Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures and Service Campaign 24S4

[Lucas_R]

Yes the misfires seem to get worse as the engine gets hot from the feedback other 118TSi owners have given, for some reason the misfire is less obvious when the engine is cold or cooler. But as advised by AdamD, i would drive it as little as possible (or not at all if you can go without it) until the engine is inspected for low compression and/or piston damage.

[AdamD]

I am told the misfire is intermittent, I presume the car is still driveable, does that still indicate a cracked piston? What's the implication of running the engine with this condition - could my mech be causing more damage while diagnosing other possible causes?

They'll often still run - albeit often very roughly - with a cracked piston and usually (but not always) with errors on the dash. I'd be absolutely minimising the time the car is running or driving until it's compression-tested and the cause verified.

[Joshdc]

Yep, exactly as Lucas has said - these are the symptoms that you'd expect of a cracked piston in a 118TSI. Cylinders 1 and 4 are usually the culprits too.

I am told the misfire is intermittent, I presume the car is still driveable, does that still indicate a cracked piston? What's the implication of running the engine with this condition - could my mech be causing more damage while diagnosing other possible causes?

[AdamD]

Yep, exactly as Lucas has said - these are the symptoms that you'd expect of a cracked piston in a 118TSI. Cylinders 1 and 4 are usually the culprits too.

It's a bit disappointing that your mechanic didn't look into the issue a little more closely before changing over the coil and charging you, even though coils are a common cause of misfires.

I'd suggest you read through this thread (now merged) for info on next steps with respect to repair. A compression test will confirm the issue, but your options with respect to a rebuild under warranty are limited, and VW are far less inclined to perform goodwill repairs on 118s than they used to be. It'd help if you have a squeaky clean dealer service history and maintenance record, but that's rare these days.

[Lucas_R]

Piston will need to be replaced if it has been damaged. Some people are starting to put in much stronger aftermarket pistons too.

[Joshdc]

Somehow I missed everyone else saying their engines have also exploded... Gah! I'll post in the main thread if I have the same issue as everyone else. Cheers

[Joshdc]

Thanks, I'll ask for that to be done.

What does a cracked piston mean to be repaired?

[Lucas_R]

Hate to be the bearer of bad and expensive news but i think you will find you have a cracked piston which is causing the problems....unfortunately its oh so common on the 118TSI engine.

Have your mechanic do a compression test and this will tell you for sure if thats the problem.

[Joshdc]

Random misfire cylinder 1 advice

Hi all. I'm hoping to get some advice on an issue with my Mk6 Golf 118TSI Comfortline MY2010.

This is the current symptoms:
* Engine light always on solid
* Code says "random misfire in cylinder 1"
* Reduced power output when driving
* Idles rough, can hear misfires, engine shakes noticeably, gets worse the longer it idles, turn off turn on makes it idle better for another minute
* New spark plugs, Tri-power TPX014 (0.8mm gap)
* New ignition coil in cylinder 1
* 120,000ks
* Just serviced
* Issue started after service but before service I saw the engine light come on twice for about 5 seconds only, performance was fine, service was due at that time anyway

I've read possible causes in "Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures and Service Campaign 24S4" and a stack of others threads/sites, it seems like there are several possible causes of the issue but I don't understand enough to have any certainty. Is this something well known or can anyone shed some light?

Josh

[saveferris]

Same thing has just happened to me regarding the 118tsi. Golf 2009.
The week I was trading it in for a new VW Tiguan.
I'm now getting lawyers involved namely my brother.
For so many engines to fail isn't an isolated event, it's flaw in the engine which VW is refusing to acknowledge.
I'm in the mood and so is my brother to make these buggers finally admit fault with this engine....I'm thinking a class action.

[bensl]

hi all. ufortunately i have another to add here. my wifes 2009 golf with 59k has just done an engine....
thanks

hello again. i am quoting myself to give a bit of perspective to the time taken but VW have finally come to the party and will replace our engine free of charge. this took approx 3 paper letters, 4 or 5 phone calls and prob 4 or 5 emails. i just wanted to give other hope. stay strong. they tried to fob us off with 70% off, 50% off etc which we refused and now it will finally be resolved. we have long since bought another car but at least now we can sell our last ever VW!

cheers

[anapo]

I also heckled there Facebook page, and their private messages..

[anapo]

Hi, just an update. I had my car fully covered by VW for both parts and labour, all I paid was $169 diagnosis fee. Had a full engine rebuild with around 3 pages worth of parts replaced. I couldn't believe my luck given some of the bad news ... I did however write them a very feisty letter which they obviously took notice of.

[sixboltmains]

Hi there. My partner is in a similar situation to yourself. She purchased a 2011 Golf TSI new, always serviced but lately not through VW. Number 4 piston has failed with 70k on the clock. I'm wondering if those who have successfully got VW to cover some or all of the costs could share how they approached the dealers and VW?

You can contact VW Australia directly OR go thru any VW dealer, it makes no difference. When we approached VW Australia directly for this cracked piston issue they contacted the dealer that did the diagnosis anyway to get the history of the car.
Given your partners car is only 7 years old and has low Kms, you may get some or full goodwill repair' help with this.
My tip - Ask the dealers service department to co-ordinate this for you - they do these very frequently, they know the process.

In my case VW Australia rejected the request because the car was 9yrs old even though we have only done 80,000Kms.
I am doing the repair myself in my garage, the full process will be documented and posted here and/or youtube so others may find it useful.

[RC55]

Hi there. My partner is in a similar situation to yourself. She purchased a 2011 Golf TSI new, always serviced but lately not through VW. Number 4 piston has failed with 70k on the clock. I'm wondering if those who have successfully got VW to cover some or all of the costs could share how they approached the dealers and VW?