Our friend, Emissions Workshop

[SootheMyPain]

We have a 2000 Passat 1.8T sedan with no modifications. Recently we took it in at 50K for an oil change and the dealer (Pignataro VW in Everett, WA) told us that we had brakes needing replacement, brake fluid that was dirty, radiator that needed flushing, and several filters to replace.

Given that we had some confusion in our service schedule, thinking major service occurred every 20K, we had major service performed at 40K, supposedly including plugs, etc. But this was not done at the dealer. I think the dealer was annoyed that they didn't get to do the 40K service and wanted to reclaim some bucks.

We took it to a third party for a second opinion. He said the brake fluid was pristine, the radiator was great, brake pads look like they could go another 40K. He did recommend a new fuel filter, which we authorized, and new plugs, since he found what he calls "leakage." I know that he did not use NGK plugs, since he has not had good luck with these recently. I do not have the brand he used handy, but I know they were double platinum plugs.

Wife drove it home from the guy's place with no problems and thought it felt "peppy." Cool. Next morning, we took it up a long hill a mile from our place, and on comes the ubiquitous check engine light with the "Emissions Workshop" specifier.

Called the third party mechanic, and he didn't know of anything that would set it off in what he did, from what I could tell.

I'm interested in finding out what the range of possible problems is. I don't have cash to go buy a reader. Might take it to Autozone. The mechanic thought we should follow up on it, but didn't think it was reason not to drive it.

[seanwalsh]

Good news, my friend.

I had this problem fixed for FREE, so I hope you do, too.

The dealer did some recall work on the Passat that corrected the problem. If I recall correctly, there was some sort of hose that was messed up. . .it was a recall, anyway.

Their work corrected the problem, at no charge. Also, lots of people think that the problem is the Mass Airflow indicator (MAF). This is an expensive fix, and I suspect it only solves the problem because they mess around with the area that requires the recall work.

Anyway, it made my day, and I hope you have good luck.

[SootheMyPain]

Thanks much; I'll check into that. But do you have the number of the recall? They just did some recall work to install a new panel near the fuel fill. Curious that if this was it, it took a several days to show up. If you have the number, I can compare it to what I have on record and check with the dealer.

Originally Posted by seanwalsh

Good news, my friend.

I had this problem fixed for FREE, so I hope you do, too.

The dealer did some recall work on the Passat that corrected the problem. If I recall correctly, there was some sort of hose that was messed up. . .it was a recall, anyway.

[bobandtoni]

I tried aftermarket plugs and had the same problem. The dealer told me I HAD to use the factory plugs for $8 each. When I did, the lite and emissions workshop dissapeared.

[jopper12]

Same problem in my 2001 V6 Passat. Got the car back from having BODY WORK done on it, only to have the check engine light on (w/ Emissions Workshop message). What gives?

My hope is that VW dealer will at least provide diagnostics free since the problem happened while at their shop.

Does anyone else have a fundamental problem with receiving your car back from the dealer, in worse shape than when you dropped it off?