99 1.8 turbo LOTS of Probs! HELP!!!!!

[malianne]

Hi,
I have a 99 passat wagon with problems. A LOT OF THEM. I bought it used and have nothing but problems with it.
So, I need advice on a few things if anyone can help.
Prob #1
I have a popping sound when I am accelerating and stopping around where the CV boots or joints are (happens when turning at slow speeds also). It always did this a little, but now it is way more. Any ideas?
Prob #2
Upon acceleration the engine makes a pinging or dieseling sound. It does this until I am going pretty fast. I use premium gas, so I know thats not it. I don't even like to drive with the windows down because the sound makes me cringe
Any ideas?
Prob #3
There is a leak in the cam shaft that has been there for awhile because the dealer wanted 500.00 to fix a 7.00 part. What kind of damage is this causing to my car? I am going to get it fixed, I am just broke and don't have a mechanic I can trust.
Thank you all for your ideas and advice.
Molly in Huntington Beach

[veedubmechanic]

1- sounds like your cv joints are bad, and they need to be replaced. Unfortunately there about 4-500 each side for the axle plus install.

2- sounds like your timing belt tensioner might be making noise-common problem on 1.8t. If you have more than 80k miles on your car then replace the timing belt and tensioner. Even though the owners manual says 100k you would be lucky to get that far on the original one.

3- cam seals and cam adjuster seals leak all the time- new updated seals do not leak (new design) they are alot easier to replace when doing a timing belt and the added labout should only be 2 hours at most.

[VWingram]

Originally Posted by veedubmechanic

1- sounds like your cv joints are bad, and they need to be replaced. Unfortunately there about 4-500 each side for the axle plus install.

2- sounds like your timing belt tensioner might be making noise-common problem on 1.8t. If you have more than 80k miles on your car then replace the timing belt and tensioner. Even though the owners manual says 100k you would be lucky to get that far on the original one.

3- cam seals and cam adjuster seals leak all the time- new updated seals do not leak (new design) they are alot easier to replace when doing a timing belt and the added labout should only be 2 hours at most.

Melainie

take heed on #2...I had to change mine at 60k......don't risk your engine. Make sure the dealership checks the water pump...they are right at it after all parts are removed for the belts and they are supposed to, but mine did not. I had it back in within a month...they wanted to deal with me on the $ when i complained. I only paid for the part.

[1.8PassatOwner]

malianne, you are having a very, very serious problem! The 1.8 4-cyc engine from 98 to 2004 were engineered improperly. This causes the oil to super heat and sludge. (You will end up hating this term - Sludge Car.) Instead of normal oil lubricating your engine, you actually have a putty-like substance trying to lubricate the engine.

Cool thing is VW will cover the damage under a special extended warranty, but you have to show proof of regularly conducted oil changes within 1000 miles of the mfgr suggested mileage. This annoyance actually caused me to boycott my local dealer. They never once wanted to help with the VW problem. (Stay away from OKC's Cable VW. They don't care about anyone but them.) The whole ordeal took me two months to resolve, but now I have a new engine, which leaks oil. It never leaked prior to the problem.

This is hard to say, but STOP DRIVING YOUR CAR. Gather all your oil change receipts and go to the dealer. (You may be able to have the oil change place print copies if you threw them away like I did.)

Also search the Internet for "Passat 1.8 Oil Sludge" you'll be amazed at the amount of problems this engine has caused. By the way if you are registered with VW America, they should have sent you a thing about the special warranty coverage.

Good Luck my friend. The diesel sound is bad, and on this engine has nothing to do with any belt.

[wcs]

Can you chim in an let me know what the link is to sign up for VW America?