B6 Passat Electronic Brake issue - details

olewy

Hi folks,

I've placed a deposit & booked an AA comprehensive inspection for a 09 Passat CR 170 TDI Highline in the UK. I want to make sure that the AA vehicle inspector that carries out the inspection knows how & where to check fully for the all too common electronic brake issues that plague this model (and any other common issues while he's at it). Inspection is on Wednesday next. Garage lift being made available for the mechanic. I won't be there at the time.

Ideally I'd like to email the mechanic some documentation, images or links describing what to look for, where to check, tell-tale signs, symptoms etc of the electronic brake issue(s) and any others to look out for. Does anyone have anything like this to hand that that they may have on file that I could email the mechanic? It would save me trawling through multiple threads & posts on this site and others. Any help appreciated.

clogher71

I am no expert by any means, but my understanding is the hand brake problem is usually the switch on the dash or the motors on the calipers, these are electrical and would not give much or if any warning of their impending failure. There would not be any checking of the switch on the dash, it could work fine at the garage, you drive to the ferry, stop for something to eat, come out go to pull off and the switch would not disengage the calipers. Switches are about €35. To me it like a light bulb, one minute it works, the next it doesn't. Clutches, injectors etc would be a lot more expensive fix than any brake issue. If it was me I would be taking down the sump when I got home to see if there is any carbon build up blocking up the oil pick up. An AA inspection would not carry out this check.

olewy

clogher71 wrote: »

I am no expert by any means, but my understanding is the hand brake problem is usually the switch on the dash or the motors on the calipers, these are electrical and would not give much or if any warning of their impending failure. There would not be any checking of the switch on the dash, it could work fine at the garage, you drive to the ferry, stop for something to eat, come out go to pull off and the switch would not disengage the calipers. Switches are about €35. To me it like a light bulb, one minute it works, the next it doesn't. Clutches, injectors etc would be a lot more expensive fix than any brake issue. If it was me I would be taking down the sump when I got home to see if there is any carbon build up blocking up the oil pick up. An AA inspection would not carry out this check.

Thanks clogher71. Do you know if the calipers themselves are visible to inspection on a lift or does it require some part removals first?

Re removal of the sump and checking for carbon build up; you're right the AA inspection won't cover that or anything that requires removal of any parts. I'd prefer to get as much as possible checked/ruled out before paying ofr the car obviously. The seller has agreed to service the car before collection. I could ask them to remove the sump during this service but as I wouldn't physically be there at the time of the service I wouldn't be able to guarantee if this was done or not or checked thorouhly enough. I guess I could ask the seller to remove the sump on the day that I go over to collect the car (money wouldn't have changed hands by then).

Do you know on average how long it should take to remove the sump & check for the carbon build up? If there is carbon build up is it a simple thing of just manually removing it somehow or is it a sign that something else needs to be checked or done also? Anything else to check while the sump is off?

As you've probably guessed I have very limited car DIY experience. I won't be able to bring an independant mechanic with me on the day of collection. What's the best way for me to check the condition of the injectors or anything else that's accessible within reason (even underneath on a lift) on the day? I'll look up some mechanic guides online but any info/help is appreciated. Thanks again.

Harcrid

Removing a sump is not a small job and no seller is going to agree to do that for you. I don't see why this would be needed in any case. I am not aware of any oil sludge issues on these engines. I am assuming you mean sludge and not carbon as I don't see how carbon can build up in an oil system. Just be sure it has a verified documented service history.

The AA check is very comprehensive and they go over the car with a lot of detail so any obvious issues should be picked up. Outside of the parking brake light flashing or the AA noticing it not engaging / disengaging during test drive there is not a lot more they can do to check it.

olewy

Harcrid wrote: »

Removing a sump is not a small job and no seller is going to agree to do that for you. I don't see why this would be needed in any case. I am not aware of any oil sludge issues on these engines. I am assuming you mean sludge and not carbon as I don't see how carbon can build up in an oil system. Just be sure it has a verified documented service history.

The AA check is very comprehensive and they go over the car with a lot of detail so any obvious issues should be picked up. Outside of the parking brake light flashing or the AA noticing it not engaging / disengaging during test drive there is not a lot more they can do to check it.

Thanks Hacrid. Good to know re the sump removal not being such a small job. Do you also think it would be unreasonable to ask a seller to remove it during its actual service (which will be done by the seller after the AA inspection is done, assuming the inspection goes smoothly)? If not, is it a time/labour intensive job to get an Irish indy to do it? My local indy is generally very reasonable cost-wise for everything else so I could always get it done here. Would you rate it as a priority for checking the sludge or carbon build up for this car?

Do you know if removal of the injectors is straight forward & if it's obvious to judge their condition based on visual inspection? e.g. by myself on the day of collection.

clogher71

I am more a DIY mechanic, if injector seals are leaking diesel into the oil then this mixture will block the oil pick up eventually. I understand where you are coming from, i do agree with above poster no one is going to remove a sump for you, but for my peace of mind I would remove the sump if the car had above 80k miles, and yes passats do have turbo issues, I am no expert on vw's, I don't own one, never have and most likely never will. OP , are you saving money on the car?, with exchange rate etc, I feel you might be happier buying from a dealer here where you should get 6 months warranty, just a thought, I have bought a couple of cars in the uk for personal use, been lucky so
far. There is no test aa man can do for injectors. My thing is if I can get the name of the last place that serviced the car, ring them, and hopefully get a service receptionist that will play ball, ask them what was done last service and was there any notes on the job card, i.e front pads and discs due before next service, just gives an idea if there is any expense coming in the near future, also what warranty work was carried out.

