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NicMM.
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December 10, 2010 at 4:58 PM #639450December 11, 2010 at 8:01 AM #638416
Coronita
Participant[quote=NicMM]Flu,
It’s amazing you can run such a long list. I am sure you maintain your car well.
My Passat has 1.8T engine. Since last year, my Check Engine light showed up several times. I usually sent it to dealer to exam it and sent to Indi shop to repair it. The last time (6 month ago) Check Engine showed up, the Indi shop could not repair it. I sent to dealer and they did not find any problem and the Check Engine light was gone by itself.
And this week, a sign of “STOP, check your coolant” showed. I turned off the engine and it’s gone after I turned on the engine. It occurred three times in two days before I sent it to dealer. The dealer said someone put wrong coolant in it and it was leaking, so the coolant was almost gone. Besides that, he said there was crack in the transmission, and other problems. All the problems seemed to be emerging in 6 months, as when I sent the car to dealer 6 months ago, they never told me those problems.
NicMM
If you plan on keeping this car…. Two suggestions
1) Find yourself a new mechanic.
2) Invest in a relatively inexpensive OBD scan tool… Because the check engine light is useless unless you know specifically what the fault code is… And the good news is once you have a fault code, you can go to either clubb5.com or vwvortex.com or (if you really have to) audiworld.com (I know, but platform sharing) and pretty much figure out what the problem is because most people have most likely run into the same problem. And at least once you know the code, the mechanic can’t necessarily blow bullshit your way.
I have this one from ross-tech.com… In fact, if you want to borrow it, just send me a PM.
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.htmlI also refer you to the audiworld.com forums because the a database of DIY contributions (which coincidently I made contributions to awhile ago too)…There’s even a step by step teardown process on how to do the t-belts, etc (no, I didn’t write that one). Some of the stuff is applicable to passats.
3) Consider getting a bentley repair manual.
If you get a check engine light, it could be for several reasons. Things that caused me to get it was
1) Bad MAF sensor (which should be covered under emissions warranty)2) Bad hoses to lines, particular the ones that run right in front of the engine block along the radiator and the onces running to vac check valves.
3) bad oxygen sensors (you have two of them, and you should replace them in a pair).
I’m sorry to say, coolant in these 1.8T is really really important. You simply can’t put the prestone green/yellow stuff in it. If you mix store coolant you typically can get at auto parts store with the G12/G12plus coolant that comes in the VAG/Audis, you’re going to get a lot of cooling problems in the long run because it will end up being corrosive in an finicking aluminum engine block. There’s an older coolant from VAG called G11 which is green, that some old mechanics still use too. It’s the wrong coolant. In fact, if you mix G11 with G12, you get something that ends up like Jello.
So just remember. The color of your coolant should be purple (G12 plus), not green, yellow, orange or for that matter red (G12).
December 11, 2010 at 8:01 AM #638488Coronita
Participant[quote=NicMM]Flu,
It’s amazing you can run such a long list. I am sure you maintain your car well.
My Passat has 1.8T engine. Since last year, my Check Engine light showed up several times. I usually sent it to dealer to exam it and sent to Indi shop to repair it. The last time (6 month ago) Check Engine showed up, the Indi shop could not repair it. I sent to dealer and they did not find any problem and the Check Engine light was gone by itself.
And this week, a sign of “STOP, check your coolant” showed. I turned off the engine and it’s gone after I turned on the engine. It occurred three times in two days before I sent it to dealer. The dealer said someone put wrong coolant in it and it was leaking, so the coolant was almost gone. Besides that, he said there was crack in the transmission, and other problems. All the problems seemed to be emerging in 6 months, as when I sent the car to dealer 6 months ago, they never told me those problems.
NicMM
If you plan on keeping this car…. Two suggestions
1) Find yourself a new mechanic.
2) Invest in a relatively inexpensive OBD scan tool… Because the check engine light is useless unless you know specifically what the fault code is… And the good news is once you have a fault code, you can go to either clubb5.com or vwvortex.com or (if you really have to) audiworld.com (I know, but platform sharing) and pretty much figure out what the problem is because most people have most likely run into the same problem. And at least once you know the code, the mechanic can’t necessarily blow bullshit your way.
I have this one from ross-tech.com… In fact, if you want to borrow it, just send me a PM.
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.htmlI also refer you to the audiworld.com forums because the a database of DIY contributions (which coincidently I made contributions to awhile ago too)…There’s even a step by step teardown process on how to do the t-belts, etc (no, I didn’t write that one). Some of the stuff is applicable to passats.
3) Consider getting a bentley repair manual.
If you get a check engine light, it could be for several reasons. Things that caused me to get it was
1) Bad MAF sensor (which should be covered under emissions warranty)2) Bad hoses to lines, particular the ones that run right in front of the engine block along the radiator and the onces running to vac check valves.
3) bad oxygen sensors (you have two of them, and you should replace them in a pair).
