My VW Passat 1.9 Broken down, I just want to know weather I have to Change the Engine or is there anyting else?

Question 1
My VW Passat 1.9 Broken down, I just want to know weather I have to Change the Engine or is there anyting else?...  Hi, a few days back i was driving my car all the sudden my car become very noisey after a mile my car started heavy vibration (seems like some thing happen in the engine). Later on my car engine went dead. when i tried to turn the key again the car wont start at all.
I have showed it to one of my friend the Engine water, time belt and oil were perfect. I just want to know that do i need to change the engine or is it some thing else?

Answers
1)   There are many things that can go wrong. If your car was overheating when it did this then you probably have to make some major repairs. But don't blame the engine just yet. The problem could be electrical which is much easier to fix. The only way to know is to take it to a mechanic that has an ECU scanner and good experience with german cars. - Aladdin Hubrack

2)   Impossible to say with so little information and possibly still impossible without seeing it.
You haven't even bothered to tell us whether it is petrol or diesel - Timbo is here

3)   the normal thing to do is get it towed to a reputable garage for a diagnostic check to find out the problem it may not be as bad as you think - J R

4)   The fallopian tubes are probably blocked. - Wat a Hero

5)   If the engine is turning over when you turn the key (and there is still oil and water in the engine) then all is not lost. Difficult, well impossible to accurately diagnose the problem on a web site though ! - L G

6)   Talk to a mechanical type or individual. (this is a good time to know for sure, who are your friends and who are those that want to "screw with your mind", and those that "just want to play {fake gear-head} so long as you are footing the bill" types. And give him the exact story as it happened:gear you were in; speed, sound, smells, feeling. I can't tell, from the way you describe it. It is a major minor problem maybe most likely.
Not saying that you "NEED" to go to a dealership. Just a good old time all around mechanic.
Whatever is most convenient. Except maybe 1 buddy.

Look at it this way, analysis is cheaper than replacing a motor(and faster).
Check your wheel nuts for tightness. While it does not kill the motor, it gives one heavy vibe as the wheel is hanging on by one lug. - It just struck me like lightning

7)   do you have fuel?when you can cranking is nothing wrong with you engine,is some of electrical problem - oskarciu

8)   you did get some silly answers, but, the vibration i had with my passat was due to a clutch plate the passat has a double plate the normal clutch plate and a second with large springs that expand as you accelerate to stop clutch wear from over reving, these plates break and cause severe vibration many cars now have these plates and in many cases the computer diagnostics in the car stop engines from running to stop more damage, if your car had run i would say it was a drive shaft,
the cost for the whole clutch cost me 800 quid but your worst senario is a big end has failed, (rare these days in modern cars) but you didn't say if the engine spins even if it doesn't start - smooth


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Question 2
are Volkswagen's good cars?...  Just wanted to know if VW's are good cars?

Answers
1)   No once a volkswagen tried to mug me in a alley no they are not good cars - Adam

2)   it all depends on the year and model. for instance, I have an '81 Rabbit that runs like clockwork even though it's almost 30 years old. it even has the original engine and transmission. however, some of the newer models require a lot of maintenance in order for them to run properly. repairs can cost a decent bit more than your average car, which adds further cost to the car's upkeep. I just feel that it just costs too much money and time to own a newer VW than it does for something like a Honda. I used to have a '99 Passat 1.8T. the original owner didn't keep up on the maintenance, and the whole car turned into crap once it hit 120k because of which. if you plan on buying one that's new or only a few years old, I'd say go for it. if you're looking for a car that's an older model, look elsewhere. I'd recommend a Honda Civic or Acura Integra if that's the case. - Skag Baron™

3)   i will only drive volkswagens. i have a 2004 jetta and ive had a 2000 jetta and a 1986 cabriolet and an audi a4 (also a vw technically). volkswagens are extremely reliable but you must maintain them or they will break down on you. if you want one you have to stick to maintnence and they will last forever. - Kerrrrrrrrrrrrrr

4)   I Have many american Made Car's. all hot rods. yet my daily Driver Is a VW. I would rather have my 2 young kid's, Ride in It and it Moves out. with top end. Answer is , Hell Yes. - Paul

5)   You also should compare car insurance quotes for cars before buying one, for example here - carinsurance.yoll.net - Larry


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Question 3
is a 2007 Volkswagen jetta 2.5 a good car?...  I found a 2007 VW Jetta with 50,000 miles on it. I have never owned a VW...are they good cars?

