ChrisBuer Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Just thought I’d put a post up to make you aware of a recent problem I encountered with my R32. My car is just over 3 months old and at 4500 miles, has been running well without any issues. I took the car up to APS last Friday to have my wheel alignment checked after I’d clipped a curb (not having much luck at the moment) and it wasn’t long before I was made aware of a problem with my engine. APS were absolutely stunning and picked up very quickly that my engine was making a strange sound. I’d not noticed this before as I just thought the engine itself (being a large capacity) was just more noisy than my previous cars. However after showing me their demo car, I could hear the difference. This noise was quite faint but a noticeable mechanical grind. Investigations were carried out and a VW engineer called down to their site as they did not want me driving the car. After inspection it appears that my cams and cylinder head have not been machined correctly. The cams had been sitting misaligned which has started to cause them to grind against the cylinder head. The engineer showed me the damage to the cams and there was noticeable scoring on multiple sections on the cams. The engineer told me that if APS had not picked this up, then I would have faced a catastrophic engine failure in about 5000 miles time. I must point out that this fault is from the factory and has nothing to do with the ECU remap and exhaust fitted. Also, APS were absolutely superb. Not only did they investigate the issue free of charge, but also made sure I got home by paying for a taxi to take me home. They went above and beyond the call of duty and I am forever in their debt. So the situation now is that the car has been taken back to a local VW dealer while they carry out some more tests. It seems likely that the cylinder head and cams will be replaced, but I am going to push for a brand new engine. The cams themselves, where they have ground away, would have caused metal shavings to enter the oil system. This in turn would, over time, work its way into the bearings of the engine itself. I’m not sure what my position will be as the VW dealership are governed by VW UK. I have been told that VW UK are very sensible and would not replace the cams + cylinder head if at a later date, the engine would experience problems from other factors. However, having spent nearly 30k on this car and only having it for 3 months, I’m inclined to insist that I get my engine replaced. So, moral of the story is this – if you hear any strange engine sounds, please get it checked out. I just hope my car is a one-off and that this isn’t a wide spread manufacturing problem. Cheers, Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Thanks for the update. My R has travelled 3k miles now and I'll have check later. What specifically should we look out for? I'll also be interested to see how VW UK react as if this is a manufacturing issue, we'll all be looking to have the "defect" resolved. Keep us posted ! TP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBuer Posted October 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 After the VW engineer had poked around in my engine bay the sound got a lot louder. It sounds like a metal screaching sound and is where the cams are moving and grinding against the cylinder head. The only way of checking is to take the top of the engine off, which obviously is difficult to do. I thought it best to post this on here as if anyone did hear an odd sound from the top of their engine, I'd certainly get it checked out. The damage itself occurs on the cams where they have been catching on the cylinder head and thus wearing away the metal on the cams centre section (the shaft not the loabs). If an engineer looked and there was a problem, there would be scoring across the central part of the cam. Hopefully like I say, mine is a one-off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v6tas Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Sorry to hear your problems mate. I just hope VW dont decide to try and used the remap and exhaust as an excuse to wriggle out of any responsiblity. Sounds like APS are the dogs for the service provided Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 I just want to say that I have heard and read absolutely nothing but good praise for APS. They are clearly exceptional and their exemplary attitudes are bound to pay them dividends in time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v6tas Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I just want to say that I have heard and read absolutely nothing but good praise for APS. They are clearly exceptional and their exemplary attitudes are bound to pay them dividends in time. [/ QUOTE ] Your right mate, if i decide to get any work done on the car then they will be the ones i call i think due to all the praise. Long trip but worth it if you get the right service and results Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBuer Posted October 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Yes I really am lost for words to describe just how good APS are. I mean they have even been in contact with the VW dealer for me in order to chase them on progress. When they found the fault, they were more disappointed with the situation than I was haha! At the time, I was more relieved that they'd found this fault than the actual fault itself as I could have been driving it when it went "bang". Anyway, really top quality service which has ensured that I'm an APS customer for life…..they even bought me lunch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guner2980 Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 hi chris i was up aps on 3/10/06 to get my wheel aligment done i saw your car aswell didn't sount too good! the vdub engineer was there at the time i must express that the guys at aps are top notch P.S how comes i did'nt get lunch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGK512 Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Chris sorry to hear of your troubles. I'm on 3k at the moment is the noise audable from in the car ? Is it a griding noise or more like a 'fan belt' squeak ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RossG Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Sorry to hear about this. I honestly think that VW and Audi should put this 3.2 in the bin - judging by the amount of people with serious problems, it's obviously a complete lemon of a design Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyp Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] honestly think that VW and Audi should put this 3.2 in the bin [/ QUOTE ] Couldn't agree more Ross, having had 3 engine blocks Sorry to hear the bad news Chris, and i'm postive VW will just replace the block instead of just the cams and head. The APS boys are just superb and really look after there customers, shame it was in this case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBuer Posted October 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Cheers for the positive feedback guys Yeah the noise itself was more of a high pitched mechanical squeak rather than a grinding noise. APS have really gone beyond the call of duty with this though and I simply cannot say enough good words about them!! Exceptional is an understatement of colossal proportions. Once the car is back, I’ll be going back to have it checked over at APS and I’ll be buying some other bits from them I don’t want to cause unnecessary panic as Andy (the APS tech guy) said he’d never seen this problem before and they have done a lot of work with the MKIV R32 in the past which uses the same engine. However if you do have any doubts and notice any strange sounds, I’d certainly get it checked out. