1 Topic by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Topic: radiator leaks at 49,000 miles

I have a 2001 Passat Station Wagon v6 4 motion, a very nice car. The
performance is great, though the mileage is not competitive with
similar cars.
I recently noticed a radiator leak at 49,000 miles. A radiator leak
at 50,000 miles is preposterous.
I've maintained the car via a VW dealer. The car has had no damage or
any driving situations which might cause a radiator leak. My
warranty expired at 24,000 miles. I called VW and asked them if they
might help out on the $700 bill. "Thank you for calling. You are out
of warranty. We cannot help you. Call back if you need anything
else." (why should I?)


They are completely within their rights in refusing to help. The
Toyota and Honda cars I had previously would have fixed it or at
least paid a portion of the expenses.
Independent mechanics tell me German cars are hard to work on and
thus maintenance is more expensive.

Back to Japanese cars for me! I hope you can profit by my
experience.

I'm going back to Japanese cars.

I'm not seeking a response.

2 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: radiator leaks at 49,000 miles

disappointedPassatOwner wrote:
>
> I have a 2001 Passat Station Wagon v6 4 motion, a very nice car. The
> performance is great, though the mileage is not competitive with
> similar cars.
> I recently noticed a radiator leak at 49,000 miles. A radiator leak
> at 50,000 miles is preposterous.
> I've maintained the car via a VW dealer. The car has had no damage
or
> any driving situations which might cause a radiator leak. My
> warranty expired at 24,000 miles. I called VW and asked them if they
> might help out on the $700 bill. "Thank you for calling. You are out
> of warranty. We cannot help you. Call back if you need anything
> else." (why should I?)
>
>
> They are completely within their rights in refusing to help. The
> Toyota and Honda cars I had previously would have fixed it or at
> least paid a portion of the expenses.
> Independent mechanics tell me German cars are hard to work on and
> thus maintenance is more expensive.
>
> Back to Japanese cars for me! I hope you can profit by my
> experience.
>
> I'm going back to Japanese cars.
>
> I'm not seeking a response.
>
BYE!

3 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: radiator leaks at 49,000 miles

Sorry to hear of your difficulties. Probably one of those
plastic/aluminum radiators meant to save a few ounces in weight, but
also guaranteed to leak! I've never had a radiator leak in my VW in
over 435K miles....but then again I don't have a radiator...My 84
Vanagon did have a mickey mouse heater core under the rear seat that
leaked like a seive....until I found an old Ford core (solid Brass!)
that happened to fit perfectly....just rambling....Clancy




Satisfied VW owner wrote:
>
> disappointedPassatOwner wrote:
>>
>> I have a 2001 Passat Station Wagon v6 4 motion, a very nice car. The
>> performance is great, though the mileage is not competitive with
>> similar cars.
>> I recently noticed a radiator leak at 49,000 miles. A radiator leak
>> at 50,000 miles is preposterous.
>> I've maintained the car via a VW dealer. The car has had no damage
> or
>> any driving situations which might cause a radiator leak. My
>> warranty expired at 24,000 miles. I called VW and asked them if they
>> might help out on the $700 bill. "Thank you for calling. You are out
>> of warranty. We cannot help you. Call back if you need anything
>> else." (why should I?)
>>
>>
>> They are completely within their rights in refusing to help. The
>> Toyota and Honda cars I had previously would have fixed it or at
>> least paid a portion of the expenses.
>> Independent mechanics tell me German cars are hard to work on and
>> thus maintenance is more expensive.
>>
>> Back to Japanese cars for me! I hope you can profit by my
>> experience.
>>
>> I'm going back to Japanese cars.
>>
>> I'm not seeking a response.
>>
> BYE!
>

4 Reply by Guest

  • Guest
  • Guest

Re: radiator leaks at 49,000 miles

Clancy wrote:
>
> Sorry to hear of your difficulties. Probably one of those
> plastic/aluminum radiators meant to save a few ounces in weight, but
> also guaranteed to leak! I've never had a radiator leak in my VW in
> over 435K miles....but then again I don't have a radiator...My 84
> Vanagon did have a mickey mouse heater core under the rear seat that
> leaked like a seive....until I found an old Ford core (solid Brass!)
> that happened to fit perfectly....just rambling....Clancy
>
Yeah, they may not have this liquid-cooling thing really figured out.
I've replaced heater cores in at least 6 WC VWs - and my EV has a
trace of scent in the defroster now as well.

On the other hand, they don't really want us keeping the cars over a
few years anyway; so maybe they are just pushing in that direction.