Golf 118tsi MK6 1.4 Twin Charger Pinging issue

[turboalfa]

Hey guys,

I am sure you have all seen and heard these threads over the last 11 years.

Well this one is a little different.

I purchased a 118tsi Wagon with the Misfire issue. After realising what it was, we decided to prepare our workshop at home for the next few days. ( We have built a lot of engine previously, Mostly alfa engines.)

Never the less we realised we had a cracked 3rd Piston, Since then we removed the engine and rebuilt it.

So far so good. Everything went back together nicely and drives great,

But we have one issue we cant fix... At high RPM we get the Engine light flashing(Misfire on cylinder 4)

We have checked Compression and each cylinder is at 120psi.

The real problem is the pinging, We have pinging at 4000rpm and above. Has anyone experienced this?

Timing issue? Fuel? Spark plug gaps as I have read else where this may be partly the issue as the gap recommendation was changed early on, I only replaced the plugs prior to the engine build to rule out any other issue before the rebuild. so they are less then 100kms old.

Any tips or first place to look would be great.

Does anyone know the recommend gap for the plugs? We are using 98 fuel to help and prevent it.

[Lucas_R]

A lot of the issues with these engines is in the tuning on the ECU. They run lean and hot and have a lot of timing to create a decent amount of power out of the small capacity turbo and supercharged engine.

Now a lot of tuning companies wont touch the 118 TSI engine due to their reliability issues, but if you can find that one that will, they can retune the ECU to run richer, with appropriate timing and boost etc to suit our climate and fuel quality. You could try Underground Performance in Cheltenham. Otherwise there are plenty of VW specialist workshops in Melbourne who may be able to assist with ECU tuning.

Also check/replace the ignition coils. These are prone to failing on every VW engine after 4 or 5 years and cause misfires but are cheap to replace.

Also, being a direct injection engine they are prone to getting carbon buildup on the inlet valves and injector tips which causes misfires. Did you happen to inspect/clean these parts when you rebuilt the engine?

[turboalfa]

Thanks for the reply Lucas,

I happened to inspect the inlet valves although I did not pay much attention to the injector tips.

I notice the pinging starts around 3.5k rpm, this morning when I drove it the pinging was light in the cold weather. Although I didn't hear this pinging prior to the rebuild.

This is what has me puzzled. I have read vw had a ecu upgrade as well to retard the timing from late 2010. Will this remap do?

[turboalfa]

Also looking at the spark plugs, they look very lean

[Lucas_R]

Has it got any recall stickers on the drivers side door jamb? There was a recall for engine ECU software and another for the gearbox software. If your car has not had these recalls carried out then definitely look into getting these done. You should be able to call VW and give them your VIN or rego and they can check the recall status.

Pinging at 3.5-4k RPM is right about where the supercharger disengages and switches over to the turbo. It could just be coincidence or perhaps something else is not quite right. But definitely look into the recall ECU software as this will help address some of the fundamental issues this engine had when first released in Australia.

[turboalfa]

I have attached below a recall print out from the VW site.

It has had the DSG recall but i dont see the Engine ecu. I will check the door trims.

[Lucas_R]

Looks like its missed the ECU recall somehow.

Found an old thread from another Alfa lover which might be helpful. If you look amongst this thread for a user called Parso (who is a VW tuner in Sydney) he posted a 118TSI he was working on at the time and the air:fuel ratios are basically all 14.7:1 expect for a few spots where it richened up to 14:1 which is still very very lean.

Slow death of a 118TSI

[OneM]

Hey guys,

I am sure you have all seen and heard these threads over the last 11 years.

Well this one is a little different.

I purchased a 118tsi Wagon with the Misfire issue. After realising what it was, we decided to prepare our workshop at home for the next few days. ( We have built a lot of engine previously, Mostly alfa engines.)

Never the less we realised we had a cracked 3rd Piston, Since then we removed the engine and rebuilt it.

So far so good. Everything went back together nicely and drives great,

But we have one issue we cant fix... At high RPM we get the Engine light flashing(Misfire on cylinder 4)

We have checked Compression and each cylinder is at 120psi.

The real problem is the pinging, We have pinging at 4000rpm and above. Has anyone experienced this?

Timing issue? Fuel? Spark plug gaps as I have read else where this may be partly the issue as the gap recommendation was changed early on, I only replaced the plugs prior to the engine build to rule out any other issue before the rebuild. so they are less then 100kms old.

Any tips or first place to look would be great.

Does anyone know the recommend gap for the plugs? We are using 98 fuel to help and prevent it.

Seems ECU related. Has it been tuned / reflashed? Cracked pistons are usually from increase boost. Get it back to stock 1st, then go from there. Another quick test is the PCV, O2 & MAF sensors, coilpacks.. replace them and see how it goes. Good luck

[turboalfa]

Hey guys,

Ok so update I found the problem,

So the engine has this slight pinging sound prior to rebuild,

So we started to a pay a little more attention, the noise was due to the Hydraulic Cam Gear not holding pressure and losing time,

We since went back in and replaced this part. Now just my luck we are a tooth out by the looks of it as the car is in limp mode and has code p0016.

Just ordered the correct timing tools for this car as we did it by eye, as not having any specialist VW tools.

But on start up there is no more noise or rattling, pinging spray can sounds now.

Hopefully it is just a tooth out, we have checked all the sensors and i cannot see anything we have broken or pinched.

I will double check sensors prior to pulling the timing chain off again, as we were TDC and cams alignment was right by eye at the back of the head.

Car just had no power (LIMP MODE) & P0016 code when i connect my laptop.

I will keep you guys posted

[turboalfa]

Ok,

So tools arrived car is back together and running well.. no more noises.

Now just to get at me the supercharge is no longer engaging.

Was working fine previously

I have checked the Plug on the clutch for the supercharger all seems fine... Is there anything else I could have missed which would stop this from engaging?

Any help would be appreciated. Otherwise looks like i need to replace the whole unit.

Thanks in advance