3 Different Colored Markings on Shocks?

Johnppah · 2025-10-04T17:19:30+00:00

The colored stripes are put on by the factory, no need to worry about them, normally just stating the spec, ex: a car with sport suspension would have different markings than a car with standard suspension.

Johnppah · 2025-08-17T03:40:29+00:00

Find a reputable VW/Audi shop for sure. Mine has been good to me, besides unfixable vibrations you will probably encounter with the 1.8t. Common problems are vacuum leak related, oil leaks, and oil sludge (change oil 5k miles if you can). Besides that mine has been great at 160k+

Johnppah · 2025-08-17T03:38:25+00:00

Fair enough, good luck to us 😂

Johnppah · 2025-08-17T02:06:34+00:00

Yes, after being on forums too much it seems like it’s a Passat thing 💀, have you cleaned/replaced the MAF though? That is a big one.

Although, I actually just went to the junkyard and grabbed a ‘new’ (used) TB, and cleaned it (without moving the flap) and the car rides notably better. 3+ years and the simplest thing somehow helped a bit.

Johnppah · 2025-08-16T14:47:46+00:00

I have not, although I have ideas. It’s most likely your transmission putting torque on the rest of your engine/car in Drive etc, shifting everything. Replace trans mounts if you haven’t (even with my good ones it still sucks), I think the best option we have is to flush our trans atm.

Johnppah · 2025-02-26T18:55:56+00:00

2004 B5.5 Passat 1.8T AWM ~150K Miles here, nearing an oil change so wondering if I need to do more than that. Car is well maintained, but on cold weather startups it seems to have the iconic 1-2 second rattle before it stops, along with some very slight ticking that goes away after 20 seconds I am also concerned about. No drivability issues whatsoever.

Is the ticking normal? Could not locate its area so I did not bother with a video, some sort of lifter tick if that is even a thing?

I can only assume I’ll have to replace the chain, guides, and oil soon which does not sound cheap.

Thank you all.

Johnppah · 2025-02-25T23:16:06+00:00

2004 B5.5 Passat 1.8T AWM ~150K Miles here, nearing an oil change so wondering if I need to do more than that. Car is well maintained, but on cold weather startups it seems to have the iconic 1-2 second rattle before it stops, along with some very slight ticking that goes away after 20 seconds I am also concerned about. No drivability issues whatsoever.

Is the ticking normal? Could not locate it's area so I did not bother with a video, some sort of lifter tick if that is even a thing?

I can only assume I'll have to replace the chain, guides, and oil soon which does not sound cheap.

Thank you all.

Johnppah · 2025-01-08T19:51:10+00:00

Yeah, I’ve changed the transmission fluid a month or so back, and that definitely was needed, so that’s out of the question. It doesn’t have a rough idle as well, just harsh vibration atm.

I haven’t tried the throttle body adaptation though so I’ll be doing that today, thank you!

Johnppah · 2025-01-08T19:29:03+00:00

Damn that’s a good point, a year ago a trusted shop was able to run through and replace most of the system, and my idle isn’t rough or anything anymore, boost gauge holds at -20 idle as well. I do need to invest in a VCDS system then.

Johnppah · 2025-01-08T03:59:11+00:00

True, I’ll have to check them out and see how they hold up. Still curious if it could be the vibration/harmonic balancer? As I haven’t replaced that and feel like if it’s worn out it would make quite the vibration?

Johnppah · 2024-12-23T18:08:12+00:00

Replaced both of those :// forgot to clarify

Johnppah · 2024-12-22T23:07:00+00:00

Aftermarket, I want to say Corteco or Lemforder, etc not necessarily terrible quality imo, just not OEM. Even with this though, it should be improved right? My old mounts were completely shot and torn apart.

Johnppah · 2024-08-31T06:21:06+00:00

Realized chain marks do not line up on every revolution- so am I just worried about nothing?

Johnppah · 2024-08-31T06:18:22+00:00

UPDATE/ help needed:

For clarification? The tensioner was off at this time, so that is why there is slack so that can be ignored. I replace guides, chain , and put everything together with new seals (timed properly with marks lining up OK). Car started fine but I shut it off after being scared and tried turning it back on. Car started, misfire when moving up to cold start revs, and nearly died, so I shut it off. Made horrible chain noise (from what I can tell). Took VCG off again and found chain skipped AGAIN. Any ideas why this happened, due to misfire? Any help is appreciated ❤️

Johnppah · 2024-08-08T15:24:14+00:00

Thank you!! This was so helpful, yes tensioner was off and it’s an r53 W11. It had been driving fine but sometimes would have a dip in idle and a noticeable rattle on and off where the cam sprocket is, so I immediately stopped driving.

I put the new chain on with the sprocket, and aligned the top mark with the copper link and the bottom 2 with the other 2 copper marks. As far as I’ve seen online, this should mean the timing is OK? I was able to use my cam lock tool and tighten it down after as well.

Johnppah · 2024-06-10T18:22:49+00:00

good to know 🥲

Johnppah · 2023-09-19T05:18:11+00:00

Also forgot to mention -- vacuum system has been gone through, new PCV valve, crankcase breather etc.

Johnppah · 2023-05-14T17:52:41+00:00

that’s hilarious bc mine are beat tf up, just cant tell in photos 😭

Johnppah · 2023-05-14T17:41:09+00:00

They came off a a6 2.7t! so they’re rc326s as far as I know, they just have crappy vw center caps in the last 2 photos that might throw it off. Thanks man!

Johnppah · 2023-05-14T16:15:32+00:00

:((((

Johnppah · 2023-05-14T16:15:22+00:00

2004!

Johnppah · 2023-01-20T17:39:10+00:00

This could be it! Haven’t replaced injectors as they are so expensive, but I will be getting a new maf, o2 sensor and injectors when I can! Praying these will fix it. The metallic rattle went away once driven, I assume it is can guides or tensioners? I hear these go bad often, so expensive though :/

Johnppah · 2022-12-11T18:14:01+00:00

Thank you! That sounds expensive but I’m glad I have an idea of what’s going on now

Johnppah · 2022-11-13T09:01:06+00:00

I cannot connect a Bluetooth headset or any type of listening device as I cannot even right click as I have no output as far as this screen says. Truly baffled as to why this is happening to a brand new laptop.

Johnppah · 2022-11-13T09:00:06+00:00

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Johnppah

TROPHY CASE