Dealer Service Campaign on 118TSI and 114Twin Charge (Basically a recall)

[Peteaussi]

Hi Guys/ Gals,

Just got this off carsales.com.au and thought it would be worthy of sharing on here.


6700 owners of Golf and Jetta 118TSI asked to visit dealers for an engine software update

Almost half of all latest-generation Volkswagen Golf hatchbacks -- and a small number of Jetta sedans -- are being called back to dealerships to iron-out a potential engine computer gremlin.

The models in question are powered by the 118TSI engine, a 1.4-litre twin-charge petrol motor.

Volkswagen Australia executives have confirmed to the Carsales Network that the company is the process of contacting all owners of these vehicles to return their cars to the dealership for a software update.

The engine computer "re-flash" takes about 30 minutes and there is no cost to the customer, but Volkswagen recommends owners book a time with their local dealer to avoid inconvenience.

One engine failure has been reported, while symptoms experienced by up to a dozen other owners include the engine failing to start, or running rough.

A spokesperson for Volkswagen said it is not an official recall, because it is not a safety issue, rather it is described as a "dealer service campaign".

"We have just notified our dealers and are sending out letters to customers to bring in their cars to have an upgrade of their engine software," Volkswagen Australia spokesman, Karl Gehling, said.

"It is not a safety issue but we are instructing our dealers to undertake a service campaign on the engine," he says.

Owners who notice engine problems should not drive their car -- and instead they should get it towed to the nearest dealership, the company warns.

"If they [continue to drive it while the engine is running rough] it will cause damage to the engine," Gehling says. "If the car is misfiring, owners should report the problem to their dealers."

The problem appears to be unique to Volkswagens in Australia. The company says there have been no other similar reports overseas and the computer fix was devised by Germany specifically for Australia.

The company says that the software upgrade includes resetting the engine's knock-sensor, a device which effectively decides when the spark plug should ignite the petrol in the combustion chamber for optimum efficiency and engine durability.

It is a significant setback for the new Golf, which has won numerous Car of the Year awards in Australia and was the World Car of the Year in 2009. The engine in question also won "International Engine of the Year" last year.

Volkswagen has sold approximately 13,500 new generation Golfs since the latest model went on sale in March 2009. But 6700 of those -- about half of all new generation Golfs sold -- are equipped with the 118TSI engine.

[Syd118TSI]

I assume that those yet to be delivered will be flashed with the upgraded engine software.

Hope so at least!

[Corey_R]

Heh - only a single engine failure? Since we've got more than one member here who has had their engine replaced in the 118TSI, I wonder what VW Australia considers an "engine failure"?

I'm not surprised that the problem is specific to Australia though. Crappy fuel regulations here in relation to sulphur content and other things are to blame no doubt.

[Syd118TSI]

Heh - only a single engine failure? Since we've got more than one member here who has had their engine replaced in the 118TSI, I wonder what VW Australia considers an "engine failure"?

Yeah, that's quite funny. One actual engine failure would elicit no response from VWA let alone a "Dealer Service Campaign".

[Brian]

Just booked mine in with Austral in Brisbane to get the reflash. Earliest I could get in was 20th May so don't wait for your letters, otherwise you'll be at the end of a very long queue.

[Peteaussi]

The say if the engine starts knocking and riding rough that you should put it on a tow truck and not drive it anymore until the reflash has been done. Do you think that VW would cover the cost of the tow truck and it is a cost induced by their faulty component?

[coastie]

Volkswagen's twin-charged engine trouble

link to original article

[Jmac]

Just had mail from Superchips Hq regarding this. If anyone is experiencing engine trouble ie misfire, dont drive the car get it to the dealer and have the reflash done. if you have had a performance flash done then it will be written over. This new ECu calibration may have the potential to make it untunable, the powers are on to it as we speak. ill update as i find out.
Cheers
Jmac

[vwlovr]

I assume that those yet to be delivered will be flashed with the upgraded engine software.

Hope so at least!

My guess is that the dealers will flash the engine as it arrives, prior to delivering the car to the customer...

[cwcarruthers]

I understand this may be a simple question for many here... but in layman's terms how do you know if the engine is knocking, running "rough", and/or misfiring? Is this something that is very obvious, or is it more subtle?