Rant about Golf
Discussion
Sorry for this it is mostly a vent about ridiculous service.
So, back end of last year my son bought himself a second hand 2018 Golf R. He loves it, however, when the weather became cold last month he found out that the heater doesn't work (no heat at all). A quick Google shows that this is a fairly common issue with the heater matrix getting blocked by the silica that VW for some reason decided to put in a bag in the coolant header tank.
Contacted the dealer where the car was purchased and because it was within the 3 months he was covered by the dealer warranty. Car goes in and the garage in their infinite wisdom decided to swap out the water pump and thermostat. No big surprise, it didn't work. Back the car goes and they flush the system and change the heater matrix, bit of a surprise, that didn't work either. Garage stumped so they say take it to VW and they will cover the cost.
Take car to VW, they "diagnose" the issue and quote just under £2k to rectify despite being told of the work already done (swap heater matrix and new header tank). Garage picking up the bill not best pleased but agree. So VW leap into action and today (3 days later) I phoned to find out what is going on. Firstly I am told that the problem still persists and they are looking into it. Phone again when I don't get an update and speak to the "Master Tech". I am told that they are now flushing the coolant system again as it is "full of crap" and the heater isn't within spec. I point out that aren't they just flushing the crap into the new (third) heater matrix. No I am told, because they won't fit the new heater matrix until the problem is solved. I point out that if the problem is solved, surely they don't need to fit the new heater matrix. I am fed all sorts of bull and get bored, still no sign of the car coming back. The good news is we are not paying.
Also good news is that my son took out the extended VW warranty, so if VW stuff everything up (I don't hold out much hope) it will be their responsibility to fix it.
So, back end of last year my son bought himself a second hand 2018 Golf R. He loves it, however, when the weather became cold last month he found out that the heater doesn't work (no heat at all). A quick Google shows that this is a fairly common issue with the heater matrix getting blocked by the silica that VW for some reason decided to put in a bag in the coolant header tank.
Contacted the dealer where the car was purchased and because it was within the 3 months he was covered by the dealer warranty. Car goes in and the garage in their infinite wisdom decided to swap out the water pump and thermostat. No big surprise, it didn't work. Back the car goes and they flush the system and change the heater matrix, bit of a surprise, that didn't work either. Garage stumped so they say take it to VW and they will cover the cost.
Take car to VW, they "diagnose" the issue and quote just under £2k to rectify despite being told of the work already done (swap heater matrix and new header tank). Garage picking up the bill not best pleased but agree. So VW leap into action and today (3 days later) I phoned to find out what is going on. Firstly I am told that the problem still persists and they are looking into it. Phone again when I don't get an update and speak to the "Master Tech". I am told that they are now flushing the coolant system again as it is "full of crap" and the heater isn't within spec. I point out that aren't they just flushing the crap into the new (third) heater matrix. No I am told, because they won't fit the new heater matrix until the problem is solved. I point out that if the problem is solved, surely they don't need to fit the new heater matrix. I am fed all sorts of bull and get bored, still no sign of the car coming back. The good news is we are not paying.
Also good news is that my son took out the extended VW warranty, so if VW stuff everything up (I don't hold out much hope) it will be their responsibility to fix it.
Just had a call from VW.
They have now "fully diagnosed" the issue and it appears that the solenoid control valve needs replacing (for an additional £400). So I am not convinced that the £2k worth of work to replace the 3 week old heater matrix was actually required, but that is an issue for the supplying garage that is supposed to be funding the repair. If I was the supplying garage however, I would be strongly considering taking VW to court for unjustified repair work.
I almost replaced the valve myself when the first heater matrix didn't resolve the issue but no I thought, let's let the experts do it.
They have now "fully diagnosed" the issue and it appears that the solenoid control valve needs replacing (for an additional £400). So I am not convinced that the £2k worth of work to replace the 3 week old heater matrix was actually required, but that is an issue for the supplying garage that is supposed to be funding the repair. If I was the supplying garage however, I would be strongly considering taking VW to court for unjustified repair work.
I almost replaced the valve myself when the first heater matrix didn't resolve the issue but no I thought, let's let the experts do it.
Just seen the total bill from VW for the "diagnosis" and completely pointless third heater matrix and the solenoid valve that was in all probability the issue all along.
£2,638!!!
This is on top of the original spend to replace the waterpump, thermostat, coolant flushing (*3) and second heater matrix that was all paid for by the supplying garage in December.
Seems to me that the supplying garage would have a pretty strong case to go after VW for pointless parts swapping at inordinate cost. After all, VW are supposed to be the "experts" and IMO that doesn't mean plug in computer and if that fails swap parts at random until the fault goes away.
£2,638!!!
This is on top of the original spend to replace the waterpump, thermostat, coolant flushing (*3) and second heater matrix that was all paid for by the supplying garage in December.
Seems to me that the supplying garage would have a pretty strong case to go after VW for pointless parts swapping at inordinate cost. After all, VW are supposed to be the "experts" and IMO that doesn't mean plug in computer and if that fails swap parts at random until the fault goes away.
When I enquired about why they needed to change the 3 week old heater matrix the "Master Tech" was telling me about how the silica bag splits and the bits of silica enter the coolant system where it melts at 600c on the cylinder walls then flakes off and these flakes were the reason that the matrix needed replacing again since the previous coolant flushes hadn't peeled these flakes off the cylinder walls.
Now it may be me but I thought that coolant boiled off at somewhat less than 600c, indeed IIRC aluminium melts at ~660c so I am sure I would have noticed the engine glowing cherry red under normal operating conditions!
Now it may be me but I thought that coolant boiled off at somewhat less than 600c, indeed IIRC aluminium melts at ~660c so I am sure I would have noticed the engine glowing cherry red under normal operating conditions!
MKnight702 said:
When I enquired about why they needed to change the 3 week old heater matrix the "Master Tech" was telling me about how the silica bag splits and the bits of silica enter the coolant system where it melts at 600c on the cylinder walls then flakes off and these flakes were the reason that the matrix needed replacing again since the previous coolant flushes hadn't peeled these flakes off the cylinder walls.
Now it may be me but I thought that coolant boiled off at somewhat less than 600c, indeed IIRC aluminium melts at ~660c so I am sure I would have noticed the engine glowing cherry red under normal operating conditions!
It's a well known failure mode, many on the Golf forums either remove the silica bags or replace the header tank after a few years. From what I understand though it just circulates in the water systems and gunges up the pipes and heater matrix.Now it may be me but I thought that coolant boiled off at somewhat less than 600c, indeed IIRC aluminium melts at ~660c so I am sure I would have noticed the engine glowing cherry red under normal operating conditions!
Mine is 5 years old in a couple of months and I'll be looking at swapping out the header tank as they aren't expensive.
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