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...And this is why I will never, ever, buy a car coming off of lease.
This solution was sought only because VW was not stepping up to the plate. They extended a warranty due to a recognized design flaw in the 1.8T engine, but won't allow anyone to exceed the recommended oil change intervals. So in 48,000 miles, everything that this car needed it received except once (yes once) the oil was changed at 6500 miles instead of at 5000 miles. This car was never beat or abused.
Happily, it all worked out.
My wife's description is that the engine turns over pretty normally (maybe a bit slower) but never catches or fires at all. At 9500 miles we are using 5-40 weight oil as specified...done by dealer. Also using premium fuel.
The first time, it was towed to dealer, who then apparently was able to start it, but then found fuel in the oil. VW payed for the tow, we had to pay for the oil change. It still seems to me it shouldn't be that easy to "flood" this engine.
I wish I had been home to witness this, but I had already left home both times. (2nd time she got it going after 4-5 attempts to start.)
I would call it:
recognized maintenance deficiency.
It looks awfully similar to Toyota sludge problem.
Krzys
Nor would I since I fear many people who lease cars do not take proper car of them. But, I do not feel at all guilty about this approach since this car was well maintained.
You wrote on 01/19/05:
2. They say she exceeded one oil change interval by 1500 miles, essentially making any problem they find be outside of the warranty (and her expense).
Hmmmm.
I thought that with the 1.8T engine sludge problems, VW is now requiring the use of synthetic, and the new larger filters. I also read that VW dropped the price of the synthetic for dealer changes, so I thought I would call VW and find out how their oil change price compared with the cost of buying my own oil, and now, buying the larger filter from VW.
I was surprised to hear the service person tell me they were not aware of a recent requirement from VW to use full synthetic in the 1.8T, that they use the semi-synthetic oil, and the larger filter, for a $40 change cost. Using synthetic would be $20-$30 more.
So I have a letter from VW telling me to use synthetic oil, and they are very specific about which oils to use. Then I have the dealer telling me they're not aware of this requirement. Don't these guys communicate?
I think I'm going back to my mechanic and supplying my own oil. I'll just have to purchase the larger filter from VW.
My dealer claims they fill with 5w40 non-synthetic "line oil" for their oil changes on the V6. Can't find it anywhere for my '04 V6...probably should use synthetic anyway, just curious.
thanks
warrantydirect.com seems reputable, but I'm not sure I'm quite willing to go for it yet.
have you gotten a quote from the dealer?
I would ask them to share this top secret information with VWoA as they are apparently unaware of it.
Krzys
PS Do search on Edmunds. This pdf was pointed many time
I know there are many satisfied Passat owners, but with my experience, I suggest you consider a vehicle's reliability cautiously with your $30k. It's a lot of money.
Now, I'm working strictly from memory, but what does the sludge letter warranty extension say? I thought it required 5,000 miles or 6 months? Anyone have their sludge letter handy?
I also have a 1999 GLS 1.8t with FWD. This has been a trouble free car. Better in terms of maintenance and repair costs than the Honda Accord it replaced.
If you are looking for a safe car that handles bad weather with no problems, I would highly recommend the 2004 Passat.
KLH
hope i helped
hope this helps!
No one sits back there (the rubber floor mat is clean as a whistle). Please don't suggest it is from someone's salty shoes. I run the heat on "50% windshield & 50% floor" most of the time. I almost always use the "fresh air option" to keep the windows from steaming up.
The car is quite salty from NH roads, but I can't understand how it is getting onto the rear floor and under the seat??? Any suggestions? I am not sure it is even salt...but it is too cold for mold or fungus growth. The car has only 4500 miles on it.
Ummm, if it's like my Passat (which has exactly the same salt marks, it is coming from someone's salty shoes - the driver's.
What floor mats are you using? I've got the Monster mats and the water escapes at the floor mat clip holes and rolls under the driver's seat. It evaporates and leaves the salt residue. YMMV - but I can tell you that's exactly what's happening in my car.
I was warned by the Dealer that repair cost of German vehicles are higher than the typical Japanese imports. But I figured that my Passat came with a 4 year/50,000 mi warranty, I should be fine and I thought the dealer was just trying to make more $$$$. What do you all think about the extended warranty? I believe it was 6 years/70,000 miles for $1100. Thanks!
He has scheduled me an appointment a week later incase nothing changes !
Would suspect "Hydraulic Fluid" - aka "G00 2000", after the Part NO (G 002 000) - which is actually imprinted next to the green cap on my Passat.
Note that the local dealer sold a small (12 oz) bottle of Part No. G 002 012, "Power Steering Fluid," as the current replacement for G 002 000.
Since one sign of having a low level of G00 2000 is a car that "groans while you are turning the wheel" this seems to make sense...
Reid / SE MI
I believe that is the power steering fluid resevoir. In my car at least, there should be a drop symbol and a steering wheel symbol on the dip stick handle.
Fish8 is correct - that's the power steering reservoir (steering-wheel-with-drop icon). Use VW fluid only and get it filled ASAP. You'll kill the power steering and it's an expensive fix. The reservoirs are all covered in the manual - look for the picture of the entire engine (hah! - If your '02 manual is like my '03, the pic will be of the 5 cylinder engine).
The burning smell - I'm going to take a guess and say that your valvecover gasket is leaking engine oil at the rear of the block (between the block and the firewall). A common 1.8T complaint - should be covered under warranty. Look back there with a strong flashlight when the engine is off, but hot. You should smell the hot oil more strongly right above that area.
Krzys
I have an 02 Passat GLX 4motion wagon and can only tell you my experience. On the plus side it's attractive, safe, performs well, handles the snow well and has a beautiful interior.
However... after 3 years and 36K miles, here's the bad:
In the dealer 20 of its first 30 days due to the car inexplicably going into limp-home mode. They finally had to replace the engine computer.
Leather seat split at the seam.
Homelink module fell apart.
Headliner rattle had to be fixed.
Rear window washer hose fell off.
Rear end started to whine, diagnosed as impending differential failure - replaced under warranty.
Rear brakes and rotors(!) replaced at 33K for $400. They consider rotors "friction material" and won't cover them, even at the low amount of miles they lasted.
I really wanted this to be a car I could keep, but there's no way I can risk it. Thank God I leased it.
Chuck
Hmmm - apologies for lack of clarity!
Was trying to make point that what was probably needed was Power Steering Fluid - which does seem to be consensus - BUT, on my particular Passat, that container is marked with a Part No that has been Superseded. A fact that often leads to confusion: "Well, THEY TOLD ME to buy Part No "A" - but The Dealer says I need Part No "B"... so what do I get????
In this case, container in car is marked G 002 000 - but the current replacement is G 002 012.
Apparently, some of the (older?) Audi's call this "Hydraulic Fluid" instead of "Power Steering Fluid," and the owners, finding that it often needs replenishment, have ("affectionately") given it a nickname of "Goo 2000," which I thought was a cute way of remembering the part number.....
(Think "goo" as in the first 3 letters of "goop")
Honestly the engine has so much pep that its difficult to tell the difference in normal city/hwy driving. Lots of bottom torque and not even a trace of knocking.