New R32 Owner - Having MAJOR Issues....HELP!!!

[mozzatron]

Alright guys First up i want to apologize for my first proper post being a mammoth one asking for advice. As you will see, i've been having constant issues with my motor since buying it 8 weeks ago from Volkswagen Barloworld in Five Dock and i'm at my wits end. This forum was highly recommended by RobbieR32 and i'm hoping that i can finally get things sorted out properly. The car is question is a Golf R32 MK5 2008 MY09 model. Here's the spec: Black 5 door Manual 50k km Stock RNS510 Navigation Based in Sydney, Australia First thing i noticed after buying it was a bit of a metallic "clunk" noise occasionally when changing gears, coming from under the engine bay slightly to the left. Almost sounded like i had driven over a metal plate on the road (like a man hole or something). It seems to happen when i take my foot off the accelerator/push down the clutch, although it only happens occasionally Took it back to Barloworld @ Five Dock and they checked it out and couldn't replicate the noise or find any issue. I have read that the manual gearbox on these cars can be a bit noisy so i'm just wondering if anyone has anything to say on this? The second thing i noticed was when i went round a small roundabout with full lock on the steering (to the right obviously). I was going really slow (5-10kph) and there was a fast repetitive tapping/clicking noise that seemed to be coming from near the right front wheel. As soon as i came out of full lock with the steering wheel it stopped. Any ideas? I've also noticed that the air con takes 5-10 mins to start cooling the car down, and it barely gets as cold as what i would expect it to. I also started having another issue... Whenever i turned the steering wheel there was a horrible grinding noise. Anyway, i took it in to Barloworld (again) and they ended up replacing both top strut mounts and strut bearings. They also carried out a cooling system pressures test and found a coolant leak coming from the thermostat housing so they had to replace the thermostat housing, , clips and coolant (Listed on the service notes - Thermostat Housing, Plug - Thermostat Housing, O-Ring 19.6X3.65, Retaining Spring, Sealing Washer, Seal, G13 Coolant) I'd also been having issues with the air con not cooling properly so they re-gassed it. Also checked for leaks with a pressure test/dye and found none. When i got the car back i am still getting the clicking noise when i have the steering on full lock and the air con is just the same...not getting cold. So i'm thinking this could be a compressor issue? if so, how do i contest it with them so i can get it replaced while still under warranty....is there a minimum temp that it needs to get to before its warranted as having a compressor issue? Or can they actually look at the compressor and see that their is an issue? To put in into perspective, if i have the fan on without the air con, it doesn't feel too much different temperature wise than when the air con is switched on. This is a major issue for me as i use the car for work, and it gets unbearably hot with it being black and having leather seats. So i'm getting to meetings and my suit is literally drenched in sweat! Not a good look..... And as of yesterday i'm also having another issue.... not going too well with this motor so far! So yesterday i was doing some last minute Xmas shopping and i noticed that the car was idling at an unusually high RPM (around the 1500 RPM mark). Anyway, today i had the same issue and then i heard a noise under the bonnet (like a pop). Shortly after, the exhaust system fault indicator light came on, and the car seemed to be backfiring...especially when i held down the clutch. So i pulled over and had a look under the bonnet and the oil cap had blown off and was nowhere to be seen!? Is the engine bay sealed or could it have dropped out completely? Could the oil cap have also damaged something under the hood when it blew off? And what could have caused this issue....could it possibly have been caused by the previous issues with the thermostat/struts/bearings?? I've got it booked in at Barloworld on Friday for a service (although i need to go and BUY a replacement oil cap from them and put it on the car before it can be driven....not too pleased with this seeing as it's not my fault and it's still under the 3 month used car warranty). This will be the 4th time i've taken it in to Barloworld since buying the car from them 8 weeks ago.... i'm getting more than frustrated at all the issues i'm having and the fact that it keeps coming back with the problems not getting fixed properly. I'd like to get peoples thoughts on what the problem may be before i take it in, just so i can make sure they are looking at all possible issues. I'm really worried that i've bought a shed of a car, there are only 4 weeks left on the used car warranty and i can see me having to pay a fortune once the warranty is over, considering how many issues i've had in the first 8 weeks. I was going to take it in to City Performance Centre in Artarmon on the 6th Jan when they open up again so they can do a complete check of the car and let me know if things have been fixed properly and what any other issues may be so i can get everything sorted by Barloworld while its still under warranty. The rego is due end of Jan and it will need an inspection anyway so i might as well get them both done at the same time. If anyone can recommend a better place to take it (cheaper/more experience with these cars) please let me know. To be honest i'm regretting buying the car and if i could i would return it. Considering the amount of things that have gone wrong in such a short space of time, is this a possibility? Anyway guys, appreciate any feedback Cheers Will

