Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures and Service Campaign 24S4

[Alissa]

Hahaha yeah no doubt you already know my state of mind!! I am in NSW - Hunter Valley. Thank you!

[Umai Naa!!]

From my time at dealership level, the first offer of goodwill is the only offer of goodwill. It's not known to be negotiable.

What fuel do you use?

Should you choose to go ahead with the engine rebuild, I'd strongly recommend using 98 octane premium from here on in.

[brad]

If you've only been communicating at dealership level then you could escalate direct to VW Customer Service.

Keep in mind that while your factory warranty may have expired, you still have a statutory warranty which basically says that an item has an expected lifespan. I'm sure when you bought the car a reasonable person wouldn't expect a modern, quality product such as a VW engine to expire in 4 years/100,000km if it had been serviced properly. As you state you've had all your services done at VW you should be more likely to have your claim accepted.

I would push a bit harder, document your communications & be firm & polite. Do your homework. Have a read about statutory warranties at the ACCC website as many retailers haven't a clue what they are or what they mean.

[minke]

If you've only been communicating at dealership level then you could escalate direct to VW Customer Service.

Keep in mind that while your factory warranty may have expired, you still have a statutory warranty which basically says that an item has an expected lifespan. I'm sure when you bought the car a reasonable person wouldn't expect a modern, quality product such as a VW engine to expire in 4 years/100,000km if it had been serviced properly. As you state you've had all your services done at VW you should be more likely to have your claim accepted.

I would push a bit harder, document your communications & be firm & polite. Do your homework. Have a read about statutory warranties at the ACCC website as many retailers haven't a clue what they are or what they mean.

Good advice that - I'd also suggest that you (not saying you wouldn't) keep the emotion out of it. Don't get into 'the Service Manager is an a$$$$hole etc...' keep it factual, and to the point.

[Alissa]

Thanks for all the advice guys - excellent news today! VW goodwill have agreed to pay the entire repair bill ($6000) in full!! I didn't even have to kick up a stink, I was just as nice and courteous as possible and it actually worked. I am incredibly relieved and honestly felt like kissing their service manager.. So so happy!! Im obviously still very concerned about VW reliability (especially the reliability of this car) but I've got to say I'm incredibly impressed with their service.

Has anyone had any experience with these cars after something like this (cracked piston)??? The car will have a 2 year parts and labour warranty on the engine now, but should I be worried that it will just die again in another 2 years? Has updating the software (ie through the service campaign) actually resolved the engine failure issue in these golfs?

I'm strongly thinking about trading it in for a (possibly) more reliable car, but I can't really think of a car I would prefer more than this one (without spending a lot more money).

Thanks again for the advice!

[Umai Naa!!]

Great to hear!

The software update knocks the edge off the performance a little, but allows a little more tolerance to using regular unleaded and E10, if you absolutely have to.

[kaanage]

Surely it's already been applied since the car gets dealer serviced

[Umai Naa!!]

Depends if the previous owner was one of those anti-recall conspiracy theorists or not.

[tigger73]

Perhaps it was because the car had been serviced at the dealer and the update hadn't been applied that the dealer decided to come to the party....

Then we can at least blame the engine failure on the "old" software.

[kaanage]

Has updating the software (ie through the service campaign) actually resolved the engine failure issue in these golfs?

You said that your Golf was a 2010 model. Was it early, late or mid 2010 that it was delivered?
The service campaign that "resolved" the issue was launched in June 2010 from memory, so a car delivered after that should have a the updated ECU firmware.

Or did you receive notification of the campaign and specifically did not have it applied, as discussed as a possibility in another post?
(I didn't see anything in your posts about the car having a previous owner)

[brad]

I'm strongly thinking about trading it in for a (possibly) more reliable car, but I can't really think of a car I would prefer more than this one (without spending a lot more money).

Thanks again for the advice!

That's great!

Personally, I'd want to run away from it. Not a fan of the twincharger or the dry DSG7. Go & trade it on a similar GTI. Heaps better

[Dutch77]

+1.

If a GTI is a stretch though, maybe the 103TDI? Solid engine combined with the more reliable wet six speed DSG. A 2010-11 era model with reasonable kms is floating around the $17-22k mark at the minute. Allows you to stay with the Golf Mk6 which you already are a fan of.

[AdamD]

Has anyone had any experience with these cars after something like this (cracked piston)??? The car will have a 2 year parts and labour warranty on the engine now, but should I be worried that it will just die again in another 2 years? Has updating the software (ie through the service campaign) actually resolved the engine failure issue in these golfs?

Alissa, it's very rare for this same problem to reoccur. The most common fix is a new crate engine - that's the easiest fix when more than one cylinder and piston has suffered damage. There have been a very small number of repeat failures, although as far as I know, every one of these can be attributed to a single-piston repair, where there has been some underlying existing damage to other pistons which have subsequently failed. With respect to whether the 24S4 campaign fix (the new "tune") was applied to your car or not, it seems that engines built prior to the fix are susceptible to eventual failure even if they had the fix applied fairly early on - the underlying damage may well have already been done.

So - I'd be pushing your dealer for a new crate engine - ie a complete replacement rather than a repair. If they end up just repairing a single piston/cylinder, move the car on as soon as practicable within your 2 year warranty window. And as has been mentioned elsewhere, the 7-speed DSG in the 118TSI is also something of a weak link, so that's another factor to consider.

[Cavill]

My lemon had 4 pistons replaced. Picked it up from dealer yesterday. Revving unusually high at idle and today the car refuses to start.

[jameshero]

Another cracked piston here. Idle became quite rough on Friday and the engine light began flashing. Dropped it in on Monday and was told the bad news. Car has a build date of 02/11 and was purchased 06/11. Despite being out of warranty I have been told that all costs will be covered and a loan car organised for me. Can't fault the customer service thus far but was hoping that I would've avoided this problem having a 2011 build.