My Passat experience (not so good)

[Alex87]

Hi everyone,

I havent posted up here too much, but i thought i'd share my experiences with my passat.

Start of last year i purchased a 2006 3.2V6 wagon with all the fruit and 74000km. This is the primary transport for my partner and our toddler.

Middle of last year it killed the front right wheel bearing. It also became difficult to start on occassion (i replaced the cam position sensors and this fixed it somewhat)

My recent experiences have been more concerning though.

Driving longish distances(15km+) the EPC light and CEL lights would illuminate and it would go into limp mode. Fine, i took it to my german service specialists.

They said the timing chain had 'stretched' or a tensioner/guide was faulty (you could hear the timing chain hitting the timing covers on a cold startup) The problem with this is, the 3.2l V6 has a non-replaceable timing chain meaning it should outlast the motor. The motor/gearbox must be removed for this to be replaced. Lots of hours of labour = expensive.

Upon removal of the motor the mechanic notced the timing chain was fine HOWEVER one of the cogs had the head of the bolt shear off. This was very dangerous, if the cog had displaced and caused the chain to come off the motor would be written off.

The car is in the shop right now waiting for a new bolt to be delivered.

Thoughts on this? has anyone heard of this happening and how i can approach VW for a 'please explain'?

I can post pics of the problem when the mechanic sends them to me.

thanks

Alex

[Marakai]

If this sort of thing were endemic I'd obviously be concerned. However in this case, I do wonder about the past history of the car. How was it treated? How serviced? If this car was always ridden hard and put away wet, as they say, then you may find yourself on the receiving end of the previous owner's abuse.

As the "salesman's car" in Germany the cars are driven tens of thousands of kilometers per year at very high speeds - I know because my step dad has had them for almost 15 years now - but properly serviced they are amongst the most reliable and endurable cars, which is WHY they are the traveling salesman's standard. I think the only time my step dad ever broke down was because he got rear-ended.

Hi everyone,

I havent posted up here too much, but i thought i'd share my experiences with my passat.

Start of last year i purchased a 2006 3.2V6 wagon with all the fruit and 74000km. This is the primary transport for my partner and our toddler.

Middle of last year it killed the front right wheel bearing. It also became difficult to start on occassion (i replaced the cam position sensors and this fixed it somewhat)

My recent experiences have been more concerning though.

Driving longish distances(15km+) the EPC light and CEL lights would illuminate and it would go into limp mode. Fine, i took it to my german service specialists.

They said the timing chain had 'stretched' or a tensioner/guide was faulty (you could hear the timing chain hitting the timing covers on a cold startup) The problem with this is, the 3.2l V6 has a non-replaceable timing chain meaning it should outlast the motor. The motor/gearbox must be removed for this to be replaced. Lots of hours of labour = expensive.

Upon removal of the motor the mechanic notced the timing chain was fine HOWEVER one of the cogs had the head of the bolt shear off. This was very dangerous, if the cog had displaced and caused the chain to come off the motor would be written off.

The car is in the shop right now waiting for a new bolt to be delivered.

Thoughts on this? has anyone heard of this happening and how i can approach VW for a 'please explain'?

I can post pics of the problem when the mechanic sends them to me.

thanks

Alex

[Bug_racer]

Nothing new :
Googled this for a good view on what happens : 3.6 Oil Bolt Failure: Reference Material

[Alex87]

If this sort of thing were endemic I'd obviously be concerned. However in this case, I do wonder about the past history of the car. How was it treated? How serviced? If this car was always ridden hard and put away wet, as they say, then you may find yourself on the receiving end of the previous owner's abuse.

As the "salesman's car" in Germany the cars are driven tens of thousands of kilometers per year at very high speeds - I know because my step dad has had them for almost 15 years now - but properly serviced they are amongst the most reliable and endurable cars, which is WHY they are the traveling salesman's standard. I think the only time my step dad ever broke down was because he got rear-ended.

the car has full dealer service history. I am the second owner, it was used as a commuter for their kids(baby seat and marginal interior damage supports this haha)

I doubt it has been driven hard

Bug_Racer, thanks for that link. It is identical to what has happened to my car.

Cheers

[Marakai]

Nothing new :
Googled this for a good view on what happens : 3.6 Oil Bolt Failure: Reference Material

Ouch! So, since the article you linked was posted, did VW ever start a recall? In the US or anywhere?

[Alex87]

Ouch! So, since the article you linked was posted, did VW ever start a recall? In the US or anywhere?

I havent heard any recalls for it. The service place i use say theyve seen it before afew times.

They have also said people before me have contacted VW and they have done a thing called 'warranty consideration' or something like that where VW has paid a portion of the labour. The previous owners bought extended warranty, this only expired afew months ago!

I see this as a design fault, not a normal wear and tear fault. Hopefully VW can come to the party for this.

alex

[Marakai]

I havent heard any recalls for it. The service place i use say theyve seen it before afew times.

They have also said people before me have contacted VW and they have done a thing called 'warranty consideration' or something like that where VW has paid a portion of the labour. The previous owners bought extended warranty, this only expired afew months ago!

I see this as a design fault, not a normal wear and tear fault. Hopefully VW can come to the party for this.

alex

I followed the various threads and as of early 2013 it seems they can't even get the US highway safety agency to take action, but VW is now quietly swapping out engines or parts. Obviously worried about class action in the US...

Fortunately it's "only" a 3.6 issue.

Good luck! Did you get extended warranty when you bought the car?

[Alex87]

Fortunately it's "only" a 3.6 issue.

Good luck! Did you get extended warranty when you bought the car?

it obviously isnt just has 3.6 issue. Its been seen afew times in the 3.2. To what extent who knows! VW would probably try and keep this problem under wraps.

Does anyone know if the R32 golf runs the same motor? They have exactly the same specs as my passat. Same with Audi A6 3.2 V6.

The prevous owners had purchased the allianz extended warranty which expired in Oct 2012. I purchased the car in April 2012 i think.

I'll keep this thread updated with how i go trying to get VW to take some responsibilty for this!

thanks

Alex

[Riker]

Very concerning story there Alex, not only for the possible danger it puts on your family but also the fact that most of us here haven't heard of this. One would expect for such an issue there would be a Australia wide notice on this with an option for any customer to have this looked at by VW & costs shared between VW & the customer. I know, wishful thinking.......

Can we assume it is no longer a probelm in the current B7 incarnation of the 3.6L engine..? I at least haven't ever heard of this issue ever being realised in the previous B6 R36 or current B7 engine....