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Volkswagen Passat Sludge Issues

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

You are in the Volkswagen Passat Forum.

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

Messages Page 8 of 30

#64 of 292 Re: I too spent $10,000 on a new engine due to sludge [djane] by fish8

Mar 28, 2006 (5:27 am)

Replying to: djane (Mar 27, 2006 4:31 pm)
Ok....you are going to get allot of feedback (mostly negative) on this board, but I will attempt to provide my honest OPINION. When a car is purchased either new or used you should get a little book called a owners manual. Within that manual there is a section called Maintenance. In the case of a VW Passat, it CLEARLY states that the oil must be changes EVERY 5000 miles. Upon your own admission, you extended the oil change 2000 miles to 7000 miles on occasion.
 
Now, since VW clearly states in writing that the maintenance due on your vehicle is 5000 miles, not 7000 miles, why should VW pay for your new engine if you did NOT adhere to their specified oil change intervals (OCI)?
 
Since I don't know you I cannot call you irresponible. But, as far as maintaining your Passat you were irresponsible in regards to getting your oil changed as specified by VWoA. Prior to 2004, regular Dino oil was being used in Passats (1.8t and 6cyl). It '04 / '05 VW sent all 1.8t owners a letter regarding the sludge issue and specified certain oils (synthetic) that are to be used to prevent oil sludge. If ALL oil changes were completed on time and you (dealer) used regular dino oil up until 2004, then VWoA would most likely be footing the bill for a new engine.
 
I think your comment about going back to a Toyota (great cars BTW) is a smart move. They tend to be able to take some abuse (read: lack of maintenance) and keep on going. VW's on the other hand NEED to be maintained religiously. When they are taken care of they should provide many years of happy motoring.
 
Also, you stated you are from the Atlanta area? Me too. EVERY dealer I have taken my Passat to has offered a free shuttle and most of the time a free loaner. What dealer were you dealing with? I have used Jim Ellis (Atlanta & Marietta), Heritage VW and my current dealer of choice is Gossett VW in Alpharetta. Your comment about the dealers not providing a shuttle leaves me a little confused since all the ATL dealers I have been too have always offered a free shuttle and most of the time a free loaner.
 
Good Luck!!

#65 of 292 Re: I too spent $10,000 on a new engine due to sludge [fish8] by alman08

Mar 29, 2006 (12:43 am)

Replying to: fish8 (Mar 28, 2006 5:27 am)
well said. the warning was there and some people just didn't pay attention to it. and what an interesting comment about a dealer requiring monthS in advance appointment for an oil change. hmmmmm...nice try!

#66 of 292 Re: Passat 1.8 Turbo/ SLUDGE - new engine at 37k miles [w9cw] by mrtreize

Mar 29, 2006 (10:47 am)

Replying to: w9cw (Mar 07, 2006 9:50 am)
I agree that if you follow the recommended maintenance schedule and document everytime you have work done to your car that you should have few if any problems from the car or any problems from the manufacturer.

#67 of 292 Re: Passat 1.8 Turbo/ SLUDGE - new engine at 37k miles [pjp9999] by mrtreize

Mar 29, 2006 (10:53 am)

Replying to: pjp9999 (Mar 06, 2006 5:16 pm)
And of course you are mad because you did not follow the recommended maintenance schedule. As for the claim that they just started using synthetic oils, thats false. Ever since the beginning use of the 1.8T they have been using the synthetic oils. Its not an engine malfunction but rather negligence.

#68 of 292 Sludge by fish8

Mar 29, 2006 (11:01 am)

I think it totally depends on the dealer when it comes to the use of Synthetic oil. Not all dealers have always used synthetic.

#69 of 292 Re: What car to buy? [ibudic1] by mrtreize

Mar 29, 2006 (11:08 am)

Replying to: ibudic1 (Mar 09, 2006 6:23 pm)
I think your car buying methods and instructions are very thorough. I wouldlike to add one more thing to your list of things. Including all the research mentioned in this advice, also look at the vehicles certification. You can buy a used car and you can buy a certified used car which is nearly like new in its condition and come with sometimes a two or three year warranty from the manufacturer or dealer that sells it to you. In some cases if you get a car from a dealer that is not the same brand as the car the warranty is limited meaning you will pay about one tenth of the repair bill and the warranty company will pay for the rest. I got my car used with a warranty and am glad I purchased it because I had one problem with the turbo exhaust system that would have cost an arm and leg to fix.

