Passat 98 1.8T-Timing Belt ?? Engine problem??

SOURCE: VW Passsat - 98 -

First check the coolant overflow and add a little water if low (if you have antifreeze then a pint of water will not dilute it enough to matter).   
Go to a parts store that will plug in and read the OBD II codes for free (autozone among others).  My dealer change $50 just to read the codes.  BTW you can buy a simple VW code reader for $50!   ABS system will give specific codes as to what is wrong.  Coolant warning light is usually either low coolant in resevoir or overheating.  If the coolant light comes on when you first start up,  it's probably just low coolant level.  My wifes 98 Passat and my 2005 Jetta TDI both did this for a slightly low coolant with no detectable leak.   

If you have to add coolant more than once, you may have a small internal leak (read in the cylinder head) which you will not be able to find.   A Mechanic can do a pressure leak down test to find out.  This is one of the 2 times in 35 years where I used Barr's Stop Leak on our 98 Passat with 120K miles for this slow internal leak symptom ... it's 20K miles later and I have not had to add coolant since the Barrs.  I generally hate these fix it in a can type products, since many of them are snake oil,  but Barrs can work without side effect in some cases.  I have it from a reliable source that the manufacturers use a smiliar substance on new engines now that most cylinder heads are aluminum, but I have no way to verify.
good luck ..ajm

SOURCE: reset service date on 2006 passat

press your mileage reset button then turn key on then off,then repeat,2nd time keep mileage reset button pressed(keep pressed all the time basically)while holding mileage reset left turn your didgital clock then your service light should be off! ive done it on my 05 plate passat.

SOURCE: 2001 Passat 1.8T brook the time belt

Sometimes you must install the timing cover temporarily with the crank pulley to ensure you are at true Top Dead Center line up the notch on the pulley with the pointer on the timing belt cover or pointer on crankshaft cover I had a problem with a dual cam Honda in which the marks on the engine block where slightly off. you must ensure that both intake valves and exhaust valves are shut one cylinder #1 by turning the cams in the appropriate direction, from your description of the situation it sounds like when it runs poorley it is off by one tooth, when you move forward a tooth it runs but poorly make sure you are moving both cams if equipped with dual cam, both cams should be in the exact same visual location in other words all valves completly shut, be careful not to move lower shaft after lining up the crank pulley to cover pointer marks, after resetting turn the engine over two full turns then recheck all markers.

SOURCE: how to remove the alternator on a 02 passat 2.8L

You have to remove the entire front bumper and radiator

Bobby Whitlock

• 90 Answers
• Posted on Jan 06, 2010

SOURCE: 1998 Volkswagon Passat fuse box diagram

You can look at the sevice manual at your public library for free.