Torn CV boots and oil leak... oh my!

skybluevert said:

Hi, friends!

So I just bought a 2006 2.5L (5 cylinder) New Beetle convertible with close to 99K miles from a private seller. I took the car to a VW dealership today, where they performed a 10-point inspection. In the end, they told me that my car has an oil leak and torn outer CV boots on both sides.

First question: how much should I expect to spend replacing the CV boots? Would it be cheaper to replace the entire axle (including CV boots)?

Second question: I haven't noticed any oil leaking after I leave my parking spot, the oil light doesn't come on in my car, and the seller sent me proof that she had just changed the oil and oil filter a couple of weeks before I bought the car. Is there any way I can check if there is an oil leak myself? How much would it cost to fix it, approximately?

In addition to these issues, I have also noticed that I can't turn off my low beam on the passenger's side. Any ideas about that?

Is there anything else I should watch out for now that it's got a high mileage on it? Thanks so much!

Ems

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007 said:

i work for a dealership in dallas. we charge $350ish for a cv boot, $390 for both on 1 axle. for that proce you could buy a NEW axle from autozone.

with high miles the water pump and t belt should be changed. suspension parts may include control arm bushings, strut mount bushings and bearings, swaybar bushings.... these get old with time and heat.

oil leaks can come from different places. best plan is to jack the car up and take the belly pan off and get a flashlight to see where the car is wet with oil. could be a pan, could be a drain plug, could be the rear main seal, could be a valve cover gasket. all have different prices.

hope this helps.

-jd

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Smileybug said:

^ That's correct. No belt, just a chain. Not as big of an issue.

I would say to be aware of aftermarket axles. They can be kinda crummy. I have some in my GTI (They were apparently in there when I got the car) and the boots are not holding up at all. I have 136k on my car and have had to replace both boots on both sides already - and since they are aftermarket you know they were done at least one other time (no clue when). I'm keeping my eyes out for a set of reman OEM axles for my car. Pricier, but should last longer.

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Smileybug said:

I have a 6-speed manual so those axles are different from yours and more pricey. There are plenty of good online parts suppliers you can check.

Germanautoparts, ecstuning, 1stvwparts, autohausaz - just a place to start.

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