[The One]

Blocked PCV could cause the cap to come off? Did you check the oil level? They should be able to get a code from it as it's thrown a MIL.. It's quite possible the oil cap has fallen out completely, can't remember too much on the undertray on the mk5 R32 but I'm pretty sure they are a 'complete' undertray, did you have a look for it in the wheel arches etc etc? I would be getting Barlo to replace it under warranty and refuse to take the car untill they rectify ALL your issues, when you go to pick the car up once it's 'done' take it for a test drive with one of their techs to make sure your issues are rectified, I would also be seeking 'extended warranty compensation' from them for the time the car has been in the workshop.

Goodluck mate.

[Fixxxer]

It could be a few things but a clicking/knocking noise when turning usually means your CV boot/joint is busted and needs replacing. Check under driveshaft area for grease leaking from the CV boot.

Lowered GTIs tend to get this more often.

Regards,
Fixxxer

[ToyRacer]

I have an identical car to yours but mine is a rocket with none of those hassles, so I want to reassure you that you are not being unreasonable - your experience is a rough one!!
I recommend getting someone who knows their stuff (such as CPC in Artarmon) to give it a thorough check over as a 'near end of warranty check' - then get a list to take back to Barloworld. Sounds like they are deliberately going slow or acting dumb to avoid having to rectify everything.. eg is the clicking on lock a CV joint?
So although you would pay CPC, at least you would then get your money's worth from Barloworld as a result.

[Fatherless One]

Yep as ToyRacer has said, get a a thorough inspection done and hand the dealer the result (and keep a copy for your own records.

I had a similar situation with the dealer I bought my car through and I took these steps, the inspection (done by a local VW/Audi specialist) cost $100 but was well worth it in the end.

Be tough with these arsemonkeys as the alternative is costing YOU a lot of money.

[mozzatron]

Cheers guys.

Totally agree and i will be taking it in to CPC as soon as they can fit me in early Jan. It's been nothing but a hassle since i bought it and it's getting to the stage where i want to get rid of it which is a shame as i really like the R32.

One of my best mates is also a master technician for BMW and said to email Volkswagen Australia direct and they will allocate a case number to Barloworld to make sure they fix it this time.

As i said i'm taking it in to Barloworld on Friday about the exhaust system issue and once i hear back from them and get my report from CPC i'll let you all know.

Thanks again

Will

[robbie]

I would try and return it under some sale of goods act of the purchase being faulty and not fit for purpose Will. I know for sure that most MkV R32 owners get decent reliability with these cars and haven't come across anything as bad as this sounds. You've got more options it being a VW dealer of escalating the issue with VW Australia like I said in our conversation. Don't be scared as VW Australia like giving their dealers a mouthful if a customer is not being treated right or given the service that is required on his car.

Like ToyRacer said, CV clicking sound appears to be a CV joint and worn boots. The air con problem could be a number of things like I pointed out and they should be able to diagnose it with VCDS. If not, let's meet up and I'll plug my Ross Tech cable in to see if it picks up any error codes with the car. Maybe VW is taking you for a ride!? These cars do suffer from very minor niggles of course. But when they are performing right they're superb to own and drive.

