2004 Stop! Coolant light and possible water pump leak/engine mount problem

[dancermomof1]

Hi. I just bought a 2004 passat from another party. About two weeks after purchasing the car the Stop!!! Coolant light came on so I took it to the dealer who did a coolant flush and told me there was a water pump leak, a loose engine mount and that the car needed a new timing belt. The light came on again (it has been two days since the flush). I don't have the $1,400 that was quoted to me to fix the problem. Can someone please tell me if this car should even be driven until I get it fixed? Thanks in advance!

[Volk14]

If it's been two day since the flush and the light came back on that means that it's leaking a decent amount of coolant. You can alway re-fill the coolant reservoir but eventually it might start leaking more and more.

If it's the water pump you should fix it as soon as possible. It would be cheaper to have it fixed by a honest VW/Audi shop in your area. Just have the timing belt/water pump done now, the motor mount can wait.

A local shop that I'm friends with would charge around $750.00 including parts.

Where are you located?

[dancermomof1]

I'm in Reno...single mom. This car replaced my totalled car and cost me $6,700 (every penny I had). I'm worried about the timing belt breaking and then being totally in a mess. The guy at the VW dealer said the pump alone would be $750 but told me if the timing belt breaks that it would be an $11,000 repair so I'm trying not to panic but stranded at the moment.

[Volk14]

I'm in Reno...single mom. This car replaced my totalled car and cost me $6,700 (every penny I had). I'm worried about the timing belt breaking and then being totally in a mess. The guy at the VW dealer said the pump alone would be $750 but told me if the timing belt breaks that it would be an $11,000 repair so I'm trying not to panic but stranded at the moment.

Advice, run away from that shop or that mechanic. No way a water pump would cost $750.00. Just call the dealership yourself and find out how much it costs.

Hopefully someone on here will chime in and recommend a honest shop in your area or even willing to help.

[Volk14]

BTW is your car a V6, 1.8t or TDI?

[CotySinz]

I'm in Reno...single mom. This car replaced my totalled car and cost me $6,700 (every penny I had). I'm worried about the timing belt breaking and then being totally in a mess. The guy at the VW dealer said the pump alone would be $750 but told me if the timing belt breaks that it would be an $11,000 repair so I'm trying not to panic but stranded at the moment.

These motors are interference motors, meaning should the timing belt snap, the pistons will collide with the valves causing them to break/bend and all sorts of other bad things, it could be bad enough to where the entire cylinder head is scrap. $11,000 seems a bit high for the repair but then again it is a stealership. $6,700 seems like you may have over paid given the current condition of your Passat but in a bind sometimes you can make a rash decision - that's how I ended up with my Passat. I have a 99 I paid $3,000 for and have effectively put around $3,000 into it to get it running good, doing all the work myself.

Also, running out of coolant can be very bad as well - it can cause you to blow your head gasket or warp your head should you overheat. I just had to replace my cylinder head on my Passat because the old one was warped 0.012 and could not be repaired by the machine shop. No coolant could also get the engine hot enough to seize causing you to replace the entire engine - so I would not advise driving it. When it is parked and running can you see the coolant pouring onto the ground?

What motor do you have, 4cyl or 6cyl and engine code, should be a sticker on the valve cover or spare tire well.

I would attempt to find a mechanically inclined PassatWorld member in your area to help you - see here.

Or attempt to find an independent VW/Audi shop in your area, not a dealership.

Here is a shop I located on Google, it had mostly good reviews but a few bad. Might want to go get a quote.

J's VW
545 Depaoli Street Reno, NV 89512‎
(775) 323-4943 vwvansreno.com

Found these guys on a trusted mechanic post on a TDI forum, not sure if they do Petrol but worth a call.

Automotion Compact Car Care
225 Telegraph St
Reno, NV 89502
775-284-944

[dancermomof1]

It is a V6 GLX and that was the VW dealership that quoted me that price.

[dancermomof1]

Okay, thank you. No I can't see any coolant running onto the ground at all. Would it be safe to put a bit of distilled water in there to get to the dealer to buy more coolant? The previous owners didn't use G12 from the e-mails I have received.

[CotySinz]

Okay, thank you. No I can't see any coolant running onto the ground at all. Would it be safe to put a bit of distilled water in there to get to the dealer to buy more coolant? The previous owners didn't use G12 from the e-mails I have received.

Yeah, distilled water will be fine to get it there but G12 will get real expensive real quick at $20/gal. I would give the two service centers I posted a call tomorrow, see my previous post.

