Tweet
A wise forum member Seano, once advised me not to over think things.
However back then I didn't understand this...and by the time I did...too late.
And this sad and sorry tale is the result.
Have a 1 owner 2010 T5 lwb manual van 2.0tdi 103kw with 175,000km and a full service history.
Has been sitting out on a Melbourne street unstarted for the last couple of years and is still registered.
Back then it would start and run for a few seconds before cutting out.
What went wrong, is my remote power system shorted and super-heated the cabling and anything in contact with it. Inside the van, under it and in the engine bay. At the time I had no idea what was happening. I now realise car fires can start very quickly. Through all the smoke I assumed it was on fire. I made my 1st mistake emptying 2 full size Presto ABE powder fire extinguishers into and under the van. And my 2nd mistake was apparently to later hose out the powder with water.
I stripped out all the remote power system and any melted trims. The car still ran so I drove it for another 2 years. Progressively had to strip and repair lots of interior surface rust issues that appeared. Eventually the engine warning light started coming on (not for the first time). Was reset by my mechanic (Boris at Volkscare) as had been done before and kept driving. Eventually the warning light came on again and the car started to go into limp mode. But only from time to time. Each time when I started it the next day limp mode was gone.
Note; either the EGR or DPF was replaced under warranty in the first couple of years. And an EGR sensor had been replaced a year or so earlier when I had a similar problem.
Eventually I took it back to my mechanic. He/we felt it was most likely an earth/connection issue related to the fire extinguisher. I thought he said he couldn't get his vcds ross-tech scanner to complete the process. But maybe I was just confused. Because I have his 4 page report with 5 errors on it (attached). He didn't want to touch it and recommended I take it to an auto elec. He also suggested I'd made things worse by hosing the residue out with water and the van would now likely rust from the inside out. Haven't seen any evidence of that yet but still need to check more closely...somehow. Before the "event" there were no errors. The 5 errors now were;
1. 4807 EGR System P0401 00 [104] Insufficient Flow
2. 11901 Manifold Pressure / Boost Sensor (G31) P0236 00 [032] Implausible Signal
3. 4124 Sensor Reference Voltage B P0651 00 [032] Open Circuit
4. 4881 EGR Valve (N18 ) P1440 00 [032] Open Circuit
5. Engine Speed Sensor (G28 ) P0322 00 [096] No Signal.
The auto elec had the van for 2 weeks and finally gave up. However while he had it the problem got worse. Now it only starts and runs for a few seconds.
I thought he too mentioned scan tool issues? He felt it was initially a sensor problem. He by-passed something that I can't remember and this turned off the warning light. He then disconnected the battery for the weekend, intending to finish the job off on the Monday. However on Monday after re-connecting the battery the van would start but dies after a few seconds. He removed his by-pass but the new problem remained. He thought the immobiliser must have been triggered but could not overcome this. His final thought was that I now probably had an ecu problem. Which seemed like a big expense when it may not be the problem. And if I repair the car I might just keep having further electrical problems. So I decided to think about it...for the next 2+ years :/
Now I am just trying to decide what the least worst financial outcome is.
Until now I've been busy working...and basically it had broken my spirit :/
Now I'm retired, should have plenty of time, but must be must be able to do all work myself to keep costs down.
Am prepared to learn and invest in further useful tools.
I'm not yet much of a mechanic. Have been working on the much simpler and easier AU Falcons for a few years now.
I didn't want to expand into these more complex diesel VW's with a turbo, front wheel drive and VW diagnistics.
But getting rid of the van as is, feels like it'd be the worst financial outcome...although the most convenient one.
Happy to either start using the van again, or use it as parts for another cheap one, or just part it out over time.
Although to get a good price on my engine and gearbox I'd have thought I need the van running. Then part the rest out.
If I get the van running though I may as well keep it and I have plenty of use for it. Unless the fire extinguisher residue leads to constant electrical problems and structural rust. But I can always part it out down the track if it comes to that.
And if I do keep using it then I'll need to be able to do my own diagnostics and repairs anyway, like I do now with the AU Falcons.
Figured I may as well document the experience either way here in case it's of any use to others over time.
