'troublesome 1.4ltr twincharged' according to CarsGuide

**ziggyboy** · 16-09-2012, 02:45 PM

I've never used 95 on my Jetta and would only recommend 98 to be safe. I'd also suggest against Shell. Go with BP or Caltex.

**SLAF** · 16-09-2012, 07:49 PM

After having had my engine replace after 30,000 kms and after using only 98 RON petrol, I have become very worried about the longevity (and resale value) of my beloved Golf. My engine was shipped to Germany and the serviceman did not even get a report as to the real cause of the failure. The serviceman at my local VW dealer was honest enough to tell me that he has had occurrences of the second engine being replaced also. I took out an extended 3 year warranty to appease my concerns. However, when I heard that the Mk7 was coming out next year, without the “troublesome” 1.4 twin charged engine, I thought the value would plummet even further. So I bit the bullet yesterday and traded in my hatch for a demo 103 TDI wagon. This was a bitter pill to take but seems to be the only long term option. I am really surprised that the failure of these engines has not been more publicised as it presents a PR nightmare for Golf Australia.

**dodobird** · 17-09-2012, 02:57 PM

Oh boy... Should i be worried? I've got roughly 156kw on my 118tsi. Stock clutch on the DQ200. So far so good with mileage at 9,500km. Just horrified after reading all the 1.4 twincharger horror stories.

But, i do have that annoying little squeek squeek sound every time my foot goes on the peddle, be it light or heavy. Heard that it may be something to do with the water pump for the supercharger.

**Rawcpoppa** · 17-09-2012, 03:00 PM

My jetta only gets 95 Ron as that's the best fuel we get here. The fuel flap also says 95 Ron. No problems.

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**Kojmeister** · 18-09-2012, 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by dodobird

Oh boy... Should i be worried? I've got roughly 156kw on my 118tsi. Stock clutch on the DQ200. So far so good with mileage at 9,500km. Just horrified after reading all the 1.4 twincharger horror stories.

But, i do have that annoying little squeek squeek sound every time my foot goes on the peddle, be it light or heavy. Heard that it may be something to do with the water pump for the supercharger.

When I had my previous ride and after installing an aftermarket air intake kit (gruppe M ram air) I had a squeak now n then no matter how much pedal I gave her. It was more prominent at light pedal applications.

When it came time to swap out the k&n cone filter, I had to take out the whole kit to do so and made sure everything was put together properly. The noise went away. - could possibly be like a slight gap or spacing in the tubing then may have air whistling past. Perhaps it may be good to check that out ? U''ve got an aft mkt CAI?

I am New to V dubs but a mate of mine got a golf GT sport and after almost 6 years of owning her and doing 70+k kms he has no dramas.

**Kojmeister** · 18-09-2012, 02:09 AM

Have always sworn by using 98 RON on all makes/types of cars. Unless if it's like a real emergency (like that infamous shortage of 98RON in WA a while ago) or if the situation does mot allow for it, then will fill up with 95 RON. Have had not much experience with Shell and as such, would recommend BP / Caltex.

**Sambo90** · 21-10-2012, 08:48 AM

I've just purchased my first new car. A 118tsi Jetta. By now the engine problems don't really bother me too much or I wouldn't have gone ahead with it. I imagine they have sorted any major issues by now and plan on using 98 petrol all the time. Hope I have no problems. Surely not every twin charged engine had a problem.

**prise** · 05-11-2012, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by idaho

We have a Golf V (GT Sport) with the 125kw version of that engine. We haven't had any engine problems.

For the 125kw engine the fuel requirement is specified as 98 RON while the 118 kw versions have the fuel specified as 95 RON. Both engines have identical torque figures (240Nm from 1750 - 4500 rpm), while the 118kw is specified at 5900 rpm and the 125kw is specified at 6000 rpm. That reads to me that the engines are probably identical yet the 118 runs on lower octane fuel and quotes better fuel consumption so you would think the engine must be tuned to run leaner. Running leaner with lower octane fuel suggests to me there is far less margin for error, or a very faithful reliance that the engine controller can sort any problems out. We have only ever used non-ethanol 98 RON fuel and I think that earlier fuel specification requirement leads to the seemingly better reliability of that version. I realise there are a lot less 125kw engines around than 118kw but I think on the forum there might only be one recent problem with a 125kw whereas 118's often have problems early on.

Check the failures thread - most owners of failed cars reported on the forum were using 98 octane. Also it isn't true that they 'leaned it out'. The motor is running stoichiometric ( lambda = 1) AFR in its current form as a umber of owners with VCDS data logging have verified. I wouldn't plan on owning one long past warranty.

**jessv3** · 07-11-2012, 09:35 PM

There was a major recall on many MK6 118tsi Golfs, mostly requiring entire engine replacements, this would of been hugely expensive for VW so I am sure they would of fixed whatever was causing the issue in the current shape Jetta. Also from what Ive read the reason for VW dropping the engine is purely a cost decision rather then reliability, I guess it depends how you interrupt that as some may imply that a costly engine means it could of been problematic.