1997 Passat Wagon Bad Shaking from Engine
 

VW Passat Wagon V6 gasoline

Hi, I was given the car by my parents. The car is fine except for its bad gas mileage, and the fact that when I accelerate on an incline, the entire car shakes. I drive very gently and the engine oil has just been changed.

Here are some symptoms:

• When I hit the 40 Mph mark and am going even at a slight incline the car shakes. The harder I push the gas, the more it will keep shaking, until I push so hard the car goes at a very high rpm and starts accelerating up the hill and shifts normally.
• Other times at the 30 Mph range and going up an incline, the car will down gear, upgear, downgear repeatedly.
• As soon as any shaking happens and I stop accelerating, the shaking stops and will return if I accelerate once more.(not a wheel balance problem)
• Sometimes, at a really high incline and if the car is in 1st gear, it will not shift. I once hit 4k rpm and had to pull over. I checked the shifter and it was definiteyl on D, not 1,2, or 3.
• Car is slow to go from D to R
• I think it's getting progressively worse. It is easier for the car to start shaking these days.

I have tried to see if anybody had these problems or a solution but I haven't been able to find anything. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Sounds like you have a transmission issue with the car. How many miles are on it? Have you ever had the fluid/filter changed on it? I would recommend doing that if not. Also have the valve bodies checked to make sure they are working properly.