TSI squeal noise problem on acceleration

[MIRSAD]

Hi,
My story:
Mar 09 118TSI with DSG - happy
2 months after squealing noise - worried
Stretched between dealership, VW customer care and technical support - angry
Water pump replaced - no squealing noise - happy again
4 weeks after noise is back - disappointed
After written respond from VW Australia that squealing noise is normal - really angry
I decided to take action (with Dep. of consumer protection) at the same time I recorded noise on iphone and posted on You tube under VW GOLF 118TSI NOISE... - this is address

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLu73I1QD7M

New Dealership (Wangara WA) where I bought my car wanted to test it for 2 days.
They found that problem is (as some people indicated) pulley - lubricated it and I am without noise 7 - 8 weeks for how long they can't tell me ... I am hoping that when problem is identified and short term solution found that permanent solution should not be far away
Then I found this website... after hearing about all the problems - I am worried again

[Guest]

How long?

ALl well and good. But how long will the lubrication fix it for? And do you think its a good idea to lubricate something that is meant to grip ie: the clutch? What if it starts slipping? What are the long term effects of lubricating the friction material? Because i know gearbox clutches dont like getting oil on them.

[MIRSAD]

Thank You on that information,
Really I am not technical person and I am going to ask service manager about that when I go there next time.
I am really not sure what was lubricated (he was talking about pulley)... I was so happy when noise is gone and if they are "factory trained technicians" with experience who would be thinking that they are going to do something stupid.

[tinto]

Are you guys talking about the sc chirp when it engages/disengages or something more prolonged?

If it is the chirp... I found that just one of the cool sounds of the twincharged engine and never considered it something to worry about.(mkv gt sport)
Feels like a tiny sound is being blown out of proportion if we are thinking of the same thing.

Edit : are you on and off the accelerator on that video clip or is that normal driving?
If that is normal driving / steady on the accelerator then the repetitive chirp is pretty annoying, but if you're on/off the accelerator, then see my comments above... I found it a charming sound

It is like filing a complaint that there is sound coming out of my exhaust when surely it is only for gasses.

[MIRSAD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLu73I1QD7M

You can hear it on this You tube address - I recorded it on iphone

[tinto]

Yep, edited my post after watching it.

[MIRSAD]

It is coming when you press accelerator ... for me it is annoying (like metal on metal) especially for so quite car.

[tinto]

yep - it is fair enough that you want that system to be quiet.
I enjoyed the noises my GT TSI made, IMO a twincharger certainly makes more interesting sounds than my Pirelli GTI does.

different strokes for different folks - good luck in your dealings with VW.
I hope that those who want a resolution/fix get it before they lose faith in a great car.

[Tommy]

I've lost faith. My 118TSI is the biggest hunk of junk on the road, its falling to bits. Its had around $30 000 of repairs and its only 3 months old and there's still more to fix... I'm over it....

[cktsi]

Had another drive with the VW Service Centre at Mascot. They confirmed it’s not a butterfly flap, but the waterpump pulley when it engages – just like everyone else is saying here.

They also said that there’s a tech bulletin out there and currently no known fix.

I asked them about lubricating any of the pulleys, but their response is that the squeak happens when the clutch engages… it has to be a high friction surface… so they didn’t want to lubricate anything at all as it’s contrary to the way the part is intended to work.

They also didn’t want to replace the water pump only for the problem to return – fair call.

They are hoping for some resolution as they do know it’s a widely reported issue. They couldn’t promise anything (of course) and hinted that VW are working on some fix.

[MorganTSI118]

fix...

I am yet to have any dealings with VW because I definately know they are aware of this problem and will have to come up with a fix soon. I have not lost faith in my car!! I love it!! I think some cars are just going to be lemons like the one mentioned above.
My family has bought 3 golfs - 2 are gen 5 and then mine which is gen 6. One of the gen 5's is fine and approximately 3 years old. The other one is around 4 years and has just started all these problems. The DSG failed the other day on my sister and the car had to be towed to a service centre and VW are refusing to pay for it (as it is no longer in warranty). But really.. should this happen to a 4 year old car? The DSG is supposed to set my dad back a nice $11,000!!!!! The car would be what? worth 16,000? It is ridiculous. He is angry and going to trade it in as soon as possible for something cheap and japanese.

