MK6 GTI - Rattle upon acceleration - Resolved via TPI: 2021062/7

[MurphyTheElf]

Watch out - maybe vw's fix will be a piece of fencing wire around the exhaust flex piece - will probably eliminate the noise at little cost!

If that indeed silenced the rattle.... excellent! Cheap for them, no noise for me. That's win-win!

I spoke to Quattro Motors today who put me in contact with the customer who got the exhaust replacement. I haven't heard from him yet but I'd like to determine whether the noise was the same in his as we are all experiencing. I've also booked a time to demonstrate the noise to a tech at Quattro since they are still yet to hear it.

[MIRSAD]

Hi,

This is example (google translated) of the Open Letter (from German website - related to 118TSI squealing noise) ... maybe it can be useful ...
It is basically confirming coreyings' points... also suggesting involvement of media, plus (only) list of affected owners ( with their details plus GTI VIN number).



"Ladies and Gentlemen,

We, the undersigned, are owners of a VW EOS 1.4 TSI (118kW), a 118kW Golf VI 1.4 TSI (), a Golf V 1.4 TSI (103kW / 125 kw), a Scirocco 1.4 TSI (118kW) or a Tiguan 1.4 TSI ( 110kW) and all affected by a feature of the twin charger engine:

As you know, this engine is often a high-frequency noise (hereinafter referred to squeal) during acceleration in the range 2000-3000 rpm on. You know the definition of your technical service system with better security.
This squeak is due to ease in the clutch of the compressor and occurs most often during switching.

You have instructed your contractor to make any repair attempts in relation to the squeaking noise. Following a non-representative Internet survey over 30% of all vehicles are affected. This noise usually occurs from 3.000km mileage and will, over time louder.

We expect from VW a written opinion that the squeak is recognized as a defect and is guaranteed a free disposal for the entire life of the vehicle.

We encourage you to continue to give us clear answers to these questions:

1st What does VW in order to solve the problem?
2nd How long will our VW still waiting for a solution?
3rd What will VW, if the problem can not be solved?

This letter is an open letter at the same time motor world to the editors of 'auto, motor und sport', 'Auto Bild', 'good trip' and 'ADAC'.

Yours sincerely,

First name, last name, street location, vehicle identification number
First name, last name, street location, vehicle identification number"
......................

[reaction]

So my car went into Wangara VW today and guess what ... I was told that this is a standard and its because my car is still being "run-in"

Im not going to buy this, I can't stand the noise and won't even let people drive with me because it sounds cheap and nasty.

Next ill be writing a nice letter and then if I don't get action I will go to my lawyers.

[Arcus]

Next ill be writing a nice letter and then if I don't get action I will go to my lawyers.

You may not need to:
Engine noise at 2500 rpms

That TSB seems to me to indicate VW (at least VWoA) finally taking this seriously. 'Bout Time.

[MurphyTheElf]

So my car went into Wangara VW today and guess what ... I was told that this is a standard and its because my car is still being "run-in"

Im not going to buy this, I can't stand the noise and won't even let people drive with me because it sounds cheap and nasty.

Next ill be writing a nice letter and then if I don't get action I will go to my lawyers.

I wonder if Dermot knows about this rubbish being served by the service department? If this noise was "standard due to run-in" then how much more run-in is mine, at 15,000kms, needing?

Due to more recent information about the noise coming from the flex-joint of the downpipe, I've asked my service department to take a closer inspection rather than checking existing bulletins for a close enough match of the symptoms.

I think the true cause needs to be determined by more than one source before being able to draft a petition.

[Corey_R]

You may not need to:
Engine noise at 2500 rpms

That TSB seems to me to indicate VW (at least VWoA) finally taking this seriously. 'Bout Time.

Wow - have you guys read this TSB?
So Volkswagen still thing it is the wastegate actuator rod and are saying the following:

Use caution when diagnosing the origin of the noise. Although the noise may be originating from the turbocharger, it can be amplified through resonance to the catalytic converter and be misdiagnosed as a loud converter."

So in other words, they're say it's not the downpipe...


But at least they have a formal diagnosis process, and an escalation process if it turns out to be the actuator rod. I'd recommend everyone look at the TSB and contact your service dept about it.

[MurphyTheElf]

You may not need to:
Engine noise at 2500 rpms

That TSB seems to me to indicate VW (at least VWoA) finally taking this seriously. 'Bout Time.

Great find - I've forwarded that bulletin to my service manager while my car is there. The bulletin may not have been released here, but the procedure is still relevant. If they apply that to my car today, then we can hopefully determine the true cause once and for all - and perhaps get some action!

[MurphyTheElf]

I knew it, I knew it, I knew it.

My dealer received an email back from "Volkswagen Technical". The email states that because the field fix has been released from VW USA and is not a fix that has been adopted by the factory, VW Australia will not endorse carrying out this procedure and will therefore it will not be covered under warranty.

So VW Australia are happy to endorse and copy a technical bulletin from VW of America explaining the source of a rattle as described by many customers. This bulletin, most importantly, requires no action. But VWA refuse to endorse a new bulletin describing critical troubleshooting that accurately identifies the source of the rattle, which will actually cost them perhaps 30 minutes in labour. More importantly, this new bulletin provides follow-up instructions in the event that the cause is as originally described. Absolutely indefensible behaviour from VWA.

I've asked my dealer to continue with the troubleshooting at my expense. If this eventually results in some action, then I'm going to shove the invoice up VWA's collective arseholes.

[Corey_R]

Ok... so obviously we're both not technical. More so, I don't have a MK6 GTI at my disposal to see how hard it is to access the wastegate actuator rod.
But rather than incurring expenses yourself, maybe it would be possible to carry out this test yourselves?
The test is:
1) Familiarise yourself with the sound using an easy to duplicate driving route and speed etc. (You guys should already have this covered)
2) Attach a 2 ounce (56.69g) "wheel weight" to the wastegate actuator rod
3) Repeat step 1 and take note about whether the noise has changed
4) Remove the weight.

So if the noise has changed, then VW are correct, it's the rod.
If the noise hasn't changed, then it's not the rod and could be the downpipe or something else.

[MurphyTheElf]

They have the car right now and I would like to have an answer today - one way or the other. They can do what they are good at, and I will continue to do what I am good at: sitting in front of my laptop complaining. Oh, and providing top-notch professional consulting at competitive prices.