2003 Volkswagen Passat Oil pan removal

Dave:
Before I would go to the trouble of removing the pan, I would suggest getting a mechanical oil pressure gauge (which most parts stores will lend or rent to you) and confirm that the pressure is actually low. You may just have a bad switch. However, if you remove the pan, it is a straight forward job on this vehicle. If I recall correctly, the 03 is able to be removed without removing other parts.

Let me know if you have other specific questions.

Joe

The engine needs to be supported from the top and then the subframe needs to be dropped so that the oil
pan can be removed.

Thomas

This video shows what needs to be done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOqW0x7oiI

Thank You for your replies...exovcds.. yes had to support engine, remove some bolts to the cross member and so on...thought it was a sludge problem but found no sludge at all. Found pieces of plastic gears in the pick up screen . Went to VW dealership and ask the parts guy...he didn't know but got one of the Tech guys and after pulling teeth he said it is the cam chain tensioner..which makes sense cause I was getting a tapping noise from the rear of the engine up top... parts guy looked up the part and through them the part is $870..so I thanked him and he told me to look online , which I would have anyway and found one for $80.00 w/ free expedited shipping, be here on the 5th. Need to get a tool to install which is $35.00. So it was good to remove the pan because of the pieces were clogging the flow anyway. It's an aftermarket part but it will be someone else's problem in the future. Jacobandnickolas bigger job than you described but saved about $700.00 or more labor ....Again Thank You everyone...Dave

Does it have the solenoid valve on it?

We installed an aftermarked one before and kept getting cam position fault codes. The new tensioner had a faulty.

The genuine tensioners come with the tool installed on the tensioner.

Thomas

Found one with the tool already installed on the part with the gasket for $80.00..free expedited shipping. Just have to be sure the timing marks align and clean all the caps etc before finished...Thank You again..Dave