Light misting of oil on near shock absorber - MOT Adviosry
Discussion
Hi,
2009 Golf MK6 GT TDI 140 Manual, on factory option 18" Wheels. 100k
I have this advisory for both front shockers.
Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))
Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))
Does this mean they need replacing? Done 100k maily motorway and A roads.
I guess with the heavier TDI engine and larger wheels the shockers get more of a hammering over time.
Is this the sort of advisory that will appear each MOT but nothing to worry about?
Thanks
2009 Golf MK6 GT TDI 140 Manual, on factory option 18" Wheels. 100k
I have this advisory for both front shockers.
Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))
Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))
Does this mean they need replacing? Done 100k maily motorway and A roads.
I guess with the heavier TDI engine and larger wheels the shockers get more of a hammering over time.
Is this the sort of advisory that will appear each MOT but nothing to worry about?
Thanks
It's pretty common on VAG cars for there to be a "light misting of oil" reported as an advisory and in some cases it doesn't get any worse and in others within a few months it can develop into a leak.
They are relatively cheap to replace on the Golf and when you do, also replace the strut top mounts and bearings.
They are relatively cheap to replace on the Golf and when you do, also replace the strut top mounts and bearings.
Having both front console bushes done next week, was wondering whilst this is happening might as well have both front shockers done also to save labour.
Was not familiar with the term top strut mounts, but after Googling are the bushes you see under the bonnet holding the suspension, so now understand how they can get worn.
What do you mean by bearings? Wheel bearings?
Was not familiar with the term top strut mounts, but after Googling are the bushes you see under the bonnet holding the suspension, so now understand how they can get worn.
What do you mean by bearings? Wheel bearings?
freddie2020 said:
Having both front console bushes done next week, was wondering whilst this is happening might as well have both front shockers done also to save labour.
Was not familiar with the term top strut mounts, but after Googling are the bushes you see under the bonnet holding the suspension, so now understand how they can get worn.
What do you mean by bearings? Wheel bearings?
No, not wheel bearings. Was not familiar with the term top strut mounts, but after Googling are the bushes you see under the bonnet holding the suspension, so now understand how they can get worn.
What do you mean by bearings? Wheel bearings?
There is a bearing that sits within the strut top mount that allows the strut to turn during the operation of the steering. It wears and you get some free play that can result in knocking. It's worth replacing when the strut is dismantled.
We had a mk6 and there's a TPI from VW saying the misiting is normal - I guess they got fed up paying for shcokers under warranty.
The VW indie we used thought the TPI was nonsense and he noted the misting as an advisory on the first MOT he did on the car, at 4yrs / 40K miles. That was a 1.4 petrol with light local use.
The VW indie we used thought the TPI was nonsense and he noted the misting as an advisory on the first MOT he did on the car, at 4yrs / 40K miles. That was a 1.4 petrol with light local use.
cuprabob said:
No, not wheel bearings.
There is a bearing that sits within the strut top mount that allows the strut to turn during the operation of the steering. It wears and you get some free play that can result in knocking. It's worth replacing when the strut is dismantled.
Right got it, the lower end of the shocker is attached to the wheel hub that can rotate, and the bearing in the top struct allows this.There is a bearing that sits within the strut top mount that allows the strut to turn during the operation of the steering. It wears and you get some free play that can result in knocking. It's worth replacing when the strut is dismantled.
From looking at pictures, does the top mount strut and bearing come as one unit?
freddie2020 said:
Right got it, the lower end of the shocker is attached to the wheel hub that can rotate, and the bearing in the top struct allows this.
From looking at pictures, does the top mount strut and bearing come as one unit?
Have a look at the following link, it's for a Scirocco, which is basically a MK6 Golf. It shows the breakdown of the components of the strut.From looking at pictures, does the top mount strut and bearing come as one unit?
http://www.oemepc.com/vw/part_single/catalog/vw/ma...
Sheepshanks said:
We had a mk6 and there's a TPI from VW saying the misiting is normal - I guess they got fed up paying for shcokers under warranty.
The VW indie we used thought the TPI was nonsense and he noted the misting as an advisory on the first MOT he did on the car, at 4yrs / 40K miles. That was a 1.4 petrol with light local use.
Thread resurrection - we've just had this on the wife's Mk7 (with c.45k miles on the clock!).The VW indie we used thought the TPI was nonsense and he noted the misting as an advisory on the first MOT he did on the car, at 4yrs / 40K miles. That was a 1.4 petrol with light local use.
VW dealership are verbally advising us of it, but not putting it down in writing on the MOT, and they've told my wife it "would be wear and tear" (i.e. not included in the extended warranty, conveniently).
Anyone any experience with trying to claim - a leaking damper after 45k miles of light use feels pretty poor, but I'm also expecting a wall of "wear and tear, tough luck" from them.
havoc said:
Thread resurrection - we've just had this on the wife's Mk7 (with c.45k miles on the clock!).
VW dealership are verbally advising us of it, but not putting it down in writing on the MOT, and they've told my wife it "would be wear and tear" (i.e. not included in the extended warranty, conveniently).
Anyone any experience with trying to claim - a leaking damper after 45k miles of light use feels pretty poor, but I'm also expecting a wall of "wear and tear, tough luck" from them.
Yes, me actually, but this time it was wife's Tiguan, earlier this year.VW dealership are verbally advising us of it, but not putting it down in writing on the MOT, and they've told my wife it "would be wear and tear" (i.e. not included in the extended warranty, conveniently).