I’m sorry to say, coolant in these 1.8T is really really important. You simply can’t put the prestone green/yellow stuff in it. If you mix store coolant you typically can get at auto parts store with the G12/G12plus coolant that comes in the VAG/Audis, you’re going to get a lot of cooling problems in the long run because it will end up being corrosive in an finicking aluminum engine block. There’s an older coolant from VAG called G11 which is green, that some old mechanics still use too. It’s the wrong coolant. In fact, if you mix G11 with G12, you get something that ends up like Jello.
So just remember. The color of your coolant should be purple (G12 plus), not green, yellow, orange or for that matter red (G12).
December 11, 2010 at 8:01 AM #639070Coronita
Participant[quote=NicMM]Flu,
It’s amazing you can run such a long list. I am sure you maintain your car well.
My Passat has 1.8T engine. Since last year, my Check Engine light showed up several times. I usually sent it to dealer to exam it and sent to Indi shop to repair it. The last time (6 month ago) Check Engine showed up, the Indi shop could not repair it. I sent to dealer and they did not find any problem and the Check Engine light was gone by itself.
And this week, a sign of “STOP, check your coolant” showed. I turned off the engine and it’s gone after I turned on the engine. It occurred three times in two days before I sent it to dealer. The dealer said someone put wrong coolant in it and it was leaking, so the coolant was almost gone. Besides that, he said there was crack in the transmission, and other problems. All the problems seemed to be emerging in 6 months, as when I sent the car to dealer 6 months ago, they never told me those problems.
NicMM
If you plan on keeping this car…. Two suggestions
1) Find yourself a new mechanic.
2) Invest in a relatively inexpensive OBD scan tool… Because the check engine light is useless unless you know specifically what the fault code is… And the good news is once you have a fault code, you can go to either clubb5.com or vwvortex.com or (if you really have to) audiworld.com (I know, but platform sharing) and pretty much figure out what the problem is because most people have most likely run into the same problem. And at least once you know the code, the mechanic can’t necessarily blow bullshit your way.
I have this one from ross-tech.com… In fact, if you want to borrow it, just send me a PM.
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.htmlI also refer you to the audiworld.com forums because the a database of DIY contributions (which coincidently I made contributions to awhile ago too)…There’s even a step by step teardown process on how to do the t-belts, etc (no, I didn’t write that one). Some of the stuff is applicable to passats.
3) Consider getting a bentley repair manual.
If you get a check engine light, it could be for several reasons. Things that caused me to get it was
1) Bad MAF sensor (which should be covered under emissions warranty)2) Bad hoses to lines, particular the ones that run right in front of the engine block along the radiator and the onces running to vac check valves.
3) bad oxygen sensors (you have two of them, and you should replace them in a pair).
I’m sorry to say, coolant in these 1.8T is really really important. You simply can’t put the prestone green/yellow stuff in it. If you mix store coolant you typically can get at auto parts store with the G12/G12plus coolant that comes in the VAG/Audis, you’re going to get a lot of cooling problems in the long run because it will end up being corrosive in an finicking aluminum engine block. There’s an older coolant from VAG called G11 which is green, that some old mechanics still use too. It’s the wrong coolant. In fact, if you mix G11 with G12, you get something that ends up like Jello.
So just remember. The color of your coolant should be purple (G12 plus), not green, yellow, orange or for that matter red (G12).
December 11, 2010 at 8:01 AM #639204Coronita
Participant[quote=NicMM]Flu,
It’s amazing you can run such a long list. I am sure you maintain your car well.
My Passat has 1.8T engine. Since last year, my Check Engine light showed up several times. I usually sent it to dealer to exam it and sent to Indi shop to repair it. The last time (6 month ago) Check Engine showed up, the Indi shop could not repair it. I sent to dealer and they did not find any problem and the Check Engine light was gone by itself.
And this week, a sign of “STOP, check your coolant” showed. I turned off the engine and it’s gone after I turned on the engine. It occurred three times in two days before I sent it to dealer. The dealer said someone put wrong coolant in it and it was leaking, so the coolant was almost gone. Besides that, he said there was crack in the transmission, and other problems. All the problems seemed to be emerging in 6 months, as when I sent the car to dealer 6 months ago, they never told me those problems.
NicMM
If you plan on keeping this car…. Two suggestions
1) Find yourself a new mechanic.
2) Invest in a relatively inexpensive OBD scan tool… Because the check engine light is useless unless you know specifically what the fault code is… And the good news is once you have a fault code, you can go to either clubb5.com or vwvortex.com or (if you really have to) audiworld.com (I know, but platform sharing) and pretty much figure out what the problem is because most people have most likely run into the same problem. And at least once you know the code, the mechanic can’t necessarily blow bullshit your way.
I have this one from ross-tech.com… In fact, if you want to borrow it, just send me a PM.
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.htmlI also refer you to the audiworld.com forums because the a database of DIY contributions (which coincidently I made contributions to awhile ago too)…There’s even a step by step teardown process on how to do the t-belts, etc (no, I didn’t write that one). Some of the stuff is applicable to passats.
3) Consider getting a bentley repair manual.
If you get a check engine light, it could be for several reasons. Things that caused me to get it was
1) Bad MAF sensor (which should be covered under emissions warranty)2) Bad hoses to lines, particular the ones that run right in front of the engine block along the radiator and the onces running to vac check valves.
