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Volkswagen Passat Turbo Issues

62 messages,  Last post on Feb 29, 2012 at 8:55 PM

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

Messages Page 5 of 7

#33 of 62 Re: 2008 Passat Turbo Engine Repairs [rubester] by kinct

Sep 24, 2008 (6:00 am)

Replying to: rubester (Sep 23, 2008 8:54 am)
I had a 99 Passat 1.8T and the reliability was nothing less than stunning. I had the car up until about 5 weeks ago - sold it 224,800 miles - it was still running like a champ and the first person to look at it bought it. The only time it had been towed was when a truck backed into it at an intersection (he decided he wanted to go left instead of right and had to back up to make the turn). Even then, it would have driven, but he pierced the radiator and I didn't want to take any chances.
 
The absolute keys to making this engine last:
 
- change the oil & filter ever 5,000 miles, using only the synthetic oils that meet the standards VW publishes for this engine (in my case, Mobil 1 0w40). If at all possible, do it yourself or take it to a mechanic you totally trust. Any clown can wag his head up and down and swear they put in Mobil synthetic when instead they put in the cheapest swill from a discount store. And then yes, you will encounter problems!
- change the timing belt & tensioner. I did mine (IIRC) at around 120k miles and 214k miles. Yes, I waited a little long, especially the first time. I believe this is supposed to be done at 105k miles intervals.
 
somewhat less important
- change the air filter periodically (~60 k miles)
- change the spark plugs (~60 k miles)
 
I absolutely loved the car. My new car is an Audi A4 2.0T. So, a similar turbo and it will get a similar treatment from me.
 
BTW, gas mileage was excellent - if I REALLY tried, on trips, I could get 34 mpg (miles travelled / gas pumped - not the mileage from the inaccurate trip computer). More normal averages were about 32 mpg highway (except in winter, when they change the fuel blend here in the northeast US and mileage on all my cars drop 8-9%.)
 
Two minor complaints:
- it did leak some power steering fluid - an annoyance, but not a big deal. I had this leak around 160,000 miles. Every oil change I just checked the level of fluid (I kept a bottle in the garage). Just added a small amount when I did oil changes.
- for a long time, the car did burn through headlights. It seemed like I was replacing one every 6 months (way too often). My last set was a halogen set (if I recall correctly). The parts store only had them left. Oddly enough, they went something like 3 years - still going strong when I sold the car. But early on in the car's life - this was an annoyance.

#34 of 62 Re: oil in coolent again [altair4] by chfan28

Nov 04, 2008 (11:08 am)

Replying to: altair4 (Jan 11, 2008 12:42 pm)
This is the exact problem my Mechanic just found on my 2000 Passat. Need to know the following. First he mentioned that VW has a 10 warranty on this issue, is this correct, and does that apply to the second owner of the car? Does anyone know?
 
Second, they can fix the housing, can they get the oil out of the coolant. ? is this VERY costly.

#35 of 62 Re: 2002 Passat 1.8 Turbo exhaust gasket or manifold problem [altair4] by 600kgolfgt

Nov 10, 2008 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: altair4 (Aug 23, 2008 8:47 am)
It is precisely the Secondary Air Pump that is making the loud "noise". Its function is to make sure any unburned residual fuel (remaining after the engine is turned off) is properly atomized and burned upon startup. My wife's 2003 Passat has that same characteristic.

#36 of 62 Re: 2003 1.8T water leak passenger side [h8passat] by h8passat

Feb 23, 2009 (9:19 pm)

Replying to: h8passat (Apr 06, 2007 6:37 pm)
Still having trouble? I finally addressed mine. Turns out that in addition to small leaks at the battery drain and pollen filter housing I had a more significant one at the ECM module. This is where most of my water was coming in, going thru the driver side footwell to collect in the rear footwell behind. The ECM compartment itself had filled with water as well, causing intermittent electrical problems.
 
So I had a garage find the ECM leak and address it with putty. Testing with water to find that leak, addressing it and then draining the ECM compartment and ensuring it was working OK - 300 bucks total.
 
If that helps you or anyone else thatīs great - caused me tons of trouble over the last 2 years.

#37 of 62 '00 Turbo by sandysue68

Jun 07, 2009 (4:54 am)

I have a '00 VW Passat Turbo. Past couple weeks, when I start the car after it has been sitting, there is a high pitched "squealing" noise. I believe that it is coming from the turbo. It stops after about a minute. Any ideas....suggestions....?
Thanks!

#38 of 62 Location of Fuel filter by jett4

Jun 10, 2009 (1:37 pm)

Can anyone tell me were the Fuel Filter on my 1999 VW Passat 20V Turbo is located?

#39 of 62 Re: Location of Fuel filter [jett4] by altair4

Jun 11, 2009 (7:20 am)

Replying to: jett4 (Jun 10, 2009 1:37 pm)
You should find it under the car, just in front of the right rear tire. There is a plastic body panel that runs the width of the car that covers it. You will need a 10 mm socket and a screw driver to remove that cover (two nuts on each side of the car and one screw in the middle).
 
Use appropriate, safe methods to access this area (ramps or jack stands).
 
The fuel line is under pressure - it will spray fuel if you don't pull the fuse for the fuel pump while the car is running. Sad to say, I don't have the number handy for the fuel pump fuse.
 
My '03 model had the fuel filter connected to the hoses with one-use clamps which had to be cut off to replace the filter. I bought fuel line clamps at Advance Auto to replace those. Yours may be different - some years used banjo connections on the lines to and from the filter (remember: VW = Varies Widely).
 
You might want to put a smear of anti-seize on the bolts that hold the filter in place as well as that plastic belly pan.
 
Good luck.
 
-EDIT-
The fuse number might be #28, on the driver's side of the dash, but I can't guarantee it.

#40 of 62 Re: '00 Turbo [sandysue68] by zlingen

Jul 07, 2009 (11:44 pm)

Replying to: sandysue68 (Jun 07, 2009 4:54 am)
Have you received a response about this? My Passat does the same thing, but I've only had it for a month (used) and haven't taken it anywhere to get it fixed. I read elsewhere that, "It is precisely the Secondary Air Pump that is making the loud "noise". Its function is to make sure any unburned residual fuel (remaining after the engine is turned off) is properly atomized and burned upon startup. My wife's 2003 Passat has that same characteristic."
 
Have you looked into it further and is this really the case?

#41 of 62 2002 Vapor locking (mike 373) by mike373

Jul 08, 2009 (12:03 pm)

My daughter has this turbo passat, yesterday she drove home from work (about 30 miles) shut the car off, then about 30 min later wanted to use it and it wouldn't start. Acts like it's vapor locked, it has happened before but mechanics can't find anything. Anyone had similar problem? What needs to be done? Is it vapor locked or is it something else? Thanks.

#42 of 62 Passat Fuel Mileage by tomj2

Jul 10, 2009 (1:12 pm)

Own a 2003, 1.8T, 60K miles. Gas mileage has declined about 25% in last year. Car runs perfect and even had VW look at it. Found nothing wrong. Anybody ever have same problem?

Messages Page 5 of 7

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