Polo GTi with APR Tune - Check Engine Light?

[Boeta]

Putting a call out to the GTi folk with the APR Tune, have you had any issues with high end revs bringing up the check engine light?

My car has about 3000kms on the clock and have had the APR tune for about 1500kms of that, in the last 500kms a strange thing has been happening that has me worried.

I have had the engine check light come on 4 separate occasions. On the first three occasions the engine check light flashed after the car reached 7000 rpm in either 3rd or 4th gear, at which point I immediately reduced throttle. But on the 4th test yesterday, the same situation occurred, with the flashing engine check light, however after 20 seconds of flashing the light remained on. And it is still on today.

I'm really unsure of whether it is my car or my driving, the car isn't going into limp mode, but there is a noticeable flattening of power.

I've booked it in with Quattro motors again, but wanted to know if anybody else had seen the same?

[cstb_87]

Stupid question but out of curiosity what are the levels on the dip stick saying?

[Ryan_R]

You might want to grab a VCDS cable or other OBD2 adapter and see what fault codes are being logged before a dealer has a chance to look at it.

[RandomX]

if you get a chance ask for a refund... APR seem to have too many problems tuning this engine...

refer to my video - (2012) Polo GTI 6R APR Tune Issue - YouTube

changed spark plugs and now have another tune from APR with less power, but still have power distribution issues...

grab your money and run...

[Ryan_R]

Strange one, were APR able to diagnose the issue? I've never had faults with my APR Twincharged Golf

[Bassik]

Wow this has really made me second think my thoughts on getting a tune. I spoke to one of the guys at exoticars and ram speed they both sound positive towards tunes. I know they just want money but I can't imagine how a little 1.4L can be put under so much stress....!!

Get your $$$ back!

[DNA Tuning]

Did you have any problems at all stock?

if you get a chance ask for a refund... APR seem to have too many problems tuning this engine...

refer to my video - (2012) Polo GTI 6R APR Tune Issue - YouTube

changed spark plugs and now have another tune from APR with less power, but still have power distribution issues...

grab your money and run...

[RandomX]

Did you have any problems at all stock?

none...

just no fun

[gavs]

Have a look here too....

Seems to be an issue not just here.....

[Guy_H]

There are two issues with the twincharge motor:

1: Spark related misfire, well documented & occurs on twincharge motors in stock form & tuned form. VW / Audi have revised spark plugs & specific gaps, so if you see a misfire issue, first call is new plugs and specified gaps (thats also VW's first fault fix procedure) - Harm to engine? zero. Also happens with higher mileage FSI engines & carbon build up internally in cylinders (not just twincharge motors).

2: Overboost : exceeding the requested boost limit on a boost overshoot. Can cause limp mode - loss of power & may require a key off / key on cycle to get back to normal. Colder weather (cold air = more density = more boost) has bought this on in cars that have never seen it. Part of it is because of the DSG shift command (where the transmission goes to shift & reduces engine load) and there is a boost overshoot. We experienced this a few weeks ago on our own big turbo Polo in Goulburn at 4 degrees C where we have never seen it in QLD - we short shifted at the sprint event & didn't have the problem.

Fix: If your car is diagnosed with either, there is a software update that addresses the overboost code, and the updated NGK plugs available if you have a misfire issue.

We are working on testing the new DSG software that has modified the torque / shift part of the map in the way it pulls the load back, Faster, safe shifts with more power. Not ready for the release of that part of the program yet (testing still underway).

[gavs]

Thanks for responding to this so early Guy.

I see now that there is also replacement coil packs on the market for these motors.

In your opinion, due to the regular issues seen in vehicles with spark related misfires in tuned and stock vehicles, would you recommend replacing the factory plugs regardless? I know that Revo in Europe will not tune one of this cars without also replacing the spark plugs.

[Ryan_R]

Will that DSG update be for all 1.4 Twincharged cars? (i.e. my 2009 Golf). Looking forward to it.

[Guy_H]

No problem Gav's, there has been dozens of minor calibration changes on the twincharge motor over the time, on the MK5 GT there were 18 different versions .

Not sure on the coilpacks, VW have been plagued by coilpack issues since 1998 (you would hope they would have sorted it by now), but it wouldn't surprise me if that is a contributing factor at all.

Ryan, yes, our DSG software will be done for the Golf's as well. We just finished testing our new "D" program on the 7 speed, holds 1st gear over 15kmph (save up to 3 un-needed gear changes on light throttle) for traffic driving, and a new "softened" S mode as well. Very excited about it (as well as the torque limit control), so looking forward to a couple more Brisbane test cars before release.

[Brendan_A]

Guy, do you know the part number for the new NGK plugs??

[Guy_H]

The new Audi specific one (for the high output A1) is PZFR6R8EG, have not been able to purchase those in Australia as of yet.

We have been using the BKR7EIX gapped to .8mm with good success.

It's a bit hit & miss from VW & Audi, their parts numbering system doesn't mean you will get current plugs, sometimes old stock, so double check all part numbers.