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Comments
http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com/passat/leak/
My question is that I see SO MANY problems listed on forums with this car. Am I buying a headache?? I know the two MAJOR problems are timing belt failure at around 50K and oil problems with the engine. I had them ask the dealer to check the timing belt which reported back and looked ok ( can I trust the dealer to determine belt life by sight evaluation???)
Car is very clean and like I said they have had no other problems. Thanks so so much!
i cant wait to get rid of my :lemon: so i can buy a Subaru B9 Tribeca!!
I have the same car as your.I was going through the same thing. I found out from 1999 and up the transmission is sealed and no dip stick. If your transmission does not leak you don't have to change it at all or add. they used synthetic transmission oil.
Ckstan1
Have you try reboot? take the battery connect out and put back and turn the car on and it should reset.
Good luck
CT
Talk about buyers remorse. Can anyone tell me what is going on.
Could be something minor (i.e. software/computer reflash of some sort, as I think your car has drive-by-wire), so don't get too concerned yet.
Hopefully you are treating the car properly in the break in period per the manual (typically requires gentle acceration and breaking with varied RPM's under 4k or so for the first 1,000 miles) so this does not have to do with any rough treatment of the car during its break-in period, which would be a user issue.
Unfortunately, with the first year model of a new design with a maker like VW, which has not been known for stellar quality/reliability or dealer service, you may have some of these issues to contend with. Comes with this territory.
Good luck in getting this resolved and enjoy the car.
I've owned it since 40k, and can verify that all maintenance has been done up to this point, w/ exception of the very expensive and extensive 60k checkup -- I just changed the oil at 60k so far.
What ought I look at to ensure the car's longevity? I know that the timing belt (chain?) is probably worth checking or changing. What else do you all recommend? Any other issues I should keep my eye on, or tricks that will keep it going "forever"?
Thanks...
PS--anyone have a 1.8T w/ over 100k miles out there? I think/hope any car should be able to go 150k w/o substantial problems. Is this expectation realistic with this car as long as I pay attention to it?
Hope you are doing well. I have exactly the same problem with my passat's trunk. Were you able to fix it yourself or did you have to pay the dealer to do this?
Any advise will be very appreciated.
Thanks,
Hector
I have an '03, and I'm planning on changing mine out at 60K. YMMV...
How much should I expect to spend?
See this link for the parts involved:
http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Volkswagen&engine=1.8T- - &model=Passat%20B5&submodel=FWD&category=Engine&subcategory=Timing
Make sure you look at the correct engine code.
The car is fine but does seem much more costly to keep in working order than other cars we have owned. I wish we would have gone with the Audi and spent the $ up front so we would have known the actual costs to own.
no more volkswagons for us!
Has anyone experienced a problem with noise from the steering column? Sounds like a rubbing when you turn the wheel. VW says they have no idea of the source of the problem.
Enter the code and it should work.
Krzys
Wanted to let you know that I had the same wet floor problem. The problem was caused by a air intake seal being broken and a drain in the sunroof being blocke. The dealer had the car for 4 day$. I did not realize I had a problem until the car would not start and had to have it towed in. I assumed the wet carpet was from the car wash overspraying the rug. Won't do that again.
When I got home, I found that the OEM blades were both longer than the ones I bought (I measured them at 21" each). Also the arms seem different from other cars I have owned. That brought me to a google search which seemed to tell me that no one knows what the proper replacement size is aside from a $50+ replcement from VW.
Any advice on how to do what used to be simple owner maintetenance?? What blade is correct?? What should be replaced, the arm or just the blade?
http://www.tricoproducts.com/news/index.cfm?id=1446&show=newsitem&location_id=87- &view=trico
or go to Autozone and look for Bosch Aerotwin blades. Sorry, couldn't find a link to give you. 3397-118925 is the exact Bosch part number for Aero-Twin wiper replacements for the Passat, based on one forum note that I read elsewhere. Can't speak from personal experience about either, since I haven't used 'em.
Anco was one of the top rated wipers in Consumer reports.
I have an 03 Passat 4motion sedan which is still under the factory warranty - would anyone know if the factory warranty covers a wheel alignment? If not, can someone kindly recommend a place where I can get this done? I'm in Chicago.
Thanks.
They are in a bright yellow box with red lettering. If they don't have them on the shelf, inquire at the desk.
Good luck.
THANKS!
None of them worked! The size BJBird quoted was closest, but it would not slide right in. I never thought about removing the rubber from the plastic, but now that you say that I think it will work. I'll give it a go after work tonight, and look forward to "see clearly now the rain is gone" (and the darn road salt, too).
If they are slightly long, just trim them off with a scissors.
The Alternator is shot. VW wants $900+ to repair due to 50/50 the labor involved in getting to the alternator (have to remove the bumper, radiator, etc.) and the cost of the alternator. (I was under warranty until 2 months ago - ugh!)
Why do alternators fail?
Is it typical that an alternator would fail at 51K miles and 3 years old?
Is this a reasonable price?
The cost was $5.99. Thanks to all for the suggestions! And so far the wipers are my only complaint about the car!
I have a blown foglight that needs replacement, if in fact it ever worked (I rarely use them, and never got out to see if they were on until recently). At 15K, and a few uses, it seems like it should not have blown the bulb quite yet (if that is the problem and not an electrical socket or wiring issue...).
You should also have received the "sludge" letter from VWoA awhile ago (I can't recall if it was issued in the summer of '04 or '05 - I think '04). This letter was also specific about the usage of oil that meets VW 502.00 spec, with a list of the oils enclosed. All of the listed oils are synthetic and most are 5w-40 (with a couple outside that range - Mobil 1's 0w-40 and one or two 5w-30's).
So, based on the phrasing of your note, I'm guessing that you've been using regular oil at 5,000 mile change intervals? If so, I'd guess that you're on your way to a sludged engine.