The Passat is a legendary German sedan car that has been most popular in Europe. But in 2011 Volkswagen tried its luck in the US and other markets with the special version called Passat NMS. When European buyers already bought the seventh generation of the Passat, the US buyers only got the first-gen sedan and it was pretty successful in the US.
Today, I want to tell you about one of the most interesting engines of that epoch – the 3.6L VR6 engine that was installed in top versions of the Volkswagen Passat NMS from 2011 to 2018 with some minor modifications. This wasn’t the most popular engine, but, in my view, one of the most prominent powerplants of the German manufacturer at that time.
Here’s what I want to tell you about:
- The key facts about the 3.6L VR6 engine in the American Passat.
- How long will this engine last in your Passat?
- What are the common problems with the 3.6L VW engine?
- Maintenance and care tips to prolong its life.
What should you know about the 3.6L VR6 engine in the Passat?
The VR6 family of Volkswagen engines was launched in 1991 and had one major modification in 2000. You may be surprised to know that the family is still alive! It’s used in the Atlas, Teramont, and also Audi Q6 in different markets. The 3.6L engine is the largest unit in the family.
This engine is the VR6 FSI version with a modified fuel injection that allows it to produce more power but also attracts more problems for its owners. The engine is non-turbocharged. It’s quite simple in its engineering and that’s why seems to be really reliable and long-lasting. But, as with any other powerplant, it comes with its problems and downsides.
Here are some key features to remember:
- the 6-cylinder V-shaped engine offers 3.6 liters of displacement, 280 horsepower, and 258 lb-ft of torque;
- it’s equipped with the 6-speed DSG (dual-clutch) transmission, the DQ250 tranny proved to be quite reliable and not really problematic;
- the engine is FSI, so it comes with direct injection and all related problems like poor injectors and carbon buildup on valves;
- the timing system is driven by a chain that is not really as durable as Volkswagen hoped, so it needs a lot of attention;
- phasers are used in intake and exhaust camshafts making the engine more efficient;
- the engine block is cast-iron and the heads are aluminum, the block is very durable and can easily be rebuilt to last even longer;
- the manufacturer claims 18 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on highways, but this seems like a miracle for this car, the real gas mileage is way worse.
One of the biggest concerns of anyone who owns or is going to buy a car with the VR6 engine made by Volkswagen is gas mileage. And it’s not hard to understand why. The claimed 18 MPG in the city traffic easily turns to 12-13 MPG when you press the pedal hard and try to drive actively. To get 18 MPG on the dash of the Passat equipped with the 3.6L VR6 engine, you will need to be the king (or queen) of careful driving.
But this is what it takes when you want a really durable and almost bulletproof engine. The 6-cylinder machine in your Passat will be ready to rock that mileage counter. Also, driving the Passat with this engine is pretty cool and enjoyable.
How many miles will the Passat 3.6L VR6 engine last?
When it comes to longevity, this engine won’t disappoint you. It seems to be able to last forever if maintained well. Although the US doesn’t have a lot of these engines on the roads to make proper conclusions, I had a look at other markets and could barely find some reports from VW cars owners.
Still, to make it clear, I suppose the VR6 engine in your Passat is good to go about 250,000 miles before it needs complete rebuild or expensive repairs. After it hits this milestone, repairing it and trying to drive further doesn’t make sense – it will start disappointing you quite often.
You may think that you will have to replace or repair a bunch of DSG transmissions, but no. This engine is paired with the DQ250 dual-clutch transmission that has the so-called wet clutch. It means that the clutch system operates constantly in the oil and it can last more or less the same as the engine.
If you manage to drive the Passat VR6 to 250K miles, you will most likely need to replace the clutch which costs a fortune. But the transmission itself is going to be more or less OK.
So, the VR6 3.6L engine in the American Passat NMS seems to be one of the most durable Volkswagen engines that I’ve seen in my life. Yes, you will have to repair it from time to time, but those repairs won’t be too expensive and complicated.
What are the common problems with the VR6 3.6L engine in the Passat?
This is a reliable engine, but every machine in the world will have its flaws. It’s always better to know what kind of problems you may experience with your engine. I can’t imagine a Passat owner who will only visit a dealership or a repair shop for oil changes and other regular maintenance routines. No, no, my friends, this would not be a Volkswagen!
Here are some issues that can spoil your mood a bit:
1. Progressing oil consumption
All V6 engines made by Volkswagen have an ill love for oil. If you read the manual for any of them, you will see that the manufacturer says that 2 liters of oil per 1000 miles is just normal and no need to worry.
But first of all, the VR6 engine in the Passat may drink up a little more than that without any obvious reasons. And secondly, the engine may take all available oil from the oil pan and then it will start killing itself without any lubricant.
I recommend checking the oil levels regularly in this engine. The oil pressure warning lamp will only light up when it’s too late – this is another common problem for all Volkswagens.
2. Chain replacement is not really simple
The quite expensive chain in this engine is also very hard to replace. The chain kit (there are actually two separate chains) will cost you a fortune and then you will need another fortune to have it replaced by a professional.
If you don’t replace the chain approximately at 100,000 miles, it will fatally stretch and jump. This will lead to issues with engine heads and valves. Eventually, the engine may get stuck or just kill itself if you try cranking it after this happens.
Chain replacement at 100K miles seems like a good idea even if the chain is still not rattling.
3. Ignition coils and plugs are failing too often
Another common problem is with the ignition system. This engine is not cheap for repair and maintenance. So, buying new ignition coils every other month is not something you will want to do.
Your ignition coils will also kill the spark plugs making expenses for repair even higher. One good news is that replacing those faulty coils and plugs is not really hard and you can do it on your own.
4. Cooling problems
All VR6 engines in all generations have problems with cooling. The pump is just not that reliable and needs to be replaced every time you change the timing chain. Otherwise, the pump will fail and the engine will start to overheat immediately. Overheating is one of the disasters for the VR6 3.6L in your Passat, so avoid it at all costs.
5. Carbon buildup and power loss
As an FSI engine, this unit doesn’t have any port injectors, so the fuel doesn’t go through intake valves. After some time, this leads to carbon buildup on the valves. Also, the FSI injectors are not really durable and will need cleaning every 20-30 thousand miles.
Just plan carbon buildup cleaning every 30K miles and don’t wait till your engine tells you that it’s time to have this done. The VR6 will lose power, misfire, burn more fuel, and its work will become much less efficient if the intake valves are not cleaned.
Can you prolong the life of the engine?
Just don’t kill your Passat VR6 engine and it will live quite a long and happy life. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on regular maintenance and don’t forget that there are no better parts for your Passat than VW OEM parts. They are sometimes too long to wait from Europe, but they are worth it.
Also, here are some specific recommendations to consider:
- plan timing chains replacement (along with tensioners and water pump) at 100,000 miles and then at 200,000 miles;
- have the intake valves cleaned and injectors checked every 30K miles;
- ask your mechanic to test the HPFP (high-pressure fuel pump) after 50,000 miles and then every 20K miles;
- have several plugs and ignition coils in your garage to replace them once they fail;
- avoid driving this engine with warning lights on your dashboard;
- if the engine loses power or burns too much oil, visit a repair shop or a dealership.
Ignoring the problems of the Passat VR6 3.6L FSI engine is like killing this machine with your own hands. Yes, it’s very durable and good to drive, but if it fails, repairing it will cost you a lot of money. So better avoid common problems by maintaining the engine before it shows the first symptoms of these issues.