99 Passat 1.8T (Page 1/3) Purple86GT JAN 18, 11:27 AM I'm picking up a 99 1.8T passat for $500 tonight. anything I should look for as potential problems? It's automatic with tiptronic transmission. He says the timing belt has to be done soon (not broken). car runs fine but the transmission is not "releasing" properly when coming to a stop so you need to push hard on the brakes... Hummm... I would of guess that to be like a TCC problem, but the car does not stall.. Anything else I should be prepared for? I already have a 2001 Golf 2.0L Automatic and that transmission has been a nightmare! but it's 2 different transmissions and the one from the Passat doesn't show that many problems on google... Thanks! Tony Kania JAN 18, 11:51 AM The tiptronic is an EXPENSIVE fix. A bud just had his go last summer. Good luck with the car though. Price is awesome. carnut122 JAN 19, 09:22 AM VW parts can be very pricey. Good luck. Purple86GT JAN 19, 09:40 AM good news! I don't tink it's the transmission! I think the car just needs a tune-up. it seems ti idle a touch high causing the engine to push at very slow speeds. it vibates a bit in the steering wheel when in drive and at a stop. i think a trans service, oil flush and then change, seafoam, new plugs and voila! i hope.... Monkeyman JAN 19, 01:05 PM Dude, you paid 500 bucks for the car. If it costs a grand to fix, you're still miles ahead. Even in "fair" condition (according to KBB, in Indiana), it's worth $1800. Purple86GT JAN 19, 05:30 PM quote Originally posted by Monkeyman: Dude, you paid 500 bucks for the car. If it costs a grand to fix, you're still miles ahead. Even in "fair" condition (according to KBB, in Indiana), it's worth $1800. Awesome! I've been driving it all day today. so far no major issues except the light for the air bag is on and the horn is not working. that car has quite a bit of pep for a 1.8 liter engine! turboguy327 JAN 19, 06:45 PM How sludged up is it?? Those engines sludge up quick!! Keep on top of the oil changes. Very important on those. Purple86GT JAN 23, 08:13 AM quote Originally posted by turboguy327: How sludged up is it?? Those engines sludge up quick!! Keep on top of the oil changes. Very important on those. I read about that... I have no idea how sludged up it might be. The engine "seems" to be working fine. To be safe, i duped a bottle of atf in the oil and will drive it like that for a few hundred km and do a good oil change with synthetic 5w40. My intent was to just use it as a beater, but I seem to like the little Nazzi Mobile. bmwguru JAN 25, 05:10 AM quote Originally posted by Purple86GT: good news! I don't tink it's the transmission! I think the car just needs a tune-up. it seems ti idle a touch high causing the engine to push at very slow speeds. it vibates a bit in the steering wheel when in drive and at a stop. i think a trans service, oil flush and then change, seafoam, new plugs and voila! i hope.... Replace the pcv system. Flush the oil and make sure that you get the newer, larger oil filter. Mann updated to the W940/25 oil filter which VW recommends. Synthetic oil only for all German cars made after 1998 or boosted. quote Originally posted by Purple86GT: Awesome! I've been driving it all day today. so far no major issues except the light for the air bag is on and the horn is not working. that car has quite a bit of pep for a 1.8 liter engine! Check the clockspring....make sure it is plugged in. Dave Monkeyman JAN 25, 06:26 AM bmwguru --- The VW is a GERMAN car. Do you know anything about German cars? Ever worked on a German car? Purple 86 GT --- In case you don't know about bmwguru, if there's something to be known about German cars, he probably knows about it, how to fix it and/or the cheapest way to get around the problem.