Golf 5 2.0L FSI engine problems - technical advice needed

[VW Convert]

"tell the computer not to do it" ????? what the???? you cant turn it on or off. otherwise ask him why they havent turned it off if that will fix it?? lol
hope they have fixed it.

I'm finding this intriguing, if you look at the link I pasted in my earlier post the article refers to "In the stratified-charge operating mode, fuel is injected on the engine's compression stroke and is picked up by the movement of the air that has been drawn into the combustion chamber. This movement is imparted to the air by a movable flap in the intake port and by the special shape of the piston crown. This effect is known as "tumble".

The illustration http://www.audiworld.com/news/01/iaa/fsi/at010030.jpg shows the diference between stratified charge mode (part throttle) and homogenous mode (full throttle) I'm wondering if this can actually be switched on or off.......or is the dealer just full of ****? And why can they not simply rectify the problem, surely all Golfs of this vintage don't have the problem.

Either way, if it is not fixed now, I'd be asking for a refund.

Cheers

George

[Lams]

Hi Rosemary,

As many of us have pointed out, FSI is not something that cannot be turned off. It's like an exhaust muffler, it is physically there, it cannot be turned off!

Maybe you want to read a bit about FSI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_Stratified_Injection to show them you're tech-minded and tell them to stop telling you those lies

All the best !

[Rosemary]

Well, I have my Golf back.....

There was no stutter on the way home, but it's taken a day or two for it to reappear after every other time they've 'fixed' it. I'll drive it more over the weekend and see how I go.

It does feel like it's lost a lot of power though. It's hard to say cos I haven't driven it for a week, but it feels different. I'm wondering if it's because they mucked around with the FSI? If they really have changed the way the fuel is injected, would it feel less powerful?

Does anyone know how a 2.0L FSI compares to a 2.0L TDI in terms of power? The TDI I had as a loan car had way more oomph to it than my FSI has now. Is that right?

I've decided to take it to an independent mechanic (a couple have been mentioned on this site) and get them to have a real good look through it and check everything that has (supposedly) been replaced, or 'turned off'. I don't care that it will cost me, I need to do it for piece of mind.

Thanks everyone for all your help - your advice and best wishes are very much appreciated!

[VW350]

Same problem here

Hi there, my Golf has had the same stuttering problem from the start. It's a Sep 2004-built 2.0 FSI Tiptronic. The stuttering feels like the engine misfiring but it does not stall. It would typically happen when I put the auto into neutral at a standstill (like at a traffic light).

In its first year I took it in to have it checked, and the engine management software was updated. That reduced the problem, but it still happens every now and then. I've had it looked at once since, and they checked the electrical system but couldn't find any fault. I've just lived with the stuttering issue. It's not that bad, and if it does happen I just put the auto back into Drive and it's fine. Seems like it only happens at low revs, maybe when the engine is in the fuel-saving "FSI mode" in that diagram posted previously. There's no loss of power that I can feel.

If you are comparing the 2.0 FSI against the 2.0 TDI, then the TDI would definitely feel stronger in acceleration. The diesel has lots more torque than the FSI. So you really would have to compare your car against another 2.0 FSI to tell if there is any problem with its power.

[phaeton]

A small suggestion Rosemary.

If you step out of a TDI into the FSI it will lack power as the TDI has more torque.

So go test drive a 2.0 FSI somewhere and see how it feels to get a rough idea if your car has been fixed

[Rosemary]

Thanks for clearing up the TDI/FSI query. I had a suspision that might be the case. I'll have to see if I can find another FSI to compare mine to...

My FSI is a tiptronic too, and like VW350's it stutters when I'm stopped at the lights and it feels like it's gonna stall. However, mine's worse when I'm in drive. If I move it to neutral gets better (but it's still there.)

[anthony]

I hope this issue gets resolved ASAP.
It sounds like this car is a bit of a lemon.
If it does not get resolved,get out of it,and buy yourself a new Toyota Corolla,that will be as boring as hell,but will give years of completely trouble free motoring.

[phaeton]

I hope this issue gets resolved ASAP.
It sounds like this car is a bit of a lemon.
If it does not get resolved,get out of it,and buy yourself a new Toyota Corolla,that will be as boring as hell,but will give years of completely trouble free motoring.

So true

Or buy a TDI

[phaeton]

but wouldn't the stealerships know of this ?

[volx]

The problem with the first FSIs is that they ran too lean causing light misfires . After the update they improve heaps..This is all sorted now!!!

Hi guys (and girls),
Glad to read about the problem with early FSIs... but currently considering an 05 FSI (low kms - under 25,000km), I wonder if you know when the issue was resolved?

One under consideration is registered TMB, which I calculate to be around April 2005 (of course it would have been built earlier than this... so would this be a worry?) A 3-y-o car will be out of warranty, and I'm not keen on picking up hideous repair bills OR going through what poor Rosemary's facing!

Also, the 'as new' car with leather and sunroof has been on carpoint since March. Is this a warning, or just a sign that it is priced waaaaay too high (which it is - I'd need to haggle hard).