3) bad oxygen sensors (you have two of them, and you should replace them in a pair).
I’m sorry to say, coolant in these 1.8T is really really important. You simply can’t put the prestone green/yellow stuff in it. If you mix store coolant you typically can get at auto parts store with the G12/G12plus coolant that comes in the VAG/Audis, you’re going to get a lot of cooling problems in the long run because it will end up being corrosive in an finicking aluminum engine block. There’s an older coolant from VAG called G11 which is green, that some old mechanics still use too. It’s the wrong coolant. In fact, if you mix G11 with G12, you get something that ends up like Jello.
So just remember. The color of your coolant should be purple (G12 plus), not green, yellow, orange or for that matter red (G12).
December 11, 2010 at 8:01 AM #639520Coronita
Participant[quote=NicMM]Flu,
It’s amazing you can run such a long list. I am sure you maintain your car well.
My Passat has 1.8T engine. Since last year, my Check Engine light showed up several times. I usually sent it to dealer to exam it and sent to Indi shop to repair it. The last time (6 month ago) Check Engine showed up, the Indi shop could not repair it. I sent to dealer and they did not find any problem and the Check Engine light was gone by itself.
And this week, a sign of “STOP, check your coolant” showed. I turned off the engine and it’s gone after I turned on the engine. It occurred three times in two days before I sent it to dealer. The dealer said someone put wrong coolant in it and it was leaking, so the coolant was almost gone. Besides that, he said there was crack in the transmission, and other problems. All the problems seemed to be emerging in 6 months, as when I sent the car to dealer 6 months ago, they never told me those problems.
NicMM
If you plan on keeping this car…. Two suggestions
1) Find yourself a new mechanic.
2) Invest in a relatively inexpensive OBD scan tool… Because the check engine light is useless unless you know specifically what the fault code is… And the good news is once you have a fault code, you can go to either clubb5.com or vwvortex.com or (if you really have to) audiworld.com (I know, but platform sharing) and pretty much figure out what the problem is because most people have most likely run into the same problem. And at least once you know the code, the mechanic can’t necessarily blow bullshit your way.
I have this one from ross-tech.com… In fact, if you want to borrow it, just send me a PM.
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.htmlI also refer you to the audiworld.com forums because the a database of DIY contributions (which coincidently I made contributions to awhile ago too)…There’s even a step by step teardown process on how to do the t-belts, etc (no, I didn’t write that one). Some of the stuff is applicable to passats.
3) Consider getting a bentley repair manual.
If you get a check engine light, it could be for several reasons. Things that caused me to get it was
1) Bad MAF sensor (which should be covered under emissions warranty)2) Bad hoses to lines, particular the ones that run right in front of the engine block along the radiator and the onces running to vac check valves.
3) bad oxygen sensors (you have two of them, and you should replace them in a pair).
I’m sorry to say, coolant in these 1.8T is really really important. You simply can’t put the prestone green/yellow stuff in it. If you mix store coolant you typically can get at auto parts store with the G12/G12plus coolant that comes in the VAG/Audis, you’re going to get a lot of cooling problems in the long run because it will end up being corrosive in an finicking aluminum engine block. There’s an older coolant from VAG called G11 which is green, that some old mechanics still use too. It’s the wrong coolant. In fact, if you mix G11 with G12, you get something that ends up like Jello.
So just remember. The color of your coolant should be purple (G12 plus), not green, yellow, orange or for that matter red (G12).
December 12, 2010 at 9:41 PM #638666NicMM
ParticipantFlu,
Do you really do all this by yourself? It’s a lot of information there. It takes time to absorb.
How do you connect the diagnose software to the car?
NicMM
[quote=flu][quote=NicMM]Flu,
It’s amazing you can run such a long list. I am sure you maintain your car well.
My Passat has 1.8T engine. Since last year, my Check Engine light showed up several times. I usually sent it to dealer to exam it and sent to Indi shop to repair it. The last time (6 month ago) Check Engine showed up, the Indi shop could not repair it. I sent to dealer and they did not find any problem and the Check Engine light was gone by itself.
And this week, a sign of “STOP, check your coolant” showed. I turned off the engine and it’s gone after I turned on the engine. It occurred three times in two days before I sent it to dealer. The dealer said someone put wrong coolant in it and it was leaking, so the coolant was almost gone. Besides that, he said there was crack in the transmission, and other problems. All the problems seemed to be emerging in 6 months, as when I sent the car to dealer 6 months ago, they never told me those problems.
NicMM
If you plan on keeping this car…. Two suggestions
1) Find yourself a new mechanic.
2) Invest in a relatively inexpensive OBD scan tool… Because the check engine light is useless unless you know specifically what the fault code is… And the good news is once you have a fault code, you can go to either clubb5.com or vwvortex.com or (if you really have to) audiworld.com (I know, but platform sharing) and pretty much figure out what the problem is because most people have most likely run into the same problem. And at least once you know the code, the mechanic can’t necessarily blow bullshit your way.
I have this one from ross-tech.com… In fact, if you want to borrow it, just send me a PM.
