Passat 3C buying guide

Dear DIY enthusiasts,

My wife also wants to become a Passat driver . Therefore, we want to buy a Passat 3C (diesel). We have two options available: a 170 hp version with these piezo injectors, with 170,000 km (sold by our neighbor), and a 1.9-liter engine with 105 hp and 125,000 km (dealer, timing belt replaced).

Regarding the 170 hp version, you can find many horror stories about these piezo injectors. Our neighbor had problems with them at around 100,000 km. VW apparently replaced them free of charge (I don't have the details yet). Can you expect this engine to be a money pit? On used car websites, you can find at least a few models that have achieved a high mileage.

In contrast, the version with 105 horsepower seems to last forever. Does this engine also have the problem with the protruding hexagon on the oil pump, or does that only affect the 2.0-liter variants with 140 horsepower?

What is the general experience with doing the timing belt replacement on a 3C engine yourself? Can I still do this myself? (In the 3rd year of high school, it's actually quite easy, except for this annoying lock-carrying service requirement.)

I would recommend, in your place, choosing a Passat with a Common-Rail TDI engine, manufactured from December 2009 onwards.

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We have a 170PS version with these piezo injectors, with 170,000 km (sold by our neighbor), and a 1.9 version with 105PS and 125,000 km (dealer, timing belt replaced).

Basically, I would agree with Rainer, but it ultimately comes down to a matter of price.

Personally, I would prefer the 170 hp version, or even the 140 hp version as an alternative, over the 1.9-liter engine. The 1.9 engines aren't necessarily trouble-free either... they sometimes have problems with the camshaft.

The timing belt replacement is roughly the same for both vehicles. The 16V engine has one more gear, but otherwise, the replacement process is about the same... approximately 3 hours. Effort involved is minimal if you are familiar with the procedures and have a lift platform available.

I would either go with the 1.9-liter engine or the 2.0 CR TDI.

haehnlein wrote:

(...) 170 HP version (...) Can we assume this engine is a "money pit"?

Martin, who drives a Passat BMR, will probably be able to provide you with more information on that. I could probably write something about the 140s.

haehnlein wrote:

(...)105 HP version (...)Does this engine also have the problem with the stripping hexagon on the oil pump?

This applies to all PD engines in the Passat and also to CR engines produced up to the end of 2009.
However, it only becomes a problem if it's too late. The switch itself is simple and inexpensive. However, it must be done before any damage occurs.

Greetings.
Guste.

I have a car for sale with 170 horsepower and only 144,000 km.

So far, it has been working wonderfully, including a new PPDE (presumably a component or system) at VW's expense.
They didn't cause any trouble, but I was happy to take on the task.


Griesheim is also not far away ))))

Hello,

First of all, thank you for the suggestions. We have also only had good experiences with the CR engines in our company fleet, but only with mileages below 100,000 km. However, when I think about the fact that my original AVF engine now has 310,000 km on the clock, while consuming 0.5 liters of oil every 30,000 km ( ), and still has exhaust values like on the first day, then the older PD engines can't be that bad. I think that the driving experience is still crucial. When I hear about worn camshafts, the driving style certainly plays a significant role. However, these problems with the hexagonal shape on the oil pump remind me of the crankshaft bolt on the 1Z model, which points to potential quality issues from the VAG group.

How about changing the timing belt on CR engines yourself? Does it work similarly to PD engines, or do you have to use a laptop with the engine running to adjust settings based on certain parameters? Is the water pump still connected to the timing belt?

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How about changing the timing belt on CR engines yourself? Does it work in a similar way to PD engines?

It shouldn't be any more difficult than it is with PD engines. A laptop is only needed to check the valve timing, but it's usually not necessary when using specialized tools.

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When I hear about worn camshafts, I'm sure the driving style also plays a significant role.

I would rather say that the engines of the newer generation of the 1.9-liter models are more frequently affected, and these engines have a "B" at the beginning of their engine code.

Isn't the crankshaft dowel pin tool the same thing?

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This applies to all PD engines in the Passat and also to CR engines up to the end of 2009.

The 1.9 version doesn't have it; it still has the chain (at least, the BLS that I once disassembled did).

vwSchrauber wrote:

Quote: This applies to all PD engines in the Passat and also to CR engines up to the end of 2009. The 1.9 one doesn't - it still has the chain (at least, the BLS that I once disassembled did).

Specifically, all 2.0 TDI PD engines are affected, where the oil pump is driven by a hexagon socket from the balance shaft module.