Passat 03 1.9TDI 130

[GazWales]

Hi All, bought this as a runner alongside my other cars.
Has full VW service history had timming belt done 3K miles ago, has 70,000 on clock.

Just wondering if i need to keep any eye out on anything or get anything done to avoid any issues later, have heard the water pumps are comon pains on these?

A mate said the EGR valve will be an issue, but a google says i can take that off and clean it myself and it should be fine?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Gaz

[Jasandjules]

The air flow to the turbo has gone wrong on ours twice in 6 years. Which means the car then switches to limp home mode - not the end of the world mind, but a pain.

[dougc]

If the cambelt was done properly then the water pump would have been done at the same time. Have a check of the invoice.

Dual mass flywheel is the killer if it goes. Never experienced it but I think it manifests as a bugger of a judder.

Tame Technician will probably be better placed to advised if you get this topic moved the VW/Audi section.

[GazWales]

Thanks mate, anything i can do to prevent it?

Or just fix it if it happens? I have 6 motnhs warranty on it so not to concerned for now but, I like having a fiddle around with cars and if it prevents an issue later all the better!

Also i just remebered the central locking has an issue, if i double clikc the fob only the driver door opens, only way to open other doors is by pressing the button inside the driver door! that works fine.

A google says diconect battery for 10 min and that should resolve it, any issue with disconecting battery? - Does the CD/Radio have a code or will the ECU kick off or anything?

[GazWales]

Hmm, ill check for the invoice but im unsure if have it, just the service history book...

Thanks though mate super quick responces on here... How do i get this moved? I looked for a more VW section but couldnt find it!

[GazWales]

Hi toker, i have pressed it 3-4-5-6 times, just wont open the other 3 doors!

I read about the security feature before posting... I wish it was that matey

Edited by GazWales on Monday 28th June 10:59

[GazWales]

Hi toker, i have pressed it 3-4-5-6 times, just wont open the other 3 doors!

I read about the security feature before posting... I wish it was that matey

Edited by GazWales on Monday 28th June 11:00

[clonmult]

GazWales said:

Hmm, ill check for the invoice but im unsure if have it, just the service history book...

Thanks though mate super quick responces on here... How do i get this moved? I looked for a more VW section but couldnt find it!

A main dealer should definitely have done the water pump at the same time - if they didn't, naught naughty.

Didn't think there was much else that tended to go wrong on these engines though - as long as the cambelts and services are done on time, they'll be fine. The cambelt change wasn't done on time by the previous owner of mine, but 15k after having it changed .... its still running absolutely perfectly.

[GazWales]

Ahh ok thats nice to know!

Thanks guys, i ahve chnaged the oil on my Celica plenty of times is it the same for the passat?

I heard i need a 0.5m item between the new filter and the socket it connects too.. is this correct?

Anyone have a guide for Passat Oil changes?

[V88Dicky]

We ran a 02 Passat for over 5 years as the family car and overall it was very reliable. On your car, I agree that the water pump should have been changed along with the cambelt, and on ours the drivers window regulator (motor), along with the central locking required fixing over the five year period. Other than that it was fantastically reliable and a pleasure to own.

[Six Fiend]

Take the battery out and clean the drain plugs in the bulkhead (plus give the bulkhead a good polish). Maybe even widen them a little with a sharp blade. This should then prevent the leakage into the cabin which these are prone to!

[HellDiver]

Just make sure you're using the proper oil for the TDI engine. 505.01 is the likely spec, 507.00 will do all VW engines if in doubt.

Wrong oil is pretty much instant death for PD engines.

[Rammy76]

I bought my 2003 Passat TDI130 as a motorway hack a couple of years back and it's now on 102000 miles. They're not the most exciting car to drive admittedly, but it's been extremely reliable and eats miles with the minimum of fuss. It looks and drives like new and is very economical so I certainly have no complaints.

As previously stated just keep it regularly serviced with the specific PD engine oil which I do about every 10000 miles on my car, although I think different service plans can be had (up to 20000 miles) AFAIK.
I too worried about the DMF hype but my car is on the original clutch and it works perfectly with no judder issues, it's like everything else, treat it with a bit of respect and don't wheelspin everwhere and it should be fine!

Edited by Rammy76 on Monday 28th June 15:27

[DaveL86]

HellDiver said:

Just make sure you're using the proper oil for the TDI engine. 505.01 is the likely spec, 507.00 will do all VW engines if in doubt.

Wrong oil is pretty much instant death for PD engines.

THIS!!!!!!

^^ I really can't emphasize this more, you only need to google something along the lines of "pd cam wear" to understand how important this is.

People often think because they've paid top brass for a well known respected named oil that it'll be ok, its all about the spec numbers on the back of the tub!

EDIT:

Forgot to add that I've been a PD130 owner for 4 years with ZERO issues other than expected wear and tear of an older car (dampers, wheel bearings etc) a well maintained PD engine should give you many years of faultless driving.

Edited by DaveL86 on Monday 28th June 15:43

[DaveL86]

Did I really just reply to my own post like a pleb.... edit above.v

Edited by DaveL86 on Monday 28th June 15:42

[Lordbenny]

The water pump can pack up due to a plastic propeller on a metal spindle (Spindle turns in side the propeller so water isnt circulated). Replace with all metal one!

Unblock drain plug under battery (leaves etc) if you don't want you footwells filling up with water!

Mine's done 130,000 and now need suspension bushes replaced but thats pretty standard for a car with high mileage I suppose.

[GazWales]

Thanks guys ill get me a new filter and some oil this weekend and sort it out, it had a service 4000 miles ago and it says oil change but unsure what was used so ill swap it out!

Anybody know anything abotut he codes on the radio? Is there such a thing or can i disconect battery with no worries?

[GazWales]

Lordbenny said:

The water pump can pack up due to a plastic propeller on a metal spindle (Spindle turns in side the propeller so water isnt circulated). Replace with all metal one!

Unblock drain plug under battery (leaves etc) if you don't want you footwells filling up with water!

Mine's done 130,000 and now need suspension bushes replaced but thats pretty standard for a car with high mileage I suppose.

Lord - (ahem) any guides on how to swap this part out mate?

Complete newb on the engine, have done a bit of playing on my celica/mr2 - Cold air intakes/sparks/oil changes/ brakes etc but nowt on VW

[Lordbenny]

If you've had the belt recently changed then whoever did it should have put on a metal one! I only know this because mine packed up and this is what I was told. To be honest I'm not very good at the 'oily bits'.

[GazWales]

Guys, sombody told me about remaping the ECU.

Acording to http://celtictuning.co.uk

"The 1.9 TDi engines we can take from 130bhp up to 187bhp and from 228lbft torque up to 291lbft torque giving a very impressive performance gain and all within safe design tolerance of the engine and drive train components. Reviews of some of our remaps are located here if you should wish to browse: http://www.celtictuning.co.uk/testimonials.aspx&qu...

Anybody used these guys? is the above safe or as safe as driving the car properly anyway?

Another forum is suggesting this is unsfae and a bad idea!