[Incrementalg]

I wouldn't doubt if someone from VW is already monitoring this thread...

I didn't want to sound like I'm gloating or like I'm a conspiracy theorist, but I'm pretty sure VW has put two and two together and figured out I'm pushing this issue.

Hence the dealership service dept's inability to put the cause of failure in writing or to even verbally state the specific cause. (except for one sidebar conversation with a rep who has since gone silent on the issue) The work orders don't specify the failure...they only specify the engine was replaced. I asked repeatedly and got nothing...they literally dodged the question every time I asked. One rep actually said the shop wasn't sure what caused the failure. Yeah, that makes sense...they just ordered up a new engine because the old one wouldn't run very well anymore.

Also, one rep asked if I'd escalated my issue with VW on my own because VW was apparently on a call with dealership management. His surprise about the call made it sound like more than the call needed to approve a replacement engine or to discuss the shop findings on the engine.

 

[Incrementalg]

Anyone have the part number for the 2006-2007 oil pump bolt used? I have the part # for the upgraded bolt, but can't find the # for 06-07.

Thanks!

 

[VR]

would love to see this turn into a worldwide recall/tsb for all the people that have not needed the service performed yet but will that would be a lifesaver

not wishing anything bad on VW but this should have been taken care of years ago when the problem first started to arise

 

[Slapbladder]

Anyone have the part number for the 2006-2007 oil pump bolt used? I have the part # for the upgraded bolt, but can't find the # for 06-07.

Thanks!

unless someone has an old version of etka with no updates pre 2008 it will be diffcult to find.....

mine is 7.3 Plus so they have removed any mention of the old bolt or updated part and just show N 104 044 04 which is the number you prob have....

 

[Incrementalg]

I looked in ETKA too and found only N-104-044-04. From prior research, the old part # was N-104-044-03.

I read through the earlier part of this thread and think I may have found it. I'm not sure how to verify it, but it's a start.

 

[awd18t]

Been reading this thread for the last couple years... '07 Passat 3.6 4Mo with just under 62K (101 000 km). CPO until mars 2012. Will probably be selling this car as soon as the warranty expires.

Good luck too all and thank you for keeping this thread alive.

 

[jspitz]

Oil Pump Bolt Failure @ 59k

Add me to the list. If you are really interested, I posted details about the ensuing nightmare of service from the dealership on PassatWorld, but I'll give some tech info here:

Day 1 - 59k (and 5k left on CPO) 2006 3.6 4motion - engine light goes on during wife's AM commute (~62 mile RT), appointment made, EPC light comes on during PM commute.

Day 2 - car driven in EPC limp mode to dealer, wife gets rental.

Two weeks in, the engine is “done” but waiting for a seal. Three weeks in, and the engine is back together but there is another noise being investigated.

Day 33 (yes - thirty-three - not a typo) - car has had just about everything on the back side of the engine replaced, culprit was a backed-out oil pump bolt. The repair order shows $4253 total - $2179 in parts, $1249 in labor, and $825 in rental fees (presumably all at full retail and book rate). Dealer's customer backs into and destroys my door, but leaves insurance info.

Repair order and Invoice info (combined into one doc by me):

Text from invoice and RO combined:
A CUSTOMER STATES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON-CHECK AND ADVISE
CAUSE: ENGINE NOISE
15331971 CHAIN HOUSING COVER REMOVE+REINSTALL

