New member intro: Talk me into (our out of) a 2010 Transporter Biturbo

[Spooked]

Hi all. Allow me to introduce myself.

I am Spooked. A name chosen for good reason. I'm the kind of guy to read, read, read and search, search, search before making decisions. I don't love this about myself. Sometimes I take it too far

Recently, I've been thinking Transporter to use as a camper, not a daily drive. Found one. Beautiful paint, low mileage at almost 140,000, fairly okay service history, sold at a dealer so would have some consumer rights. Drives great.

Got the inspection done after agreeing to buy it at a price I thought was great, but did not sign a contract. Inspected by a mechanic and came up okay. A few things (might need clutch soon, slight oil weepage around oil cooler, a bit of a funny noise when the ignition is turned off but probably something to do with the AC), but he said it all checks out okay for a 14 year old bus. These things seem like usual wear and tear to be factored in.

The thing is: I had read about the big EGR issue first, and it was advertised as a single turbo. Only after seeing the 6 speed manual, did I realise it was the 132kw. The dealer had no idea the listing was wrong. But I took it for a drive and just loved it. Plus, it's a beautiful metallic green-grey instead of the usual white. A rare one!

Yesterday, I pulled out of the deal because of the engine. Did I make a good call here? Half thinking about changing my mind again.

[Spooked]

Picture from test drive. IMG-2202 hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB

[Syncrotek]

Hi,

Personally I think you made a sensible decision, the matter of these engine failures rolling around in the back of your mind during ownership would be enough to leave it alone.

"fairly okay service history" - not nearly good enough.
"bit of a funny noise when the ignition is turned off" - one red flag.
"advertised as a single turbo" - one GIANT Red Flag.

They are a lovely wagon, no doubt, but a bit too tarnished, it would take a lot of evidence & proof to be convincing.
In the case of these it has to be a head before heart decision, there is / has been enough discussion to go by.

[Sunny43.5]

The funny noise is referred to by those in the know as the "moo cow sound " ours which is single turbo makes that noise for around 8 years so nothing to worry about .

[Rebuild]

Unless the price is really good and its had/has the updated EGR cooler early in its life, i'd pass.

[Spooked]

Hi,

Personally I think you made a sensible decision, the matter of these engine failures rolling around in the back of your mind during ownership would be enough to leave it alone.

"fairly okay service history" - not nearly good enough.
"bit of a funny noise when the ignition is turned off" - one red flag.
"advertised as a single turbo" - one GIANT Red Flag.

They are a lovely wagon, no doubt, but a bit too tarnished, it would take a lot of evidence & proof to be convincing.
In the case of these it has to be a head before heart decision, there is / has been enough discussion to go by.

Thank you for putting it to me so clearly and eloquently.

100%. When I saw a six speed and confirmed it wasn't the 74kw as advertised, but the 134kw, and the dealer played a bit dumb about it. I was suspicious.

For some reason the service history was in two books. The first had all servicing up to 117,000k. And I verified this by calling the shops that worked on it (VW dealers, if they can be trusted). Then, for some reason there was an additional service at 136,000k in a second, cleaner book. I'm half thinking they pulled that one out of their butts. Either way, odd.

Thanks for confirming this for me. This morning I'm reading more about the issue and finding more and more clear, rational reasons to avoid this. As a Volks specialist said to me, "Leave it alone!" And he wasn't the first.

I'll have to save for post 2013, non-CFCA engine with the right oil cooler.

[Spooked]

The funny noise is referred to by those in the know as the "moo cow sound " ours which is single turbo makes that noise for around 8 years so nothing to worry about .

Ha, interesting! Yeah, it was immediately after shutdown so I figured it was a quirk rather than a problem. Any idea what it is? To be honest, it sounded like the turbo farting.

[Spooked]

Unless the price is really good and its had/has the updated EGR cooler early in its life, i'd pass.

No evidence of updated cooler. Stamped "A".

I feel a lot better about my decision now. Will save more for a later model with different cooler and/or evidence it has been addressed.

Thankfully, I have time on my side. So I'll sit and wait for the right one. That would be a post 2013, non-CFCA with the improved cooler.

[Spooked]

An update: I've just realised, thanks to photos taken by the mechanic that inspected it, that the EGR/oil cooler was changed out at some point. It's a 2010, but it now has a 2012 EGR. This makes me think something was going on with the EGR back then. And, it remains an 'A'.

[Rebuild]

IIRC i think it was a D part no. is what you want to see

[Spooked]

Now that I'm changing my focus to the CAAC single turbo from 2013 onwards, any things to look out for on that engine? I know they have the VAG / VW quirks and unreliability issues, but also that they seem pretty solid. I can deal with that. But does it carry any of the issues similar to the CFCA?

[Sunny43.5]

First thing is to check Serpentine and timing belt for wear , second and this is important get what VW describe as a "Robustness Kit " its a divider which fits up between those two belts to prevent them from getting tangled which can happen if the serpentine belt fails . If that belt fails it can get tangled with the timing belt and boom there goes the top end or the whole engine , its a cheap part but VW dont tell owners about it . Apparently Amaroks which has the same motor it is in the service book but not for Transporters .

[LogicprObe]

Once the car is over 7 years old, you have no claim over the dealer besides the cooling off period.
(in NSW anyway)

I've got a CAAC - 2012 still going strong @ 510,000kms.
So, the 'moo valve' is like a sensor between the turbo and the EGR and the noise when you turn it off is just it adjusting to the atmospheric pressure outside. Does not affect performance.

Mine has original turbo and is on its' third EGR and on its' third drivers side drive shaft/stub shaft.........which I just happened to change today!

So, as long as they are serviced regularly along with the required belt and filter changes, they have been the main annoyances for me.
That said, the poor bugger has done a lot of work over the last 11 years!

[Spooked]

First thing is to check Serpentine and timing belt for wear , second and this is important get what VW describe as a "Robustness Kit " its a divider which fits up between those two belts to prevent them from getting tangled which can happen if the serpentine belt fails . If that belt fails it can get tangled with the timing belt and boom there goes the top end or the whole engine , its a cheap part but VW dont tell owners about it . Apparently Amaroks which has the same motor it is in the service book but not for Transporters .

That's good to know. Cheers.

[Spooked]

Once the car is over 7 years old, you have no claim over the dealer besides the cooling off period.
(in NSW anyway)

I've got a CAAC - 2012 still going strong @ 510,000kms.
So, the 'moo valve' is like a sensor between the turbo and the EGR and the noise when you turn it off is just it adjusting to the atmospheric pressure outside. Does not affect performance.

Mine has original turbo and is on its' third EGR and on its' third drivers side drive shaft/stub shaft.........which I just happened to change today!

So, as long as they are serviced regularly along with the required belt and filter changes, they have been the main annoyances for me.
That said, the poor bugger has done a lot of work over the last 11 years!

My understanding is that everyone has consumer rights nationally under Australian law. Basically, if you buy from a dealer the car should do what it is supposed to do. So if there's something major not long after purchase, the dealer is legally obliged to do something. Obviously, if it's a year or two or more, you might be on your own.

Good to know your CAAC is going strong. I'm not in a rush, and I need to save a bit more because I'm looking for a CAAC (might even consider a newer biturbo that's been looked after), LWB and manual, with full service history and maybe in a colour other than white. Not asking for much am I? hehe