2002 Volkswagen Golf Engine cooling Problems

“To whom it may concern, my wife and I own a white, 2002, Volkswagen GOLF. My wife has had the oil changed on the vehicle at a jiffy lube in napa, ca. Since owning the vehicle. Recently she noticed an oil leak. My wife took her vehicle to a mechanic in clearlake, ca. The mechanic found the oil filter was loose and subsequently fixed the problem. The vehicle continued to leak oil. I took the vehicle back to the mechanic in clearlake. Upon raising the vehicle, the mechanic located the oil drain plug. The drain plug was loose. …”

“Oil pan cracking/engine seizing- because the oil pan is made of aluminum without any sort of skid plate protecting it, the cold temperatures of winter make it brittle and if any sort of natural occuring hazard, such as ice or rocks, or man made hazard, such as road debris hits this oil pan the chance of engine failure/seizing is greatly increased.”

“Multiple problems included: malfunction indicator lamp on, vehicle cut off, trunk switch fell out, driver door lock inoperative, fuel gauge inoperative, engine rattle. Multiple replacements - camshaft sensor, trunk switch, power door locks, fuel lines installed, fuel sender unit, timing belt and tensioner.”

“Owner was driving in traffic - merging onto the long island expressway - when a dull pop sound was heard. The engine quickly lost power. Owner was able to steer vehicle from right lane to shoulder and engage hazard lights. Car was towed to dealer. Dealer examined vehicle and advised owner that the timing belt was missing. Dealer advised that engine had seized and must be replaced. Owner lost use of car for 5 weeks. Engine and timing belt were replaced.”

“Car was driven to and parked outside a store 1 mile from home. When owner returned to car (less than 10 minutes after parking), the car would not start. Car was towed to dealer and owner was informed that oil pan was cracked & engine has seized. Dealer said that damage was not covered by warranty and owner must contact insurance company to file collision claim. However, no collision ever occurred. Owner lost use of vehicle for five weeks. Oil pan, short block & turbo were replaced.”