Vw golf 1.6 tdi DSG

[N111kkx]

Thank you for letting me join. I need advice on a couple of queries, if you can help.

My 18 year old daughter has bought the car to learn to drive. It is 2010 107,000 miles with full Vw service history. I can’t see that the cam belt has ever been done. The book says 140k miles ? Is this right?

Drove the car for the first time yesterday and a white spanner light came on where the gear selection is normally displayed. It is intermittent I believe service is yellow spanner. Any idea what white is?

Car is driving fine, just want to head off any problems. Or maybe approach Vw for possible goodwill gesture for repairs that may be needed

Thank you

[stevieturbo]

You've just bought the car, get it back to whoever it was bought from and have them deal with it.

I do not know what it means, but if there are any potential issues get them sorted whilst it is still under warranty from the purchase.

Also be aware if you do a driving test in an auto, your license will only permit you to drive autos. Not a big deal these days, as modern auto's are very good.

[N111kkx]

Thank you, sadly it was a private sale. Daughter tried a manual and hated it but loving the auto.

I have a horrible feeling it will be Dsg related.

Also can’t understand the cam belt not being changed as full Vw service?

[cuprabob]

With regards to the Cambelt, VW UK recommend it's changed at 5 years irrespective of mileage, however the service schedule in the service booklet states it be changed at 140k miles, with no reference to time.

VW UK Statement
"We recommend changing your cambelt once every four years for cars registered before September 2009, and every five years for cars registered after. If you reach the recommended mileage limit before 4 or 5 years, you may need to change the cambelt sooner. For more information, contact your local retailer."

With regards to the DSG, one thing to check that the gearbox oil and filter have been changed as recommended at 40k and 80k.

I've heard of the gear indicator flashing to indicate a fault but not of a spanner appearing. Personally, I would have the fault codes read and take it from there.

Edited by cuprabob on Sunday 27th February 11:09

[Aunty Pasty]

Golfs of that time were advised to change the belt at 60k or 4 years but they've been revising that to longer intervals since then. The belt should at least be inspected after 60k. At your given milage, I'd be looking to get it changes soon rather than wait until 140k. It's a matter of how much you're willing to risk it.

As an aside, a FSH means that the car was taken in for a service at the appropriate times with the usual service actions. Extra things such as DSG oil changes and cam belt changes are chargeable extras which would be bought up as part of the service but the owners may have declined. However the book will still say it's been serviced.

Edited by Aunty Pasty on Sunday 27th February 11:13

[N111kkx]

Thank you. Just reading on the web and I think this gear box is a dry box so no oil?

I will book it for the cam belt just really surprised the Vw garages have made no notes in the service book considering it is full Vw long life history.

[stevieturbo]

N111kkx said:

Thank you, sadly it was a private sale. Daughter tried a manual and hated it but loving the auto.

I have a horrible feeling it will be Dsg related.

Also can’t understand the cam belt not being changed as full Vw service?

I would trust a dealer service history about as much as I'd trust a politician.

As an example...last year I bought an Audi, only 6 years old, 67k and full dealer service history...allegedly. The electronic type, so users cannot easily access.
But it is alleged it is full.

2 weeks ago I changed the air filter. And it has the manufacture date of 2015, the same year the car was built. Likewise yesterday, changed the fuel filter....undertray had never been touched, filter was original.
Bizarrely the cabin filter had been changed, it had a date of 2019.

I would never trust any history, unless you actually know the person doing it, and their integrity. Dealers for the most part have little to no integrity.

Not that helps your situation. Find a competent garage you can trust and see what they say. Or bail out quick to we buy any car or similar if you fear the worst.

[N111kkx]

Thank you, I think Vw will have to be first port of call. Very greatful for advice

[cuprabob]

N111kkx said:

Thank you. Just reading on the web and I think this gear box is a dry box so no oil?

I will book it for the cam belt just really surprised the Vw garages have made no notes in the service book considering it is full Vw long life history.

So, is the 7 speed DSG?

[stevemcs]

If its the 7 speed then there is no oil and filter to change, these gearboxes fail all of the time, personally i wouldn't touch any DSG box yet alone an older one.

Cambelts are 4 or 5 years, if its a mk7 Golf its a 5 year schedule but i would change it well ahead of that as we have seen a few fail - well the water pump way before they are due.

There is no point in checking a belt, to check them properly you need to take them off. It also opens another can of worms for a customer to push there luck and then try and blame the garage as they said it would be ok.