Woodchuck...99 Passat 1.8T Timing Belt...sorta

Dec 22, 2004 3 Replies

Had the 60k mile check and timing belt changed last week...car sat in the garage from Wednesday night (when I picked it up at the Dealer) until today.



Stopped for gas tonight and noticed that the Right Front turn signal lens is *missing*



No collision damage...no broken pieces...nada...just a gaping orifice with an amber bulb flopping around in the slipstream.



Did the mechanic have to pull the front end off the Passat (99 1.8T Wagon) to change the timing belt? Is there a common scenario where the lens does not get properly seated when being replaced (assuming front end removal).



I am not amused. Curious...but not amused.


Yes the front bumper and turn signal lens must come out to do the TB. So the mystery question is: did the tech not get the spring connected well or did the spring that holds the lens in break once it was connected? I'm sure your dealer should work out sometime to keep both sides happy, such as maybe a

50/50 spilt of the cost of the lens... or maybe they would pick it up 100%? If it was myself running the service department I would fix it for free. A small price to pay to keep a long time customer.

After an exhausting session with Victoria's Secret Police, "Woodchuck" confessed the following:

Dealer is going to replace the signal lens at no cost to me. Service Writer explained that the Tech has 20+ yrs with VWs and the Tech thinks he might not have seated the retaining clip completely. Getting it fixed in the AM...

I'm very pleased with my VW dealer's attitude and pro-active solution.

Good honest techs and dealers do exist!

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required