Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures and Service Campaign 24S4

[vw4ever]

Hi.

Adding mine to the list 09 golf, engine replaced at 22k kms(i bought it at 24k)
Before xmas engine light and confirmed lost compression in cylinder 4. (Car is under 81k km)
Currently with VW and has already been denied once for goodwill due to age of car. I have disputed the decision and awaiting the outcome. That said, as someone else has mentioned, under Australian consumer law and Consumer guarantees i dont believe 10yrs on a car, 7 years on an engine with 59k kms is reasonable?!

Hi, when was the first engine replaced (year/month) ?

[VeeDub23]

Hi, when was the first engine replaced (year/month) ?

November 2011...so car 2.5yrs old

[Abetlehem]

Ive just rebuilt a 2010 118 TSI with 24s4 applied since near new. All 4 pistons had cracked ring landings. Now runs like a dream. Appears the recall doesn’t save these cars long term.
Andrew

[Sentinel]

My 118TSI was bought in 2011. At 40k it had the cracked pistons replaced as well as the fuel injectors, under warranty.
just recently it's started doing the misfire thing again since about 100k.

I doubt this can be fixed under warranty, though it would be great if it could. I don't know if I should take it to our local mechanic who does the interval servicing, a VW dealer, or a specialist like Volksmuller.

[Sentinel]

Is 24S4 a firmware update?

When did the latest update for the 118TSI come out?

[caleb2003]

Another victim here with a 2012 Tiguain 1.4 118tsi That has cracked pistons.
VW have knocked back any claim for assistance stating the age of the vehicle and the fact its had over 100km on the clock.

Don't know where to go from here any tips that don't cost me an arm and a leg would be very welcome, what a lemon.

[brad]

My 118TSI was bought in 2011. At 40k it had the cracked pistons replaced as well as the fuel injectors, under warranty.
just recently it's started doing the misfire thing again since about 100k.

I doubt this can be fixed under warranty, though it would be great if it could. I don't know if I should take it to our local mechanic who does the interval servicing, a VW dealer, or a specialist like Volksmuller.

Only the dealer can facilitate a goodwill repair.
Positives: You've only done 60k km since last major repair.

Negatives: They'll charge you to dismantle the engine and diagnose the problem without any guarantee of corporate assistance. Then you are stuck with either a dismantled engine that nobody else will touch or an exorbitant bill (more than the car is worth) for repair.

Have you checked the spark plugs?

[The_Hawk]

Negatives: They'll charge you to dismantle the engine and diagnose the problem without any guarantee of corporate assistance. Then you are stuck with either a dismantled engine that nobody else will touch or an exorbitant bill (more than the car is worth) for repair.

Contact the customer service team directly first and run through your scenario. They have been very good about not charging those costs when it's clear what the issue is (like a failed compression test they can do without tearing it down). At least then if they say they won't cover you you'll know before you have the thing pulled apart.


That said, time (and km) are ticking on and the 118TSI's aren't getting any younger. Given these cars can be had in the sub $10k bracket now it's sadly not so economic to fix them. If you get lucky (and have time to spare) you might find a working engine to have thrown in on the cheap in order to trade it in, but with trade in prices it would have to be REALLY cheap.

If you were in the market for a Mk6, the 103TDI is a better buy every day of the week for around the same $. Hell you can buy a Mk6 GTI for $15k now although both are at or over 100,000+ now and have their own little things to watch out for... but then they are also quickly heading to 10 year old cars.

[caleb2003]

Contact the customer service team directly first and run through your scenario. They have been very good about not charging those costs when it's clear what the issue is (like a failed compression test they can do without tearing it down). At least then if they say they won't cover you you'll know before you have the thing pulled apart.


That said, time (and km) are ticking on and the 118TSI's aren't getting any younger. Given these cars can be had in the sub $10k bracket now it's sadly not so economic to fix them. If you get lucky (and have time to spare) you might find a working engine to have thrown in on the cheap in order to trade it in, but with trade in prices it would have to be REALLY cheap.

