Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures and Service Campaign 24S4

**davewave** · 15-07-2013, 06:44 PM

Hi All,
Let me break this down first quickly then at length.

I own a 2009 Golf MK6 118TSI Comfortline petrol with 7spd DSG and the car is now out of warranty.

VW are claiming that the recent mechanical fault I have had with my car is:

1) 3 Cracked piston shafts
2) All compression rings in the engine collapsed.
3) Decompressed cylinder number 2

VW have taken the engine block out to inspect and come up with these findings.
They claim that impure or RON91 fuel had been used on more then one occasion in the car causing an orange "sweet smelling" residue to form causing the symptoms I had which was white smoke billowing out the exhaust pipe and some shuddering.

Note that I absolutely never put anything but RON98 in the car, I'm the only owner of the car and the only one that drives it. MY thought is that they are trying to avoid coughing up the cash to pay for a mechanical failure on their behalf.

Also note that I have already had the mechatronics unit replaced under warranty because I had the DSG fail on me already so that's one thing off the list.

My questions are:
a) Can using RON91 cause such destruction to the engine?
b) Will it really cost the $4800 for the engine rebuild + $630 labour for the parts stated
c) How can they state that my car has been using other types of fuel when I know I have stuck to RON98?
d) What are my options here (I really just want out of this VW arrangement)
e) Where are the other cars blowing out smoke due to engine destruction? Is it me or are VW trying to get out of this?
f) Does any of this add up or am I missing something.

As always, the best community in the world, it's a shame that once this car is sold (either after they repair it or if I trade it in), that I will not be returning here because I will have moved on from VW.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

David

**Lucas_R** · 15-07-2013, 08:05 PM

VW need to cough up - plain and simple. The 118 engines will almost always self destruct without any input from the driver/owner. They are fundamentally flawed and the sheer number of them that have failed in the same manner as yours is unbelieveable.

**kaanage** · 15-07-2013, 08:10 PM

Need to force through another recall but the Polo GTi guys have had no luck at all with similar issues (plus cases of massive oil consumption).

I hope you can force the issue with VWA

**Andypoo** · 15-07-2013, 08:12 PM

How many km's David?

"Don't ever own a VW out of warranty" - such great advice!

**Idle** · 15-07-2013, 08:27 PM

"3 cracked piston shafts"?

Do they mean conrods?

Should be impossible unless the metal quality doesn't measure up or the rod was designed by a first week apprentice.

All rings in the engine collapsed should mean decompressed all cylinders — collapsed rings won't seal.

Every time I read about what's happening with these cars I give thanks that I bought a diesel — and I'm a bit nervous about that...

**sVWatt** · 15-07-2013, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Andypoo

How many km's David?

"Don't ever own a VW out of warranty" - such great advice!

I'd disagree. Had two Polos, a Beetle, two Golfs, Scirocco and Passat all out of warranty (by some years) and only the Passat let me down. That was due to the shonky guy I bought it from. Nothing wrong with the vast VWs in or out of warranty. Maybe the current 118 is a pig, but don't write off the broader range.

**davewave** · 15-07-2013, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Andypoo

How many km's David?

79500 KMs

**davewave** · 15-07-2013, 08:44 PM

Yes but what are VW doing to instill confidence in me to buy from them again? Blaming me for putting in the wrong fuel is just deplorable.

**bushnut** · 15-07-2013, 08:49 PM

i wouldnt worry about it vga will pay for this its not like your the first prson to have a 118 self distruct on them

**kaanage** · 15-07-2013, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Idle

Do they mean conrods?

Should be impossible unless the metal quality doesn't measure up or the rod was designed by a first week apprentice.

According to Guy Harding (APR), the Polo 6R GTi, which has a slightly tuned version of the 118 twincharger:

The conrods are the smallest I have seen in a production engine for some time. They look like they are out of a lawnmower.

Originally Posted by Idle

Every time I read about what's happening with these cars I give thanks that I bought a diesel — and I'm a bit nervous about that...

I'm also glad we did (and which also has the 6 speed wet clutch DSG) but the DPF, HPFP and even the DSG still makes me wonder how things will go long term