PASSAT SPORT 2.O TDI

new2me

Want to move up to the newer 2005 passat tdi and really like the 2.0 litre sport with the 6 speed box, much nicer to drive and quicker than the 1.9 version but everyone is telling me im mad to buy one as the 2.0 engine with oil pump chain/belt are crap...
are they really that bad???????

_Kaiser_

new2me wrote: »

Want to move up to the newer 2005 passat tdi and really like the 2.0 litre sport with the 6 speed box, much nicer to drive and quicker than the 1.9 version but everyone is telling me im mad to buy one as the 2.0 engine with oil pump chain/belt are crap...
are they really that bad???????

Well they're not as bulletproof as VW's marketing would have you believe no.

But that said, I had a 06 2.0 TDI Comfortline Passat with the "dreaded" DSG gearbox too and did 200,000 km of happy motoring without much beyond wear and tear for that sort of miles. Recently traded it in because I fancied a change rather than any need to.

The injector issue should now have been fixed by the recall that was issued last year so maybe check for that. Also check if the timing belt and the flywheel have been done (these are consumables really on any modern diesel)

Aside from that the electronic handbrake can give issues (I had a rear caliper fail but again I'd think of that as wear and tear given the amount of driving I did), and the steering rack is apparently problematic on some cars (no problems myself but it's a cheap enough fix now vs the original cost I gather)

As usual the key is a full service history that you can verify and regular on-time maintenance

(My old one is up for sale I see actually..)

irish bloke

Hi,

What's the likelihood of getting one of these Passats with an oil pump rebuild and the uprated/correct balancer shafts in them?
Will many Irish cars have had this done before catastrophic failure?

Im looking at one for the wife and am sceptical with the reviews Ive read.

Also when did they change from the chain driven pump to the gear driven pumps in Ireland?

George Dalton

Most 2006 cars would be gear driven as would anything newer than that. 2005 would be chain unless previously converted. But don't forget that even engines with the gear driven balance shafts will still have the problem with the oil pump drive bar wearing out. That is not as expensive to sort out as a failed chain drive but it can still add up to a substantial wad of cash.

irish bloke

Thanks for info.

Would it be fair to say that gear driven pump cars would not have had the issue rectified unless there was a failure. Or did VAG ever recommend/complete this change as part or a recall/goodwill campaign or similar?

Is it something easily accessed when doing a belt etc???

Also would you know the cost of this upgrade, labour/parts.

Would you take a risk on this engine with 100K and no pump upgrade complete?

Apologies for all the questions:)

Thanks

George Dalton

irish bloke wrote: »

Thanks for info.

Would it be fair to say that gear driven pump cars would not have had the issue rectified unless there was a failure. Or did VAG ever recommend/complete this change as part or a recall/goodwill campaign or similar?

VW never acknowledged the issue at all so there was no recommendation from them for preventative maintenance. So in the majority of cases nothing would be done until it failed outright. However some owners did take preventative steps to check and even upgrade the oil pump drive bar. We have done loads of them as preventative maintenance for people from all over the country.

irish bloke wrote: »

Is it something easily accessed when doing a belt etc???

It is very easy to access on the Passat, just remove the sump and unbolt the unit. The Audi A4/A6 is a bit more involved because the subframe has to be lowered before the sump can come off.

irish bloke wrote: »

Also would you know the cost of this upgrade, labour/parts.

The oil pump drive bar repair/upgrade we use is done by Powermax Engineering in NI and costs £300 ex VAT. Add in the cost of new engine oil and filter plus labour, courier charges, etc and you are up on €650 or thereabouts.

irish bloke wrote: »

Would you take a risk on this engine with 100K and no pump upgrade complete?

If I was looking to buy one with no preventative maintenance done on the balance shaft I would budget for checking/upgrading the oil pump drive straight away after purchase. If the oil pump drive fails at anything other than idle rpm the turbo will be scrap in a matter of seconds so the risk just isn't worth it when you consider the size of that repair bill!

irish bloke

George Dalton wrote: »

VW never acknowledged the issue at all so there was no recommendation from them for preventative maintenance. So in the majority of cases nothing would be done until it failed outright. However some owners did take preventative steps to check and even upgrade the oil pump drive bar. We have done loads of them as preventative maintenance for people from all over the country.




It is very easy to access on the Passat, just remove the sump and unbolt the unit. The Audi A4/A6 is a bit more involved because the subframe has to be lowered before the sump can come off.





The oil pump drive bar repair/upgrade we use is done by Powermax Engineering in NI and costs £300 ex VAT. Add in the cost of new engine oil and filter plus labour, courier charges, etc and you are up on €650 or thereabouts.




If I was looking to buy one with no preventative maintenance done on the balance shaft I would budget for checking/upgrading the oil pump drive straight away after purchase. If the oil pump drive fails at anything other than idle rpm the turbo will be scrap in a matter of seconds so the risk just isn't worth it when you consider the size of that repair bill!

Great info.. Thanks for that.

johnnybucks

Does an 2008 Passat still have the same problems?

Stallingrad

OP, I presume you've driven one? I once drove the Passat sport, found the ride horribly firm, ruined what should be comfortable family car. Have one now with the standard set up and it is still firm, but the ride is much better.