Parts and labor= $1,846.98!!!!!!!!!!!

[joshuah]

Hey guys -

Just wanted to run this service by you guys to get some thoughts. I had posted here earlier this year about a terrible clacking sound coming from my 2001 1.8T. A few people on here suggested it was the oil pump, or part of that system, that was no longer working and causing that sound. Basically, the car would start OK, then run for about 5 minutes then the clacking would start when I was at a stop light or stopped for whatever reason, but once I got above
1500 RPM it would go away. Plus, I would smell oil when this was happening.

So VW dealership says I need to replace the cam adjuster, a gasket, and two breather hoses. Apparently oil is geeting into the turbo hosing. This wil cost me $1,846.98 to do.
I am on a tight budget, so I am looking at my options.

I have driven the car like this for 3 years now, and it runs fine besides the noise. Can I just wait and save up for the work? Should I just drive the car into the ground and use the $2,000 for a down payment on another car?

I appreciate any and all comments. Thank you!!!

[jazzcat]

get a second opinion

[beetlejuice]

Hey, Jazzcat, we're neighbors.
b

[noR]

Yeah, another opinion is in order for a repair that big.

Price sounds right, a bit high, but that's dealerships for ya, but you might want to squeeze them for a timing belt job at the same time. for little or no extra.

Hmm, but if it's been like that for 3 yrs, what's a couple more? It will die one day; it might be more beneficial to save up for a different car, or a new motor vs. repairing that one.

[jazzcat]

Originally Posted by beetlejuice

Hey, Jazzcat, we're neighbors.
b

wrong glendale

[beetlejuice]

Dang, sorry, I didn't look closely enough. Bet my Glendale's cooler than yours (temp wise, I mean).
b

[joshuah]

Originally Posted by noR

Yeah, another opinion is in order for a repair that big.

Price sounds right, a bit high, but that's dealerships for ya, but you might want to squeeze them for a timing belt job at the same time. for little or no extra.

Hmm, but if it's been like that for 3 yrs, what's a couple more? It will die one day; it might be more beneficial to save up for a different car, or a new motor vs. repairing that one.

That is what I was thinking as well. I mean, a few grand more and I have a new engine or a really good down payment on another car. I have had the bug since 2002, finished paying for it in 2005, and have put close to 100,000 miles on it (bought it used with 40,000 miles on it already.)

Thanks guys!

[noR]

It's one thing to let it make a loud noise when you know what it is, and know it's a problem, and can actively deal w/it. But not knownig is scary.

At least find out for sure what the cause is; if it's truely the oil pump, put a 100 into getting an oil temp gauge so you can mitigate the consequences. etc etc.

But not knowing makes it hard to keep an eye on it, and could leave you in a disasterous situation.

[jazzcat]

Originally Posted by beetlejuice

Dang, sorry, I didn't look closely enough. Bet my Glendale's cooler than yours (temp wise, I mean).
b

wouldn't doubt that...bet gas is cheaper out here though...trade off im willing to deal with

[pinky]

if by "cam adjuster" you mean the cam chain tensioner (which will, in fact, cause a clacking noise) that piece is ~$300+ (parts only) new retail if you have VVT (2001+ iirc for beetles)

non-vvt is a little cheaper (~200ish)

i just did mine a little while back (non vvt) on my audi, and it wasnt THAT bad (for me at least)... you have to pull the cams out to change it (that means you will have to retime your engine and be VERY CAREFUL)

lmk if you want to attempt it yourself. i will give you a breakdown, but, of course, will take no responsibilty for your actions... i can get you the parts as well..

[pinky]

oh, and fwiw, if that thing lets go, you'll certainly break a lot of things (think snapped timing belt)

Originally Posted by noR

Price sounds right, a bit high, but that's dealerships for ya, but you might want to squeeze them for a timing belt job at the same time. for little or no extra.

eh.. you really dont have to mess with the timing belt at all to change the chain tensioner... doing a tb job adds quite a bit of additional work..

[joshuah]

Originally Posted by pinky

if by "cam adjuster" you mean the cam chain tensioner (which will, in fact, cause a clacking noise) that piece is ~$300+ (parts only) new retail if you have VVT (2001+ iirc for beetles)

non-vvt is a little cheaper (~200ish)

i just did mine a little while back (non vvt) on my audi, and it wasnt THAT bad (for me at least)... you have to pull the cams out to change it (that means you will have to retime your engine and be VERY CAREFUL)

lmk if you want to attempt it yourself. i will give you a breakdown, but, of course, will take no responsibilty for your actions... i can get you the parts as well..

hmmmmm. So would the clacking sound go away once you past 1500 rpm? The cam shaft is also known as the "cam shaft adjuster."
I got an independent guy telling me it is the oil pump, and VW dealership telling me it is the cam business and oil pump is working just fine.

[pinky]

the oil pump can cause the cam chain tensioner to wear prematurely (low oil pressure)

only real way to tell is to do an oil pressure test