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.htmlI also refer you to the audiworld.com forums because the a database of DIY contributions (which coincidently I made contributions to awhile ago too)…There’s even a step by step teardown process on how to do the t-belts, etc (no, I didn’t write that one). Some of the stuff is applicable to passats.
3) Consider getting a bentley repair manual.
If you get a check engine light, it could be for several reasons. Things that caused me to get it was
1) Bad MAF sensor (which should be covered under emissions warranty)2) Bad hoses to lines, particular the ones that run right in front of the engine block along the radiator and the onces running to vac check valves.
3) bad oxygen sensors (you have two of them, and you should replace them in a pair).
I’m sorry to say, coolant in these 1.8T is really really important. You simply can’t put the prestone green/yellow stuff in it. If you mix store coolant you typically can get at auto parts store with the G12/G12plus coolant that comes in the VAG/Audis, you’re going to get a lot of cooling problems in the long run because it will end up being corrosive in an finicking aluminum engine block. There’s an older coolant from VAG called G11 which is green, that some old mechanics still use too. It’s the wrong coolant. In fact, if you mix G11 with G12, you get something that ends up like Jello.
So just remember. The color of your coolant should be purple (G12 plus), not green, yellow, orange or for that matter red (G12).[/quote]
December 12, 2010 at 9:41 PM #638738NicMM
ParticipantFlu,
Do you really do all this by yourself? It’s a lot of information there. It takes time to absorb.
How do you connect the diagnose software to the car?
NicMM
[quote=flu][quote=NicMM]Flu,
It’s amazing you can run such a long list. I am sure you maintain your car well.
My Passat has 1.8T engine. Since last year, my Check Engine light showed up several times. I usually sent it to dealer to exam it and sent to Indi shop to repair it. The last time (6 month ago) Check Engine showed up, the Indi shop could not repair it. I sent to dealer and they did not find any problem and the Check Engine light was gone by itself.
And this week, a sign of “STOP, check your coolant” showed. I turned off the engine and it’s gone after I turned on the engine. It occurred three times in two days before I sent it to dealer. The dealer said someone put wrong coolant in it and it was leaking, so the coolant was almost gone. Besides that, he said there was crack in the transmission, and other problems. All the problems seemed to be emerging in 6 months, as when I sent the car to dealer 6 months ago, they never told me those problems.
NicMM
If you plan on keeping this car…. Two suggestions
1) Find yourself a new mechanic.
2) Invest in a relatively inexpensive OBD scan tool… Because the check engine light is useless unless you know specifically what the fault code is… And the good news is once you have a fault code, you can go to either clubb5.com or vwvortex.com or (if you really have to) audiworld.com (I know, but platform sharing) and pretty much figure out what the problem is because most people have most likely run into the same problem. And at least once you know the code, the mechanic can’t necessarily blow bullshit your way.
I have this one from ross-tech.com… In fact, if you want to borrow it, just send me a PM.
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.htmlI also refer you to the audiworld.com forums because the a database of DIY contributions (which coincidently I made contributions to awhile ago too)…There’s even a step by step teardown process on how to do the t-belts, etc (no, I didn’t write that one). Some of the stuff is applicable to passats.
3) Consider getting a bentley repair manual.
If you get a check engine light, it could be for several reasons. Things that caused me to get it was
1) Bad MAF sensor (which should be covered under emissions warranty)2) Bad hoses to lines, particular the ones that run right in front of the engine block along the radiator and the onces running to vac check valves.
3) bad oxygen sensors (you have two of them, and you should replace them in a pair).
I’m sorry to say, coolant in these 1.8T is really really important. You simply can’t put the prestone green/yellow stuff in it. If you mix store coolant you typically can get at auto parts store with the G12/G12plus coolant that comes in the VAG/Audis, you’re going to get a lot of cooling problems in the long run because it will end up being corrosive in an finicking aluminum engine block. There’s an older coolant from VAG called G11 which is green, that some old mechanics still use too. It’s the wrong coolant. In fact, if you mix G11 with G12, you get something that ends up like Jello.
So just remember. The color of your coolant should be purple (G12 plus), not green, yellow, orange or for that matter red (G12).[/quote]
December 12, 2010 at 9:41 PM #639321NicMM
ParticipantFlu,
Do you really do all this by yourself? It’s a lot of information there. It takes time to absorb.
How do you connect the diagnose software to the car?
NicMM
[quote=flu][quote=NicMM]Flu,
It’s amazing you can run such a long list. I am sure you maintain your car well.
My Passat has 1.8T engine. Since last year, my Check Engine light showed up several times. I usually sent it to dealer to exam it and sent to Indi shop to repair it. The last time (6 month ago) Check Engine showed up, the Indi shop could not repair it. I sent to dealer and they did not find any problem and the Check Engine light was gone by itself.
And this week, a sign of “STOP, check your coolant” showed. I turned off the engine and it’s gone after I turned on the engine. It occurred three times in two days before I sent it to dealer. The dealer said someone put wrong coolant in it and it was leaking, so the coolant was almost gone. Besides that, he said there was crack in the transmission, and other problems. All the problems seemed to be emerging in 6 months, as when I sent the car to dealer 6 months ago, they never told me those problems.
