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'03 Passat W8: Torque Converter and Cam Adjuster Problem in last 10 days

152K views 155 replies 49 participants last post by  BIG DUB 
#1 ·
I've been reading this forum for years as I own an '03 Passat W8. Up until two weeks ago, this car ran like a top.
I had heard about torque converter and cam adjuster issues on this forum, but, never had experienced it in the 95K miles I've owned this car (got it new).
After a routine oil change (religiously kept to the maintenance schedule), a CEL code popped up that was translated to a Torque Converter service for ~$2.8K. Always one to hold cars unless it is financially no longer viable, I decided after consultation with the service manager and the mechanic to do this service.
Upon pulling into their garage, the car began a slight vibration (just slight) and another CEL code popped up, but, I did not have a reader available to see what the code was (dealer had cleared the previous one). I asked the dealer to check the code and consult with me once they reported to me what that code was. They never did.
After 5 days, I received a call that the car is ready, but, the CEL code that popped up was translated to a cam adjuster issue and would cost another $6.5K-$7K to fix. Feeling "bad", they decided not to charge me for the torque converter service and I limped home. They car now vibrates 10x as hard and spews black smoke.
I was told that the cats will fail once they fill up with carbon, so, this car is a total loss. So, I decided to take them to court.
Last Friday, I got a call from the dealer (service mgr) and they said that they are going to ask VW corporate to fix the car completely (for free) so that I can at least become a "semi-satisfied" customer. I said "We'll see".
My question to those of you in the forum is the following:
* has the dealer ever tried to do something like this to you
* were they successful in getting them to do the service?
* was it VW corporate techs that fixed it?
* did they car work like it did when you brought the car in to them in the beginning?
Thanks!
Dean
 
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