1st real issue: EPC and Check engine lights

DLSTR · 02-04-2013, 02:16 PM

On my 2012 VW GTI
....and an interesting ticking/tapping sound from the engine.

Was on the way home from the gym cruising on the Autobahn. Just prior to my exit both lights popped on with a loss of power. Pulled over near the exit. Did a quick visual inspection of the motor, no issues found. Turned it back on and the machine was running a bit rough. No EPC now just the CEL. Drove 1km home.

Audi mechanic friend cruized by and checked it out. No idea what the sound could really be. He followed me over to the dealer and used the 24 hour drop service. So they have it and can get right to work tomorrow. I have the latest rev coil-packs and none of have failed so far. Be interesting to see what my dealer says tomorrow. I will report back!!

Fortunately I only live 4km from my VW dealer. Car ran better on the way over there tonight. Just a couple hundred meters from the entrance to the dealer, EPC came back on and was running rough again. Before that it appeared to make normal power. CEL was on all the way.
The ticking sound was actually less audible but def still there. Its a 12 2door with 21,000+km at this point. Totally stock.

DLSTR · 02-04-2013, 02:17 PM

Evidently the spark plug in Cyl-4 came apart. The electrode is gone and that piece was playing ping pong between the valves and the piston. Mech suspects ignition/failure detonation.

Boroscope revealed markings/damage to the cylinder piston and valves.
The compression check yielded Cyl 1-3 at 11.5 bar and Cyl 4 at 8.4 bar. Definitely bad.

The mech and service advisor have seen this with 1 other GTI at my dealer here in Germany.

Now the fun begins with consultation with VW, the warranty end and game plan to address this. More to follow. Most of the team there expect the engine to be replaced.

I will post pics later of the spark plug, assuming they look ok. Took them with my camera phone.
Cheers! Dave

DLSTR · 02-04-2013, 02:18 PM

Pics of the plug and the mech working the scope inspecting the motor/cylinders.

DLSTR · 02-04-2013, 02:23 PM

Waiting to hear the timeline from the dealer on the new motor etc. VW also has an upgraded clutch avail for the GTI now they are installing at the factory to address a couple issues. I will ask for that unit. I will pay for it if I have to.
Might as well upgrade anything I can now. Its all coming out and will be apart!!

GaleForce · 02-04-2013, 02:48 PM

Wow!

Glad the dealer is taking care of you

DLSTR · 02-04-2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaleForce

Wow!

Glad the dealer is taking care of you

The first time Ive ever had such a failure with any car Ive owned. Rare but possible. Gotta love the Murphy guy

DLSTR · 02-06-2013, 12:20 PM

Motor should be here already. Dealer might have it done this week. Fortunately Wolfsburg is not too far and the motor was readily avail at the factory there. I have asked for some install pics as the work is being done!

DLSTR · 02-07-2013, 08:58 AM

That little electrode had alot of fun with Cyl 4! New motor and a side by side of the old and new. I hope to not experience this again...ever. Fun for now

Gotta love the dealer and a good warranty. +1 for dealer and VW.

takjak2 · 02-07-2013, 01:24 PM

That cylinder head looks real pretty. Like a dusting of malevolent metal snow.

Good job on VW for quick warranty work and thanks for sharing.

DLSTR · 02-07-2013, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takjak2

That cylinder head looks real pretty. Like a dusting of malevolent metal snow.

Good job on VW for quick warranty work and thanks for sharing.

Couldnt agree more! I have never had such a catastrophic failure before. I am happy with VW!

DLSTR · 02-08-2013, 11:47 AM

Got the call mid day today! Job done. The new motor feels and sounds great. The new clutch is great - a bit higher peddle effort, immediate grab and launch. Glad I paid for that! Thanks for reading

GaleForce · 02-08-2013, 12:09 PM

Excellent! More dealerships need to operate like this. Thanks for sharing.

