Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures and Service Campaign 24S4

[Diesel_vert]

They have... it now says min 95RON for all Golf Models (petrol). Fuel type: Premium ULP, minimum RON 95.

That was always there, that's not really the issue here.

There is not even a little "*" stipulating that extra performance/economy will be achieved using 98RON.

Like I said before, there is a footnote for the 199 kW TSI in the Golf R and the older FSI engines, telling you that 98 is required for "maximum performance" (no mention of fuel economy) but not for the lesser TSI engines.

But then you find that the lesser engines are coming with stickers that say to use 98, with 95 being acceptable in a pinch.

Is the German VW website not to be trusted or has Fritz just applied the wrong sticker in the factory

[MIRSAD]

It is not in line with topic but when talking about fuel it is good to check cars' Manual (again) - my apology if it was already mentioned but there are some nice tips about petrol additives.

3.3 Tips and Maintenance - it is for GTI (but it should be in any manual)
Page 38 - Petrol

..."You may use petrol with higher octane number than the one recommended for your engine. However this has not advantage in terms of fuel consumption and engine power."

"We recommend petrol with low sulphur content ... This reduces petrol consumption"

[Diesel_vert]

"We recommend petrol with low sulphur content ... This reduces petrol consumption"

Unless you import your own petrol, that ain't gonna happen.

..."You may use petrol with higher octane number than the one recommended for your engine. However this has not advantage in terms of fuel consumption and engine power."

Does it mention what the recommended octane number is exactly?


At the end of day I don't think it matters anyway, because engine failures have been recorded using both 95 and 98.

[MIRSAD]

Unless you import your own petrol, that ain't gonna happen.

Unfortunately not.

Does it mention what the recommended octane number is exactly?

As recorded on a fuel tank flap

On the end of day I don't think it matters anyway, because engine failures have been recorded using both 95 and 98.

Agree, few forums in Germany are talking about 118TSI engine failures.

[dzeRnumbrd]

118TSI engine issue - current status?

hi,

I am thinking of getting a 118TSI model but seriously considering avoiding it because of the engine issues.

I have done a bit of research and found that 118TSI has had a few problems with pistons going bang.

I understand VW say the failures were due to the knock sensor / ECU mapping not operating correctly.

I also read before that people have had failures AFTER applying the ECU fix, but I imagine those people had been driving the car pre-ECU fix and may have already caused some damage?

So the question is:

Is this problem occurring in the cars that are shipping from new (zero kilometres) with ECU mapping fix in place before the car is driven off the lot???

Can someone shed some further light on the current status of this problem?

If this question has already been answered please point me at the post which answers it - cheers

Thanks!
Dze

[Diesel_vert]

To date, I don't know if the issue has been fully resolved yet...

Trawling through the internet over the years, a common trait of German designed engines is that, whilst technically superior in almost every measurable way, tend to have a fatal flaw* - innovative designs and/or high performance variants in particular. Whether that's small price to pay for being on the bleedin' edge of technology (my personal view) or an unacceptable design compromise will depend on what your idea of a car should be.

*And they say the Germans don't have a sense of humour.

[coastie]

It was pretty much still. My average over 4500km is around 8 L/100km, from a combination of a variety of different driving conditions. Even on a mostly-freeway non-hooning run I usually see a bit above 7 L/100. When I was waiting for my Golf to arrive and borrowing other people's cars on weekends, I was getting a bit over 7 L/100km on my dad's 2L Ford Focus and a bit below 5 L/100km on a friend's Golf TDI. All this is making me think there might be something odd about my car. I'll check the tyre pressures and oil level tomorrow (since I haven't looked at either in the time I've owned it).

Anything else worth checking out or experimenting with? I'm not sure that taking it to the dealer and saying "my fuel consumption is a bit higher than expected" would be particularly well-received. :-/

The dealer would probably come back with your driving style (the nut holding the wheel) is the cause. My TSI has over 30000km now and it did loosen up (another favourite reply) after about 12000km but not to the extent of 8l/100km down to 6l/100km. It was around 7l/100km mixed driving and down to 5.9l/100km on mostly highway runs. as the others have said check the things that affect it and note your logs for a while.

