Shop Shots Volume 35 Insider Pictures of Automotive Service
It’s Wednesday and you all know what that means, Shop Shots! These are the pictures that will you not see anywhere else. Maybe that is a good thing(HAHA). Who else will show you all the crazy things that happen to people’s cars? Okay, let’s do this.
Last week I posted a picture of a VR6 that was taken apart. One of the bolts backed out and the timing chain came off. This is one of the covers that covers the timing chain. The bright part is where the chain was slapping against the cover. This is just the tip of the ice burg. Like I said last week there where several bent valves, among other damage.
The update is VW is buying this customer a brand new engine. The customer is paying some of the cost. I don’t know the exact numbers. I can tell you it is nowhere near the $7000+ that she was expecting to pay. I am really happy that VW stepped up and helped this customer out. It is great when a really VW helps a customer that truly loves their car. By the way, I think the engine alone was about $6500, ouch!
It has been a long time since I posted a VW water leak picture. The last one was a Touareg water leak. That is actually a good thing. Water leaks can be one of the most awful things to deal with, both for the customer and the mechanic. I have seen many cars totaled because of water damage. Plus they stink!
These are the connectors for a 2003 VW Passat convenience module. That module controls all the convenience features(D’uh?). Things like power windows and lock, and the vehicle alarm system. The connectors are covered in corrosion. That makes for very poor connections. This is something that is generally repairable. It involve replacing all 40 or so wires in the connectors. Generally replacing about 6inches of wire as well. This customer decided to no repair the vehicle. Sadly, another VW bites the dust.
This goes into the “bad news” category. We have talked tires before. This is where the parts of the tire separate. This is very very dangerous, and begging for a tire blow out. The tire is several worn on the inner edge. If you look at the right side of the picture, you see the outer edge of the tire. It still has some tread. Granted, it not in great shape, but not as bad as the inner edge. When inspecting tires, you need to check the whole tire. Thankfully, this customer replaced all 4 tires.
That wraps it up for this week. Another round in the books. I hope you all enjoyed the pictures this week. I am still taking your pictures for the Readers Rides. You can use the Contact me form, or just email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com.
Are you on instagram? If so, let me know. I post a few more pictures during the week. Just search humblemechanic and follow me. I also like to follow what other folks are posting.
There is a class action law suit regarding the water leak for the passat. Also does one of the recalls “prevent” this water leak?
@Jason,
The recall that was out for the B5.5 was for resealing the pollen filter housing.
That would help with water leaks on the passenger side.
I was not the one working on this car, so I don’t know the exact cause of the leak. There are a few things that cause leaks on that body style.
1)Leaking sunroof drains. This is due to being clogged, or due to being loose at the sunroof track.
2) Windshields. Many have aftermarket windshields, I have seen tons of them leak.
3) Debris build up on the cowl. That prevents water from draining properly.
There are other causes, but those are the main ones.
So, what happened to the Passat that didn’t get the wiring repaired, then? Did it end up as a trade-in?
@Brett,
Yeah the guy traded it in. One of the techs was going to buy it, but I am not sure how that played out.