02-04-2013, 02:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
DLSTR A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Süd Germany Posts: 2,462 Drives: 21Supra 2.0/22 M240i Rep Power: 21267	1st real issue: EPC and Check engine lights On my 2012 VW GTI ....and an interesting ticking/tapping sound from the engine. Was on the way home from the gym cruising on the Autobahn. Just prior to my exit both lights popped on with a loss of power. Pulled over near the exit. Did a quick visual inspection of the motor, no issues found. Turned it back on and the machine was running a bit rough. No EPC now just the CEL. Drove 1km home. Audi mechanic friend cruized by and checked it out. No idea what the sound could really be. He followed me over to the dealer and used the 24 hour drop service. So they have it and can get right to work tomorrow. I have the latest rev coil-packs and none of have failed so far. Be interesting to see what my dealer says tomorrow. I will report back!! Fortunately I only live 4km from my VW dealer. Car ran better on the way over there tonight. Just a couple hundred meters from the entrance to the dealer, EPC came back on and was running rough again. Before that it appeared to make normal power. CEL was on all the way. The ticking sound was actually less audible but def still there. Its a 12 2door with 21,000+km at this point. Totally stock. Last edited by DLSTR; 02-04-2013 at 03:12 PM.

02-04-2013, 02:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
DLSTR A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Süd Germany Posts: 2,462 Drives: 21Supra 2.0/22 M240i Rep Power: 21267	Update #1 this morning... Evidently the spark plug in Cyl-4 came apart. The electrode is gone and that piece was playing ping pong between the valves and the piston. Mech suspects ignition/failure detonation. Boroscope revealed markings/damage to the cylinder piston and valves. The compression check yielded Cyl 1-3 at 11.5 bar and Cyl 4 at 8.4 bar. Definitely bad. The mech and service advisor have seen this with 1 other GTI at my dealer here in Germany. Now the fun begins with consultation with VW, the warranty end and game plan to address this. More to follow. Most of the team there expect the engine to be replaced. I will post pics later of the spark plug, assuming they look ok. Took them with my camera phone. Cheers! Dave

02-04-2013, 02:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
GaleForce A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 21,749 Drives: Varis Arising II Rep Power: 51864	Wow! Glad the dealer is taking care of you __________________ >>>GaleForce's Build<<< >>>FaceBook @3GsCustoms<<<>>>Instagram @GaleForce370z<<< Varis Kamikaze-Z

02-06-2013, 12:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
DLSTR A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Süd Germany Posts: 2,462 Drives: 21Supra 2.0/22 M240i Rep Power: 21267	Motor should be here already. Dealer might have it done this week. Fortunately Wolfsburg is not too far and the motor was readily avail at the factory there. I have asked for some install pics as the work is being done! GaleForce likes this.

02-07-2013, 01:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
takjak2 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 1,922 Drives: Legit Racecar 370Z Rep Power: 142	That cylinder head looks real pretty. Like a dusting of malevolent metal snow. Good job on VW for quick warranty work and thanks for sharing. __________________ Mods \| Stuff \| Things \| Seat Time \| Nismo facebook.com/TeamSparrowSpeed

02-04-2013, 02:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
DLSTR A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Süd Germany Posts: 2,462 Drives: 21Supra 2.0/22 M240i Rep Power: 21267	Waiting to hear the timeline from the dealer on the new motor etc. VW also has an upgraded clutch avail for the GTI now they are installing at the factory to address a couple issues. I will ask for that unit. I will pay for it if I have to. Might as well upgrade anything I can now. Its all coming out and will be apart!!

02-08-2013, 12:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
GaleForce A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 21,749 Drives: Varis Arising II Rep Power: 51864	Excellent! More dealerships need to operate like this. Thanks for sharing. __________________ >>>GaleForce's Build<<< >>>FaceBook @3GsCustoms<<<>>>Instagram @GaleForce370z<<< Varis Kamikaze-Z

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