[Jdm79]

My son was driving his 2004 Passat 1.8T (195,000 miles). He was stopped at a light. Light turned green and when he was accelerating, he said the car lacked power, then died. He tried to start it but it wouldn't start. Turn the key and it makes a weird whirring noise. The serpentine belt rotates but the timing belt does not rotate when turning the key. Someone stopped by when I was on the side of the road with my son looking at the car. He said he thinks the gear in the starter shattered and so it can't engage the gear when trying to start the car. We had it towed to a Euro Mechanic who opened the hood and said he thinks some teeth broke off the belt and that's why the belt isn't turning. Says we need a reconditioned head. The belt has tension and is in one piece. Here's a link to a video I recorded when we tried to start the car. What do you guys think???

https://youtu.be/l1PWfT3-pjM

 

[kutcht1]

Sorry to hear this. I am afraid the mechanic is right. look at this thread:
VWVortex.com - Jetta died while driving, wont restart
TomK

 

[Roostre]

Yep, that's timing belt. The accessories still spinning with the starter means the crank is still spinning. Looks like you do have some head work coming.

 

[ylwagon]

The belt's teeth are evidently torn off at the crank sprocket. A failed timing belt was one of two major failures our Passat has had since 1998; the other was a broken torque converter. Definitely will need the head to come off to fix it, but at 195K miles, you'll probably debate that cost vs. just buying another car.

 

[jjpark]

I read those replies on the link provided. Makes me want to stay here even more LOL. Not that I was thinking of leaving here but wow!! Glad I am here.

Sounds to me like the timing went kaput and you got some serious work and $ to think about. Sorry that happened

Keep us posted

 

[V6B5APR]

You could go for a second hand head with new gasket kit and timing belt kit. But first remove the head and check for other damage.

 

[kutcht1]

I think I would check out car-part.com and find a good head and take it on as a small project. I see some for as low as $150. Gasket and timing kits for about $200 and a few weekends and you are good to go. If other things on the car are OK it is tough to find a reliable vehicle for a small amount of money. Let us know.
TomK

 

[nuclearseal]

If you have a junk yard/picknpull where you live you can find a used head for about $200, $250 for belts/tensioner/head bolts and it can be done by someone with a little mechanic ability that isn't a veteran wrencher. As long as you have the ability to not need the car running for awhile, a little time, patience, Passatworld and youtube and it can be done, I speak from experience ?


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[Jdm79]

We bought a used head at the wrecking yard for $270. Looking into the other parts now. The mechanic said it should be a 5 hour or so job at $65/hr. The car is in great shape otherwise so we're going to fix it and then sell it. Will be looking at getting my son into something that's more reliable. It's a great car but for a 17 year old about to go off to college, I need him in something that we won't have to worry about.

 

[scotts13]

What's your budget going to be? "Fix it up and then sell it" always seems like an odd construction to me. You're going to be spending perhaps $1000 on a car that's worth about $1500 on the market. Why not get some use out of your money? A well cared for 2004 Passat can be a very suitable daily driver; the failure you just experienced is not a sign of unreliability, it's a symptom of neglect. A "better" car will cost you many times that $1000.

 

[kutcht1]

I agree with scotts13, get some use out of the money being put in or sell as parts/fixer upper now. Even an old high mile Corolla is $3000. Your car fixed with the age a miles you will be hard pressed to sell for $2000.
TomK

 

[nuclearseal]

If you're going to fix it, keep it, 1/2 the engine is sort of new and you're good for a another 70k on the timing belt.

I bought one with a briken timing belt for $500, wife has been driving it for two years on a used head and she puts 30-40k miles a year on it


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