1431 WV
1 03H-115-105-F OIL PUMP
1 03H-115-251 PIPE
1 WHT-002-780 SEAL
1 03H-109-503 CHAIN
1 03H-109-509-A TENSIONER
2 N-911-180-01 BOLT
1 066-109-570 SPROCKET
1 N-104-044-04 SCREW
1 03H-103-483-C GASKET
2 D-176-501-A1 SEALANT
1 03H-103-173 FLANGE
4 N-903-658-01 BOLT
3 03H-198-149 GASKET SET
3 03H-198-149-A GASKET SET
1 03H-133-237-B GASKET
1 021-103-051-C SEAL
1 06B-103-221-G VENTHOSE
2 N-907-399-01 CLIP
1 D-176-404-A2 SEALANT
1 071-115-562-C FILTERELEM
1 G-012-A8G-1G COOLANT AD
1 SYN CASTROL5W40 SYNTEC
1 N-908-132-02 SCREW
1 N-102-048-08 BOLT
1 03H-109-087-A ADJUSTER
1 03H-109-088-D ADJUSTER
1 03H-109-569 SPROCKET
1 N-104-044-04 SCREW
1 03H-109-465 CHAIN
2 N-911-180-01 BOLT
1 D-174-003-A2 SEALANT
3 G-055-025-A2 ATF OIL
15331971 CHAIN HOUSING COVER REMOVE+REINSTALL PTS$ 2149.40 LBR$ 188.48
15351971 TIMING CHAIN REMOVE+REINSTALL 69.44
17201971 OIL PUMP REMOVE+REINSTALL 29.76
15841971 CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER REMOVE+REINSTALL 128.96
24471991 INTAKE MANIFOLD REMOVE+REINSTALL 218.24
50380950 LOCK CARRIER LOOSEN+FASTEN 49.60
63291900 FRONT BUMPER COVER REMOVE+REINSTALL 59.52
94151600 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ADJUST 19.84
37351900 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REMOVE+REINSTALL 386.88
17305521 OIL FILTER REPLACE 69.44
24402072 INJECTOR REMOVE+REINSTALL 49.60
01210004 TEST DRIVE 9.92
FC: 158410 EH7
PART#: 03H-109-509-A
COUNT:
CLAIM TYPE: G10
AUTH CODE: 15841

B MULTIPOINT INSPECTION
MP MULTIPOINT INSPECTION

PARTS 2149.40
LABOR 1279.68
-------
TOTAL 3429.08
RENTAL 825.00 (33 days - not including body shop)
-------
Total 4254.08

 

[VR]

33 days, wow

i had mine back within one week

 

[LibtekVr6]

Is this problem on earlier 3.6 or on all of them? I have a 2008 and I don't have any problems for now.

 

[briankstan]

Is this problem on earlier 3.6 or on all of them? I have a 2008 and I don't have any problems for now.

You should be fine, this problem affects 2006 and 2007 model years.

 

[jspitz]

i had mine back within one week

You got a new engine, true? Mine was "fixed."

 

[VR]

You got a new engine, true? Mine was "fixed."

yes brand new engine with a ton of other new parts on it also

 

[nater]

Found out that the oil filter housing needs to be updated also. It includes a check valve to combat the dry start and drain down.

Housing and part #03H 115 403 J

Parts on order.

This better fix this stupid problem, or I am hitting the eject button once this thing is put back together.

Has it fixed your problem?????
Or not done yet?


iPhone

Putting the revised oil filter housing with the check valve has solved all of my problems. Project has been completed for about 3 weeks. Wasn't to hard.

Including checking the oil pump bolt, it was the revised bolt. Production date on chassis of the Q7 is 10/06/

The reason I asked you if this (new oil housing with check valve) worked is because I have the dry start problem and have had it for months upon months. Always figured there was nothing I could do about it so I dealt with it.

Last month or so it kept getting worse and worse...you know, like the sound of your motor just after the oil is changed....only lately it's been a good 2-4 seconds of dry starting. RIDICULOUS!

Finally, after all of this time...it seems I spun a main bearing today. Now that sound (the dry sump/pump sound) is constant at about 3800-4k rpms under light load. Same symptoms I had when my 12V VR6 spun a bearing at 52k miles. Dealer honored (as they should have) the warranty on that motor and put in a new long block.

This one is going to be a VERY expensive endeavor that I am extremely frustrated about!

I stopped into my local VW dealer just last week and asked the parts guy if this part had a new superseded # and was told no.

Dammit. This is why I'm starting to hate VW. I NEVER break motors when I put boost through them and build them the way they should be....the just suck in stock form.

