Cracked engine cover...

[Getti]

I own a 2007 GTI and noticed last week that there was a large crack through the engine cover ... basically through the middle of where the oil cap is. I car only recently had a 45,000kms service and it was the first time since the service that I opened the bonnet and noticed the crack. Not sure whether this was somehow damaged during normal travel (if this is possible) or whether the mechanic leant on the cover when completing the service...

Either way, the dealer has told me that it will be replaced at no cost to me.

Just wondering whether anyone else has had this happen to their VW???

I could only think that the it was damaged during the service, as I expect engine covers to be a little immune from breakage during normal driving conditions.

[poyta]

You mean the plastic cover? Mine is a TDi not a GTi but it cracked also. Actually it was the little plastic tabs that insert into the rubber grommets that broke and now the cover is loose. One of the plastics tabs broke off so bad that it created a small hole in the cover which is now visible from the top. Its possible that it occurred naturally through high heat and vibration however I think its more likely the service department forced the cover on and snapped them. I only noticed a few weeks after its service and of course they wont accept blame. I'm surprised that the dealer said that it will be replaced at no cost because mine said that its not covered under warranty - they were more than happy to order me one in if I wanted one but at $750 I said no thank you. I went to another VW dealer and they said the same thing - not covered. ....not happy.

[Getti]

Yeah, its the plastic cover on top of the engine that has cracked.

I told the dealer and said that I check under the bonnet every couple of weeks after washing the car and it had only happend in the past couple of weeks when the car was serviced.

I said "I assume it is covered under warranty?" (my car still has new car warranty). He said, "yeah, well it will be replaced at no cost to you". My comment was then that I assume that these this plastic bit is meant to last for more than 3 years .... he said "no worries, we will have to order one, no cost to you, and will call you when it arrives ... only 15 minutes to replace".

The dealer has been very helpful since I have had the vehicle.

[poyta]

I said "I assume it is covered under warranty?" (my car still has new car warranty). He said, "yeah, well it will be replaced at no cost to you".

I hope so for you, mine said the same thing but once they started to do the paperwork they found it wasn't covered. Apparently they need to classify it according to the type of failure and they go by codes ( ie 1. Major engine part failure ). They found that there's wasn't a relevant category or code for the plastic cover, ie there was nothing that even came close to "plastic engine parts failure".
If it does get replaced can you ask them what they claimed it as?

[Rob Burns]

I own a 2007 GTI and noticed last week that there was a large crack through the engine cover ... basically through the middle of where the oil cap is. I car only recently had a 45,000kms service and it was the first time since the service that I opened the bonnet and noticed the crack. Not sure whether this was somehow damaged during normal travel (if this is possible) or whether the mechanic leant on the cover when completing the service...

Either way, the dealer has told me that it will be replaced at no cost to me.

Just wondering whether anyone else has had this happen to their VW???

I could only think that the it was damaged during the service, as I expect engine covers to be a little immune from breakage during normal driving conditions.

Any chance they replaced your aire filter as part of the 45k service?

[Getti]

Any chance they replaced your aire filter as part of the 45k service?

Included in the service receipt was "air filter element"...

[Rob Burns]

Not surprised as the filter element resides inside that 'engine cover' and it needs to be removed to replace it. Unfortunately they're quite annoying to remove w/o breaking.

[Getti]

I hope so for you, mine said the same thing but once they started to do the paperwork they found it wasn't covered. Apparently they need to classify it according to the type of failure and they go by codes ( ie 1. Major engine part failure ). They found that there's wasn't a relevant category or code for the plastic cover, ie there was nothing that even came close to "plastic engine parts failure".
If it does get replaced can you ask them what they claimed it as?

The engine cover was replaced today at no cost to me ... took about 20 minutes, and all was done. I asked the service guy whether it was claimed under warranty and he advised yes. I also asked whether there was a "warranty code" or some description that they claim parts under, and he advised that they just submit the part to VW and the allocate the relevant code ... not the dealer.

Either way, it was replaced free of charge. I suggest you relay the story to your dealer?

[poyta]

Either way, it was replaced free of charge. I suggest you relay the story to your dealer?

Thanks, I will.

[poyta]

Thanks, I will.

Well the service department knocked me back last week and refused to replace the Engine cover under warranty claiming that its just a broken part and if I wanted it replaced I would have to pay for it. I've had two dealerships now claim that they can't cover it under warranty and I've even had the dealer rep look at it and refuse. I said that only Solitaire actually look under the bonnet so either the engine cover cracked naturally or one of their mechanics broke it, either way it should be covered. Not happy. You can bet that I won't be taking up their offer for an extended warranty and I certainly won't ever be going back to Solitaire once the warranty runs out next month.