Golf V GT (170bhp petrol engine) problems
Discussion
Following on from another thread I thought it best to make this a new topic rather than hijack the other thread.
Friend has a Golf V GT with the 170bhp supercharged+turbocharged petrol engine. Has covered 40k miles, based in Greece.
Since new he had some issues (4times) with a jerk/gap in power delivery between the super and turbocharger when the switch over or overlap occurs (I am not sure exactly how these engines work).
This was fixed by VW each time.
The most recent problem started with the engine management light coming on and eh associated a fault code - can't remember it now but will ask him but I remember from searching it online it was to do with a flap in the intake manifold not being in the correct position. The fault was read and cleared by a none VW mechanic (as we were at least 1,5hours from a dealer). Car drove fine whilst the light was on.
Heading back to a VW dealer the light came back on and the supercharger stopped working. Car now in VW and thy need it for a week to 'strip down the engine' because the water pump for the turbo/supercharger is faulty'.
Luckily still has 1 year warranty left.
Anyone had this before?
He was a bit wary when he bough the car is it is a complex engine and was just released when he bought it so no reliability data. Funny thing is that he had (and still has) a 1999 Renault Clio that has been faultless (apart from a failed electric window and interior trim falling off) and never went back to the dealer except for servicing...
Friend has a Golf V GT with the 170bhp supercharged+turbocharged petrol engine. Has covered 40k miles, based in Greece.
Since new he had some issues (4times) with a jerk/gap in power delivery between the super and turbocharger when the switch over or overlap occurs (I am not sure exactly how these engines work).
This was fixed by VW each time.
The most recent problem started with the engine management light coming on and eh associated a fault code - can't remember it now but will ask him but I remember from searching it online it was to do with a flap in the intake manifold not being in the correct position. The fault was read and cleared by a none VW mechanic (as we were at least 1,5hours from a dealer). Car drove fine whilst the light was on.
Heading back to a VW dealer the light came back on and the supercharger stopped working. Car now in VW and thy need it for a week to 'strip down the engine' because the water pump for the turbo/supercharger is faulty'.
Luckily still has 1 year warranty left.
Anyone had this before?
He was a bit wary when he bough the car is it is a complex engine and was just released when he bought it so no reliability data. Funny thing is that he had (and still has) a 1999 Renault Clio that has been faultless (apart from a failed electric window and interior trim falling off) and never went back to the dealer except for servicing...
So what you are saying is a really basic clio is more reliable than a VW with a new breed of turbo/supercharged engine.
As with all things car related there are so many variables and you can never be certain your friend hasnt had a contributory role in the engine problems by taking it to a non vw dealer and continuing to drive around with the mananagement light on.
Still since it is under warrenty what is the issue?
As with all things car related there are so many variables and you can never be certain your friend hasnt had a contributory role in the engine problems by taking it to a non vw dealer and continuing to drive around with the mananagement light on.
Still since it is under warrenty what is the issue?
Not saying that at all - I had a Clio that gave me loads of problems, just that reliability surveys are a general picture and individual cases can be the complete opposite. 'Convention' says that VW = more reliable then Renault and was in my case, with the Renault being the worst car I owned in terms of problems.
As for a contributory role - the car was 1,5 hours drive from the nearest VW dealer. The manual said get drive dealer as soon as you can - not take it in on a flatbed. Car was driven as little as possible and as there was another garage nearby who could read VAG Ecu's we took in to see what the nature of the fault was before attempting a 1,5 hr journey (with a small family in Greeces 40c heat we did not want to get stuck on the road). The non VW mechanic noted the fault code cleared it - nothing else. After the weekend the car was driven 1,5hours to the VW dealer who said it was fine to drive back to Athens (400miles away). Said dealer was also called and given the fault code and said was ok to drive carefully the 1,5 hours. On the way back to Athens the fault reappeared and the supercharger stopped working.
As for 'what's the problem': Having to go back to the dealer 4 times in 40k miles is a problem, having the supercharger stop working halfway through a long journey is also a problem regardless of who foots the bill. Being without a car for week (no courtesy either) is also a problem. Perhaps not a problem in your book but I think it is reasonable to find this a problem.
Luckily still in warranty but outside of warranty these bills will be big so car will be sold before warranty is up.
As for a contributory role - the car was 1,5 hours drive from the nearest VW dealer. The manual said get drive dealer as soon as you can - not take it in on a flatbed. Car was driven as little as possible and as there was another garage nearby who could read VAG Ecu's we took in to see what the nature of the fault was before attempting a 1,5 hr journey (with a small family in Greeces 40c heat we did not want to get stuck on the road). The non VW mechanic noted the fault code cleared it - nothing else. After the weekend the car was driven 1,5hours to the VW dealer who said it was fine to drive back to Athens (400miles away). Said dealer was also called and given the fault code and said was ok to drive carefully the 1,5 hours. On the way back to Athens the fault reappeared and the supercharger stopped working.
As for 'what's the problem': Having to go back to the dealer 4 times in 40k miles is a problem, having the supercharger stop working halfway through a long journey is also a problem regardless of who foots the bill. Being without a car for week (no courtesy either) is also a problem. Perhaps not a problem in your book but I think it is reasonable to find this a problem.
Luckily still in warranty but outside of warranty these bills will be big so car will be sold before warranty is up.
Matt-b said:
I've replaced a few water pumps on these engines. it doesnt take a week - 3 hours max!! The magnetic clutch for the supercharger is integral to the water pump for some reason... As for reliablity - i dont think much of them to be honest
Do you know much about this issue as im having the same stuff happen to my 56 reg gt tsi 170. I had a error code about the magnetic clutch on supercharge was stuck closed. Need to find somewhere reliable to fix it at a good price Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff