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W8 screwed me!

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screwed
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7.5K views 38 replies 13 participants last post by  mysman  
#1 ·
So, I bought my W8 wagon will the full intention of babying it and keeping it well maintained. Everyone kept telling me I'll regret it, and I wanted to prove them wrong. But they were right. It experienced an engine failure that the VW dealer said would cost about $9000 to fix. I'm not technically savvy when it comes to engines, but supposedly there is a little tiny screen around the camshaft, and this screen got sucked in (apparently a common W8 issue). The camshaft assembly needs to be replaced.

Anyway, long story short, my extended warranty company won't cover it because the part that needs to be replaced doesn't fall under their list of parts covered. GEICO doesn't cover engine failures. And the lienholder (Wells Fargo) can't do anything for me. I have $8000 left to pay off the car. So, basically I'll be paying for a car I can't use... an expensive dead weight.

Has anyone been in this situation? What other options do I have? Wells Fargo suggested talking to dealer about getting me in another car... basically trading in the W8. But I don't see how they will want to buy the W8 in that condition. I thought about putting the engine back and trying to trade it in elsewhere. I also thought about getting another W8 engine, but who knows when the next catastrophic failure on that will occur.
 
#2 ·
So, is the engine in the car? Is it in the car but torn open? I'm assuming it isn't driveable... Since you're in Charlotte, have you contacted someone other than dealer, like Euro Wise? Maybe Tom at Everything Euro in Winston-Salem can offer up some advice, though that's a long tow from where it is now... Most of us here don't have experience with the W8, maybe check with the W8 forums and see what they say.
 
#3 ·
The engine is out of the car. I had to put a $1000 deposit to have Carolina VW drop the motor, which I'm very pissed about. My argument with the warranty company was why have me spend that kind of money, when they could have told me beforehand that the part needing to be replaced isn't covered. Of course, they said they have to see it for proof. So, now I'm out $1000, and I have to come up with another $1000 for the remaining balance to put it back in. The car was running and driveable when I brought it to VW. I haven't contacted any other shop.
 
#4 ·
I'm upset for you. Generally extended warranties are great if you buy a W8, but only if it covers everything that could possibly fail on this car. The engines are great, but complex and were somewhat experimental when they came out 10 or so years ago. So, the car was running when you took it in? What symptoms did it exhibit to give you reason to take it in?
 
#6 ·
I came to a stoplight, and all of a sudden, the idle went from smooth to rough. And I started smelling sulfur from the exhaust. The rough idling lasted about two days. I called to schedule an appointment with the dealer, and of course, the idling smoothed out, and I didn't smell anything out of the norm. But I decided to leave it with VW anyway to be sure.
 
#7 ·
I read somewhere a while back that VW sold out their inventory of crated W8 engines for 4000 each. You might try some searches to see if anyone has one of those for sale. Long shot but who knows. 9000 sounds like a lot for cams. Check around like suggested above.
Yeah, one of my friends sent me a link that had a list of W8 engines available nationwide. One engine only had 44,000 miles. I'm just concerned that even if I replaced the engine, it will eventually happen again, and this time I won't have a warranty. I will being talking to VW after work to get a detailed explanation of why it costs so much.
 
#8 ·
Damn 2k just to drop the motor and put it back. I'm in the wrong damn business.

That sucks man, hope it works out for you in the end. Hate to see someone get raked over the coals like this


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#9 ·
From Vortex:

Dealer already tried that as per VWofA recommendation. Apparently, the color/consistency of the flush never changed when it came out of the motor. They tried it multiple times.
I've heard stories (don't know if it was in this forum) where the adjuster casing has a screen where the oil enters the part. The design of the casing filter is such that any kind of out-of-norm movement (like taking down the engine/tranny for a torque converter change) could be enough for these screens to partly disconnect and "fold" onto themselves causing a blockage. It doesn't take long at that point for the problem to get really bad.

I've had the "misfire" issues on and off for a couple of years now (never knew it could have been the adjusters), but, frequent oil changes have kept it "under control". It wasn't until the car had its first major repair that they decided to fail.