If you were in the market for a Mk6, the 103TDI is a better buy every day of the week for around the same $. Hell you can buy a Mk6 GTI for $15k now although both are at or over 100,000+ now and have their own little things to watch out for... but then they are also quickly heading to 10 year old cars.

Anyone know how to get to Customer service directly, I just called them and got told I have to speak to a dealer only.

[brad]

Anyone know how to get to Customer service directly, I just called them and got told I have to speak to a dealer only.

Tell them you've tried to talk to a dealer without luck and your next steps are the ACCC and your solicitor but you'd like to give VW the opportunity to make good without involving 3rd parties and regulatory bodies.

Have your ammunition on hand and sound confident. If they want to fob you off then politely empathise with them over their lack of empowerment to make decisions and ask to speak with their supervisor.

If you keep hitting brick walls then send a registered snail mail to head office addressed to the managing director detailing the issues.

Be prepared to invest some time. If you aren't then give up now.

[YoYoYo]

Can I offer a suggestion from the YouTube clip.

Don't stress the car too much until it is up to operating temperature (both coolant and oil).
This is extremely important with these vehicles...

They do have a "Cold Start" process (which will sound lumpy for around 20 sec), let the car warm up and idle drop before you take off...

I assume you have now had a better experience at the VW dealership on the Southside?

Let us know how you go!

Forgot that I posted this... Oops.

UPDATE:About a week after requesting a goodwill repair, the service centre let me know most of the repair will be covered under goodwill.
Clutch kit 100% parts and labour
Timing chain+tensioner 70% parts 100% labour
Nothing on the supercharger air intake flap (which is OK, given that they don't seem to fail systematically)

So I was up for ~$1100, instead of ~$5600. Great!
Since then, it's been behaving great.

Thanks for the advice ope126
I usually do let it warm up for a minute or so, while I load bags in and set navigation etc. By then it's idling at 900rpm instead of 1100 .
I've been told that once the oil is above 80 degrees, it's warm enough to not require a light foot on the accelerator?


Not sure how to quote multiple posts.,
@Walbjj,
I decided on the 118, because when I was on my L-Plates, one of my colleagues was kind enough to allow me to drive his 118 home on our commute home, on probably 15 occasions (I was on the way home for him). Compared to the other cars I had driven (all half-dozen of them, LOL), it was by far the best balance of practicality, fuel economy, safety and fun.
After looking into the 118 more, I discovered that many of the older ones come up with issues, which were mostly fixed after 2011. So I got one built in October 2012, thinking that things would be better.
Either way, I'm glad that it hasn't become super expensive.

@Maverick,
I went with the independent mechanic because it was owned by the family of a friend of mine, and they regularly have interesting/modified cars coming through. Last time I was there, I saw a Ford GT, Skyline (IDK which model specifically) + other cool cars.
After having a good experience with this service centre, I'll be going there from now on (and when this car finally dies, hopefully not for a while, probably another VW in the future).

Certainly got lucky with the Goodwill claim.

[The_Hawk]

Certainly got lucky with the Goodwill claim.

VW have been pretty good, but yes as these things get older it's all the more impressive when they get fixed under good will. Here's hoping the second one goes better.

[Buffy]

Another to add to the list.

My wife`s 2009 118TSI seems to have a cracked piston. Engine light came on and she took it directly to dealership, who looked under the bonnet and diagnosed the problem.

About to start the process with VW.
Hoping it all goes well. Always serviced at VW, always 98oct, one owner.

Will let you all know how it goes.

[ope126]

Another to add to the list.

My wife`s 2009 118TSI seems to have a cracked piston. Engine light came on and she took it directly to dealership, who looked under the bonnet and diagnosed the problem.

About to start the process with VW.
Hoping it all goes well. Always serviced at VW, always 98oct, one owner.

Will let you all know how it goes.

Would be keen to know the outcome.

[jdw]

Would be keen to know the outcome.

Me too.