NicMM
If you plan on keeping this car…. Two suggestions
1) Find yourself a new mechanic.
2) Invest in a relatively inexpensive OBD scan tool… Because the check engine light is useless unless you know specifically what the fault code is… And the good news is once you have a fault code, you can go to either clubb5.com or vwvortex.com or (if you really have to) audiworld.com (I know, but platform sharing) and pretty much figure out what the problem is because most people have most likely run into the same problem. And at least once you know the code, the mechanic can’t necessarily blow bullshit your way.
I have this one from ross-tech.com… In fact, if you want to borrow it, just send me a PM.
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.htmlI also refer you to the audiworld.com forums because the a database of DIY contributions (which coincidently I made contributions to awhile ago too)…There’s even a step by step teardown process on how to do the t-belts, etc (no, I didn’t write that one). Some of the stuff is applicable to passats.
3) Consider getting a bentley repair manual.
If you get a check engine light, it could be for several reasons. Things that caused me to get it was
1) Bad MAF sensor (which should be covered under emissions warranty)2) Bad hoses to lines, particular the ones that run right in front of the engine block along the radiator and the onces running to vac check valves.
3) bad oxygen sensors (you have two of them, and you should replace them in a pair).
I’m sorry to say, coolant in these 1.8T is really really important. You simply can’t put the prestone green/yellow stuff in it. If you mix store coolant you typically can get at auto parts store with the G12/G12plus coolant that comes in the VAG/Audis, you’re going to get a lot of cooling problems in the long run because it will end up being corrosive in an finicking aluminum engine block. There’s an older coolant from VAG called G11 which is green, that some old mechanics still use too. It’s the wrong coolant. In fact, if you mix G11 with G12, you get something that ends up like Jello.
So just remember. The color of your coolant should be purple (G12 plus), not green, yellow, orange or for that matter red (G12).[/quote]
December 12, 2010 at 9:41 PM #639454NicMM
ParticipantFlu,
Do you really do all this by yourself? It’s a lot of information there. It takes time to absorb.
How do you connect the diagnose software to the car?
NicMM
[quote=flu][quote=NicMM]Flu,
It’s amazing you can run such a long list. I am sure you maintain your car well.
My Passat has 1.8T engine. Since last year, my Check Engine light showed up several times. I usually sent it to dealer to exam it and sent to Indi shop to repair it. The last time (6 month ago) Check Engine showed up, the Indi shop could not repair it. I sent to dealer and they did not find any problem and the Check Engine light was gone by itself.
And this week, a sign of “STOP, check your coolant” showed. I turned off the engine and it’s gone after I turned on the engine. It occurred three times in two days before I sent it to dealer. The dealer said someone put wrong coolant in it and it was leaking, so the coolant was almost gone. Besides that, he said there was crack in the transmission, and other problems. All the problems seemed to be emerging in 6 months, as when I sent the car to dealer 6 months ago, they never told me those problems.
NicMM
If you plan on keeping this car…. Two suggestions
1) Find yourself a new mechanic.
2) Invest in a relatively inexpensive OBD scan tool… Because the check engine light is useless unless you know specifically what the fault code is… And the good news is once you have a fault code, you can go to either clubb5.com or vwvortex.com or (if you really have to) audiworld.com (I know, but platform sharing) and pretty much figure out what the problem is because most people have most likely run into the same problem. And at least once you know the code, the mechanic can’t necessarily blow bullshit your way.
I have this one from ross-tech.com… In fact, if you want to borrow it, just send me a PM.
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.htmlI also refer you to the audiworld.com forums because the a database of DIY contributions (which coincidently I made contributions to awhile ago too)…There’s even a step by step teardown process on how to do the t-belts, etc (no, I didn’t write that one). Some of the stuff is applicable to passats.
3) Consider getting a bentley repair manual.
If you get a check engine light, it could be for several reasons. Things that caused me to get it was
1) Bad MAF sensor (which should be covered under emissions warranty)2) Bad hoses to lines, particular the ones that run right in front of the engine block along the radiator and the onces running to vac check valves.
3) bad oxygen sensors (you have two of them, and you should replace them in a pair).
I’m sorry to say, coolant in these 1.8T is really really important. You simply can’t put the prestone green/yellow stuff in it. If you mix store coolant you typically can get at auto parts store with the G12/G12plus coolant that comes in the VAG/Audis, you’re going to get a lot of cooling problems in the long run because it will end up being corrosive in an finicking aluminum engine block. There’s an older coolant from VAG called G11 which is green, that some old mechanics still use too. It’s the wrong coolant. In fact, if you mix G11 with G12, you get something that ends up like Jello.
So just remember. The color of your coolant should be purple (G12 plus), not green, yellow, orange or for that matter red (G12).[/quote]
December 12, 2010 at 9:41 PM #639771NicMM
ParticipantFlu,
Do you really do all this by yourself? It’s a lot of information there. It takes time to absorb.
How do you connect the diagnose software to the car?
NicMM
[quote=flu][quote=NicMM]Flu,
It’s amazing you can run such a long list. I am sure you maintain your car well.
