2015 PASSAT TDI SEL PREMIUM EGR VALVE

[Turbo Diesel]

My check engine light came on so I took it to a VW dealer. They told me that I need to pay $900 + to have a whole carbon cleanout done. Is there a cheaper fix to this problem? So far I have only run one can of Seafoam and one bottle of Lucas DPF cleaner in my tank to help. The light is still on. Should I try a few cans of Seafoam before I remove the EGR valve to clean myself?

 

[oilhammer]

The three Cs:

Complaint


Cause


Correction


... we only know what the first C was: the MIL came on. Cannot facilitate anything as to the Cause so we cannot get to that final C, the Correction.

So, what is the specific DTC that addresses the MIL? And are you certain that car is not under the warranty extension?

 

[Turbo Diesel]

The three Cs:

Complaint


Cause


Correction


... we only know what the first C was: the MIL came on. Cannot facilitate anything as to the Cause so we cannot get to that final C, the Correction.

So, what is the specific DTC that addresses the MIL? And are you certain that car is not under the warranty extension?

Sorry, I'm new to this, so I'm not sure what the abbreviations are?

 

[AverageAndy]

MIL=Malfunction Indicator Light (check engine light)
DTC=Diagnostic Trouble Code, which is the specific code(s) triggering the MIL that helps you figure out what exactly is going on.

A free scan at Autozone, O'reilly's, etc. will give you that code.

 

[Turbo Diesel]

The code that comes up on the scanner is P045F.
So the dealer told me this "Found DTC indicating EGR valve GX6 no or incorrect basic settings. Tested GX6, GX6 passed all self tests and was able to set basic settings. Test drove vehicle, DTCS did not return. Advise customer if DTCS return will need to remove EGR valve and inspect for carbon buildup. If buildup is present customer will need to authorize cleaning of valve".

 

[Turbo Diesel]

The three Cs:

Complaint


Cause


Correction


... we only know what the first C was: the MIL came on. Cannot facilitate anything as to the Cause so we cannot get to that final C, the Correction.

So, what is the specific DTC that addresses the MIL? And are you certain that car is not under the warranty extension?

My car is under warranty for about another 20,000 miles. But they told me that this problem is not covered under the warranty.

 

[oilhammer]

OK, that is the EGR valve on the backside of the engine (there are two EGR systems). It is possible it is gunked up, but more possible it is just bad. It is a bit of a job to remove it just to clean it and not have it be fixed. And it most certainly IS under the warranty extension.

 

[oilhammer]

Here is the downloadable and printable version of the warranty for your car:

https://www.vwdiesellookup.com/pdf/VWCourtSettlement_Emissions_Disclosure_Gen3_Final.pdf

Note on Page 10 what is says specifically about the EGR:

"The EGR system, including EGR valves, EGR cooler, EGR filter, EGR temperature sensor, all related hoses and pipes, and all sensors"

Print it out, and show it to the dealer, and tell them to fix your car or you'll be in contact with a lawyer.

 

[Turbo Diesel]

OK, that is the EGR valve on the backside of the engine (there are two EGR systems). It is possible it is gunked up, but more possible it is just bad. It is a bit of a job to remove it just to clean it and not have it be fixed. And it most certainly IS under the warranty extension.

Thanks for the info! I figured it should be under warranty due to it being part of the emissions control systems, but the dealer told me it was not. That it's just due to bad diesel being run in it. How do I fight this then?

 

[oilhammer]

There is no fighting. It is covered, if your car is still within the warranty period. Period. Call VW customer care (they deal with this constantly). These dealers are slime bags. Print that PDF out and highlight the passage on page 10, and show it to them. It is very clear.

 

[Turbo Diesel]

I am chatting with VW customer care as we speak. They are looking into it. I also called my VW dealer back and explained the situation to them and I said that it should be under warranty and he was saying "Well it depends on how long I have been driving the car with the light on".
This is BS, it's only been on for about 4 days now after they did a "software" update that is not going to fix the EGR problem.

 

[AverageAndy]

There should not be a "depends on how long" scenario, especially for 4 days. You may need to find another dealer if possible.

