My TDI And Me

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch) 09/24/2015 at 12:57 • Filed to: VW, hhfp

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This is my Volkswagen Sportwagen TDI, its a 2011 6 speed manual. My wife and I traded in her 2000 Passat back in 2010 hoping the troubles that it brought us would be a thing of the past, as “new” VW was supposed to be a more better experience than the troubled one of the 90’s and 2000’s. And these are my 2 cents on this whole issue.

We bought a diesel because it was only $750 more than a standard Sportwagen, after the tax credit ($750, phased out by the end of that year), and because it seemed like the smart thing to do, giving us much higher mileage for the long distances between places here out west and our desires to travel.

Its been a pretty great car for 50,000 miles, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! but aside from that its been a really great car to own and drive. Its fun, its very economical and its plenty roomy. My car, like most with this engine, has historically gotten well above its MPG ratings of 30/42 city/highway and over 50,000 miles and 5 years I’ve average about 34, mostly city driving. Of course we all now know why this is the case.

Back in December we got a notice of recall for emissions reasons, so we took it in to the dealer and had the work done. Since then I’ve always had a nagging feeling that the car wasn’t quite as peppy and that the mileage didn’t seem to be like it was before. Knowing what I know now about this service may help others know what to expect if the emissions fix is just a software and why I’m not overly concerned about it:

1. My city mileage has definitely dropped, I used to NEVER get below 30, now I hover around 29-31, so maybe a 1-2 mpg city drop.

2. My highway mileage didn’t seem too affected, and on a recent trip with a full car on 80 mph highways at high elevation and lots of hills I still averaged 46 mpg. I’ve seen as high as 50, but 46 seems fair.

3. Though less peppy, the car still has enough power to cause the traction control to freak out in 1st and into 2nd and even with a full load of people and cargo I can still set the cruise at any speed I want and go over any hill I want without shifting out of 6th gear.

Now I know !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! that this fix doesn’t actually do that much, but I have to think that its doing something, since its clearly affecting the cars performance. The point I’m trying to drive at here is that unless the software fix causes MASSIVE performance drops (I’m talking 5 mpg+ drops and 20 hp+ differences), I don’t think its going to be a big issue to most people. However, I think I would still be justifiably upset if that were to happen.

The only real concern left for me is what it will do to the engines reliability as Carbon EGR and DPF clogging are very real and expensive issues. Whatever comes of this though, I think will either be covered with warranty or the cars will be involved in a buyback.

If I have to sell my car back I will be a little sad, because its a great car to own and the only thing you can find like it (manual wagon with great mileage). I think I could get over it though and get something else.

dogisbadob > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:05

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The fact that it exploded in light of diesel’s higer flash point is sad :(

Try Toyota next time. The Scion iM might interest you :)

TheHondaBro > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:07

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When my dad was looking for a car last year, he almost got a TDI Golf.

HammerheadFistpunch > dogisbadob 09/24/2015 at 13:07

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well...not exploded...the high pressure pump just disintegrated sending shrapnel through the entire fuel system and lunching it. They say its about $8000-$10,000 in repairs.

HammerheadFistpunch > TheHondaBro 09/24/2015 at 13:11

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I still think its one of my favorite cars I’ve owned. Its just so cool that way you can load it to hell, stick in in 6th and leave it there and still hit mid 40’s for mileage, its pretty fun to drive too.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:12

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I thought the dead bird smell was a special aviary option for the bird watching VW fans of the world?

RallyWrench > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:12

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Given the revelations of the past week, my theory on the well-known DPF problems is that the cars running dirtier than specified are saturating the DPFs to the point that the automatic or crash regenerations won’t save them. I know VW extended the warranty on them some time back, but it will be interesting how things shake out. I’m interested to hear your take on it come time for the recall reflash. I’ve been fielding a lot of phone calls and questions about it from clients with the affected cars.

Punk_Girl_98 > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:13

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I think it might be saved. One of my teachers was saying something about a software patch type of thing that could be done to it in the near future. It’s clear you both like the car a lot and hopefully it will not be taken away.

450X_FTW > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:16

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With the EGR hardly ever being used, I imagine there’s a lot of soot accumulated in that thing by now.

DrScientist > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:20

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curiously:

1) how long did it take them to complete the first recall/update? were you overly inconvenienced?

2) have you checked for an actual dead bird in there?

LongbowMkII > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:21

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looking to sell? i’ll give you $3.50

HammerheadFistpunch > DrScientist 09/24/2015 at 13:22

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1. We didn’t have to wait long

2. Once actually, but it’s a well known problem they’ve tried to fix several times. Something about the sealant they use or something

HammerheadFistpunch > LongbowMkII 09/24/2015 at 13:23

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I was after the fuel issues...kinda wish I had

crowmolly > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:30

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I said it in another post, but if they do a buyback they can have my Passat. I’ll use the money to get another TDI Passat.

iSureWilll > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:33

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My 2010 Golf did the same. Fixed under warranty while I drove a loaner car for free. Kinda sucked but not real qualms to be had.

