APR 2.0 TDI Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake System - Running Problems

[Pearce]

So i have read a lot of threads about the APR 2.0 Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake system that replaces your stock vw system. I did a lot of research on the unit and have only read positive reviews about it. However, to throw a spanner in the works, after i did an International Inquiry to APR, which got refereed back to an Australian dealer (which i knew would happen) He had the following to say:

"When these intakes were released about 12 months ago we had about 6 in circulation. Some of these cars experienced running problems and the intakes were removed. We do not recommend these intakes for Australian spec vehicles. We no longer offer these intakes in the Australian market."

After asking: "What sort of running problems occur? and why would it still be sold in America if there were running problems?"

I got this response: "Australian spec cars are different spec to American spec cars with different ECU part numbers and software versions. Running characteristic problems with surging power delivery. This is why we do not offer them in Australia."

Any suggestions or advice, even opinions would be fantastic.

I'm running a 2007 Golf Mk 5 2.0 TDI.

[lhennessy]

APR 2.0 TDI Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake System - Running Problems

I can let you know soon, just bought one my self with be her on or before next Wednesday. But there have been a fair few people here that bought them and have used them never really seen bad feedback other than "don't expect big gains" because there isn't going to be big gains from a intake without extensive performance mods...

If your looking for big noticeable increase in performance then Ecu tuning would be your best bet.
On a 2.0Tdi a tune CAN take your car to around GTI performance level, with maybe the addition of a exhaust.

[Pearce]

I've got a performance chip which has boosted the Power and the torque by about 30%. So i'm happy with that. Looking to replace the stock Air intake system so i can remove the MAF barrier that reduces intake.

Good luck with yours though. I'm sure it will be fine, just wanted to check with the masses.

[lhennessy]

Nice, where in vic are from if you dont mind me asking?

Yea, ill be sure to let you know.

Poyta would be the man to ask as he currently has one installed.

[Pearce]

Spoken to Poyta, great guy. His suggestion to make a thread.

I'll Pm you.

[lhennessy]

APR 2.0 TDI Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake System - Running Problems

Yeh nice guy!

Received.

[Martin]

I put the APR Carbonio CAI onto my Skoda Octavia a few months ago (has a E888 GTI Engine)
It works fine - no problem what so ever
Another Octavia owner put it on on his TDI version - again, no problem

[AlexRO]

Ive got a mk6 2.0tdi (103) and have had the carbonio for over a year now, no issues
the only thing it said in the official manual was to leave the car to idle for 10min upon installation for the ECU to adjust

[poyta]

Yeh nice guy!

Awwww thanks everyone. As I stated to Pearce via PM I have had no issues and to be honest no one seems to have had any issues from what I've read. I am curious though why these would stop being sold in Australia specifically and then stating that we run different ECU's and software? Odd. All I can think its that you can get erratic behavior from the MAF sensor if you over oil your filter but that would not be a specific to Australia problem.

[Pearce]

Thanks for confirming what i originally thought. Nothing i have read has said differently apart from that email.

I'd like to hear from anyone who can explain the different software versions and why it would make any difference from country to country though.

To be honest, i'll still purchase it if i find the right price considering all the success stories. Just seems odd that they would stop selling ALL APR 2.0 cold air intakes...

[Gigitt]

dont we have better diesel than the USA?

we also have euro spec engines, USA does not

USA also does not have the 125TDI (170HP)

so I'd assume that with better fuel we would have a better ecu tune than the US version - or should I say we have stock euro tune and the us have a modified lesser tuned ecu for their fuel.

[Martin]

The different ecu software versions are targeting the destination region - nothing to do with the CAI

Differences will be for things like climate and fuel octane levels
For example, in Oz we don't run winter tires and cover the radiator inlet to keep the engine at operating temperature in winter

[Gigitt]

The different ecu software versions are targeting the destination region - nothing to do with the CAI

Differences will be for things like climate and fuel octane levels
For example, in Oz we don't run winter tires and cover the radiator inlet to keep the engine at operating temperature in winter

i doubt they target tyres and covered radiators as ecu tuning for different countries.

winter tyres well they are used for cold grip to dig into the ice - nothing to do with ecu
covering the radiator has nothing to do with ecu tuning either.
having a winter mode button well thats just a button - all ecu's probably still have that embeded - we just dont get the switch in OZ so as to cut costs.

it will be more likely the local fuel type and emissions regulations/hardware that govern the ecu types installed for different countries.
yes in a cold countries the diesel fuel is also winterised - but so what... we also do that here in Auistralia in the highlands of the snowy mountains and in the northern tablelands on NSW. so climate does not differentiate our ecu's.

[Mysticality]

It went on on the 21st of Jan, at around 54,000km.
Its now the 12th of March, around 68,500km and no issues whatsoever. The air filter gets a bit grungy but if you replace it at every service its pretty good.
I drove every day in this recent torrential rain... Still, no issues.

125TDI

[Greg Roles]

So long as the MAF section is stock diameter, you can put pretty much anything in front of it with little effect on the engine running.

As Poyta points out watch over oiling the filter if it is one of those. I have heard of the odd diesel experiencing a bit of surging with a CAI, but if you have a proper tune, get it taken into account, easy to take care of that. I've had several home made versions, filters and things on mine, and zero drama at all, stock, tuned and running on all sorts of things!