23R7 Emissions recall campaign

[Poli]

I have recently had the 23R7 Emissions Recall Campaign applied to my car.

I've had a drop off in the Torque delivery of the car.
I once had quite a serge from 1300 RRM say in second gear (15Kph), now nothing until 1800-2000. Same in 3rd.
Whilst max torque and power may not be reduced there is a definite change in the delivery of the torque in the low revs.
But it's my "feeling" and not hard proof.

*** I would however recommend that you have your car Dyno'd comprehensively tested prior to you updating it with this recall, including the time it takes (in seconds) between 1000-2000 rpm and 2000-3000 rpm. ****

I have been in discussions with the dealer AND VW Customer Care, but progress has stalled and I need to take matters into my control.

So I need the forum's help.

I need a TDI 400 (400NM 120Kw) 6 speed manual that is in the recall program but has not had the ECU update applied (and hasn't had any after market one either).
I will pay for it to be Dyno tested and compared to my car.
It will cost you nothing apart from some time. Approx 2 hours plus travel. I'll even supplement your fuel. And you can keep of all your results.
For a good comparative test to occur the cars are required to be tested buy the same equipment on the same day - so we get a like for like test.
The test will occur in MONAVALE in SYDNEY.
Please let me know if you are interested.

[Poli]

A HUGE thank you to Phil for providing his car for a comparative drive test.
The Results:
Feeling (Not very scientific) - I felt that Phil's car (75,000 Klms) felt like my car (25000 Klms) prior to the 23R7 Emissions update being applied... it had a noticeable urgency difference from 1000-3000 rpm to my updated car.
Measurement 1 - We timed the runs in both cars and averaged them for the comparison. Again Phil's (Non updated) car came out on top. 3.77% faster between 1000-2000 rpm and 3.17 % faster between 2000-3000 rpm.
Measurement 2 - Dyno provided by the dealer trouble shooting my problem. (Not Phil's car but another 6 speed TDI 400 prior to the 23R7 Emissions update) in this case there was 1.87% loss of torque in my car. But is was the power drop that is most concerning. THERE IS A 5.07% LOSS OF POWER in my car.

For all those that have not had the update done. Ensure you have a dyno prior and post.... it'll be $300 of insurance well spent.
I'm looking to take this up with the dealer.
I'll provide an update when I have more.

[Amalgam]

Hi Poli,

I am sure your have read this thread, but just in case you haven't, here is a link to a 120+ page discussion.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f40/volkswagen-under-investigation-over-illegal-software-masks-pollution-108532.html

My 2 cents worth is that it is thermodynamically impossible to clean up the emissions without affecting drivability (power and torque curves), fuel economy, max power and torque, longevity, or servicing costs.

If there was a magic fix, VW would have issued a service bulletin, long ago to fix the problem before being caught out and subject to these massive potential fines and lawsuits.

I own a Passat 125TDI, and i am unlikely to have the fix installed.

[buzuki]

you really need to dyno same car before and after. Not one car will make identical power on the dyno to another of same model. Will be close.

Got dyno graphs?

[Greg Roles]

Yeah but nothing beats the butt dyno, if Poli "feels" the car has dropped, then that's enough evidence for me. We all know our own cars, so will be interesting to hear what others think.

Rather concerning news!

[Carsten]

Hello.

The 23R7 fix was applied to my Amarok before I bought it, so I don't know how it felt before. Can anyone suggest someone in Perth who can reverse the fix?

[Leesh86]

Hi,
I see it's been a while since anyone has posted in this thread. I have a VW Tiguan 2008 that just had the ECU 'fixed' a week ago. Since I've had it done, I have a loss of power in low gear than a surge or power once it kicks into the next gear. I've taken it to the mechanic and he couldn't find any issue with my car and said it's probably an issue with the software. I'm wondering if anyone has had similar issues and know if I can undo the fix. My car was working perfect before the recall. Wish I never had it done

[tigger73]

The only fix for this is to:

1) not get it done in the first place

2) go and get a decent aftermarket tune and not look back

The peak output figures of the cars have not changed, so in terms of advertised specifications this does not alter the specifications for your car. However by all accounts it does effect the bottom end performance.

Only way to get this back after you have had the fix applied is to either sell the car and move on or go and get aftermarket software to bring the engine back to life.

Unfortunately VW can't roll back the update once it's been done.

[Sharkie]

There is no reverse of the "fix" once applied. My suggestion echo's tigger's, get an ECU tune on the car and get not only the previous performance back, but quite a bit more as a bonus ....

[VW2]

Brickbats to VW Australia who will NOT supply me with the "flow transformer" for my 1.6L Caddy 7 speed. Brickbats to Lismore VW who will NOT supply me either, unless I take the Caddy to them and ALSO have the COMPULSORY Software changes done as well. I don't want the software done. I just want the little tube with the gauze on the end so that the "air-mass sensor" gets a better read on the airflow so that the fuel metering is more efficient. Maybe I can manufacture one.

[feenix74]

I feel your pain VW2. I too am curious whether the "flow transformer" will improve performance/fuel economy of my VW Caddy 1.6l TDI with original software map. However my curiosity is tempered by this article How The Volkswagen 'Flow Straightener' Really Works which I interpret to mean that, without the updated software, the flow transformer may have no impact because the improved MAP readings are about more active EGR operation not improved fuel metering.

[boris]

Fitting the flow transformer without the software update will lead to air mass meter faults as it will take the measurement's outside of the engine map parameters. The same is also true if you perform the software update but do not fit the flow transformer.