My Passat has 1.8T engine. Since last year, my Check Engine light showed up several times. I usually sent it to dealer to exam it and sent to Indi shop to repair it. The last time (6 month ago) Check Engine showed up, the Indi shop could not repair it. I sent to dealer and they did not find any problem and the Check Engine light was gone by itself.
And this week, a sign of “STOP, check your coolant” showed. I turned off the engine and it’s gone after I turned on the engine. It occurred three times in two days before I sent it to dealer. The dealer said someone put wrong coolant in it and it was leaking, so the coolant was almost gone. Besides that, he said there was crack in the transmission, and other problems. All the problems seemed to be emerging in 6 months, as when I sent the car to dealer 6 months ago, they never told me those problems.
NicMM
If you plan on keeping this car…. Two suggestions
1) Find yourself a new mechanic.
2) Invest in a relatively inexpensive OBD scan tool… Because the check engine light is useless unless you know specifically what the fault code is… And the good news is once you have a fault code, you can go to either clubb5.com or vwvortex.com or (if you really have to) audiworld.com (I know, but platform sharing) and pretty much figure out what the problem is because most people have most likely run into the same problem. And at least once you know the code, the mechanic can’t necessarily blow bullshit your way.
I have this one from ross-tech.com… In fact, if you want to borrow it, just send me a PM.
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.htmlI also refer you to the audiworld.com forums because the a database of DIY contributions (which coincidently I made contributions to awhile ago too)…There’s even a step by step teardown process on how to do the t-belts, etc (no, I didn’t write that one). Some of the stuff is applicable to passats.
3) Consider getting a bentley repair manual.
If you get a check engine light, it could be for several reasons. Things that caused me to get it was
1) Bad MAF sensor (which should be covered under emissions warranty)2) Bad hoses to lines, particular the ones that run right in front of the engine block along the radiator and the onces running to vac check valves.
3) bad oxygen sensors (you have two of them, and you should replace them in a pair).
I’m sorry to say, coolant in these 1.8T is really really important. You simply can’t put the prestone green/yellow stuff in it. If you mix store coolant you typically can get at auto parts store with the G12/G12plus coolant that comes in the VAG/Audis, you’re going to get a lot of cooling problems in the long run because it will end up being corrosive in an finicking aluminum engine block. There’s an older coolant from VAG called G11 which is green, that some old mechanics still use too. It’s the wrong coolant. In fact, if you mix G11 with G12, you get something that ends up like Jello.
So just remember. The color of your coolant should be purple (G12 plus), not green, yellow, orange or for that matter red (G12).[/quote]
December 13, 2010 at 6:56 AM #638696Coronita
Participant[quote=NicMM]Flu,
Do you really do all this by yourself? It’s a lot of information there. It takes time to absorb.
How do you connect the diagnose software to the car?
NicMM
[/quote]Short of swapping out a transmission, yes pretty much I’ve done just about everything.
The vag-com tool is actually pretty easy to use.
I have an older version that must run on a laptop with a serial port connection. I have not upgraded to the latest vag-com, which could run on any usb interface. I simply haven’t upgraded because I currently don’t own any newer VAG product, which uses a new bus interface.It’s pretty simple to use frankly. There is a connector inside the car (mines under the left driver footwell… You plug the vagcom in, and you run the software…Then there are about 8 screens you go into (engine, transmission, HVAC,etc)… If you have a check engine light, you go to the engine module. Then you press “read fault codes”, and a bunch of numbers come up with some short text… Then I go to audiworld.com and search for the fault code under B5 usergroup, where more than likely a person(s) already has reported the issue and some discussion has occurred. If it’s something relatively moderate to do, I end up just doing it myself. Otherwise I tell the mechanic I have faultcode X, which probably means the that Y needs to be replaced…Please replace Y.
Vagcom also allows you to reset the faultcodes. If don’t want to buy one, you can also see if you can borrow one frome people. There is a registry somewhere…Just do a search on “vagcom locator”.
In your case, for fault codes, you would be trolling around clubb5.com or pasatworld.com
For example:
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284327
I still think audiworld is more comprehensive, because of the tech “how to” sections imho…
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/content_eng.shtml
Here’s an article on oxygen sensor diagnosis and replacement.
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng101.shtml
There’s also directions here on how to service the supposedly “lifetime fill” transmission.
http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/auto_transmission/autotranservicing.html
Directions are for an audi A8, but it applies to just about every other tiptronics transmission. Get the filter/fluid out is not the hard part. Filling it back up and getting the right amount in is the problem. Major PITA…German engineering, of course. Germans also like to use a bunch of nonstandard screws and bolts. I’ve learned about the differences between bolts that are Torx versus Tripple Squares..I don’t know why german car manufacturers insist on making these things so complicated. But in any case, if you need some of the sockets, changes I have have them, because it was cheaper to build my tool collection versus handing my car over to the mechanic… So I do have all the tripple square wrenches and the weird 17mm hex wrench you’ll need to open the transmission fill plug.
For common tools (like to change brakes,etc), you can go to Kragen/Oreilly and they usually have loaner tools you can use for the weekend for free.