[dancermomof1]

Yeah, distilled water will be fine to get it there but G12 will get real expensive real quick at $20/gal. I would give the two service centers I posted a call tomorrow, see my previous post.

Thank you! I will definitely check them out tomorrow.

[CotySinz]

Have you checked your oil? I would pull the dipstick and check it, if it looks like chocolate milk you have found your coolant leak, or it is burning off and evaporating.

[dancermomof1]

Have you checked your oil? I would pull the dipstick and check it, if it looks like chocolate milk you have found your coolant leak, or it is burning off and evaporating.

No I haven't checked my oil but the oil light did come on when I started car. what does this mean.

[99vwpassataeb]

No I haven't checked my oil but the oil light did come on when I started car. what does this mean.

if the light comes on ONLY when you turn the ignition on then you are ok..but dont hold off on the timing belt..it can end up real bad..

[dancermomof1]

The previous owner said that he had replaced the timing belt but from what it sounds like the timing belt is related to the water pump and everything else. Is that right? I feel so stupid. Not to mention I don't have the money for these repairs so the car is going to have to sit until I can save...and I don't have a job so that could be a while. I've been duped. Thanks for everyone's help. I appreciate you taking the time to give your advice.

[CotySinz]

No I haven't checked my oil but the oil light did come on when I started car. what does this mean.

Like I said, you should check it and see if it looks like chocolate milk, such as the photo below:


If your oil looks like that you have an internal coolant leak that is getting into the oil pan.

[dancermomof1]

Okay. So what does that mean if that is the case with the oil? I need to go get some of those testing strips tomorrow.

[CotySinz]

Okay. So what does that mean if that is the case with the oil? I need to go get some of those testing strips tomorrow.

That is the dipstick, not a test strip. If your oil looks like that it means you have an internal coolant leak - either the oil cooler (not sure if v6 has one) or the head/head gasket failed.

[dancermomof1]

Oh my goodness...that is bad...really bad.

[jetdavdub]

Okay. So what does that mean if that is the case with the oil? I need to go get some of those testing strips tomorrow.

you made my day! hope your car problems are fixed soon!

[JayTheSnork]

That is the dipstick, not a test strip. If your oil looks like that it means you have an internal coolant leak - either the oil cooler (not sure if v6 has one) or the head/head gasket failed.

Oh my goodness...that is bad...really bad.

the V6 does have an oil cooler. if the water pump is leaking, enough interference has to be removed that you might as well do the timing belt at the same time (regardless if the timing belt/tensioner/roller/waterpump was previously replaced). btw, the person who said they did the timing belt SHOULD have replaced the water pump, timing belt, tensioner, and roller as part of the job, as those are recommended replacement parts during any timing belt job - that is why the dealer told you to replace the timing belt, make sense? the prices they quoted you are not that far out of line with what most dealers will charge for a timing belt job.

if the car is new to you and you bough it from a private party, did they give you any sort of warranty with it? if you bought it from a used car dealer, they SHOULD have given you at least a 30 day warranty, and I hope you are still in that window...

[dancermomof1]

Thanks for everyone's help.

[tBoog]

Or attempt to find an independent VW/Audi shop in your area, not a dealership.

Here is a shop I located on Google, it had mostly good reviews but a few bad. Might want to go get a quote.

J's VW
545 Depaoli Street Reno, NV 89512‎
(775) 323-4943 vwvansreno.com

Found these guys on a trusted mechanic post on a TDI forum, not sure if they do Petrol but worth a call.

Automotion Compact Car Care
225 Telegraph St
Reno, NV 89502
775-284-944

I've always had good experiences with J's VW, they have offered reasonable prices and honest service. They also offer a student discount of 10%. Automotion, on the other hand, is crap. Don't go there. They once charged me $25 to remove a piece of sandpaper that was stuck below my car and making noise. Most places would do that as a courtesy. They always tried to force me to have work done that's wasn't necessary, and charge way more than J's does too.

[dancermomof1]

Hi there. I'm back! So, I took my car to have the timing belt replaced and everything...borrowed the money from a generous friend. At the time of the service I was told that the temprature gauge would need to be fixed eventually. Yesterday I took the car in to get an oil change at the dealer because it was a very good price and was told that the CAM seals were leaking that the engine was leaking oil, and that the under carriage needed attention. Any ideas? They also suggested that the timing belts needed attention. I am so confused. Any advice on what to do? Thanks in advance!