 

[JBallou]

Sorry to hear that your motor spun a bearing. Mine made progressing more start up noise after it had been brought home from used car dealer. I though I got skunked. Then lots of searching online, no one thing pointed to what it was. Just taking it apart to see the oil pump bolt was ok. Then more searching on q7 forums found revised filter housing. Wasn't going back on the road without a fix. More work. I did all of the wrenching on the garage floor. Car is back on the road, now I feel vindicated and satisfied.

 

[nater]

Sorry to hear that your motor spun a bearing. Mine made progressing more start up noise after it had been brought home from used car dealer. I though I got skunked. Then lots of searching online, no one thing pointed to what it was. Just taking it apart to see the oil pump bolt was ok. Then more searching on q7 forums found revised filter housing. Wasn't going back on the road without a fix. More work. I did all of the wrenching on the garage floor. Car is back on the road, now I feel vindicated and satisfied.

Unfortunately, upon further investigation I've found that this revision must only work on the q7 because it's a completely redesigned housing. Least it seems this way in phone discussions with the parts guy. He was describing the difference bw 2008 and 2012 as looking completely different (passat, not q7).

 

[Nakamichi_Toronto]

I bought mine (CPO) just this past July, an '07 with 48,500km (~29k miles) on it. Knock on the wood no problem for now as for the engines, but there are other gremlins hopping around here and there. Bought the extended warranty till 2016 and 128,000km (~76k miles).

Just curious if mine has no problem until now with the current mileage, will mine be out of the affected range or it's just "waiting to happen"? :facepalm:

 

[twiceunlucky]

I bought mine (CPO) just this past July, an '07 with 48,500km (~29k miles) on it. Knock on the wood no problem for now as for the engines, but there are other gremlins hopping around here and there. Bought the extended warranty till 2016 and 128,000km (~76k miles).

Just curious if mine has no problem until now with the current mileage, will mine be out of the affected range or it's just "waiting to happen"? :facepalm:

Waiting to happen probably. I had one let go at 30,000 miles, another let go at 70,000 miles. I would lobby VW hard for a discount on a pre-emptive bolt replacement or unload the car before the extended expires.

 

[RobMan8023]

bumping it back up

Here's my list, I noticed some recent inquiries so thought it might be useful for those considering buying an early 3.6L engine (06-07).

 

[RobMan8023]

Spoke with dealer service today and they advised it looks like I need a replacement engine, but would not provide any details. They were kinda dicky about it and said they were waiting instruction from VW. They won't even tell me the findings...they simply stated that it looks like a new engine is required. I asked if a "new" engine was even possible given the car isn't manufactured any more. I was told to "not put the egg before the chicken"

I can understand following procedures, but I don't appreciate the tone and lack of information. I also don't like the posturing brought on by a simple follow up call on my part.

Once the issue is confirmed, I will share details here.

@ Robman8023--Are you still compiling information? If so, I'll gladly provide you with copies of work orders once I receive them.
Is there anything you can share with me in terms of work orders or documentation? I intend to badger the nhtsa on this one. There have been other major recalls that require extensive labor for much less common problems than this engine. (audi rollover nipple valve gas tank recall for one)

Nobody ever sent me any information as promised so I gave up. Sold mine for a GTI 2 years ago.

FWIW, I'm adding all the new names/failures that have appeared since I last checked in

 

[jkkNova]

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread...

Hi, all. I hope I can access the collective wisdom from the wizened owners inhabiting this board . I have a line on a used 2007 3.6 FWD wagon. The only available service records are from CarFax - they're fairly extensive but light on detail. There is a service entry from 2008, when the car was at ~ 24K miles. It simply says Transmission Replaced. That's it. I called the service shop and inquired about the service. Unfortunately, all they have from this service event is a high-level code - 15331971 and some vague details about the customer experiencing a CEL, finding nothing, the customer taking it home and getting another CEL. So, I did a search on this code and found this particular thread. I've highlighted the code in the quoted post below.

