[boshak]

I might be able to come up on a 2001 Passat for 'free'. Here's the downfall - it's been sitting for approximately 3 years and not properly stored. The front passenger side of the car has been in a fender bender. After the accident, the CEL's made my girlfriend's family keep it in the garage.

Where to start? Here's what I'm thinking:

1) Battery
2) Check mileage and gas amount (important to know to understand how much gas I really need to dispose of)
2) Hook up my OBDII gauge and read current CEL's to make sure it was nothing serious. Do 2001 Passat's have OBDII sensors? Location? (Obviously I won't be able to diagnose any potential issues until I get it started up again but I can see what problems they originally ran into)
3) Dispose of gas, change out fuel filter, and pump?
4) Drain and refill engine oil and coolant
5) Fill motor and turn motor by hand? Heard this was good for lubrication. Any recommendations here? Just pull the plugs and fill the valve? Where's the location to turn the motor?
6) Can I try to start from here if the motor turned?
7) Tires, tranny fluid, check all hoses, etc.
8) ???

 

[Steve in Chicago]

You shouldn't need to change the fuel pump (unless it's dead).

You'll need battery voltage to read the trouble codes.

The OBDII port is under the dash on the drivers side. About where your left shin would be if you were driving the car.

Use VW spec 502.00 fully synthetic oil. 0W-40 or 5W-40. If you plan on doing an oil flush with Auto-RX, then put in the type of oil recommended on the bottle of Auto-RX. Be careful not to drain the trans thinking you're draining the engine oil. Don't laugh, it's a common mistake. If it's a 1.8t engine, I like to use the NAPA Gold 1333 oil filter. That filter is HUGE and the 1.8t needs all the extra oil capacity it can get.

The car should have pink G12 coolant in it. If someone mixed in some universal coolant, it'll form globs of **** and block up the heater core.
The dealer sells G12 and also some on line vendors. (Pentosin Pentofrost SF (silicate free)) 50/50 mix with water. I like to use distilled water.

Is this a 1.8t turbocharged four cylinder or the 2.8 V6? Automatic or manual trans?

Check the carpet for dampness. The body computer (Comfort Control Module) is located under the front drivers side carpet. The Tiptronic automatic Transmission Control Module is located under the front passenger side carpet.

If it's an automatic transmission, you won't find a trans fluid dip stick because there isn't one.

The fuel filter is under the car just ahead of the rear axle on the passenger side. You'll find it hiding behind a plastic pan attached across the bottom of the car back there.

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/61-b5-information-base/199485-our-parts-sources-eternity.html

 

[boshak]

Wow, thanks Steve. I honestly wasn't expecting a quick reply... not to mention thorough.

I've never heard of AutoRX until you mentioned it. Is this product similar to Lucas/Techron/Seafoam/BG44K? I'm assuming fairly popular around these forums? I think this is my biggest concern... engine not being lubed, seized, and having to replace valves, gaskets, etc.

I'm familiar with flushing coolant. If the coolant is mixed, will a flush with cleaner and distilled water push out the clog?

My girlfriend is 95% certain it's the 1.8T. It's automatic with Tiptronic.

The car is stored inside a garage. Sorry for newb question but why would the carpet be damp?

Any other suggestions before a key start? Any tips on how to lube and hand crank the motor? Remove spark plugs first?

 

[Steve in Chicago]

AutoRx is an oil system flushing product many here have used. SeaFoam is another popular product. Basically detergents and solvents you mix into the oil to help break down gunk so it can be flushed out with an oil change. Do some searches and reading to see what sort of results other Passat owners have seen.

You don't need to use distilled water to flush the coolant system, but I like to use it for filling the system. You may want to wait on the cooling system till you get the engine running.

Inside a garage, you shouldn't have a problem. A common problem with these cars is water ingress (do some searches).

If you want to pre-lube the engine, get new oil in it and new filter installed. Then pull the coilpacks and spark plugs, pull the fuel pump fuse, drop an ounce or two of oil into each cylinder, then crank it over for like 10 seconds at a time. Allow the oil to shoot out of the open spark plug holes (and make some mess). This should get oil to coat the cylinder walls and rings and get some oil flow into the turbo. Then put it all back together and try starting it. It will smoke a bit from the oil burning away.

How many miles are on the car? What trouble codes were left from the accident? How many miles are on the current timing belt? Do some searches and reading on timing belt change interval and the consequences of a failed timing belt.

 

[boshak]

Can't thank you enough, Steve.

I'll be back in a couple weeks once I get some time to see the car and put in a new battery. I'll have answers to mileage, CEL's, and condition of belts.