1998 Passat Needs New Engine

[normchelle]

Hello,

Yesterday, my 1998 Passat GLS with 84,500 miles stopped on the freeway. I was just riding along at about 55 mph and all of a sudden, the car started to decelerate. Luckily, I was able to pull over to the side before it stopped completely. Needless to say, this was a very scarey situation. When I tried to restart, the lights in the dashboard and the air would come on as usual, however, the car wouldn't turn over. I just figured that the timing belt may have broken.

Anyway, I get the car towed to the VW dealer that I get my services and they call me this morning and say that there are 3 problems. First, oil sludge has built up and car can't start, the engine needs to be replaced/rebuilt at a price of $11,350, and the timing belt broke. I was livid, especially since the car is only worth about $5000. I ask whether the car would start if the timing belt was replaced (since I believe this is what's really wrong with the car), and they say that they aren't sure because the engine may be locked.

Here's the deal, I took my car in about 4 months ago because it was hard to start. I told them that the "oil light" would come on when I would try to start the car, however, I meant to say the "engine light". Well, they ran with the oil light and said that there may be oil sludge that has built up due to lack of oil service and that it would cost $1300 to repair. When I tell them that they can look in their computer to verify that I've had all of my oil/filter services and I meant "engine light" and not "oil light", they took another look and got the code to replace the ignition switch. I had the ignition switch changed and the problem went away immediately. In short, they have a history of stating that one problem exists when in fact it's another. I know that they are probably doing their best to diagnose the problems, however, when the repairs are quoted in the thousands, they should KNOW exactly what the problem is.

Questions: Has anyone had their engine replaced by VW dealer and how much did it cost? How much could I expect to pay for timing belt"

Nichelle