**Official 24V 3.6L Engine (oil pump bolt) failure thread**

[rockrocco]

im looking to buy an 06 passat i do alot of driving all over new england and the tri state area is this really something to worry about i have the vin#WVWBU73C06P161766 do we kno if there is a certain factory that it is happening to. is it still a good idea to buy this car

[VR6GURU]

So I had never heard of this problem till I was on the Touareg forum. A guy posted about the oil pump bolts failing on the 3.6's

Now that I am on this thread everyone here seems to own a Passat. Did the Touaregs suffer from this problem?

Thank you, and Good Luck

[3.6_AWD_Driver]

So at 50k I am unhappily a new member of the failed oil pump bolt club. I am trying to get VW to do the right thing and replace the engine. They have stated that the only course of action right now is to replace the pump, chain and tensioner. I cant see how the engine can be any good after the bolt sheered off. For those that did not have the engine replaced how is your car running now? Just feels like the car will be a ticking time bomb. Unless they do a compression test and rip the engine down to its core I wont feel comfortable. How off am I on that feeling?

This is the second time this has happened with VW. First we lost a tdi engine and now this one. I have all but lost faith in VW. Minus a small miracle I will never buy another.

I will work on getting the details and post the information out here...

[TomSSRT]

I've a '08 3.6 put together in Emden. Still going strong. Bought the car new and the oil's been changed fairly consistenly at 5k. Runs great, so far. It sounds like the problem could be related to early production. You would think they would get a hand on the source!

[tdec]

Year: 2006
Failure: Oil Pump sheered off, motor destroyed
Mileage: 75k

[tdec]

I was told that the bolt was inferior regardless of where purchased.
A new one replaced it in '08.

[twiceunlucky]

I didn't post my first one, '06 Passat 4Motion, 30 K check oil pressure warning and noisy valve train. Dealer dissassembled, told by VWoA(c) to stop looking further when filing were found in oil pan. New long block installed under warranty. Latest 07' Passat Wagon 4Motion, 71 K. Same story, different book. Oil light came on while driving, car sounds like a diesel. Dealer assured me after first engine failure that this was *rare*. If all turns out good, post will stop, if VWoA(C) disavows themselves of this known problem will post further. I've taken stats, VW suggested that 1/1000 engines fail, probability of 2 is 1/1000000, maybe I should take up playing lotteries.

If it helps anyone, the engine started to bog 2-3 days before catastrophic failure. Only had issues with engine performance below 3K rpm. Car would not hold cruise uphill after this started. CEL came on, but did not flash, suspected EGR error as light had previously been cleared due to EGR fault diagnosis.

[mr2guru]

I didn't post my first one, '06 Passat 4Motion, 30 K check oil pressure warning and noisy valve train. Dealer dissassembled, told by VWoA(c) to stop looking further when filing were found in oil pan. New long block installed under warranty. Latest 07' Passat Wagon 4Motion, 71 K. Same story, different book. Oil light came on while driving, car sounds like a diesel. Dealer assured me after first engine failure that this was *rare*. If all turns out good, post will stop, if VWoA(C) disavows themselves of this known problem will post further. I've taken stats, VW suggested that 1/1000 engines fail, probability of 2 is 1/1000000, maybe I should take up playing lotteries.

If it helps anyone, the engine started to bog 2-3 days before catastrophic failure. Only had issues with engine performance below 3K rpm. Car would not hold cruise uphill after this started. CEL came on, but did not flash, suspected EGR error as light had previously been cleared due to EGR fault diagnosis.

On the second car, did you have an extended warranty or are you out of pocket? Interested in finding out how VW deals with this denied issue out of warranty.

I couldn't take it anymore... I sold my B6 at 85k miles before my extended ran out.

[twiceunlucky]

Well, VWoC came back, told me that was what warranty was for, denied all responsibility. Dealer recommended replacing engine. Quoted $17,000 for replacment, knocked it down to $16,000. Not the dealer's fault, but definitely VW's fault. I'm sending it to a third party to have the engine replaced or redone, I will never deal with VW again, that is my last VW product. The only time my A6 will see an Audi dealership is when the CEL comes on and I have a warranty claim. Looks like I'm moving over to BMW.

[judedude]

06 4motion. Bolt failure at 19k miles. Bought it used and work was done before I purchased. Now at 92k. Figured I'd add to the list so VW might admit to the defect and cover it for those out of warranty.

[jsvw]

2006 3.6 VW Passast
Purchased 12-05
60,600 miles when engine failed
2 months and 600 miles out of warranty

[3.6awdwagon]

Wanted to post this to inform that we may have some gold at the end of the rainbow....finally.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...rom-3.6-Owners!