So, not only will my dealer replace the adjusters, it will also replace the casing around it to make sure that these screens use the newly designed replacement part.

I didn't know that these casings were a separate part from the actual adjusters.

Anyone heard of this before?



And the thread: VWVortex.com - '03 Passat W8: Torque Converter and Cam Adjuster Problem in last 10 days
 
#10 ·
You said the problem is it had rough idle, then it smoothed out when you took it in... So, is there any other problems?! There's cam adjusters that are known to get sludged up, and screens that tend to break away. I've heard several people who replace the adjusters and discover the screens aren't there anymore. So from what I understand in your post, the rough idle went away, and you're car has the same "problem" probably half of the W8s out there have. So, WHY does the engine need to be replaced?
 
#12 ·
Have to speak on this one. I own a W8 and yes the screen breaking and getting stuck is true. If the car was running and you took it in and they dropped the motor, then they screwed you cause now you have to pay to put it back in and get the car back. There are some things you could have done b4 taking it in like the shock therapy to loosen them up and get it back to norm. Google up W8 forum and join, then use advance search and look this topic up TONS of info on this. Sorry to hear you ran into this but yes the car is a $$$$$ pitt (not enough $ sings to really explain the cost) if you don't catch the problems b4 they happen. Hopefully you can get it back and get it on the road again. All kinds of preventive care is on the W8 forum, from oil changes to electrical care ect....
 
#13 ·
Welcome to the W8 club! They should have been able to tell you with great certainty whether is was the dreaded cam adjuster. They were able for ours, (besides I also read the codes). So I would argue with them over that. We just cleared the codes, and traded it in somewhere else. Somewhat dishonest, but we traded it in at a VW dealer so serves them right. Lost money on the deal, but at least it wasn't a complete loss.

Of course that dealer sold us a 26k mi 1.8T Passat that had sludge build up in its head. Recently we did the sludge repair on that one for $4500 since there wasn't any engine damage and no low pressure light or clogged pickup even. Just didn't feel right replacing a badly leaking valve cover gasket knowing we would have to do it again.

Interesting thread that maybe worth your time. Found: Camshaft Adjuster Fix!!! - The W8 forum - Page 1

 
#35 ·
Someone already told you how to do it. If the car is running fine and there's no codes and nothing is wrong besides a little screen that is known to come loose, then I wouldn't worry about it and just keep driving. No sense in trading in a car or dropping thousands of dollars to fix something that isn't really causing a problem. If they are saying there are issues and things are being damaged then that's one thing, but if there's nothing else wrong, why fret?
 
#14 ·
W8 motors do come up occasionally, here's a quick one I found:

VWVortex.com - parting out w8 motor

You should contact VW directly, they've done a huge disservice to the consumer with this W8, selling only about 20K units worldwide, I think, then pulling the plug. Look for better business type actions you can take. Forums like Edmunds, Consumer Reports, etc. There may be some lawsuits you can join. For that kind of money, you can even hire a lawyer.
 
#15 ·
As someone who has owned a W8 for over 6 years now....

I know this doesn't help you now, but to explain & give you some info:
The "problem" with these W8 engines and their screens, were not necessarily a problem with the engine/W8 set up, but more an issue with original or previous owners (who may not have been car enthusiast people & simply an average consumer) not doing religious oil changes. It basically comes down to the same notorious issue the 1.8T faced which was sludge issues. The W8 engine because it is crammed in there, runs very hot, so it "burns up" the oil quite quick (not the capacity but actually burns/blackens/thickens). Unfortunately for some reason VW recommended 10,000 mile oil changes becuase the oil was "synthetic", which I think was a huge error on their part, and personally think is bullshit/crazy. If the average consumer (which I think was a majority of the 1st string of W8 buyers) followed this 10k oil change or most likely went further without an oil change, the engine was hugely susceptible to an oil sludge problem, that pushed out these screens, and gunked up the cam adjusters. Even using synthetic I wouldn't go 5k without doing an oil change. Gunk and cam adjusters problems are also known, on many Audi's so it is not unique to the W8 setup.