The car is now over 100K miles, and no other issues like this are noted on the CarFax - and there are many service entries. The owner seemed to keep up on the maintenance at the required intervals. My gut tells me that, based on this and extensive other reading about this issue on the web, the oil pump bolt problem was resolved with this "Transmission Replaced" service. OTOH, my gut doesn't have to live with the consequences of being wrong - my wallet does . I'd appreciate any insight, comments, questions, statements, opinions, etc. from the veterans of this issue (if any are left).

Thanks

Add me to the list. If you are really interested, I posted details about the ensuing nightmare of service from the dealership on PassatWorld, but I'll give some tech info here:

Day 1 - 59k (and 5k left on CPO) 2006 3.6 4motion - engine light goes on during wife's AM commute (~62 mile RT), appointment made, EPC light comes on during PM commute.

Day 2 - car driven in EPC limp mode to dealer, wife gets rental.

Two weeks in, the engine is “done” but waiting for a seal. Three weeks in, and the engine is back together but there is another noise being investigated.

Day 33 (yes - thirty-three - not a typo) - car has had just about everything on the back side of the engine replaced, culprit was a backed-out oil pump bolt. The repair order shows $4253 total - $2179 in parts, $1249 in labor, and $825 in rental fees (presumably all at full retail and book rate). Dealer's customer backs into and destroys my door, but leaves insurance info.

Repair order and Invoice info (combined into one doc by me):

Text from invoice and RO combined:
A CUSTOMER STATES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON-CHECK AND ADVISE
CAUSE: ENGINE NOISE
15331971 CHAIN HOUSING COVER REMOVE+REINSTALL

1431 WV
1 03H-115-105-F OIL PUMP
1 03H-115-251 PIPE
1 WHT-002-780 SEAL
1 03H-109-503 CHAIN
1 03H-109-509-A TENSIONER
2 N-911-180-01 BOLT
1 066-109-570 SPROCKET
1 N-104-044-04 SCREW
1 03H-103-483-C GASKET
2 D-176-501-A1 SEALANT
1 03H-103-173 FLANGE
4 N-903-658-01 BOLT
3 03H-198-149 GASKET SET
3 03H-198-149-A GASKET SET
1 03H-133-237-B GASKET
1 021-103-051-C SEAL
1 06B-103-221-G VENTHOSE
2 N-907-399-01 CLIP
1 D-176-404-A2 SEALANT
1 071-115-562-C FILTERELEM
1 G-012-A8G-1G COOLANT AD
1 SYN CASTROL5W40 SYNTEC
1 N-908-132-02 SCREW
1 N-102-048-08 BOLT
1 03H-109-087-A ADJUSTER
1 03H-109-088-D ADJUSTER
1 03H-109-569 SPROCKET
1 N-104-044-04 SCREW
1 03H-109-465 CHAIN
2 N-911-180-01 BOLT
1 D-174-003-A2 SEALANT
3 G-055-025-A2 ATF OIL
15331971 CHAIN HOUSING COVER REMOVE+REINSTALL PTS$ 2149.40 LBR$ 188.48
15351971 TIMING CHAIN REMOVE+REINSTALL 69.44
17201971 OIL PUMP REMOVE+REINSTALL 29.76
15841971 CAMSHAFT ADJUSTER REMOVE+REINSTALL 128.96
24471991 INTAKE MANIFOLD REMOVE+REINSTALL 218.24
50380950 LOCK CARRIER LOOSEN+FASTEN 49.60
63291900 FRONT BUMPER COVER REMOVE+REINSTALL 59.52
94151600 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ADJUST 19.84
37351900 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REMOVE+REINSTALL 386.88
17305521 OIL FILTER REPLACE 69.44
24402072 INJECTOR REMOVE+REINSTALL 49.60
01210004 TEST DRIVE 9.92
FC: 158410 EH7
PART#: 03H-109-509-A
COUNT:
CLAIM TYPE: G10
AUTH CODE: 15841

B MULTIPOINT INSPECTION
MP MULTIPOINT INSPECTION

PARTS 2149.40
LABOR 1279.68
-------
TOTAL 3429.08
RENTAL 825.00 (33 days - not including body shop)
-------
Total 4254.08