Volkswagen Reviews

It’s very likely to be a sensor problem. If the sensor in question starts to send false information to the car’s computer, the engine can do all sort of weird things. I’ve even heard of things like exhaust gas temperature senders on this make and model being mixed up during a DPF service with all sorts of problems as a result.

Beyond that a high idle can be the result of a fuel injector problem or even a vacuum leak through a split or missing rubber hose. Even the turbocharger’s trunking – if it becomes split or damaged – can cause this sort of problem, but usually the drama would be a permanent one until the problem was fixed. The intermittent nature of your problem has computer or sensor written all over it. A full electronic scan of the vehicle should be your first step. There’s a very good chance the onboard computer already has a pretty good idea of what’s wrong. You just need to ask it.

It certainly sounds like you could have a fuel problem and a fuel filter can definitely get clogged over time, becoming worse and worse. But you might also have a fuel pump problem or even a fault in the injection system that is causing the issue. Don’t rule out a random ignition or electrical problem, either, as these can cause the same symptoms.

So, go back to basics. Check the fuel volume and pressure and have the car electronically scanned to see if the computer throws up any hints on what’s wrong. Even if the fuel pump is delivering lots of fuel when you test it, don’t rule out an intermittent pump problem.

Sometimes, as fuel pumps wear, they can cut out when they get hot or sometimes when they simply feel like it.

A VW dealership can carry out a test that will reveal whether there’s wear in the transmission’s clutch packs. Based on the result of this test, the question of whether the transmission is within tolerance or not should be pretty black and white. If you’re still not happy, have the vehicle independently inspected (your state motoring club is a good place to start) for a second opinion.

While you should not be fobbed off by the dealership, it’s true this type of transmission can take some acclimatisation on the part of the driver. We’re not saying you should have to learn how to drive again, but these dual-clutch transmissions can take a little technique if you’re to get the best from them. However, when a characteristic transitions into an actual problem, you need to be on top of it.