Answers
1)   . - Briana

2)   NO! VW's are problems on wheels and expensive to fix. Please do not buy a VW. - Earl

3)   Don't do it, at least take it to a dealership to get checked out. - Jeff DeWitt

4)   The generation of VW that you are talking about is a decent car; its reliability is much improved over the previous generation (99-2004) in nearly every area. The engine, the 2.5 liter 5 cylinder, is one rough running motor, but, still, its been reliable enough. The automtatic transmission one area that has been a majour trouble spot of VW since 1975, has been replaced with a automatic transmission from a different supplier and has proven reliable enough.

My main issue has been the 2.5 motor is not a smooth or economical motor to run, but other than that it hasn;t been bad. The Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda 3 are, at least in my humble opinion, better rounded vehicles, (with lower operating costs and/or improved handling/ride) but this Jetta is a good overall vehicle. It and the 2.5 Golf are the most reliable VW's currently available.

Just make sure you have a good independent VW specialist or dealership nearby for service. VW does require someone who understands the vehicle to keep in running reliably and cheaply. If you don't have a good dealership or independent service tech nearby, I'd then suggest taking a pass. Hondas, Toyota and even the Mazda have more independents and/or dealerships than VW. - a car nut

5)   You also should compare car insurance quotes for cars before buying one, for example here - carquotes.sinfree.net - George


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Question 4
What is a fair price to put a new radiator into my 2000 VW Beetle GL?...  I have been quoted $980 to replace the radiator in my 2000 Beetle GL. The reason given for the cost is that much of the front of the car must be taken apart in order to do the job. I think this is a good mechanic based on his yelp reviews but this is the first time I've seen him. He is in San Francisco, so that might affect the price.

What do you think? Is $980 a fair price?

Thanks!

Answers
1)   the mechanic is correct. The entire front end has to be taken apart, which is extremely time consuming. It will take the mechanic a full day to do it. So... it's a fair price. - cant_think_of_1

2)   Well, unless you got the tools and the knowledge and gumption yourself......then I guess the price the mechanic demands is classified as fair. Seeing as you are not "shopping around" for other prices. Then I got to ask, why would you want to replace it? Wrong color? - It just struck me like lightning

3)   i'm in the uk think i should be a mechanic in the us, a radiator for your vehicle in the uk is about $140
that gives a hell of a lot money to play with,out of your mechanics price, my passat has a similar problem to change the timing belt the front comes off $35 for parts $350 labor, look around my friend, you must get it cheaper or buy a tool kit and workshop manual its cheaper - smooth

4)   Have you looked under the hood? You practically have to disassemble the engine just a check the hoses! If the radiator costs $150, which would be reasonable, the labor of $830 seems steep ... but divided into an eight-hour work day, including taxes, and other parts (clips, hoses, etc.), it pretty much works out.

Those guys work hard for their money -- some days harder than others! - Bryce


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Question 5
VR6 jetta / Vento wheel drive help?...  Hi,

I am intending to buy a 1996 Volkswagen Vento / Jetta 1.8 CL, And I want to drop a 2.8 VR6 engine into it. The car itself is a front wheel drive car, is the VR6 engine a front wheel mounted engine? or will I have to make modifications of any kind? Thanks for any help :D

Answers
1)   Its is a front wheel drive.

and incase you would like a little more info:- The VR6 engine is an internal combustion engine configuration, consisting of six cylinders. It was developed by the German automotive industry concern, Volkswagen Group in the late 1980s, and evolutions of the original variant are still produced by them today.

It is similar to a 'Vee' engine, but with the 'rows' of cylinders offset and tilted from each other by an angle of either 10.6 degrees (°) or 15° - instead of the more common 45°, 60°, or 90° as found on conventional Vee engines. - Jamie Andrews

2)   Mods necessary? Oh! Yes. Fuel pump, front and rear suspension, brakes, gearbox, radiator etc. Major job. - Fred Smith

3)   Sorry to state the obvious, why not just buy the Vento VR6 instead of buying such a headache ! - L G

4)   why pi ss about buy what you want to end up with - J R


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