Will appreciate any and all input.
However back then I didn't understand this...and by the time I did...too late.
And this sad and sorry tale is the result.
Have a 1 owner 2010 T5 lwb manual van 2.0tdi 103kw with 175,000km and a full service history.
Has been sitting out on a Melbourne street unstarted for the last couple of years and is still registered.
Back then it would start and run for a few seconds before cutting out.
What went wrong, is my remote power system shorted and super-heated the cabling and anything in contact with it. Inside the van, under it and in the engine bay. At the time I had no idea what was happening. I now realise car fires can start very quickly. Through all the smoke I assumed it was on fire. I made my 1st mistake emptying 2 full size Presto ABE powder fire extinguishers into and under the van. And my 2nd mistake was apparently to later hose out the powder with water.
I stripped out all the remote power system and any melted trims. The car still ran so I drove it for another 2 years. Progressively had to strip and repair lots of interior surface rust issues that appeared. Eventually the engine warning light started coming on (not for the first time). Was reset by my mechanic (Boris at Volkscare) as had been done before and kept driving. Eventually the warning light came on again and the car started to go into limp mode. But only from time to time. Each time when I started it the next day limp mode was gone.
Note; either the EGR or DPF was replaced under warranty in the first couple of years. And an EGR sensor had been replaced a year or so earlier when I had a similar problem.
Eventually I took it back to my mechanic. He/we felt it was most likely an earth/connection issue related to the fire extinguisher. I thought he said he couldn't get his vcds ross-tech scanner to complete the process. But maybe I was just confused. Because I have his 4 page report with 5 errors on it (attached). He didn't want to touch it and recommended I take it to an auto elec. He also suggested I'd made things worse by hosing the residue out with water and the van would now likely rust from the inside out. Haven't seen any evidence of that yet but still need to check more closely...somehow. Before the "event" there were no errors. The 5 errors now were;
1. 4807 EGR System P0401 00 [104] Insufficient Flow
2. 11901 Manifold Pressure / Boost Sensor (G31) P0236 00 [032] Implausible Signal
3. 4124 Sensor Reference Voltage B P0651 00 [032] Open Circuit
4. 4881 EGR Valve (N18 ) P1440 00 [032] Open Circuit
5. Engine Speed Sensor (G28 ) P0322 00 [096] No Signal.
The auto elec had the van for 2 weeks and finally gave up. However while he had it the problem got worse. Now it only starts and runs for a few seconds.
I thought he too mentioned scan tool issues? He felt it was initially a sensor problem. He by-passed something that I can't remember and this turned off the warning light. He then disconnected the battery for the weekend, intending to finish the job off on the Monday. However on Monday after re-connecting the battery the van would start but dies after a few seconds. He removed his by-pass but the new problem remained. He thought the immobiliser must have been triggered but could not overcome this. His final thought was that I now probably had an ecu problem. Which seemed like a big expense when it may not be the problem. And if I repair the car I might just keep having further electrical problems. So I decided to think about it...for the next 2+ years :/
Now I am just trying to decide what the least worst financial outcome is.
Until now I've been busy working...and basically it had broken my spirit :/
Now I'm retired, should have plenty of time, but must be must be able to do all work myself to keep costs down.
Am prepared to learn and invest in further useful tools.
I'm not yet much of a mechanic. Have been working on the much simpler and easier AU Falcons for a few years now.
I didn't want to expand into these more complex diesel VW's with a turbo, front wheel drive and VW diagnistics.
But getting rid of the van as is, feels like it'd be the worst financial outcome...although the most convenient one.
Happy to either start using the van again, or use it as parts for another cheap one, or just part it out over time.
Although to get a good price on my engine and gearbox I'd have thought I need the van running. Then part the rest out.
If I get the van running though I may as well keep it and I have plenty of use for it. Unless the fire extinguisher residue leads to constant electrical problems and structural rust. But I can always part it out down the track if it comes to that.
And if I do keep using it then I'll need to be able to do my own diagnostics and repairs anyway, like I do now with the AU Falcons.
Figured I may as well document the experience either way here in case it's of any use to others over time.
Will appreciate any and all input.
Comment