Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures and Service Campaign 24S4

[ziggyboy]

Thanks for that! Reposted it on Whirlpool LOL.

I kinda feel vindicated as I have been made to feel I am the only one experiencing these headaches. VW problems are non-existent and I may have had a dud. The fact that I don't feel 100% about my VW experience is rare, etc etc. Apparently I'm not the only one.... Too many VW fanboys around IMHO.

[Ryan_R]

Yep there are some terrific dealers and there are also awful ones, I guess there must be more shonky ones out there.

[kaktusdigital]

Feels a bit like the antenna-gate iphone 4 thing. "its a non issue" "you're not holding/driving correctly"

[Sentinel]

Tomorrow, it will have been exactly five weeks from the day I handed my 118TSI over to dealer service.

Apart from the first day, not once did [major south-western Sydney dealer service centre] try to contact me. Any communication or information I've received in the 35 days since then has only appeared when I've rung them up - and even then, it was not easy to get, or very specific.

I'm particularly annoyed at the lack of dealer cooperation in getting a loan car. Right from the start, VW Customer Care (who I phoned after getting no help from the dealer) told me that they might be able to provide a loan car - but only if the dealer notified them that my VW would be under warranty service for a time.

On the first day - 35 days ago - McDealer said that the engine would need to be partially disassembled before anything else could be done. Due to the waiting line, this alone would take at least a week and a half. But Liverdealer couldn't be bothered to fill in the form so that I could get a loaner from VW.

After two and a half weeks, with no communication from McDealer, I called VW Customer Care. They were helpful, and said the dealer service centre just had to send them a completed form so I could get a loan car. That same day I called McDealer Service, and they assured me they would make it happen that morning.

Next day, I called VW Customer Care. They'd heard nothing from McDealer. However, they said they'd chase it up.

Two days later, I finally had a loan car, which I've been using for the last two weeks. I'll have to hand it back next Thursday. I still don't know when my VW will be ready.

I love the Golf 118TSI, but the dealer service is just horrible. It's going to harm Volkswagen's reputation if it doesn't improve.

[cktsi]

Tomorrow, it will have been exactly five weeks from the day I handed my 118TSI over to dealer service.

Apart from the first day, not once did [major south-western Sydney dealer service centre] try to contact me. Any communication or information I've received in the 35 days since then has only appeared when I've rung them up - and even then, it was not easy to get, or very specific.

I'm particularly annoyed at the lack of dealer cooperation in getting a loan car. Right from the start, VW Customer Care (who I phoned after getting no help from the dealer) told me that they might be able to provide a loan car - but only if the dealer notified them that my VW would be under warranty service for a time.

On the first day - 35 days ago - McDealer said that the engine would need to be partially disassembled before anything else could be done. Due to the waiting line, this alone would take at least a week and a half. But Liverdealer couldn't be bothered to fill in the form so that I could get a loaner from VW.

After two and a half weeks, with no communication from McDealer, I called VW Customer Care. They were helpful, and said the dealer service centre just had to send them a completed form so I could get a loan car. That same day I called McDealer Service, and they assured me they would make it happen that morning.

Next day, I called VW Customer Care. They'd heard nothing from McDealer. However, they said they'd chase it up.

Two days later, I finally had a loan car, which I've been using for the last two weeks. I'll have to hand it back next Thursday. I still don't know when my VW will be ready.

I love the Golf 118TSI, but the dealer service is just horrible. It's going to harm Volkswagen's reputation if it doesn't improve.

Don't give the car back if the issues r not fixed

[parso_rex]

Hey Sentinel,
Send me a PM with your details and I'll put you on to a decent dealer who's manager is really doing the brand a favour though his good deeds

[toastedvw]

Less than one month after picking my 118tsi up from an engine rebuild due to self destructing piston. I am sitting at the side of the road waiting for a tow truck again engine lights, smoke out exhaust and loss of power and clunking noises before engine stopped me in middle of intersection. Thinking might be trade in time

[Ryan_R]

That sucks. Can't blame you for wanting to switch, hopefully at no great loss.

