Volkswagen Golf Engine Problems

Glad we could be of help. It's also nice to know that VW is on the case and fixing issues that crop up on customers' cars.

It's all about global rules for fuel economy and emissions, which means stop-start will eventually be fitted on all cars. Thankfully, some provide a switch to disable it in hot weather.

You’re not alone, a number of people have complained of this noise. It is said to be the catalytic converter pre-heating, which is achieved with an increased idle speed and altered ignition timing. It is claimed that it is normal and harmless, as your dealer has told you. I would monitor it closely and don’t hesitate to take it back to the dealer if your concern grows.

Go back to the dealer and explain your problem to them and they should be able to fix it. If the idle speed is too low it's not a matter of adjusting it higher, there is something else wrong that needs to be fixed, and your dealer is best placed to do it.

Lodging your complaints with the dealer and with VW is the logical starting point. While you are driving the car keep a comprehensive log of any incident that happens, recording date, place, time, what happened, odometer reading etc. That way you would have something to discuss with the dealer and the carmaker when trying to negotiate a way out of the car. VW has a responsibility under its statutory warranty laws to sell you a car that is fit for purpose, and your car might not be. It would be worth consulting an expert in consumer law.
 

It's frustrating when you have so many serious issues with a car, but the only thing you can do is persist in getting the carmaker to repair the faults as they occur. The advice you received from the Department of Commerce is correct, that while the company is genuinely trying to repair the car there is nothing that be done. We asked VW to review your case and respond to your requests. We were told that VW had apologized to you for the experience, but rejected your requests for a vehicle swap, fair trade-in, or an extension of your warranty to 10 years. We understand that they have, however, extended your new vehicle warranty by one year and advised you that all parts replaced are covered by their two-year parts warranty.

NOTE: Mike has subsequently told us that he has managed to negotiate with his dealer for a brand new Golf 103 TDI for a fair changeover price.
 

There are all sorts of possible explanations for it, from piston to ring clearance, ring tension, ring design, etc. What we know from reports we get from VW owners is that VW engines do consume oil and it's a wise practice to check the oil level regularly. An interval of 15,000 km is too long, but carmakers today are stretching the boundaries to cut running costs. If it were my car I would be changing the oil every 5000 km.

It's disappointing when you have issues with a relatively new car like yours. I would suggest you talk to your dealer and point out your disappointment and frustration.

That's a lot less than the VW dealer quoted you, and speaks volumes for the value of independent mechanics.

Like you I believe the extended oil change intervals being recommended by all carmakers today are too long and not good for the health of engines. I believe it's best to change the oil much more frequently, like every 5000 km, to keep the oil fresh. We contacted VW to try and get an answer from them, but what we got wasn't very useful. Their response was that “Volkswagen approved oil is used in the vehicles from new. Volkswagen does not advise changing the oil until 15,000km or 1 year.” I would be loath to recommend changing the oil before the first service because doping that would give VW an excuse to void your warranty should you have problems with the engine. Perhaps the best would be to wait until after the 15,000km service and then go to more frequent oil changes.