How to check the Timing Belt on a 2006 VW Passat 2.0T

If you are nearing the 70-80k mile threshold, it would be a good idea to check the status of the Timing Belt on your VW Passat. The Timing Belt is located on the right side of the engine facing the antifreeze coolant tank. It upper part of the main cover has a removable plastic cover. It is fastened in place by a plastic screw in the upper right corner. You can easily access the Timing Belt compartment by removing this plastic cover and inspect the condition of the timing belt. You should look for tiny cracks, missing teeth, dust in the compartment from deterioration of the belt, etc. Inspect the belt's play by twisting it, if you can turn it more than half way around, it may not be as tense as it should be. Regardless, the safest way to ensure that your Passat's Timing Belt does not break on you or shred while driving is by replacing it according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Repairs can be extremely costly otherwise.

How to replace the Purge Valve on a 2006 VW Passat 2.0T

                                                         

2006 VW Passat 2.0T EVAP Purge Valve

I had trouble starting my 2006 VW Passat 2.0T after refueling, especially when the gas tank was near empty. I started noticing that whenever I would stop to refuel my B6 Passat even at a quarter tank, it would take multiple attempts at starting and I would even depress the gas pedal a few times to get it started. However, I could drive it for a few minutes after refueling, turn off the engine, and it would start up without any hesitation for days, until the next refueling. So to make a long story short, I found out that the EVAP Purge Valve was causing this problem. I replaced it with a Genuine 2006 VW Passat 2006 Purge Valve and the starting problem was solved. The Purge Valve controls the flow of vapors from the EVAP system to the intake manifold.  The OEM 2006 VW Passat Purge Valve is not expensive and can be found in the $20 price range. The VW Passat Purge Valve replacement is quite simple.

STEP 1:  Remove the engine cover to expose the engine. The Purge Valve in located in the front left side of the engine. In the image below, you can see the Purge Valve in the lower mid right side of the picture. The Purge Valve connects two hoses, one from each end, which are fastened by the silver color hose clamps in the image below. Under the right clamp in the image below you can see the harness/colored wires that connect the Purge Valve to the ECM (the main computer of the car). Disconnect this plug and then remove the clamps that fasten the hoses from each end of the Purge Valve. After that, pull the Purge Valve forward, and it will slide off the prong that holds it from the top. In the second image below, you can see this prong protruding through the rectangular rubber holder on top of the Purge Valve.

STEP 2:  Connect the new Purge Valve to the hoses from each end. Fasten the hoses by tightening the clamps gently (they don't need to be very tight), just enough to hold the hose in place. Then slide the Purge Valve onto the metal prong holder and connect the plug that links the Purge Valve to the ECM, Finally, put back the air filter/engine cover on.