I do my oil changes on my W8 (I am the 2nd owner of a 2004 W8 wagon bought in 2006 with 9k miles, now seven years later has 43k) the standard 3000 miles or 6-8 months which ever comes first. And when I change the oil, even that frequently, it comes out as black as night. Sure it is a roughly $100 oil change (even doing it myself...$75 of it in oil), but I rather spend $100 for peace of mind, that I wont have to spend $5000 for some catastrophe.....and I have never had a mechanical/engine issue at all.

Another easy way around this, as I have suggested on here many times, is instead of dealing with a W8 motor (finding a new "crate" one or a used one which is a gamble), you could always take the easier/cheaper route out which would be to put in a V6 or 1.8T. Don't know how that would effect your "warranty" with the warranty company though. But at least you wouldn't be stuck with a non operational vehicle, that you would have to still pay $8000 on.

Many 1.8T or V6 owners are always searching out W8 trim/goodies, you could swap one of these engines in, and already have all the "goodies"! Plus W8 bodies/shells are completely welded/reinforced differently than non W8 Passats. It makes for a much different driving & handling vehicle, over the 1.8T & V6 4Motions out there. I've been in and driven non W8 Passats, and mine is definitely quieter & more sound. If worse came to worse, and you really wanted to move on to another vehicle, you could always "part out" the whole vehicle. It is a bit time consuming (taking apart, taking pics, listing it all), but you would get a lot more $$$ out of it, than most other ways out.

...also a little late already so the point is moot, but stay away from dealerships, they will quote and charge you 10x as much as a good independent mechanic shop, especially one that specializes in German vehicles.
 
#16 ·
Swapping in a V6 or 1.8T would be a huge project. There's a lot more than just the motor involved. ECU, wire harnesses, cluster, cooling system, fueling system, exhaust, possibly half-shafts, uprights, brakes, transmission, driveshaft, rear diff. Basically, you'll need a donor car. You'll end up spending just as much on a swap, if not in dollars, in your time and effort.
 
#29 ·
I know Matt already answered, but half of that list you got up there you would not need (I'm not talking about using a FWD Passat BTW). The W8 cluster has been swapped into non W8 Passats sucessfully, so its not much different just sorta doing it the opposite way.:thumbup: As for the tiptronic tranny there is no difference at all, between any of the Passat engine models. Brakes I dont know why you would think brakes would be an issue.

There have also been 2 successful TDI swaps into former W8's....and obviously when I speak of something be cheaper and less costly, I am not speaking of doing it thru the dealer. We all know the outcome of that.
 
#17 ·
Engine swap would be easy, if he kept it with the same tranny. Swap the motor, ecu, engine harness. Recode the cluster, cooling system isn't that bad its a radiator swap and you can use the stock lines from the engine you swapped in. No need to touch anything else if you keep the same tranny. If you were closer I could probably swap it to a v6 or 1.8t in a weekend have you up and running again, or even a w8 if you found one for a decent price


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#23 ·
OK, "if" you can keep the same tranny, the ratios won't change, neither will the all the other drivetrain parts. And yes, for you, it would be "easy", lol.
 
#19 ·
Unfortunately, when I asked the warranty company if they would cover for another engine, they said no. Because the part(s) that needed to be replaced is not covered by them, no resolution is covered... regardless of how cheap it is. On that note, I bit the bullet and moved on. I traded the W8 in for a CC last night.
 
#20 ·
Btw, I did get a chance to look at the part with the screen. One of them was completely gone. The warranty company wanted to know if they could pay for the screen. LOL! Last time I'll be getting an extended warranty with any third party company.
 
#31 · (Edited)
I don't believe the transmissions are identical, and you would either have to remap the 2.8 ECU to communicate properly with the 4.0 TCM, or convert to a manual. I would guess the torque converters are different as well. The brakes if you had to revert to the 2.8 uprights.

Anything is possible with enough time and money. The TDI guys are converting Passats because that diesel option is not available in the US. Starting with a blown W8 is probably the most difficult way to do that.