I took my 2001 jetta to be serviced on 1/11/11 at Wallace Volkswagen of Bristol. I was told it needed a new water pump, timing belt, sensors, and all the item that go with the repairs. I informed them to do all the necessary maintenance on the car because I wanted to keep it for another 100,000 miles. I also had them replace the vw emblem on the wheel because it had fallen off. I picked up the car on 1/18/11. On 1/20/11 I checked the oil and it was a quart low (the car never burned oil) and the plactic casing that holds the dipstick was broken. I called the service department and was told not to worry about it, put in the same grade and brand of oit (since I did not want to take it 90 miles for a qt. of oil). On 2/15/11 the motor blew up. I called the service department and they told me they hold no accountability for the car. That changing the water pump and timing belt had nothing to do with the motor. I am making every effort to hold them accountable because there was no problem with the car prior to this and apparently, if there was they should have found it. I have contacted vw in Il and also the better business bureau about the situation. A ten year old car that had all the scheduled maintenance with 106000 has not been abused. I am heartbroken.

the dealership didn't want to admit what the problem was. i took it to a real mechanic well reviewed and he charged me $1,100 less than the dealership. the sludge had ruined the timing belt and cam chain tensioners. it could have ruined the whole engine. the dealership just said to change the oil breather tube which only temporarily rid the problem for 1000 miles before it was clogged again. the breather tube brings oil from the bottom of the engine to provide lubrication to the tensioners. you can avoid this problem(if it has not been making the rattling noise at idle) and delay the problem by giving the engine oil changes at every 1500 miles for 5-6 oil changes but here's the secret, you must take the top engine plate off and leave it off, second, clean all the dirt that collects around the oil filler cap cause i guarantee the lube shop guy's are not. the engine plate catches all the dirt and falls into the area that you fill with oil. take a look and you will see what i mean. you don't have to be a mechanic to do this just make sure no dirt can fall into the engine from the oil filler whole.

My 16 year old daughter saved for 2 years to buy her jetta, the car she always wanted. We bought it from a used car dealership in NH. After 5 months the oil light came on one day and the next day the engine light came on and the engine was gone due to what is called oil sludge. Called Volkswagen 3 times they all said there has never ever been an oil sludge problem with the jetta's only the passats. Called the dealer ship and again got no where. My 16 year old daughter is now without her car because we don't have the $3000 or $4000 we were told we needed for a used engine. This is a complete sin and Volkswagen should be held accountable for this dangerous situation. I thank god she was in our neighborhood when her engine went, had she been on the highway anything could have happened and VOLKSWAGEN would have a lawsuit on their hands. We will never ever buy a Volkswagen product again...