Passat engine trouble-bring to any garage or VW only?

FrankGrimes

The EPC light and exhaust warning lights have both come on on my VW Passat 2003 1.8T petrol (tiptronic transmission) car and it struggled a bit at ignition and cut out twice in 30 minutes aswell as stuttering twice along the way. 72,000 miles on the clock.

So clearly I need to get it looked at ASAP. I'm in Dublin 12. The manual recommends bringing it to a VW dealer for this fault but as tomorrow is Saturday, I'd say my options are limited. VW Dealer in D24 seems closed for After Sales tomorrow, the one in D4 is open tomorrow but wonder if the service department is open, any ideas?

Is it necessary to bring it to a VW dealer or are there any other garages around this neck of the woods that would be able to deal with it and would be open tomorrow?

I've had lots of trouble with the car in the 2 years I've had it so here's hoping this one isn't catastrophic...I'd sell it if I didn't think I'd get feck all for it in this market and the fact that I'm now married to tiptronic transmission after experiencing in this car does limit my options for upgrades.

Neilw

Did it sound like it was running badly, maybe on 3 cylinders? No power and engine shaking?

Could be a coil pack that has died, if it is it's a simple fix. I would recommend changing all 4 coil packs at once. When one dies the others tend to follow shortly after. Go for genuine ones too from a VW main dealer.

Anyone with vag-com (VCDS) can scan the car to see what the faults are.

meathstevie

+1 for Neil. Any independent with good diagnostics equipment or a VW ( or Skoda or Seat or Audi ) dealer should be able to find out the exact problem and fix it for you. On a saturday a good indy will be your best bet.

cashmni1

Neilw wrote: »

Did it sound like it was running badly, maybe on 3 cylinders? No power and engine shaking?

Could be a coil pack that has died, if it is it's a simple fix. I would recommend changing all 4 coil packs at once. When one dies the others tend to follow shortly after. Go for genuine ones too from a VW main dealer.

Anyone with vag-com (VCDS) can scan the car to see what the faults are.

+ 1
Don't worry too much, you do not have to go to a main dealer. An independent mechanic will diagnose the problem for you. If there were warranty issues, then you would have to go to a main dealer, but you are out of warranty so an indi is the way to go.
And the car is running badly so it is more than likely a fuel/air mix that is the problem. Hopefully not an engine failure, so get it checked by someone who knows.
As above, coil pack is a common problem.

Frank_Gooding

The lads in MKW are open on saturday morning.

MKW Motors
Unit A6 & A7 Kingswood Bus pk Baldonnel rd Baldonnel 22 Co. Dublin
(01)4595266
Bosch Approved Garage. Call Today

Mark and Keith will be able to sort you out.

Looked after my 2001 passat tdi for me for years

On the way out from newlands cross towards naas take the kingswood exit.

Figerty

Could be the Lamda sensor on the exhaust. But the best advice is to get it plugged in to the diagnostic equipment. They will be able to diagnose and turn of the warning lights after they have solved the problem.

Expect weight loss in your wallet......

FrankGrimes

Fair play for all the insight lads, much appreciated.

I'll give MKV a shout in the morning so, or should I just show up?

What should I be looking at in terms of cash for 4 coil packs (which were all changed 2 years ago I think, well 2 of em at least)?

Likewise, any ballpark on what a Lamda sensor problem might run to? Not trying to get accurate figures, just I don't have a clue what the ballpark should be so want to know if the price is in the right range (though I've a mate who is a mechanic I'll give a call to to run it by him).

DirtyDiesels

frank,

could also be the cat converter, ive had this problem before.

Neilw

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Fair play for all the insight lads, much appreciated.

I'll give MKV a shout in the morning so, or should I just show up?

What should I be looking at in terms of cash for 4 coil packs (which were all changed 2 years ago I think, well 2 of em at least)?

Likewise, any ballpark on what a Lamda sensor problem might run to? Not trying to get accurate figures, just I don't have a clue what the ballpark should be so want to know if the price is in the right range (though I've a mate who is a mechanic I'll give a call to to run it by him).

4 genuine coil packs cost me about 180 euros a couple of years ago, I think there about 60 each now.

If it is a coil pack gone I would advise keeping a spare good one in the boot. I was left stranded when one went before

dodzy

FrankGrimes wrote: »

Fair play for all the insight lads, much appreciated.

I'll give MKV a shout in the morning so, or should I just show up?

What should I be looking at in terms of cash for 4 coil packs (which were all changed 2 years ago I think, well 2 of em at least)?

Likewise, any ballpark on what a Lamda sensor problem might run to? Not trying to get accurate figures, just I don't have a clue what the ballpark should be so want to know if the price is in the right range (though I've a mate who is a mechanic I'll give a call to to run it by him).

Coilpacks - €40 each + VAT
O2 (Lambda ) Sensor - €160 + VAT

Above are A4 prices so close enough.

Fitting both is a walk in the park. That said, having replaced your coilpacks already, they may not be the problem. And likewise, the O2 sensor may not be faulty. A diagnostic will cost 1hrs labour in a main dealer ( approx €85 + VAT ). You may get cheaper with an independant.

Dont go buying stuff until you have the diagnosis / fault codes and best of luck.

FrankGrimes

Thanks again lads, will hopefully get a diagnosis in the morning and then look into my options if it's going to be a hefty outlay, want to make sure it's done right but without paying out more than I should.

Just noticed what looks like a key mark all the way down the passenger side of my car aswell. Think it happened while I was voting earlier on. Not a good car day, not a good car day at all...

FrankGrimes

In the end I decided to wait until a mate of mine who is a mechanic was back from holidays so I just drove the girlfriend's car in the meantime.

He put the diagnostic gadget onto it and it said something along the lines of a problem with the engine speed sensor. He reckons it's the crankshaft sensor that probably needs replacing or the wiring to it may be damaged.

I was driving a fair bit in rough terrain and crazy potholed country lanes recently and the car did bounce around a fair bit so he said there's a chance that damaged the sensor or wiring.

He'll do right by me on it but I just thought I'd post an update in case anyone has experience of a similar problem and if there was any curveballs on this for him to consider.