For parts, I try to go to two independent parts supplier.
1: SD Europarts (Rancho Bernardo)… Really nice guy..
http://europarts-sd.com/2: pure motorsports
http://www.purems.com/index.php
These guys use to be in temecula, but I think they are now in miramar. They supposedly do servicing too, but I haven’t tried their service…Supposedly it’s good.
Older VAG products aren’t bad to work on…Newer VAG products and the latest BMW products are bad to work on…. Mercedes are the worst. I hate the Mercedes C class… Ubber P.O.S.
Anyway, hope this helps. If you really don’t want to deal with this yourself, you really should just get rid of it and not get anything german.
December 13, 2010 at 6:56 AM #638768Coronita
Participant[quote=NicMM]Flu,
Do you really do all this by yourself? It’s a lot of information there. It takes time to absorb.
How do you connect the diagnose software to the car?
NicMM
[/quote]Short of swapping out a transmission, yes pretty much I’ve done just about everything.
The vag-com tool is actually pretty easy to use.
I have an older version that must run on a laptop with a serial port connection. I have not upgraded to the latest vag-com, which could run on any usb interface. I simply haven’t upgraded because I currently don’t own any newer VAG product, which uses a new bus interface.It’s pretty simple to use frankly. There is a connector inside the car (mines under the left driver footwell… You plug the vagcom in, and you run the software…Then there are about 8 screens you go into (engine, transmission, HVAC,etc)… If you have a check engine light, you go to the engine module. Then you press “read fault codes”, and a bunch of numbers come up with some short text… Then I go to audiworld.com and search for the fault code under B5 usergroup, where more than likely a person(s) already has reported the issue and some discussion has occurred. If it’s something relatively moderate to do, I end up just doing it myself. Otherwise I tell the mechanic I have faultcode X, which probably means the that Y needs to be replaced…Please replace Y.
Vagcom also allows you to reset the faultcodes. If don’t want to buy one, you can also see if you can borrow one frome people. There is a registry somewhere…Just do a search on “vagcom locator”.
In your case, for fault codes, you would be trolling around clubb5.com or pasatworld.com
For example:
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284327
I still think audiworld is more comprehensive, because of the tech “how to” sections imho…
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/content_eng.shtml
Here’s an article on oxygen sensor diagnosis and replacement.
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng101.shtml
There’s also directions here on how to service the supposedly “lifetime fill” transmission.
http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/auto_transmission/autotranservicing.html
Directions are for an audi A8, but it applies to just about every other tiptronics transmission. Get the filter/fluid out is not the hard part. Filling it back up and getting the right amount in is the problem. Major PITA…German engineering, of course. Germans also like to use a bunch of nonstandard screws and bolts. I’ve learned about the differences between bolts that are Torx versus Tripple Squares..I don’t know why german car manufacturers insist on making these things so complicated. But in any case, if you need some of the sockets, changes I have have them, because it was cheaper to build my tool collection versus handing my car over to the mechanic… So I do have all the tripple square wrenches and the weird 17mm hex wrench you’ll need to open the transmission fill plug.
For common tools (like to change brakes,etc), you can go to Kragen/Oreilly and they usually have loaner tools you can use for the weekend for free.
For parts, I try to go to two independent parts supplier.
1: SD Europarts (Rancho Bernardo)… Really nice guy..
http://europarts-sd.com/2: pure motorsports
http://www.purems.com/index.php
These guys use to be in temecula, but I think they are now in miramar. They supposedly do servicing too, but I haven’t tried their service…Supposedly it’s good.
Older VAG products aren’t bad to work on…Newer VAG products and the latest BMW products are bad to work on…. Mercedes are the worst. I hate the Mercedes C class… Ubber P.O.S.
Anyway, hope this helps. If you really don’t want to deal with this yourself, you really should just get rid of it and not get anything german.
December 13, 2010 at 6:56 AM #639351Coronita
Participant[quote=NicMM]Flu,
Do you really do all this by yourself? It’s a lot of information there. It takes time to absorb.
How do you connect the diagnose software to the car?
NicMM
[/quote]Short of swapping out a transmission, yes pretty much I’ve done just about everything.
The vag-com tool is actually pretty easy to use.
I have an older version that must run on a laptop with a serial port connection. I have not upgraded to the latest vag-com, which could run on any usb interface. I simply haven’t upgraded because I currently don’t own any newer VAG product, which uses a new bus interface.It’s pretty simple to use frankly. There is a connector inside the car (mines under the left driver footwell… You plug the vagcom in, and you run the software…Then there are about 8 screens you go into (engine, transmission, HVAC,etc)… If you have a check engine light, you go to the engine module. Then you press “read fault codes”, and a bunch of numbers come up with some short text… Then I go to audiworld.com and search for the fault code under B5 usergroup, where more than likely a person(s) already has reported the issue and some discussion has occurred. If it’s something relatively moderate to do, I end up just doing it myself. Otherwise I tell the mechanic I have faultcode X, which probably means the that Y needs to be replaced…Please replace Y.
