Bushings shouldn't do that. I assume the engine is not missing, that will cause excessive vibration. You may still have bad mounts on the side. Have you visually looked at the engine with someone sitting in the car with it in drive and the brake on?

 

Here we go. Javis, it would be informative for you to look through past threads on "excessive vibration in drive"; there been several of them. It can be a complex issue; what happens is the drag of the transmission tries to stall the engine and it shudders. Excessive vibration can be the mounts being bad, the engine not running well, or the transmission dragging excessively. On my 2000, it was a combination of all three.

A different type of vibration at idle can apparently be caused by poorly made aftermarket driveshafts. Seems counterintuitive they could cause vibration when not turning, but it's been pretty well demonstrated they can.

 

I have done searching and it always result in motor mounts. However, I have looked at the engine, with someone shifting back and forth from drive to reverse, and the engine movement does not seem excessive. I recently replaced my axles, since they were worn, but that didn't improve the vibrations. Interesting you mention transmission drag, because I've always felt like it was being cause by the transmission dragging. But that's an issue I'm not familiar with. What would cause the transmission to drag? Torque converter, low fluid level..... ? What would be your suggestion?

 

I know that changing the 200,000 mile ATF in my transmission seemed to reduce vibration. But just getting the engine running better (plugs, air filter, clean the throttle body and MAF) helped more. What kind of axles did you install - New VW, rebuilt VW, aftermarket?

 

New VW axles. I previously had aftermarket but they didn't last long. Either way it vibrated with old, aftermarket and VW axles. The rest of the engine is running very well. Recently repaired the turbo, replaced the PCV system and did the everything including TB Adaptation and maf cleaning. At this point in time the only things needing repair on the car are the control arm bushings and I may do the wheel bearing while I have the front ripped apart. current mileage is 160K. I dug back to an old post by Scott concerning replacing the transmission fluid and filter. I may do that if I get chance.

 

I'm keeping an eye on this one. My recently acquired '05 AWD 1.8 is doing the same thing.

@javis20 Where in central PA? I'm in Altoona.

 

Hershey

 

Javis, you say you replaced the snub mount - what did you replace it with? a urethane snub will vibrate, whereas the OEM "pinky ball" will not...

other than that, it could be what scotts13 said is all I can think of.

 

Stock OEM snub mount.

 

Did this get resolved? I'd also like to know as my '03 does the same thing.

 

If mounts are good, I would clean the throttle body. A bit of buildup at the opening can make the idle pretty bad.

 

I have the same problem. Put it in N and see if it goes away (mine does). If so does that indicate transmission as culprit? Mine has done it since 75K miles and I'm at 175K now so its not a sign of imminent failure I think.

 

@ OP: when you installed your new snub mount did the vibrations increase, decrease or stay the same? Did you let the engine settle on a level surface before tightening up the snub mount? If not, the snub mount may not be centered and could be transmitting extra vibrations.

@TCjack: I think you are jumping steps. As mentioned before in this thread the vibrations are coming from the transmission trying to drag the engine down, but doesn't mean it is solely the transmission, could be combination of things as the transmission has been trying to do this since the car was new. Only thing to change with the trans is the fluid cleanliness level.

 

I think we have all had to deal with this sometime during a Passat ownership.
My current B5.5 suffered badly, resolved by a transmission service at 115K and snub mount.

New trans fluid and a new filter. Silky smooth nowadays.

 

do you get a flashing engine light? if so you might have a misfire?

 

Scots13 - thanks for the patience and summary. Any chance one might add 1) CD cases rattling in the door storage space, and, or 2) NOT ENOUGH DAMN OIL in the crankcase !!

Here we go. Javis, it would be informative for you to look through past threads on "excessive vibration in drive"; there been several of them. It can be a complex issue; what happens is the drag of the transmission tries to stall the engine and it shudders. Excessive vibration can be the mounts being bad, the engine not running well, or the transmission dragging excessively. On my 2000, it was a combination of all three.

A different type of vibration at idle can apparently be caused by poorly made aftermarket driveshafts. Seems counterintuitive they could cause vibration when not turning, but it's been pretty well demonstrated they can.