So, I've got a friend/co-worker who has a 2007 Passat wagon with 90k. Pretty sure it's the VR6, but not positive. When he started working with me, I used to ask him lots of questions about the service history because almost everyone I know with VWs from this era have big issues with them. He would always tell me how great the car was and how it never gave him any problems, so I figured he got one of the good ones.
Well a couple days ago he mentioned that it was in the shop and this evening he calls me up asking for advice. Here's what he told me:
Apparently, he was driving around town earlier in the week when the CEL came on and the car went into limp mode. He takes it to a shop (didn't ask which one) and they pull the code "mis-aligned camshaft" was what he told me it was.
The shop tells him he needs a new timing chain assembly and oil pump. They also pulled the valve cover and told him that there was a lot of sludge buildup and that he needs a new cylinder head or else the engine might not make it off the lot. My friend confirms that there was indeed some sludge build up in the head.
I asked if they checked the cam bearings and he says they did and they were fine.
He has an extended warranty that will cover the timing chain replacement, but would be on the hook for ~$5k for a new cylinder head if he went that route.
I told him that the sludge issue is usually something that builds up over a long period of time and I didn't see that necessarily being the cause of his original issue. (Though I could see the potential for that if the car has a hydraulic timing chain tensioner or something like that which was clogged up).
Anyway, I told him I thought it was a little silly to spend $5k on fixing a sludge issue that might not have caused any of his problems in the first place and that he should just take care of whatever the timing issue is and keep driving the car after a few frequent oil changes. He said he'd rather just get a new car if a dealership would take it on trade. That sounded like an even better option - just get it running again and trade it in.
I also told him that I thought it was at least as likely that the original problem was caused by a bad cam position sensor, which is a $14 part and maybe and hour of labor(?).
So, best course of action seems to be, have the timing chain/oil pump replaced under warranty, replace the cam sensors if necessary and that should almost certainly take care of the engine code and get the car running again (right?). Then, drive it straight to the dealership and trade it in for something that's not from Germany. What do you guys think?
On another note, this guy grew up in Germany and will probably want another German car. He'll probably be looking at something that's 3-5 years old and I think another VW is a terrible idea, so what do I recommend instead? Personally, I wouldn't touch any German car from that era. If I had to pick, maybe a BMW 3-series wagon?
So, did I tell him the right thing or am I leading him astray? Let me know what you think.
Thanks!
Inside head:
Not sure WTF this is - oil pan? timing cover?
)