Thanks so much
x

[Mischa]

Hi guys (and girls),
Glad to read about the problem with early FSIs... but currently considering an 05 FSI (low kms - under 25,000km), I wonder if you know when the issue was resolved?

One under consideration is registered TMB, which I calculate to be around April 2005 (of course it would have been built earlier than this... so would this be a worry?) A 3-y-o car will be out of warranty, and I'm not keen on picking up hideous repair bills OR going through what poor Rosemary's facing!

Also, the 'as new' car with leather and sunroof has been on carpoint since March. Is this a warning, or just a sign that it is priced waaaaay too high (which it is - I'd need to haggle hard).

Thanks so much
x

warranty is worth a lot so only consider it if its way way way way way cheaper than an 07 with 2 years warranty remaining.

[volx]

Thanks Mischa... I've been wondering how much I should value (dollar terms) a year or two warranty remaining. If nothing goes wrong... great... bargain. If something goes wrong, there's the two grand I thought I'd saved - gone!
My legs are getting tired though, so might be almost time to take a punt. I just want a damn sunroof, low kms, without kerb rash and golf-buggy-whacks... is this too much to ask? Someone must want to offload one????!!!

[Rosemary]

Hi everyone,
So far my Golf is driving ok. I think my concerns after picking it up on Friday were just a result of swapping straight from a TDI to and FSI - the power feels fine now. The engine is also a lot less noisy (which I'm guessing is a good thing.) So, fingers crossed it actually is fixed this time.

I'm still going to take it somewhere else to have a really good inspection. Unfortuately this whole experience has left me with very little trust/confidence in the dealer

I managed to get an abridged version of the service history. Apparently the dealer can't give me the actual reports. The repairs were done under warranty so legally the information belongs to Volkswagen, or so they say. Does anyone know if this is true? Neither Consumer Affairs or the RAA have been able to give me a definite answer

The information doesn't mean much to me, but if if I'd known before I bought it that it had been in so many times I would never have touched it (8 times in the 4 months before it was traded in)! Anyway, I thought it might interest (or make sense to) some of you...

21st Nov 2005 WIP 41311 12822km
Engine will not start- renewed engine ECU power relay.

12th Dec 2005 WIP 41658 13415km
Engine lacks power- renewed throttle valve and #4 ignition coil.

3rd Mar 2006 WIP 44068 16716km
15k service, no reported issues.

11th Dec 2006 WIP 52550 36020km
30k service, replaced cruise control switch.---WIP Not in client file.

15th Feb 2007 WIP 52901 36020km??
A/C not blowing cold air- renewed compressor/condenser

18th Sep 2007 WIP 62689 51527km
45k service, wipers noisy, tail light, coolant leak- repositioned wipers, ordered coolant flange

26th Oct 2007 WIP 35061 55809km
Fitted coolant flange.

18th Nov 2007 WIP 37733 54190km
Warning lamps on dash- 4 faults stored, reset faults and readapted throttle body.

5th Dec 2007 WIP 39594 55197km
EPC warning lamp on- removed and cleaned throttle body. Reset faults.

19th Dec 2007 WIP 41216 55877km
Warning lamp on dash, poor running- renewed throttle valve.

28th Dec 20007 WIP 41590 56105km
Engine runs poorly as it warms- cleared stored faults, switched off FSI, TW road tested overnight.

8th Jan 2008 WIP 42710 56392Km
EPC warning lamp on- readapted throttle to ECU, cleared faults.

29th Jan 2008 WIP 43829 56605km
Presale inspection, rear brakes, renewed ignition coils

That's everthing that was done before I paid my deposit on 9th Feb 2008.

Will let you know how the inspection goes...

[volx]

[QUOTE=Rosemary;168426]Hi everyone,
So far my Golf is driving ok. I think my concerns after picking it up on Friday were just a result of swapping straight from a TDI to and FSI - the power feels fine now. The engine is also a lot less noisy (which I'm guessing is a good thing.) So, fingers crossed it actually is fixed this time.

I'm still going to take it somewhere else to have a really good inspection. Unfortuately this whole experience has left me with very little trust/confidence in the dealer

I managed to get an abridged version of the service history. Apparently the dealer can't give me the actual reports. The repairs were done under warranty so legally the information belongs to Volkswagen, or so they say. Does anyone know if this is true? Neither Consumer Affairs or the RAA have been able to give me a definite answer

Good God! I know nothing about the nature of those problems, but that's a lot of time in the workshop! Did you ask for a FSH before signing on the dotted line? Or was that absent from the service history? If they withheld parts of it from you upon your request for the books, you'll have a good case under the Trade Practices Act for misleading or deceiving (s52, etc). Anyway, glad to hear it's running properly again. Problems from 12,000kms? Unlucky! I'll be keeping an even keener eye on FSHs from now on!

[h100vw]

That's a fair list of parts to go through on a new car. 2 throttle bodies, a set of coils. Seems like throwing parts at the job to me.
Gavin