My 2002 Passat is running on 3 out of 4 cylinders. I can have the neighborhood mechanic dig into it (he’s already hooked up his computer and taken down error codes) or have the dealership fix it (they may not be able to work on it until next week).
Based on the error codes (mass flow sensor problem and evaporator leak) the local mechanic says he’ll start diggin into it, but he didnt sound real confident or enthusiastic.
Should I wait up to week for the more expensive dealership mechanics who will probably fix it more efficently but hammer me for labor and parts?
Are cars like new Passats so unique/complex that neighborhood mechanics are in over thier heads?
I would be over my head. Ain’t you got no warranty on that VW? That sounds like warranty work to me. Any chance el hombre could void your warranty by digging into the thing?
What kind of mechanic is your local guy? Is he an ASE Certified dude with his own official shop or is he just a handy guy with one of those PepBoys eeeee-lectronic analyzer doohickeys? As the local shade tree mechanic in my neighborhood, I’ll almost never come out and say, “I have no idea what to do with that” and have gained much knowledge as a result. But I have found myself in situations where I took an inordinate amount of time to complete the repair (a week for a timing belt on a 98 Mitsubishi–I don’t like to talk about that one).
Your Passat has a the 1.8T engine, which I believe has recalls on coil packs. A bad coil pack would cause the engine to run on only 3 cylinders. If it is a coil pack the dealer will replace for free, so you may want to at least have the dealer check out the car first. If it is something different, and not under warranty then bring it to an independant mechanic to do the work.
Something about an MAF recall sounds familiar as well.
I work for a car maker as a technical trainer (I teach guys how to fix cars)
Fixing an OBDII equipped car can be a very technical involved task. Every car is a little different. Base principles are the same, but the applications are different. Often way different. I know that when I look under the hood of another brand of car, I sometimes get the feeling of WTF am I looking at? I admire the hell out of guys like Gary T who work on all brands of cars, it’s not an easy job. To be good at it, like he is, makes for some serious work.
From your description, I would say that the dealership will probably be more familiar with your car. Couple that with Fat Chance’s comment about a recall on coil packs, I would head to the dealer.
One thing I want to add. A misfire (running on 3 out of 4) can destroy a cat converter if fairly short order. If the check engine light reappears after the repair, it may be for converter efficiency. I would expect that to be covered, if it was caused by a coil pack failure.
Good luck
Dealership was the way to go. They had an opening in the schedule and fixed it fast–ignition coil for a total of $170. The neighborhood mechanic would’ve risky. He charged me $45 for the diagnostic test, and was kind of unsure what it meant.
Wait, hold on. If your car does indeed have the 1.8T engine, you don’t have a single ignition coil (not the traditional type anyway as you don’t have a distributor), you have 4 individual coil packs, one for each cylinder. If they replaced one of these and charged you, you may have gotten ripped off, cause they are under recall:
All 2001-2003 VW Golf/GTi, Jetta, Beetle, Passats, Audi A4 and Audi TT with the 1.8T engine.
I would call VW Customer Relations and ask for sure: 800-822-8987