[walbjj]

Less than one month after picking my 118tsi up from an engine rebuild due to self destructing piston. I am sitting at the side of the road waiting for a tow truck again engine lights, smoke out exhaust and loss of power and clunking noises before engine stopped me in middle of intersection. Thinking might be trade in time

would lemon laws come into play?
how old is the car?

[brad]

Less than one month after picking my 118tsi up from an engine rebuild due to self destructing piston. I am sitting at the side of the road waiting for a tow truck again engine lights, smoke out exhaust and loss of power and clunking noises before engine stopped me in middle of intersection. Thinking might be trade in time

I'd suggest you check your consumer rights under the ACCC laws. Mate of mine just got a replacement Volvo because they couldn't fix the old one.

[parso_rex]

Less than one month after picking my 118tsi up from an engine rebuild due to self destructing piston. I am sitting at the side of the road waiting for a tow truck again engine lights, smoke out exhaust and loss of power and clunking noises before engine stopped me in middle of intersection. Thinking might be trade in time

Did they replace all the pistons ?? (sorry if you've already posted this somewhere)

[Sentinel]

I finally got my own 118TSI back on 18 December, with all four pistons and injectors replaced. They also updated the DSG software to the latest release.

I'm still running in the engine, but I've noticed some improvements. The fuel economy appears to be around 5-10% better on my freeway runs, even though I keep changing the revs in the range between 1500-4000. The gearbox is a lot smoother, though there is occasionally a bit of clutch judder.

On the downside, the idle speed used to be rock steady at just over 700RPMonce the engine had warmed up, but after this service it was rather rough, varying constantly between 600-800RPM. However, after a recent freeway run, the idle stability improved significantly, leading me to hope that the problem was just a dirty spark plug in the cylinder which had the cracked piston. If this is the case, some more long drives with the engine fully warmed up might fix things.

In any case, once the holidays are over, I'll be taking it to a specialist tuning mechanic to get it looked at. I'd love to be able to keep the car, because when it works, it's fantastic!

[toastedvw]

yes they said they replaced all the pistons and injectors and a bunch of other associated bits and pieces. Waiting for a call from Essendon VW to advise what they find. Have to say Russell the sales manager is a star, no questions asked arranged a loan car from the lot for me again. Will keep you posted.

Did they replace all the pistons ?? (sorry if you've already posted this somewhere)

[toastedvw]

Hi Sentinel I hope you have better luck than me. Sounds like we got our cars back around the same time with four pistons and injectors replaced and the service recalls and dsg updates etc. They thought mine was due to one of the rings self destructing or had been installed badly from factory. Who knows, sometimes I dont think we (owners) get the full story. Anyway mine was running nicely too with definately stronger accelleration until yesterday when it just stopped fingers crossed you dont have to any issues.

I finally got my own 118TSI back on 18 December, with all four pistons and injectors replaced. They also updated the DSG software to the latest release.

I'm still running in the engine, but I've noticed some improvements. The fuel economy appears to be around 5-10% better on my freeway runs, even though I keep changing the revs in the range between 1500-4000. The gearbox is a lot smoother, though there is occasionally a bit of clutch judder.

On the downside, the idle speed used to be rock steady at just over 700RPMonce the engine had warmed up, but after this service it was rather rough, varying constantly between 600-800RPM. However, after a recent freeway run, the idle stability improved significantly, leading me to hope that the problem was just a dirty spark plug in the cylinder which had the cracked piston. If this is the case, some more long drives with the engine fully warmed up might fix things.

In any case, once the holidays are over, I'll be taking it to a specialist tuning mechanic to get it looked at. I'd love to be able to keep the car, because when it works, it's fantastic!

[Sentinel]

Now I'm worried too. At least my car is still under warranty.

I'm still going to get it checked out by a professional, as soon as the holidays are over.