I had an intermittent MIL for an injector where my car would show symptoms, but no check engine light. Then, finally light would come on. I would call the dealer, make the first appointment, and then the light would go out before appointment. They did not want to see my car without the light on. It took at least a month and 3-4 light-on/light-off cycles before it would stay on long enough for them to see.

Next time I just replaced it myself. Job was easy and resolution was soooo much faster than using dealer (I was out of warranty at that time).

 

[Lightflyer1]

Read and know the document. Keep your cool and be calm and stand your ground, no matter what bs excuse the dealer or VWoA may spout. You can get this fixed under warranty. They will owe you a vehicle while the work is being done if they exceed the time limit. In the document too. Keep the lawyers info handy as well from the Class Action. Read up here on the stories already posted and see how others handled it and what you can learn from them. Your homework now will greatly help you.

 

[Turbo Diesel]

VW Customer Care has now documented my complaint and said they will have a regional case manager call me tomorrow. VW Customer Care also told me that my Passat is now eligible to have the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst replaced free of charge. So I'm now hoping that they will just approve fixing all this EGR valve stuff also. I'll let VW customer care call them to hash it out with my one and only local dealer because they don't seem to want to help me.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Get ready for that long term loaner/rental car then. They have to fix it no matter how many times it takes. If they are bad, request it be moved to another dealer.

 

[Turbo Diesel]

I bought this car used a little over two years ago and I am just now learning about all of this warranty stuff. I am getting worried that I’ve only got a little less than 20,000 miles to go to get the problems fixed under warranty. The VW dealer supposedly did a software update last week when the code came on but as far as I know, it’s never had the software or any hardware update to this point. After reading the warranty coverage, there should be at least three things that they need to replace on it. And now the EGR valve. I just hope VW customer care doesn’t give me a hard time.

 

[Lightflyer1]

Find and print out your info here.

VW Emissions Modification Lookup

www.vwdieselinfo.com

 

[watatrp]

I had similar issues w/ mine a couple of years ago. My dealership must be one of the better ones. They provided me with a loaner immediately and had the car for 3 weeks before I got it back. No hassles at all.

 

[oilhammer]

You'll soon learn some facts about that car:

The dealers HATE them.

The warranty is a joke, and you'll have to fight to get things done (albeit yours is almost up).

The car will still be the same problem child it always was, as it isn't like they "fixed" anything with them, the Dieselgate changes just made things worse in fact.

The company has all but turned their backs on these cars, parts availability has become comical, and they are counting the days until ALL these cars are out of the warranty and then they can close up ANY support whatsoever for them.

Deletes and illegal modifications are very popular, because that seems to be the only way to make the car reliable long term.

Aside from the ENGINE, the whole NMS platform is defunct, so even getting non-engine related parts going forward may be problematic, as they orphaned that car almost as fast as they orphaned the Routan.

I used to be Volkswagen's biggest fan... but the last few years have soured me on the brand. I still like them, I still drive one every day, but the older ones were the high water mark, and going forward I don't ever see me buying a new one ever again (and I've bought five new ones!). Really sad.

 

[Lightflyer1]

They have a long way to go with my 2015 Beetle with only 50k miles on it. Ready to retire soon too. I like having a third vehicle around myself and buy and fix them and eventually sell as someone always needs a car in the family and I like having a truck or such around too since my Beetle won't take a hitch like the older ones did (DEF tank in the way). Just bought a 2007 Tahoe 5.3 with a ticking lifter. Pulled the heads and replaced all the lifters and pushrods after checking the cam. Very easily worked on in my opinion. In the Beetle for the long haul, then no more, more than likely.

 

[Turbo Diesel]

I had similar issues w/ mine a couple of years ago. My dealership must be one of the better ones. They provided me with a loaner immediately and had the car for 3 weeks before I got it back. No hassles at all.

I'm hoping this will be a smooth process when VW customer care gets back to me.

 

[Turbo Diesel]

You'll soon learn some facts about that car:

The dealers HATE them.