olewy

clogher71 wrote: »

I am more a DIY mechanic, if injector seals are leaking diesel into the oil then this mixture will block the oil pick up eventually. I understand where you are coming from, i do agree with above poster no one is going to remove a sump for you, but for my peace of mind I would remove the sump if the car had above 80k miles, and yes passats do have turbo issues, I am no expert on vw's, I don't own one, never have and most likely never will. OP , are you saving money on the car?, with exchange rate etc, I feel you might be happier buying from a dealer here where you should get 6 months warranty, just a thought, I have bought a couple of cars in the uk for personal use, been lucky so
far. There is no test aa man can do for injectors. My thing is if I can get the name of the last place that serviced the car, ring them, and hopefully get a service receptionist that will play ball, ask them what was done last service and was there any notes on the job card, i.e front pads and discs due before next service, just gives an idea if there is any expense coming in the near future, also what warranty work was carried out.

Thanks. Less than 60K miles, saving money (at least on paper so far, tbc after the inspection), 12 month warranty (valid in NI, possibly ROI, tbc, not a deal breaker for me), partial documented service history (3 documented service stamps, 2 missing, not too concerned, yet), nothing in the documented service history to indicate the discs & pads have ever been replaced (hoping the comprehensive AA inspection will help determine if they should ideally be replaced or not), no work carried out under warranty (checked with VW Customer Services).

olewy

Shameless bump.
AA inspection tomorrow.
I'm looking for/need the following;

1. A list of common faults for this model & model year (1st registration Dec 2009)....so that I can email it to the AA inspector to check. Anything that doesn't require parts removal. So, things to inspect visual or by feel mainly (including from underneath on ramp).

2. Reliable free VIN checker...so I can confirm the year & month of manufacture. All online guides so far have been useless.

3. VW's recommended service intervals listing what parts should be replaced at what mileage.

4. List of recalls for this model year. Not easily found online bar these few;
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/common-vw-passat-05-problems/1201830
and
http://www.recalluk.com/recalls/cars/vw-passat-fuel-leak-recall-2012.aspx

So many pre-08/CR issues found online on various sites it's hard to sift through them all to pick out what's relevant. So far I have;
1. EPB (electronic parking brake, but that would be intermittent).
2. Loose/wobbly door mirrors.
3. Potential fuel leak caused by sub-standard material on high-pressure fuel lead pipe. See http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/common-vw-passat-05-problems/1201830

I've read so many horror stories of the B6 Passat pre & post 08/CR that I'm beginning to regret going for this car, before I've even bought it! Not a good start. But I need a car, it's a reasonable price, nothing else of that spec in the price range & I'll replace it as soon as I can afford to.

clogher71

olewy wrote: »

Shameless bump.
AA inspection tomorrow.
I'm looking for/need the following;

1. A list of common faults for this model & model year (1st registration Dec 2009)....so that I can email it to the AA inspector to check. Anything that doesn't require parts removal. So, things to inspect visual or by feel mainly (including from underneath on ramp).

2. Reliable free VIN checker...so I can confirm the year & month of manufacture. All online guides so far have been useless.

3. VW's recommended service intervals listing what parts should be replaced at what mileage.

4. List of recalls for this model year. Not easily found online bar these few;
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/common-vw-passat-05-problems/1201830
and
http://www.recalluk.com/recalls/cars/vw-passat-fuel-leak-recall-2012.aspx

So many pre-08/CR issues found online on various sites it's hard to sift through them all to pick out what's relevant. So far I have;
1. EPB (electronic parking brake, but that would be intermittent).
2. Loose/wobbly door mirrors.
3. Potential fuel leak caused by sub-standard material on high-pressure fuel lead pipe. See http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/common-vw-passat-05-problems/1201830

I've read so many horror stories of the B6 Passat pre & post 08/CR that I'm beginning to regret going for this car, before I've even bought it! Not a good start. But I need a car, it's a reasonable price, nothing else of that spec in the price range & I'll replace it as soon as I can afford to.

I think you are over reacting a little, all cars has faults, I have bought cars with known engine faults, and another that had known gearbox faults. I used to get that fixed for €180, every form said stay away from that model because of gearbox problems, I think you are driving yourself mad 'googling'. The aa will not be able to check a lot of what you want.

Give me the reg I will get you a date of manafacturer!

olewy

clogher71 wrote: »

I think you are over reacting a little, all cars has faults, I have bought cars with known engine faults, and another that had known gearbox faults. I used to get that fixed for €180, every form said stay away from that model because of gearbox problems, I think you are driving yourself mad 'googling'. The aa will not be able to check a lot of what you want.

Give me the reg I will get you a date of manafacturer!

You're right, I am over-reacting. I needed that slap in the face (Airplane scene).

Re year of manufacture; the reg will give the year of registration rather than manufacture. Given the 1st registration date (Dec 09) it's obviously manufactured in 09, just curious about the month, but not essential.

clogher71

olewy wrote: »

You're right, I am over-reacting. I needed that slap in the face (Airplane scene).

Re year of manufacture; the reg will give the year of registration rather than manufacture. Given the 1st registration date (Dec 09) it's obviously manufactured in 09, just curious about the month, but not essential.

Wow you are a bigger anorak than me then! Haha.
I will get you it's birthday exactly( no hassle) if you want and maybe warranty done, if you want, but it will be tomorrow.

As for servicing start fresh, change all filters when you get the car, then you know where you are at.