On a previous vehicle just after I bought it, had a wheel bearing that was overly tight (suspect the wheel bearing nut wasn't backed off when seating the bearing) It was hot to the smell and touch. After it was replaced and tensioned correctly the fuel economy improved. Don't know if this applies to you case, but it all adds up to check your stuff and try and find an answer.

[Corey_R]

hi,

I am thinking of getting a 118TSI model but seriously considering avoiding it because of the engine issues.

I have done a bit of research and found that 118TSI has had a few problems with pistons going bang.

I understand VW say the failures were due to the knock sensor / ECU mapping not operating correctly.

I also read before that people have had failures AFTER applying the ECU fix, but I imagine those people had been driving the car pre-ECU fix and may have already caused some damage?

So the question is:

Is this problem occurring in the cars that are shipping from new (zero kilometres) with ECU mapping fix in place before the car is driven off the lot???

Can someone shed some further light on the current status of this problem?

If this question has already been answered please point me at the post which answers it - cheers

Thanks!
Dze

The same engine has run for several years in the MKV Golf GT without issue. So I don't believe that there is any mechanical issue with the engine, otherwise Golf GT customers would have also experienced issues over the years, and they haven't.
In the MK6 118TSI, the engine was slightly detuned for performance, and optimised for economy. So I believe Volkswagen when they say that they've resolved the issue via an ECU update.

When you look through this thread (which I have merged your post into), you will see that other cars have had similar issues due to knock sensors not being properly calibrated. I do not know exactly the method used by the knock sensors used in the 118TSI, but the explanation given by another forum member who had their Mazda 6 MPS engine have issues was that they measure vibration and are very sensitive to certain frequencies. If that calibration is off slightly, it can incorrectly trigger to frequencies which are fine, or not trigger to frequencies which are bad.

[Corey_R]

Hey Guys.

I've decided it's maybe time to update this thread title and put in a status, mainly because posts like dzeRnumbrd's remind us that newbies come to this forum researching for a new car and want to know the status on issues like this.

As we haven't had any reports of failures on cars shipped in recent months, I've put in "Resolved?" in the title. Whilst I don't believe we have any evidence to say the problem still exists, it's maybe a bit early to be 100% sure.

If there are any comments, feel free to post them

[pologti18t]

But then you find that the lesser engines are coming with stickers that say to use 98, with 95 being acceptable in a pinch.

That's not exactly what the sticker says: "at a pinch" - lol

[logger]

..As we haven't had any reports of failures on cars shipped in recent months, I've put in "Resolved?" in the title. Whilst I don't believe we have any evidence to say the problem still exists, it's maybe a bit early to be 100% sure.

I agree - good idea to mark it Resolved. Unless we hear anything to suggest an ongoing issue - all is speculative. Good idea moving the post querying status here.

[dzeRnumbrd]

Excellent - thanks for the responses guys - I will consider it resolved next task: explaining to the wife why 'optional extra' is 'mandatory extra'...

Dze.

[Corey_R]

Lol... which optional extra are you referring to?

[Diesel_vert]

That's not exactly what the sticker says: "at a pinch" - lol

Yeah it's an exaggeration, but sort of implied, otherwise the font would be the same size. But anyway, it doesn't seem to make a difference. If the engine is destined to fail, it's gonna fail - regardless of fuel type.

[Cossor]

hi,

I am thinking of getting a 118TSI model but seriously considering avoiding it because of the engine issues.

I have done a bit of research and found that 118TSI has had a few problems with pistons going bang.

I understand VW say the failures were due to the knock sensor / ECU mapping not operating correctly.

I also read before that people have had failures AFTER applying the ECU fix, but I imagine those people had been driving the car pre-ECU fix and may have already caused some damage?


Thanks!
Dze

This also caused me considerable concern.
But considered 118TSI a nicer car to drive than diesel version.
(Later wondered if made right choice as was really impressed with diesel torque on uphill grades etc, together with concern re 118TSI problems)
However, with saving on purchase price, spent $1500.00 on extended warrenty. (Yeah, I know, not best price)
But paid only small deposit, and still driving reliable Corolla till new car arrives. (long wait)
(Not very ethical, but could cancel if continuous bad news, although something I would be very loath to do)