He has lost all faith in VW and has let them know it. Telling them he is going to get rid of all his cars including his Tiguan which doesn't even use a DSG. I am not letting him get his hands on my car as I love to drive it even if that squeal drives me insane and I have to turn the music/radio up loud. I know something will have to be done about it eventually...

[MorganTSI118]

something else

I was just looking around and found this website -

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/p/291308/1929508.aspx

One of the posts mentioned something about an email/letter than suggests a fix will be ready in about 2-4 months! Thats in England I think but its still promising!

[Flighter]

The other one is around 4 years and has just started all these problems. The DSG failed the other day on my sister and the car had to be towed to a service centre and VW are refusing to pay for it (as it is no longer in warranty). But really.. should this happen to a 4 year old car? The DSG is supposed to set my dad back a nice $11,000!!!!! The car would be what? worth 16,000? It is ridiculous. He is angry and going to trade it in as soon as possible for something cheap and japanese.

He has lost all faith in VW and has let them know it. Telling them he is going to get rid of all his cars including his Tiguan which doesn't even use a DSG. I am not letting him get his hands on my car as I love to drive it even if that squeal drives me insane and I have to turn the music/radio up loud. I know something will have to be done about it eventually...

Just because it is out of the *express* warranty does not mean that VW is off the hook. Most people are unaware that the *statutory* or *implied* warranty still applies after the express warranty is over. For example, you drop $3,000 on a 50" TV and it comes with a 1 year warranty. Month 13 rolls around and it dies. The store that sold it is still liable, as a reasonable person would consider that such a TV should last longer than a year. They won't admit to this, but the law is on the side of the consumer. Note that merchant generally transfers responsibility for warranty issues to the customer and the manufacturer, but technically (i.e. legally) the contract is between the customer and the merchant, hence warranty claims are the merchant's problem.

So, should your sister's DSG have lasted more than 4 years? Depends whether it has seen reasonable use or not. Running 250,000 kms through it would likely lead the reasonable person to conclude that it had a fair life. But for only 40,000 km or so, I'd say the opposite would be the case, otherwise it could not be seen as a product of *merchantable quality*. If your sister's car falls into the latter category, she may wish to pursue the matter, although it will take patience and a willingness to get the ACCC or others involved should VW refuse. VW would be aware of their responsibilities in this regard, and possibly like everybody else, they rely on the ignorance of the consumer, or pure bluff, to get away with avoiding it. Sometimes it's as easy as saying "sure, the *express* warranty is over, but not the *implied* warranty." Personally, I wouldn't take no for an answer, although I would expect to make some token payment towards the solution just to make them feel better about it.

The ACCC web site has useful info on how to make a complaint properly; i.e. politely, in writing, stating what is wrong, how you want the matter dealt with etc., so why not suggest your sister take a look. www.accc.gov.au

Good luck

Flighter

[MaccaTSI]

Just noticed this morning that I have the squeaking noise. Only seem to notice it when gearbox is under heavy load like others have mentioned. Had the stereo off so hopefully I won't notice it too much when driving normally with the stereo on.

Hopefully there will be a fix for it soon!

[Tommy]

Confused

The TSI engine has been around for about 4 years in the form of the GT, you would think that all issues with it would have been ironed out by now? I'm also confused as to what exactly this problem is. Some people have been told its the supercharger clutch, others have been told its the water pump and others have offered completely different explanations/theories. I'm beginning to think that VW doesn't have a clue? Why has it taken VW 4 years to come up with a 'fix', this would support my notion that they are clueless?

The DSG was replaced in my car a few weeks ago at 2500kms and the chirp seems to have largely disappeared, I have only heard it a couple of times since. This kind of suggests to me that the issue may have something to do with the clutch mechanism.

My car has been plagued with a long list of issues which are ongoing. I'm looking for an opportunity to offload it as soon as I can. Its a shame, this was my 3rd Golf and after being treated so badly and in a threatening manner by VW, there will never be another VW in my garage. the build quality simply isn't there....