[rags2riches]

More than likely it will happen before warranty, even before 10k miles. Lemon Law is tricky (vague) on state website. Now we know specifics. Sister-in-laws car unable to use lemon law , but VW agreed to replace car (due to all the other problems). Hopefully the new car will be trouble free. Hey you have to be optimistic.

It usually has to be the same problem over and over again. There is a reason that lemon law attorneys advertise on TV. No one really uses them. Companies very rarely produce lemons. It does happen. But not very often. The 3.6 and 2.0 are decent engines, they're just newer engines that need the kinks worked out. All cars from all manufacturers are like this. It sounds like the 3.6 is a little worse off. I got a 2.5 and I think it is one of the most solid engines VW has ever made. 65,000 miles and only one problem. It was my fault though. I got some bad gas with water in it and it threw the knock sensor. I went into limp mode.

[twiceunlucky]

It usually has to be the same problem over and over again. There is a reason that lemon law attorneys advertise on TV. No one really uses them. Companies very rarely produce lemons. It does happen. But not very often. The 3.6 and 2.0 are decent engines, they're just newer engines that need the kinks worked out. All cars from all manufacturers are like this. It sounds like the 3.6 is a little worse off. I got a 2.5 and I think it is one of the most solid engines VW has ever made. 65,000 miles and only one problem. It was my fault though. I got some bad gas with water in it and it threw the knock sensor. I went into limp mode.

Everyone screws up, I can't count the number of times that I have. When I do screw up though, I fess up to it, apologize and make it right. I don't think anyone could say that VW didn't screw up with the 3.6. First year, stuff happens. So, all they needed to do was make it right. We blew it, bring your engines in and we will fix it, or; we blew it, the recall costs too much but don't worry we'll extend the warranty. In the last 7 years I have patronized VW with an '03 Jetta TDI wagon, an 06' 4Motion Sedan, an 07' 4Motion Wagon and an 09'A6. After this episode I've switched over to BMW, must admit they screw up as much or more than VW, but at least they own up to it and are fixing stuff. To be honest this German junk has me looking at domestics again, maybe the CTS wagon AWD.

[Issam Abed]

To be honest this German junk has me looking at domestics again, maybe the CTS wagon AWD.

Good luck! If you thought Germans built junk the Japanese and Domestics are not better! This is 2012 where cars are built by bean counters.If you want a solid car that was built like a tank then you have to go back in time, not switch platforms. Volkswagen stopped building reliable cars in 1992. Family member has a CTS and from day one has had nothing but issues (and issues that will make your hair stand up i.e. merging onto a highway and power shuts off...no throttle control ).

Still one of the most reliable volkswagen's I have ever owned has been the B6 3.6 the last one being a MKII Gti.Other than a failed coil pack and 2 sets of control arm bushings , it has been pretty sound.

[twiceunlucky]

You make your living on parts for these cars and you admit they are junk since 1992. Awesome, thanks for proving my point. Yep, the CTS is junk with a much smaller price tag. S*** smells better when it doesn't cost as much.

[Issam Abed]

you admit they are junk since 1992

Not sure how you got junk from this....

Volkswagen stopped building reliable cars in 1992..

Let me define what reliable means. Starting everyday in the winter , costing peanuts to repair and all around no major repairs.

MKIV 1.8T's were plagued with faulty coil packs and PCV failures
MKV's - fuel pump followers & camshafts
MKVI's - dual mass flywheels - pcv issues.

When Volkswagen introduced the MKII's the only issues I could even remember the tech's @ our garage complain about was CIS and G60 failures. This is straying off topic but all in all compared to other brands , VW's are still very well built and if you would like to sample another non-german brand then by all means go right ahead but dont expect miracles.

[nater]

Guys,

Take your argument to PM or a more suitable thread as this is definitely not the place for it.

Thanks,

[rallyedude]

I just did the bolt on my wife's 07 passat 4mo wagon . Had 150358 kms @ 90000 miles or so . Bolt had walked out about 20mm of thread . Gears were wobbling around . Actually had damage on teeth and keyway areas . I changed the bolt , gears , oil pump , chains and all guides/tensioners . The car did give me warning though , I had a cam sensor code . I tried a sensor cause it was cheap but of course as I had assumed not the issue . I couldn't have been that lucky . It's been up and running for two weeks since the repair . All seems good except idle is a bit rough . Had a misfire code cyl3 swapped coil with cyl1 , disappeared .

Did the control arm bushings and subframe shims and an alignment while all was apart . Hope the car behaves itself now . Next money going on it some hankooks with studs.

