TSI squeal noise problem on acceleration

[Brendan_A]

I've got a March 2010 built 118TSI Golf with 2600kms and no sign of the squeak yet, but it is still only early days.

[AB1]

GOLF TSI 7Sp DSG - Engine Squeek noise

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have been reading with keen interest in regards to the squeek/chirping noise upon acceleration. Few things that may interest you:
- I bought my car from <dealer> VW in Feb
- A few months later recognised this chirping sounds (approx when doing 50-60kph)
- Took back, and was able to replicate issue to dealership
- They fixed the issue by replacing the water pump (said it was common problem at the time (around July this year)
- A few weeks back i noticed the same noise. So i rang the dealership adn said i had the same issue come back
Essendon said the following:
"The water pump is a recognised issue, and they have stopped replacing the water pumps for vehicles with this issue because this is not a long term fix (very common issue). I was told that VW is currently working to find a fix for this issue"

- I then asked how will i be contacted, and i was told i will need to ring up and check with VW in a few months.

I am a little concerned because what if they never find a fix? does this mean i need to accept this defect of the water pump = chirping squeek noise?
What are my rights? what is VW going to do do compensate me for driving a defective vehicle (ok, just a noise but still)???

BTW-rang <different dealer> VW and they did not know of this common issue, how can this be? should this not be reported to every dealership?

Any advice - i am thinking about ringing VW today to complain - is there a custoemr service line i can call as i do not accept the fact that i have to sit and wait...

[Brendan_A]

How many Km's on your TSI when it started the chirp?

[logger]

Any advice - i am thinking about ringing VW today to complain

Does it really bother you that much? I just take it as being a characteristic of my car which I hear very occasionally. If I go out of my way to hear it, winding windows down and trying to make it chirp I hear it more often. While I understand that you find the brief chirp annoying this does not necessarily make it a defect. ie the car is otherwise functioning perfectly normally. It is just a noise, it does not mean the magnetic clutch is about to fail or anything. So my advice would be to just to learn to live with and treat it as a characteristic of the car.

[VW Convert]

Any advice - i am thinking about ringing VW today to complain - is there a custoemr service line i can call as i do not accept the fact that i have to sit and wait...

I thought the following quote explains the situation pretty well.

Essendon said the following:
"The water pump is a recognised issue, and they have stopped replacing the water pumps for vehicles with this issue because this is not a long term fix (very common issue). I was told that VW is currently working to find a fix for this issue"

VW is working on it, the first fix does not appear to have worked so it would appear that the issue is a complex one. Be patient, I'm sure VW will engineer a solution.

[AB1]

How many Km's on your TSI when it started the chirp?

Would have been at least 8000-9000 km's, however, now it started now again at around 13500 km's

Does it really bother you that much? I just take it as being a characteristic of my car which I hear very occasionally. If I go out of my way to hear it, winding windows down and trying to make it chirp I hear it more often. While I understand that you find the brief chirp annoying this does not necessarily make it a defect. ie the car is otherwise functioning perfectly normally. It is just a noise, it does not mean the magnetic clutch is about to fail or anything. So my advice would be to just to learn to live with and treat it as a characteristic of the car.

Thanks for your opinion, however, if it was a characteristic to have to live with, i don't think VW would be endeavouring to address the issue.

Also, who says that this issue isn't more than an annoying squeek? How can we be for sure that this isn't doing more harm to the vehicle? No one knows, and just because the dealership says so, it does not mean this is the case. Also, if it was just the noise, there is no way VW would be going out of their way to attempt to resolve the issue.

I thought the following quote explains the situation pretty well.



VW is working on it, the first fix does not appear to have worked so it would appear that the issue is a complex one. Be patient, I'm sure VW will engineer a solution.

Thanks for your reply. I understand the need to be patient re: the fix. However, i posted because 2 things concern me:
1. That this issue was discussed on this forum a year ago, and a year later this issue is still ongoing.
2. Given it has been a year passed without resolving this issue, how can we be sure that the issue will ever be resolved. Yes, only a noise, however you pay for a nice car, you don't expect this squeek. What if VW never find a resolution, do you think this is fair and the customer has to accept this customer service?

Thanks.

[logger]

Also, who says that this issue isn't more than an annoying squeek?

VW.

I have a VW tech Bulletin that specifically addresses it.
I am bush at the moment so it is not in front of me. Paraphrasing from memory, it says; "We are aware of the chirp, it has no effect on the function or longevity of the clutch/waterpump, Do not complete warranty work without VW approval as VW will not re-imburse dealer." It includes a audio grab of the sound. Will post it for you when I get back to town unless someone else has a copy.

[MariusGT]

ahh yes, i remember reading the line from VW HQ in regard to the sound. quite sure it has been posted somewhere in this very thread (i'm not wading back through the pages to find it).

i believe it was along the lines that logger mentioned --> and concluded the engineering side was not effected. ie: no loss of power functionality or longevity of parts. The ONLY reason they are trying to find a fix is because people don't like the sound.

imagine how unpopular TDI engines would be if sound alone was such a contributing factor (i actually love the truck noise combined with turbo whistle).

while i do understand some may NOT like the sound --> my GT Sport is one of those cars where on a quiet stretch i wind the windows down and turn the radio off just so i CAN hear all the squealing, whistling and exhaust farting (DSG up shifting)!!!!

[vwsp]

I have had my car fixed under warranty, and for now it's fixed (no squeak). If it comes back, I will be as annoyed as AB1, no doubt.

But look, VW has acknowledged it as a problem that needs to be addressed and I know from past experience with VW if they can fix it they will. Hopefully a more permanent solution next time. They know more than any of us, that if we don't like their cars we will buy someone else's next time. So it is in their interest to make us happy - within reason.

Always optimistic

[cameronp]

imagine how unpopular TDI engines would be if sound alone was such a contributing factor (i actually love the truck noise combined with turbo whistle).

while i do understand some may NOT like the sound --> my GT Sport is one of those cars where on a quiet stretch i wind the windows down and turn the radio off just so i CAN hear all the squealing, whistling and exhaust farting (DSG up shifting)!!!!

Yeah, I wouldn't mind if the whining and whistling was more clearly audible, the TSI's a bit characterless with the windows up. There's no squeal noise here either.

What causes the exhaust farting? I thought that only the GTIs did it - I haven't noticed anything that fits that description in my Mk6 TSI.