Engine is completely dead

I have a '98 1.8 Passat and today it let me down for the first time. It started OK, but after about 3 miles the engine cut out and stopped dead!! Before I rolled to a stop, I dropped it into seconds and tryed to start it. Nothing doing, just the sound of the alternator. And yes, before you ask, I have half a tank of Petrol!!! When I turn it over, the starter engages and the drive belts rotate but thats it. The engine sound completely dead. Where should I start looking or should I just bring it to the dealer. Any ideas gratefully received.

Had a poke around and......timimg belt snapped!!
Now I have to find out how much damage has been done.

I have a '98 1.8 Passat and today it let me down for the first time. It started OK, but after about 3 miles the engine cut out and stopped dead!! Before I rolled to a stop, I dropped it into seconds and tryed to start it. Nothing doing, just the sound of the alternator. And yes, before you ask, I have half a tank of Petrol!!! When I turn it over, the starter engages and the drive belts rotate but thats it. The engine sound completely dead. Where should I start looking or should I just bring it to the dealer. Any ideas gratefully received.



1999 Passat. My timing belt went while I was driving toward my home. As a result the valves were damaged and finally after 4 weeks of "Sunday" work by a friend of ours, the car was "fixed". It turned on for a few minutes and- then it just turned off. I heard that the engine may no longer be of use. We are not sure if this is an engine replacement problem, but if someone has had similiar experience, please post ASAP. Good luck everyone.

The factory recommendation of 105K miles for timing belt replacement is too long for most driving conditions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As I suspected, my engine is dead. When the timing belt snaps, it is not a good idea to try to start the car ( I found out). The pistons were bent and it cost a bundle to fix. To remove this part of the engine is extremely difficult because of its position. The pistons were "fixed", but it now turns out that the rod in the inside of the engine is bent. In my opinion is not worth it to fix it, so my passat is sitting in my driveway. I bought another car (toyota). I had enough. My Passat had only 84k miles. For a high end car, it should have had a cutoff switch for when the timing belt snaps.

I was told by the dealer to replace it around 65000. I laughed it off . when it turned 80000, the VW mechanic down the road strongly suggested it. so I did it at 85000 after i decided to keep the car and run it into the ground. I just can't part with the thing. And VW won't give me squat for trade in. It's had so much warrenteed work done already, I swear it's rebuilt from brakes to engine. Love that 10 year/100000 War!

ts2001,

What are you doing with the car? Have you considered parting it out. Check out http://www.passatworld.com/forums I'm sure you could sell a number of parts off the car.

If you are first owner and it has under 100k miles then its covered under warranty. Powertrain-10yr100k mile warranty first owner. VW mechanical parts failure, have the dealer check if you are first owner if you dont know.