[2.0tdi]

hi
did anyone had issue with this on the car made in April '07
VIN # is WVWFU93C37E227110
i found car with 74000km and wondering if this failure is covered by bumper to bumper or power train waranty
thanks for your help

[jpay]

I have an 06' Passat with 57K. The ECP and CEL lights came on. The vehicle went into it's safe mode. My mechanic read the codes as a G40 and G28 sensor. Sounds like I may have the same issue. What is the easiest way to tell if the bolt has backed out.

[rallyedude]

My wife had the same codes, yanked the trans. Two weeks after I did the bolt and chains I ended up having to pull the head as well. two every so slightly tweaked valves. spotted it on the leak down test. Looking back on my issue I would have proceeded slightly differently once I saw my codes. Step one leak down test. would have let me know exactly what was going on before I took it apart. What ever you do don't start that motor again until it's checked out properly. Tow/push whatever, do NOT start it!

[rallyedude]

Also did a client's 06 sedan 4MO about three weeks ago, 118,949 kms on it. Bolt was tight had early version bolt. Although his bolt was green coloured, mine was black. Both 8.8 grade.

[2001 Variant]

hi
did anyone had issue with this on the car made in April '07
VIN # is WVWFU93C37E227110
i found car with 74000km and wondering if this failure is covered by bumper to bumper or power train waranty
thanks for your help

You should be fine with that VIN/date.

[MUG318]

Year: 2006
Failure: Oil Pump sheered off, motor destroyed
Mileage: 75k

I was hoping I dodged the bullet and escaped w/o having to endure the oil pump bolt issue since I now have 60K miles on my car. Crap. Good thing I opted for the extended 7/85K warranty .

[jpay]

It was confirmed that my car had the broken cam bolt. Car had 57,949 miles. "EPC" and "Check Engine Light" came on. Car went into "safe" mode. Towed the car to City Volkswagen in San Diego. (Service Rep. Peter Beck) Car was covered by warranty. They replaced timing chains, oil pump, sprockets, tensioners, chain cover, new software. The cover held the system together just long enough to prevent complete failure. They had to remove transmission to repair. I was lucky, car was 2000 miles and 3 weeks inside warranty period. I found very detailed information, including pictures on "passat world". I took this information with me and showed it to the dealer. No problems or issues with the dealer or VWOA. Repairs took 4 weeks due to parts availability. I reported the issue to the NHTSA on their website. Anyone with the same issue should do the same. Hopefully this will help with a future recall.

[twiceunlucky]

If they are the pics of the timing chain scoring the timing chain cover, those are courtesy of me, glad they helped you. Of course I'm still at the point where VW claims they are unaware of the problem. Sorry Nater if I'm ruining your thread, this engine is junk.
Cheers,
TWU

[nater]

Sorry Nater if I'm ruining your thread, this engine is junk.
Cheers,
TWU

it's not my thread. But thanks for your cool pictures though.




Nate

[uhrgenau]

My wife owns a 2007 3.6 Sedan (FWD) that currently has 40,000 miles on the clock. Unlike many of the 3.6s in the US this particular car was built in the Mosel factory according to the VIN. Does anyone know whether the oil bolt problem is isolated to a particular assembly plant. Most of the VINs that have been posted appear to be cars assembled in the Emden plant.

I'm trying to decide whether to pay for an extended warranty or have the bolt checked/replaced since we like the car and would like to hang onto it for a few more years.

[Incrementalg]

My wife owns a 2007 3.6 Sedan (FWD) that currently has 40,000 miles on the clock. Unlike many of the 3.6s in the US this particular car was built in the Mosel factory according to the VIN. Does anyone know whether the oil bolt problem is isolated to a particular assembly plant. Most of the VINs that have been posted appear to be cars assembled in the Emden plant.

I'm trying to decide whether to pay for an extended warranty or have the bolt checked/replaced since we like the car and would like to hang onto it for a few more years.

Not sure if the problem is isolated to a particular plant. If you're thinking of an extended warranty just for the bolt issue, you'd spend less money to have the bolt replaced as a preventative.

[3.6awdwagon]

Curious to know how much you guys have paid to swap the bolt?

[MDAce15]

Curious to know how much you guys have paid to swap the bolt?

Me too!

[nater]

Curious to know how much you guys have paid to swap the bolt?

This is basically R&R transmission and timing chain.
I've got no personal experience. I'll pull up Mitchell labor rate when I get to work for you.

[cueboat]

I have an 2006 3.6 4mo passat. with 85k on the clock. I bought the car used and its not a CPO. It runs great, love the car. But I can't seem to figure out if the oil pump bolt has been replaced, i have an external warranty till december if it does fail. I called my local dealer, they say there isn't a nationwide data base of services done that they can access. Any ideas/recommendations? I was thinking about trading up for a Q7 in the near future any idea what years should be avoided with the same engine.

[nater]

06,07 motors are affected.