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyp Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Once the car is back, I’ll be going back to have it checked over at APS [/ QUOTE ] Thats exactly what i did Chris, Nathan is the mkiv guru so he went over mine with a fine toothcomb and found a few things that needed sorting but gave it the thumbs up. Keep us posted on whats happening Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rs32 Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 [ QUOTE ] ... the MKIV R32 in the past which uses the same engine [/ QUOTE ] same block, same inlet cam. but different inlet manifold and exhaust cam - not sure about the cylinder head. it sounds like this is an isolated problem with the MkV Chris - my guess is you have been unlucky (but also very lucky that APS got to the engine before it went bang). Hope you get your car back soon in tip-top shape mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hixster Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 hey chris. sorry to hear the news. was this discovered as you were going for the r 300 upgrade? what did aps say about the remap and any warranty issues? good luck and i hope you get sorted soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 I'd demand a new car never mind a new engine. Obviously the vehicle was not of merchantable quality from when you took delivery of it and the defect has now been detected. Installing a new engine will reduce the value of your car and no matter what anyone says it is never done right. Then you will run into problems chasing the dealer that carried out the work. I went through the same thing with another car manufacturer and won. The dealer completly bodged the job and left me without my car for 3 months. For three months I drove a Hyundia Lantra and an Astra. It was the loan of the Astra that made me take legal proceedings as it broke down the first day on loan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBuer Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 There are no issues with the ecu remap and warranty as these were removed before VW requested it back. VW have called today to say that they will be investigating today (hopefully this afternoon) as to what the cause of the problem might be and then I'll be updated as to how long it'll be in repair. They did say that using the wrong oil can cause this issue to occur, but I'm unsure as to how true that is. Surely using a good quality oil like Mobil One would not damage an engine to this extent? I'll keep you posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TP27 Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 [ QUOTE ] They did say that using the wrong oil can cause this issue to occur. [/ QUOTE ] No chance, surely ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moschops Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Jesus..... I've just had a similar converstion with VW CS about this, my car was on a long life service regime, however not doing the miles, I wanted it changed to 12 monthly so at least I know the oil is being changed at least once a year, the car is also on VW maintenance package, I was told yes it could be changed, however during the service "they will use a cheaper oil, a multigrade...... " I asked the girl I was speaking to what detriment will this type of oil have in the long term on the engine? She didn't have a clue and in the end terminated the call as she couldn't answer my questions and was becoming very impolite!!!, So I made a complaint. Got a call back, they would swap the synthetic to a semi synthetic and NOT a multigrade, however on speaking to the dealers they would always use a fully synthetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oatz Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Installing a new engine will reduce the value of your car [/ QUOTE ] I don't believe it will affect the value of you .:R due to VW's policy of not disclosing information of previous warranty issues until they have established that you are the registered owner/keeper. VW used to supply this information willy nilly (as I discovered when buying my old VR6) however this has now changed and I found it a complete pain trying to find this information before purchasing Sorry to hear about this situation, I empathise wholeheartedly good luck in getting it rectified Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyp Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 [ QUOTE ] They did say that using the wrong oil can cause this issue to occur, [/ QUOTE ] They tried that old chestnut with me, but i fought back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBuer Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Well no update as yet but I do have a lovely shiny new Golf sitting on my driveway with a massive....1.6 litre engine...wooh, I'd better be careful Nah just kidding, it's good to have a little courtesy car to run around in, but it makes you realise just how much nicer the R is. Everything is different, the gear knob, the wheel, the dials, the lot. I've not actually driven anything slow for about 7 years, so it's going to be a learning experince getting used to it Hoping to hear a bit more next week about my car and I'll keep you all updated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moschops Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Fingers crossed for you Chris.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBuer Posted October 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Right quick update. VW called today to say that my engine is "in a very bad way". It looks possible that the top of the engine has been starved of oil which has caused the damage to occur. Out of interest, what are my legal rights now to actually reject the car and get a brand new one? If VW replace my engine, do I have to accept the car or can I legally demand to have a brand new car? Cheers for any help / advice you can give! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 hmm, I suppose you are within 6 months of purchase window. the current sale of goods act stipulates that if a problem occurs within that time then an assumption can made that the fault was present at time of sale and a refund/replacement warranted. don't know how that will play with VW though as I suspect a replacement engine is all they would in all likelyhood be offering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now