Anyone any experience with trying to claim - a leaking damper after 45k miles of light use feels pretty poor, but I'm also expecting a wall of "wear and tear, tough luck" from them.
It went in at about 7.5yrs old, 45000 miles, due to a failed glowplug, covered under All In warranty. While there. the dealer did a VHC and noted both rear shocks leaking. They got them covered under All In, apparently by stressing they were leaking, not just misting.
On the VHC video they sent, they looked exactly the same as on the video at service 6mths earlier, and the shocks weren't even mentioned then.
My impression is these things are almost completely down to the dealer and them being prepared to push your case and saying the right things. The smallish dealer we use was very good, although I will say I only ever deal with the service manager. In a bigger dealer that probably wouldn't be possible - they'd have an "after-sales director" and they're too grand to speak to customers.
Daughter (who had the Golf) now has a SEAT and that dealer is beyond useless - their first answer on everyting to my daughter is "wear and tear". I speak to the service manager and he sorts it out (which winds my daughter up even more).
Sheepshanks said:
My impression is these things are almost completely down to the dealer and them being prepared to push your case and saying the right things. The smallish dealer we use was very good, although I will say I only ever deal with the service manager. In a bigger dealer that probably wouldn't be possible - they'd have an "after-sales director" and they're too grand to speak to customers.
I'd agree with that. Just went in with Becky and I got the party line through and through...clearly wasn't worth arguing. Yet in the same breath they're trying to sell a renewal of the warranty/service plan...Local VW dealer is part of a big chain, and a few years ago they implemented a reception desk whose sole purpose seems to be to keep customers away from the service desk guys, let alone the workshop staff themselves. Since then they've also had ridiculous levels of staff turnover - it seems like Becky speaks to a different person nearly every time she goes in (2x/year - service and MOT are separate). So it's all very arms-length, 'computer says no'. They even tried to tell her to replace her rear tyres in September as they were "just over 4mm"!
Silly thing is, I use the Honda dealer who are literally 100yds down the road and owned by the same dealership group. I've been using them for a little longer than Becky's been using VW (~14-15 years vs ~13), but many of the staff are long-termers, I know all the desk staff and half the techs by first name, and they'll quite happily try to help me out / make stuff work rather than just order an expensive part (e.g. earlier this year instead of ordering a £££ door handle assembly they went to the effort of fabricating a replacement rod for the part that had broken and charged me the hour's labour).
catso said:
That said, my S4 that had the misting front shock advisory on the MOT 5 years ago has just passed it's 6th MOT with no such advisory.
So, either it stopped misting, was fine in first place or the last 4 MOT testers didn't look hard enough...
Subjective, and on said subject a lot of people are misinformed (technicians, MOT testers included). No need to advise for light misting.So, either it stopped misting, was fine in first place or the last 4 MOT testers didn't look hard enough...
This is the official line on the subject:
The manufacturer said:
Technical background
Shock absorbers are slightly overfilled with oil during manufacturing. Some of this excess oil can be expelled from the shock absorber by compressing or extending the shock absorber as far as the stops. This small amount of oil is for lubrication and reduces wear.
It might appear that there is a leak in the shock absorber. However, there is no leak and no faults can be found on the components checked.
Please note that dust and dirt may have a negative affect on the oil and create the impression that there is more of it.
This is indicated if the dust/oil mixture adhering to the shock absorber appears to be dry.
Production change
---
Measure
Clean the dirty area/the area with the leak and document it before/after cleaning.
Check the vehicle again for leaks after 3-6 months; please document any leaks found.
...and some examples of dampers that have absolutely nothing wrong with them:Shock absorbers are slightly overfilled with oil during manufacturing. Some of this excess oil can be expelled from the shock absorber by compressing or extending the shock absorber as far as the stops. This small amount of oil is for lubrication and reduces wear.
It might appear that there is a leak in the shock absorber. However, there is no leak and no faults can be found on the components checked.
Please note that dust and dirt may have a negative affect on the oil and create the impression that there is more of it.
This is indicated if the dust/oil mixture adhering to the shock absorber appears to be dry.
Production change
---
Measure
Clean the dirty area/the area with the leak and document it before/after cleaning.
Check the vehicle again for leaks after 3-6 months; please document any leaks found.
This is an actual leak:
TL:DR small amount of damper oil finds its way onto shaft (for lubrication/normal function) which can in turn find its way onto the body.
I questioned myself straight away after receiving same advisory myself for both rear shock absorbers on my 2021 leon, with 20k on clock.
gonna wait a year and take my car to some other mot test center just to see what they got to say, and to get a second opinion, after they rang me my first though was are they joking or just looking for an extra earnings for something i do not need. Especially when i know that i use my car only for very light drive to shops/work, and there are no constant road humps on the road anywhere in my commute
gonna wait a year and take my car to some other mot test center just to see what they got to say, and to get a second opinion, after they rang me my first though was are they joking or just looking for an extra earnings for something i do not need. Especially when i know that i use my car only for very light drive to shops/work, and there are no constant road humps on the road anywhere in my commute
SeatLeon21 said:
I questioned myself straight away after receiving same advisory myself for both rear shock absorbers on my 2021 leon, with 20k on clock.
I think it's completely unacceptable to be getting advisrories at first MOT on a lightly used car. Had a massive argument with SEAT who advised lower front bushes were tearing on daughter's Ateca and should be replaced, but then insisted they were fine. I said if they were fine they shouldn't have been advised. Service manager agreed to get them changed - not a cheap job at dealer rates as they replace the whole arm.Gassing Station | Audi, Seat, Skoda & VW | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff