of several reasons:
 
1) The pick-up screen is clogged with sludge and/or "turbo-turds"
2) The main and/or rod bearings are worn and allow too much oil to escape past them too quickly
3) Low oil level
4) A failing oil pump
 
Keep us posted.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#172 of 292 Re: New Engine at 75,000 miles OIL SLUDGE [shipo] by majicman

Jan 26, 2008 (6:43 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Jan 26, 2008 6:19 pm)
Oh.. I think I forgot to mention that I had the oil pressure checked with a manual meter. The mechanic said the pressure was within tolerances for this car, both cold and hot.
 
I appreciate your comments and I promise I have realistic expectations. I did take a few photos of my Passat today. You had express interest in seeing parts of the engine. I don't think they show much, but I would be happy to share them if you are interested. How can I do that?
 
Based on my conversation with the VW mechanic today, I think I will remove the crank position sensor and inspect it for metal fragments. I think it might be possible that after over 130K mi it could have collected enough to interfere with its operation.
 
Jim

#173 of 292 Re: New Engine at 75,000 miles OIL SLUDGE [majicman] by shipo

Jan 26, 2008 (7:04 pm)

Replying to: majicman (Jan 26, 2008 6:43 pm)
"Oh.. I think I forgot to mention that I had the oil pressure checked with a manual meter. The mechanic said the pressure was within tolerances for this car, both cold and hot."
 
Well now, that's an interesting turn of events. Could it be that your engine has a bad pressure sensor?
 
As for the photos, yes, I'd love to see them. If you click on my ID you'll find my E-Mail address.
 
Keep us posted on he results of Crank Position Sensor inspection as well.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#174 of 292 Re: New Engine at 75,000 miles OIL SLUDGE [shipo] by majicman

Jan 26, 2008 (7:50 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Jan 26, 2008 7:04 pm)
Yes, I thought it was interesting that the oil pressure was actually okay. I agree that it's possible that the oil pump screen may be clogged intermitently.
 
The machanic suggested that if the crank position sensor was not functioning correctly the computer could interpret the lack of signal as lack of oil pressure, I think because the rpms would look like they had dropped to zero. I am not explaining it as he did, but it made sense at the time. Next time I am in the VW dealership I will ask if there is anyway to check the oil pressure sensor.
 
I have sent the email with pics I took. I hope they provide useful information. Thanks for your interest.
 
Jim
 

#175 of 292 Re: Still having trouble and hope someone can help [sandysea] by sandysea

Jan 27, 2008 (8:30 am)

Replying to: sandysea (Jan 26, 2008 10:32 am)
Yes, my stop engine light comes on intermittently. Has done so a couple of times but as I said, the 3.2 portion of my manual does not exist....think I bought a demo lemon but who is to say?
 
I have used regular gas but at least 90 octane, so in between. Will check on the plugs. I have no choice but to try to get another oil change, use the rx or whatever and see what I can do with that. I also have an electrical problem...the dealership said it is a module in the driver's door controlling the windows, locks, etc. They want 1K to fix that as well. So the solution the dealership is giving me is: 9K new engine, 1K for electrical...10K fix or they will give me 3K for my car if I trade it in on an 08 Passat....either way I would be out 10K....single gal and have no clue if they are screwing me....turbo still kicks in when driving, etc. I am confused

#176 of 292 Re: Still having trouble and hope someone can help [sandysea] by majicman

Jan 27, 2008 (10:25 am)

Replying to: sandysea (Jan 27, 2008 8:30 am)
MAN-O-MAN!! I would suggest getting a 2nd opinion from another VW dealer or an independent mechanic. Perhaps you have a friend or someone at work that does business with a mechanic. Ask if the mechanic works on VWs. I have read threads on this board that talk about a "comfort module" under the drivers seat being affected by water coming in to the passenger compartment. You might want to investigate that too.
 
Plugs and wires and coils can affect skipping. Octane can cause knocking. Carbon on plugs can cause "dieseling" and knocking. Has the motor ever continued to run after shutting it off? This will sometimes happen with too low an octane and deposits on the plugs.
 
I would definitely NOT take the VW people up on their offer... (of trading for an 08) AND I would not be bashful about telling them why either. You should be able to trust the people that you have service your car! JMHO... It doesn't sound to me like they are trustworthy AND it seems to me from your comment "...have no clue if they are screwing me", tells me you don't trust them either.
 
My curiosity is killing me.. I would love to have a look at this car but I know it is not feasible. Let us know how you make out.
 
Jim
 

#177 of 292 Re: New Engine at 75,000 miles OIL SLUDGE [majicman] by majicman

Jan 30, 2008 (11:37 am)

Replying to: majicman (Jan 26, 2008 7:50 pm)
FWIW.. My Passat has developed a very annoying behaviour. That is after about 5 to 10 miles of operation at regular operating temperatures it decides to just STOP. It is as if I shut off the key.
 
Monday I was on the way to work when, 5 miles down the road it did this. I wasn't able to start it again until about 15 minutes later. The VW mechanic convinced me that the crank position sensor could cause this. The car is over at VW now for this repair. I will report back when I get the car back, hopefully I can then resume my "desludging" project I began last week.
 
Also, I'm not sure I am convinced but he also tried to say that this crank position sensor could cause the cam timing error seen a week ago that prompted me to start the "desludging" project.
 
Jim
 

Messages Page 18 of 30

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