The warranty is a joke, and you'll have to fight to get things done (albeit yours is almost up).

The car will still be the same problem child it always was, as it isn't like they "fixed" anything with them, the Dieselgate changes just made things worse in fact.

The company has all but turned their backs on these cars, parts availability has become comical, and they are counting the days until ALL these cars are out of the warranty and then they can close up ANY support whatsoever for them.

Deletes and illegal modifications are very popular, because that seems to be the only way to make the car reliable long term.

Aside from the ENGINE, the whole NMS platform is defunct, so even getting non-engine related parts going forward may be problematic, as they orphaned that car almost as fast as they orphaned the Routan.

I used to be Volkswagen's biggest fan... but the last few years have soured me on the brand. I still like them, I still drive one every day, but the older ones were the high water mark, and going forward I don't ever see me buying a new one ever again (and I've bought five new ones!). Really sad.

I'm starting to figure these things out, which is sad because I really love this car, especially for the gas mileage. I live in Utah and just drove to California and back for $150. I love the gas mileage that it gets so I don't want to get rid of it if I don't have to.

 

[VernK]

I’m just glad we bought a gasser Passat rather than a TDI. The car has been great though to be fair we’re low mileage folks and aren’t hard on the equipment in any event. But I am slowly buying spares for all the trim items that are showing age, just bought a set of driver seat covers and I’m trying to find the piano black door trims at a discount as I expect that stuff will dry up pretty fast now that the car isn’t sold anymore. And of course I have a spare blend door motor on the shelf.

Yours
Vern

 

[VernK]

Speaking of the door trims, has anybody here used a gloss black vinyl wrap on VW door trims in general?

Yours
Vern

 

[MB2VW]

You'll soon learn some facts about that car:

The dealers HATE them.

The warranty is a joke, and you'll have to fight to get things done (albeit yours is almost up).

The car will still be the same problem child it always was, as it isn't like they "fixed" anything with them, the Dieselgate changes just made things worse in fact.

The company has all but turned their backs on these cars, parts availability has become comical, and they are counting the days until ALL these cars are out of the warranty and then they can close up ANY support whatsoever for them.

Deletes and illegal modifications are very popular, because that seems to be the only way to make the car reliable long term.

Aside from the ENGINE, the whole NMS platform is defunct, so even getting non-engine related parts going forward may be problematic, as they orphaned that car almost as fast as they orphaned the Routan.

I used to be Volkswagen's biggest fan... but the last few years have soured me on the brand. I still like them, I still drive one every day, but the older ones were the high water mark, and going forward I don't ever see me buying a new one ever again (and I've bought five new ones!). Really sad.

ugh... dose of reality.... It ain't a Mercedes W123

I guess I'm on borrowed time at 163k....

 

[Turbo Diesel]

Update!
My VW dealer got my Passatt in to do the 2nd part of the update/modification. They have given me a 2023 VW Jetta for the loaner car. I'm hoping to have my car back in the next week. I'm bummed that I can't take this loaner car out of state though. I need to make a quick trip to CA, I guess it'll have to wait. Hoping the repairs go as planned and they replace all that is supposed to be fixed. They said VW sends them a kit.

 

[AaronB]

Delete that junk

 

[calimustang]

delete is the best thing. I did that to my 2015 Passat and she's stupid reliable ever since. deleted around 40k miles and now nearly 140k miles, zero issues besides typical leaks due to aging seals etc.

 

[740GLE]

Update!
My VW dealer got my Passatt in to do the 2nd part of the update/modification. They have given me a 2023 VW Jetta for the loaner car. I'm hoping to have my car back in the next week. I'm bummed that I can't take this loaner car out of state though. I need to make a quick trip to CA, I guess it'll have to wait. Hoping the repairs go as planned and they replace all that is supposed to be fixed. They said VW sends them a kit.

What they won't know won't hurt them.

I've taken many a dealer cars out of states as was needed for work, heck ints only 45 min to travel outside the state for me.

 

[Turbo Diesel]

Can anyone tell me where the thermostat is located so I can replace this myself? Sorry but I can't find it!