NHTSA digging deeper into Volkswagen Passat engine fires
Back in May, it was reported that 2000-2003 Volkswagen Passats were currently under investigation by NHTSA due to 19 reports of engine fires supposedly caused by a failure in the coil pack. That number has since swelled to 78 over the last few months, and now includes two reported injuries as a result of the Passat's penchant for self-immolation.
Of the 345,000 Passat affected by the issue, Volkswagen has received over 14,000 warranty claims. NHTSA has received three different engine and ignition systems from the automaker, which is also in the process of investigating the cause. Only four- and six-cylinder models seem to be affected, so those of you who plunked down the extra cash for the W8 can rest easy.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sam 4:13PM (10/02/2007)
Its not a W8. Damn Volkswagen has ruined the W engine for the rest of time. They are two V4 engines turned left and right then welded at the crankshaft. Pathetic Technology with terrible vibration and torque.
This is a W engine here. Awesome Torque and very smooth:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/roadtests/feuling_w3/
The mini should have had a W3 engine and RWD. It would fit inside a very short hood. The torque is always more in W3 engines than HP.
For example, a 1.6 liter gas 4 cylinder is about 110hp and 105 torque.
A 1.6 W3 engine is about 100hp and 130 torque!
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Lovie 4:28PM (10/02/2007)
Damn that was a nice link you posted. That engine is so compact yet is 2.4 liters! Makes 150hp and 195 torque at 3000RPM!
Im guesing if we can have W3 then we can have W6. 3 banks of 2 cylinders. Compact and powerful. Nice stuff.
Victor 4:40PM (10/02/2007)
@Lovie
you mean 2 banks of 3 cylinders. :P
Bennet Pullen 5:01PM (10/02/2007)
No... 2 banks of 3 would be a v6. 3 banks of 2 would be a W6.
wilbot 5:11PM (10/02/2007)
The Vw 2000-03 Passats are the real fahrenheit editions.
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zamafir 5:10PM (10/02/2007)
Lmao, all three customers that purchased W8 equipped Passats? aka the pre-phaetons? :)
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lol 6:04PM (10/02/2007)
lmao. that era's jetta's had all sorts of issues with coil packs, too.
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SPG 6:55PM (10/02/2007)
C'mon VW.
Make us all respect you again.
And for those who never did, fix that too.
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