Vagcom also allows you to reset the faultcodes. If don’t want to buy one, you can also see if you can borrow one frome people. There is a registry somewhere…Just do a search on “vagcom locator”.
In your case, for fault codes, you would be trolling around clubb5.com or pasatworld.com
For example:
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284327
I still think audiworld is more comprehensive, because of the tech “how to” sections imho…
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/content_eng.shtml
Here’s an article on oxygen sensor diagnosis and replacement.
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng101.shtml
There’s also directions here on how to service the supposedly “lifetime fill” transmission.
http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/auto_transmission/autotranservicing.html
Directions are for an audi A8, but it applies to just about every other tiptronics transmission. Get the filter/fluid out is not the hard part. Filling it back up and getting the right amount in is the problem. Major PITA…German engineering, of course. Germans also like to use a bunch of nonstandard screws and bolts. I’ve learned about the differences between bolts that are Torx versus Tripple Squares..I don’t know why german car manufacturers insist on making these things so complicated. But in any case, if you need some of the sockets, changes I have have them, because it was cheaper to build my tool collection versus handing my car over to the mechanic… So I do have all the tripple square wrenches and the weird 17mm hex wrench you’ll need to open the transmission fill plug.
For common tools (like to change brakes,etc), you can go to Kragen/Oreilly and they usually have loaner tools you can use for the weekend for free.
For parts, I try to go to two independent parts supplier.
1: SD Europarts (Rancho Bernardo)… Really nice guy..
http://europarts-sd.com/2: pure motorsports
http://www.purems.com/index.php
These guys use to be in temecula, but I think they are now in miramar. They supposedly do servicing too, but I haven’t tried their service…Supposedly it’s good.
Older VAG products aren’t bad to work on…Newer VAG products and the latest BMW products are bad to work on…. Mercedes are the worst. I hate the Mercedes C class… Ubber P.O.S.
Anyway, hope this helps. If you really don’t want to deal with this yourself, you really should just get rid of it and not get anything german.
December 13, 2010 at 6:56 AM #639484Coronita
Participant[quote=NicMM]Flu,
Do you really do all this by yourself? It’s a lot of information there. It takes time to absorb.
How do you connect the diagnose software to the car?
NicMM
[/quote]Short of swapping out a transmission, yes pretty much I’ve done just about everything.
The vag-com tool is actually pretty easy to use.
I have an older version that must run on a laptop with a serial port connection. I have not upgraded to the latest vag-com, which could run on any usb interface. I simply haven’t upgraded because I currently don’t own any newer VAG product, which uses a new bus interface.It’s pretty simple to use frankly. There is a connector inside the car (mines under the left driver footwell… You plug the vagcom in, and you run the software…Then there are about 8 screens you go into (engine, transmission, HVAC,etc)… If you have a check engine light, you go to the engine module. Then you press “read fault codes”, and a bunch of numbers come up with some short text… Then I go to audiworld.com and search for the fault code under B5 usergroup, where more than likely a person(s) already has reported the issue and some discussion has occurred. If it’s something relatively moderate to do, I end up just doing it myself. Otherwise I tell the mechanic I have faultcode X, which probably means the that Y needs to be replaced…Please replace Y.
Vagcom also allows you to reset the faultcodes. If don’t want to buy one, you can also see if you can borrow one frome people. There is a registry somewhere…Just do a search on “vagcom locator”.
In your case, for fault codes, you would be trolling around clubb5.com or pasatworld.com
For example:
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284327
I still think audiworld is more comprehensive, because of the tech “how to” sections imho…
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/content_eng.shtml
Here’s an article on oxygen sensor diagnosis and replacement.
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng101.shtml
There’s also directions here on how to service the supposedly “lifetime fill” transmission.
http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/auto_transmission/autotranservicing.html
Directions are for an audi A8, but it applies to just about every other tiptronics transmission. Get the filter/fluid out is not the hard part. Filling it back up and getting the right amount in is the problem. Major PITA…German engineering, of course. Germans also like to use a bunch of nonstandard screws and bolts. I’ve learned about the differences between bolts that are Torx versus Tripple Squares..I don’t know why german car manufacturers insist on making these things so complicated. But in any case, if you need some of the sockets, changes I have have them, because it was cheaper to build my tool collection versus handing my car over to the mechanic… So I do have all the tripple square wrenches and the weird 17mm hex wrench you’ll need to open the transmission fill plug.
For common tools (like to change brakes,etc), you can go to Kragen/Oreilly and they usually have loaner tools you can use for the weekend for free.
For parts, I try to go to two independent parts supplier.
1: SD Europarts (Rancho Bernardo)… Really nice guy..
http://europarts-sd.com/2: pure motorsports
http://www.purems.com/index.php
These guys use to be in temecula, but I think they are now in miramar. They supposedly do servicing too, but I haven’t tried their service…Supposedly it’s good.
Older VAG products aren’t bad to work on…Newer VAG products and the latest BMW products are bad to work on…. Mercedes are the worst. I hate the Mercedes C class… Ubber P.O.S.
Anyway, hope this helps. If you really don’t want to deal with this yourself, you really should just get rid of it and not get anything german.
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