#70 of 292 Re: Passat 1.8 Turbo/ SLUDGE - new engine at 37k miles [mrtreize] by pjp9999

Mar 29, 2006 (8:26 pm)

Replying to: mrtreize (Mar 29, 2006 10:53 am)
"Ever since the beginning use of the 1.8T they have been using the synthetic oils. Its not an engine malfunction but rather negligence."
 
Okay, so if sludge in a result of "negligence," then how do you explain it happening to Passat owners who DID follow the manual and changed their oil EVERY 5k miles at the dealership, had the sludge problem, got a new engine under warranty, AND, now have sludge again in their second engine. Couldn't a conclusion be drawn that the 1.8 turbo engine has a sludge problem??????
 
And re: synthetic oil, all my oil changes, done at the VW dealership, were all done w/ non-synthetic oil!!!!! I specifically called and checked on this and they told me they don't use synthetic oil and the directive to use synthetic oil has only come out a few years ago.
 
AND, these were the types of oil that they used:
ZVW-5W-30
10W30
 
none of which are technically on the approved list!
 
There is a reason Lexus consistently ranks #1 (JD Power and assoc) and VW trails on the bottom w/ Hundai and KIA. The only thing I will say is that the VW interior designs are nice, but what's the good in that when the car is a moneypit and trim randomly falls off here and there............

#71 of 292 Re: Passat 1.8 Turbo/ SLUDGE - new engine at 37k miles [pjp9999] by fish8

Mar 30, 2006 (7:05 am)

Replying to: pjp9999 (Mar 29, 2006 8:26 pm)
You said:
 
"Okay, so if sludge in a result of "negligence," then how do you explain it happening to Passat owners who DID follow the manual and changed their oil EVERY 5k miles at the dealership, had the sludge problem, got a new engine under warranty, AND, now have sludge again in their second engine. Couldn't a conclusion be drawn that the 1.8 turbo engine has a sludge problem?????? "
 
That is a pretty strong statement. Please back it up with facts...please provide proof. Who? If an owner can prove they got their oil changed at 5K OCI's at a VW dealership then VW should not deny a warranty claim for sludge.

#72 of 292 Re: Passat 1.8 Turbo/ SLUDGE - new engine at 37k miles [fish8] by alman08

Mar 30, 2006 (10:39 am)

Replying to: fish8 (Mar 30, 2006 7:05 am)
I guess he's just trying to make a case that the 1.8t has sludge problem.
 
VW however did give new engines to those who followed the manual and changed oil every 5k miles, according to his statement.
 
As far as having sludge again in their 2nd engine... how many people you think would actually perform a turbo cool down at the end of driving? Again, I'd blame it on the dealerships and salepeople for not informing customers how to take care of turbo charged engines. For those who don't have 2 mins to let the turbo cool down should buy the V6 or W8 model instead. Oh wait... then they might complain how expensive it is to change oil on the W8... nevermind...

#73 of 292 Passat Problems by pjp9999

Apr 11, 2006 (2:00 pm)

I posted a while back re: sludge w/ my '03 Passat 1.8 turbo. After investing almost 4k into maintenance/service FINALLY dumped the car and got an Infinity G35 over the weekend.
 
OHMYGOD........ THIS IS A GREAT CAR and everything the Passat was not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think they are comparable in price, but you get so much more w/ Infinity, including (knock on wood) a car manufacturer that actually stands behind their product and extends good customer service. Something I NEVER got from VW of A.
 
My advice to all of you w/ VW problems is this: cut your losses now and get a Japanese car. Not as stylish as European cars, but, fun to drive nonetheless and won't be a moneypit in the long run! Just my 2 cents.
 
p.s. thanks for all your advice/feedback too.

Messages Page 8 of 30

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