Dunnik > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:34

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The plot thickens. The Consumerist reports that VW recalled 500,000 vehicles 5 months ago for “emissions service actions”, including yours, presumably.

http://consumerist.com/2015/09/24/vw-…

Steve in Manhattan > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:38

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The buzz is the fix is not going to be a big deal, but I’m guesssing few have the right answer.

And I recall someone here shitting on class action in another post. And sure, I’ve been involved in a couple where I got everything from a $7 coupon to $180 refund (BAR/BRI). But we should all remember one of the main benefits of class action: to prevent that corporations, and perhaps others, from engaging in bad and damaging behavior.

Ash78, voting early and often > crowmolly 09/24/2015 at 13:42

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Is it a 2004-5 PD tdi? Those are suddenly looking a lot more attractive after all the common-rail tdi problems and this most recent mess...

Plus I think the B5.5 is still the high water mark of VW build quality (not necessarily reliability, though).

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:43

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Same thing happened to my moms 09 TDI. Seems to be a pretty common fault.

crowmolly > Ash78, voting early and often 09/24/2015 at 13:44

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‘13, so it’s on the “list”. Dunno how having a urea system will factor in, though.

Ash78, voting early and often > crowmolly 09/24/2015 at 13:46

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I forgot they used urea on the Chattanooga Passats. Hopefully your “fix” will be minimally invasive.

HammerheadFistpunch > Steve in Manhattan 09/24/2015 at 13:46

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I’ve heard estimates from “huge deal” to “reflash” so it’s hard to say but it does stand to reason that the engine can hit it’s emissions targets with the hardware it has because the software exists to do it...what it will cost (in non monetary terms) is the big question.

HammerheadFistpunch > Dunnik 09/24/2015 at 13:47

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This was the recall I mention, I thought it was December but it may have been spring.

HammerheadFistpunch > iSureWilll 09/24/2015 at 13:49

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They also had to go back and replace my low pressure pump twice after, but I chalk that up to install issues

crowmolly > Ash78, voting early and often 09/24/2015 at 13:50

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I’m guessing I will get at least a new PCM/tune out of it.

I am also guessing I will get reduced performance/economy.

Knowing my luck I’ll get the new tune and the reduction will be within “spec”- so where I was rated at 43MPG and getting 46 I will now get 43 on the nose. That would suck.

vicali > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:51

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My thoughts... It wouldn’t have been such a big deal if VW hadn’t grabbed onto the ‘Clean Diesel’ marketing campaign.. now everyone is sticking it to them because of that.

I feel bad for people who bought them as a ‘clean alternative’, but they obviously weren’t paying attention..

HammerheadFistpunch > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 09/24/2015 at 13:52

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Yes, very common. It’s seems like if the fix is expensive, combined with the hpfp problem and intercooler icing issue it would be cheaper to just buy them back in the long run.

Ash78, voting early and often > crowmolly 09/24/2015 at 13:53

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There’s always aftermarket chips, $400-$600 (assuming you don’t really care about the environmental issues). Many of those come with free lifetime re-flashes if the dealer ever puts you back to stock.

HammerheadFistpunch > vicali 09/24/2015 at 13:55

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I think it’s unfair to say that people weren’t paying attention, it took a lot of hardware to discover this and no one had any reason not to trust vw that it was meeting tier 2 bin 5 standards. I looked into the numbers before I bought but not for nox, just for pm since pm is a big problem geographically where I live and as far as I know...It’s still doing fine there.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 13:59

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The 09-11s all had fuel pump issues. Its probably the glaring weak point of the Mk5/6 cars.

vicali > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 14:08

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Fair enough, and hindsight is 50/50 so it’s easy for me to say right?

I guess I would say that if we had bought one it would be for the mileage and grunt, not emissions - which have never been a diesel selling point.

But we didn’t, because I’m an aircooled snob. haha

Steve in Manhattan > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 14:08

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Ruh-roh .

HammerheadFistpunch > vicali 09/24/2015 at 14:14

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I didn’t buy it for the emissions, it was more a perk. The irony is that my land cruiser probably emits less nox

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 14:53

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I have a 2013 and feel the same way you do about economy, I had the software update over the summer but most of driving is highway so I haven’t noticed much of a change. I have also had a trouble free experience so far.

GTI Sprinks > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 15:04

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diesel solidarity.

Saracen > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 15:37

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Was it the HPFP itself or the cam follower?

In my MK6 R, the cam follower needs to be inspected periodically for wear; 30,000 miles or so for a stock HPFP, and much shorter if it’s been modified (I think Stage 2 APR cars needed a new cam follower every 10k), it was a ten minute job and a $40 part, but if it wore through and shattered the damage was pretty catastrohpic to the engine and the HPFP itself.

Saracen > HammerheadFistpunch 09/24/2015 at 15:39

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It’s still unclear how the DEF-using MK7 cars like my 2015 GSW are affected, but I’m hoping that it’s not a severe performance hit.

HammerheadFistpunch > Saracen 09/24/2015 at 16:41

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Unknown, but I think it was pump