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Volkswagen Golf Care & Maintenance
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Comments
You will be better off choosing option #1. The cost of getting a flex or swivel socket attachment will be a lot less than the special tools needed to remove the manifold. After looking inside my engine, replacing the inner spark plugs is definitely doable with a flex or swivel socket.
an 05 Passat 1.8T 4motion wagon (love it on mountain curves!!) w/ 4K miles. Wonderful car to date.
I'm in C'ville...so anything in this area would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.
Help.
Hope this helps (and it's not too late)!
The check engine light came on when I accelerated onto the freeway, the engine sounds fine but will not accelerate.
I took it to the dealer and they said the error is with the cam positioning sensor. I had it replaced and drove off, while accelerating onto the freeway it happened again.
I took it back to the dealer, they then told me that coolant leaked through a faulty o ring on the coolant sensor and wicked coolant through the harness and into the ECM.
I was then told it would cost about $5000.00 to replace the sensor, the harness and the ECM ( OUCH )
That sounded kind of crazy. I drove the care home, as long as I don't do a hard acceleration the car drives fine in both city and hiway driving.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thank you
Please help,
vicval14
also, what kind of oil is good for the 1.8T -- synthetic, blend, or the mineral.
any suggections will be greatly appreciated. thanks
If you want VW to honor your engine warranty - you must use a motor oil that conforms to the VW 502.00 specification (in other words - synthetic oil only). Here's the official list from VW:
http://www.vw.com/vwcom/content/objects/pdf/service_maint/oilchart.pdf
Every oil on the list is synthetic. There are no mineral, dino or synthetic blends. And make sure you change your oil every 5000 miles (it is important that you follow this to the letter - do not go more than 500 miles above this interval)...
dont worry i will not exceed the 5000 miles for an oil change.
No problem. More than happy to help.
One more important tip - use OEM (MANN or a VW-approved MANN equivalent) oil filters ONLY. Do not use one of those cheap aftermarket filters (like FRAM, etc.). The difference in construction is night and day. The OEM filter is designed specifically for your engine, as well as aids in regulating your engine's oil pressure. OEM filters have two steel check-valves inside - one aids in regulating the oil pressure, and the other check valve prevents dirty oil from flowing back into your engine when you switch off the ignition (In comparison, the aftermarket filters have check valves made of rubber to cut costs - you definitely get what you pay for.). If you do your own oil changes, you can purchase the MANN filters either at the dealer or you can find it online (do a google search). As far as the list of approved synthetic oils is concerned, you can find those either at your local auto parts store, or you can order them online.
Also, AVOID those quick-lube places like the plague. They will more than likely use the cheaper aftermarket filters and/or oil (that doesn't comply with the VW 502.00 specification). Either do the oil changes yourself or take it to the dealer.
Hope this helps...
so we are sure that the dealer will use MANN filters? i will definitely ask my dealer what they use.
on a different note, i really was not enjoying driving my gti that much. on hard turns the car woudl behave abnormally and the ESP woudl turn on. now i know, today i turned the ESP off and man, what a car! with the understeer and the whells sliding the drive now is predicatable and fun!i love this little rocket!
For 2001 - Passat
Help,,,,,THanks
Did you have any great experiences with a mechanic taking care of your bug?
Can you recommend someone?
Thank you.
Thanks
Have you run the actual "catalytic converter diagnostics" to see what that tells you?
.... I am assuming since you know what code is causing the CEL, that you are using VAGCOM or somthing simular.
If you are not using an engine diagnostics tool such as VAGCOM.... I strongly suggest you locate one of the many generous VAGCOM owners who are more than happy to hook up your car and run some of the diagnostics.
There are several websites that have State-by-State listings of VAGCOM owners.
Along with TimingBelt, there are a number of other things that should be changed at same time. (they may not go another 100K miles and if they fail, you have to do the TB all over again)
These other items include;
*)TB tensionor/pully
*)WaterPump (some folks opt to install METAL IMPELLER wp)
*)Oil Seals (crankshaft & camshaft)
*) Serpentine belt
You should pull out the phonebook and make a bunch of calls to various shops. Look for shops that claim to specialize in European vehicles.
Ask pertinent questions like;
*) How many VW TB they changed last month?
*) What other items do THEY recommend replacing at same time? (if they do not mention the above, be wary)
Just want to thank everyone for all their help in the past!
Is replacing the spark plugs on my 2003 VW Golf 2.0L engine a big deal? Can I have my parents small town Mechanic do it who doesn't have really any experience with VW's? He's VERY honest and VERY reliable unlike most of the guys I've found around here in Chicago suburbs. Plus he's a TON cheaper. He thinks he can do it no problem. He turned me down when I asked him to do the timing belt, so I think I can trust he won't bite off more then he can chew. He is extremly smart about engines and cars and is known to fix about anything...
Anyone think this is a really bad idea? Or have any pointers? I haven't had the plugs chanced since my 40k tune up. I got all the belts done (timing belt, some other ones I don't even know what they do but they said they needed to be changed)...
Just trying to make it last, cause lord knows we can't afford a new car!
Isa
The maint points are;
*) Do not pull on the sparkplug wires to remove them from the plugs.
*) Clean area where sparkplugs are BEFORE removing so no crud drops into engine.
*)Aluminum heads tend to seeze to the sparkplugs... be careful and use some kind of lube while removing.
*)Use only BOSCH sparkplugs in a VW. (BOSCH invented the sparkplug!!)
*)Apply antiseze to the new plug threads
so here is the issue i turn the blinker on to turn and when i turn and it does the automatic shut off (or even if i turn it off) it will keep making the noise but faster, mind you the blinker is off!! what is going on? i just got the thing like six months ago :mad: :confuse:
I have an issue with my drivers side interior door handle. It works in as much it still activates the door lock. Trouble is it dosn't return to it's "flush position", and flaps about annoyingly....there must be a return spring that has gone or become detatched.
How do I get at it to have a look? has the entire door panel got to come off?
Regards Dave
I had a similar experience with my 200 Golf; it's to alert you that one or more of your turn signal light bulbs needs replacing. Very easy to find those (try Target or similar) and to install
Removing the thermostat is the best way to get it all out. Then install new thermostat and refill with new antifreeze.
Just had this problem myself. Had to change the signal light arm assembly. Part about $100 dollars at the dealer, and another $75 labour (1 hour) to change it. Thats it!!
JR
That's not all. You also disconnect the middle hose connection from the water pump, and that's pretty hard to get to. You may get more of the coolant out, once the connections are broken, by blowing air into that expansion chamber. The thermostat can be removed, but you probably will have to drop the power steering pump down a little after loosening a good number of bolts.
Refilling the system is possibly harder than draining it. You will probably have to remove the TOP radiator hose connection -- loosen it enough to open a crack that will vent the air from the radiator, before you can get enough coolant into the system. I have one of the special radiator hose clip pliers and would not try to get by without it.
I have a T reg vw golf which i am in the process of selling but before i do i need to fix or replace the dial that that changes where the heat is directed eg windscreen,feet or both, i turn the dial but i doesnt do anything seems to just turn around! Now i dont know if its broken or what but what do i do to fix this problem.
Hope someone understands what i mean!!!
Any help would be great.
Thanks
Adam
Since this is a "bypass" type of cooling system , the thermostat is where the LOWER radiator hose connects to the engine-side.