Fortunately I have NO experience with Passats except for a friend's '93 that "mooed" when the a/c was on and if suffered typical electrical maladies for VWs of that era (read: everything that could go wrong usually did...)
Regarding the overheating - sounds like the rad, even though it's new, is clogged or the pump isn't working well at idle. Check the thermostat as well - it's the easiest thing to check and they do fail with some regularity. If it's partially open, it'll work fine on the freeway but get hot at idle. I don't think my temp sensor is faulty - when it's pegged, it's quick to overheat in the paddock so I think it's accurate. I really need to add a "real" gauge but that takes time, effort and money...three things I lack these days... ----- Original Message ---- > From: Mark Stanton <[email protected]> > To: a2 16vGroup <[email protected]> > Sent: Wed, September 1, 2010 9:29:24 PM > Subject: [a2-16v-list] Did VW have "dark years" > > I have a couple friends who have had Passats (go easy on them, they're family > men) and have had the most horrendous experiences. Both bought new. > > CAR EXHIBIT A, 1999 Passat Wagon: > tons of oil consumption > tie rods went at 50K > ABS controller funkiness > timing belt broke (there was a recall on this part, btw) > He built a Caterham 7 with his own bare hands so he's not an idiot. > > CAR EXHIBIT B, 2002(or03) Passat sedan: > on it's 3rd oil pump > some sort of overheating oil/oil tarring issue which is apparently >common. > this friend is a trained aero mechanic > > This makes me a tad nervous about the 2002 337 I've been eying. > Also, are APR chips hard on engines? Anyone have experiences? > > BTW, Matthew, My Motronic 2.0l 16v seems to run a bit hot even though the > radiator/thermostat are only a few years old and the fans seem to come on. > As > > soon as I get off the freeway and come to idle, my temps shoot up fast.... > my > guesses: > - tiny clumps of oil are clogging the radiator > - crappy water pump impeller (they're stamped steel instead of the >original > > cast blades) > - 400K+mi is too much and it should die already > > Do you think your temp sensor could be faulty? > > > Mark > > > > > _______________________________________________ > a2-16v-list mailing list > [email protected] > http://mail.a2-16v.com/mailman/listinfo/a2-16v-list > For list archives, see listinfo link above. >