The compiled list of things that are wrong is comprehensive. I would print the list off give the dealer the keys and list and tell them not to return it until it's done. If they disagree your entitled to a refund if the cars not satisfactory within 6 months and by all means take further action against them if it needs to be done.

Have you phoned up any of the other VW independents for a second opinion? I really think you need to phone up the previous owner for some further history Will before Friday if you can.

[mozzatron]

Cheers Robbie

I am going to call some other VW independents and try get hold of the previous owner tomorrow/Friday

Let me know when you are free to meet up, although i can't drive the car until i get a replacement oil cap (Friday at the latest).

[bazzle]

My exhausts get dirty esp when short trips involved. Cap is screw on so last person to open it didn't screw it up tight.

3rd forum Ive seen this raised on?????

[robbie]

Can we have an update OP?

[mozzatron]

So Robbie came over and ran the VCDS scan which picked up 6 error codes - Fuel Trim bank 1 & 2 system too lean, idle control system RPM higher than expected, navigation control module not coded, Antenna for GPS navigation short to ground - intermittent, heated exterior mirror passenger side - electrical fault in circuit

The first 3 are expected from the issues i was having but doesn't explain why it happened in the first place. I suspect Barloworld didn't tighten the oil cap properly when i had the car in a couple of weeks ago. I was able to get a replacement oil cap from Barlworld (which i refused to pay for after they tried charging me) and it seems to have stopped back firing and it's no longer idling unusually high. Haven't yet been able to get it looked at properly by Barloworld to sort the issues out as they were flat out over Christmas/New Year so i will be taking it in next week for one final check (hopefully), before the used car warranty expires at the end of the month.

When Robbie (from this forum) came over to mine he thought my car seemed to be lacking in power a little when we took it for a run, and he thought it might be due to the fact the coil packs weren't replaced during the recall as there was no sticker to signify this. Although when i asked Barloworld they said they weren't replaced as it wasn't on the recall list. Anyone got any ideas why it might be lacking in power?

I've also made a complaint with VW Australia who have logged a case and were supposed to be chasing things up with Barlworld to make sure they got their arses in gear, but i've been told someone was going to call me back about 3 times now and not once has it happened, i've had to call VW Australia back every time. Useless the lot of them!

Anyway i've also got the car booked in at City Performance Centre in Artarmon this week to make sure everything is checked properly so i can go back to Barlworld with a full list of things to be fixed before its out of warranty.

CPC have quoted me $475 + GST for an end of warranty check. I called VW Village and they quoted me $85. Big difference in price and i'm assuming that VW Village wouldn't really be doing a thorough look at the car which is what i'm after really. What are peoples thoughts on these prices and also on the 2 mechanics?

Here's an email i got earlier from CPC which outlines the things to be checked for that price

Will,

We do the following,

Full vehicle check over.

Check brakes, steering & suspension.

Smoke test intake system for leaks.

Pressure test cooling system.

Battery test battery.

Check brake fluid boiling point.

Check vehicle for logged codes, check adaptation parameters & sensor operation live.

Long test drive to establish possible issues.

Check through provided list & cross reference found issues or report different.

Supply list of problems.

Estimated cost $475 + GST plus $95 + GST per hour on any additional time required to be spent to diagnose further issues found upon inspection or supplied list. We can seek approval prior to engaging works above & over the $475 initial cost.

If you have someone to do this job for $85. Then you are welcome to take the vehicle to them. We cannot carry out an inspection for this price.

Please let me know if you would still like to go ahead with the booking.

And on a completely seperate note, earlier today i noticed my horn wasn't working at all! Then later in the day it made a really pathetic noise when i tried it and then this evening it sounded fine. Any ideas??

[golfmeup]

Will,
Any luck sorting all the issues out with Barloworld?

Good luck with it!!