Oil Comsumption / Engine Problems with 2010/2011 Cali's

[WelshGas]

That is a very confused statement. "I think you would find, if examined in detail, the Norwegian Ambulance service engine change has very little to do if anything with this supposed problem relating to the EGR. The fleet had the engines changed and guess what " A " suffice EGR assemblies fitted."

That begs the question 'why did they do it'? Why change engines of a national fleet of ambulances? No operation would want to spend that amount of money unless there was a very good reason. If the vehicle supplier instituted the change, then they would also need a good reason, even if they were supported by VW Norge.

As most van sales are fleet sales, I doubt we would know how many of those were affected or resolved either by having new engines fitted or being sold because of the issue.

When my van went in to have the engine changed in 2016, it was the third van to have this work done that month, according to my Service Manger. Just by scaling that up across the official dealer network gives some indication of the potential numbers with this issue.

The Facebook page is private owners who do not have the resources to take on VWUK or VW Germany.

BTW, following the new engine being fitted in 2016, I also changed the service period to yearly and for the last two years, covering a total of 19k miles, have not consumed any oil between changes . That is absolutely none, and I do check my engine fluid levels regularly.

Alan

Basically the Norwegian Ambulance Fleet had engines from the 2010/11 batch. The base vehicles were then converted into Ambulances that worked under some of the harshest conditions , full throttle/cold engines/short journeys which exposed the fault . Changed and fitted with same EGR that was currently available, A type.

Manufacturing defects on T5 and A5

“Norwegian ambulances cannot handle emergencies” states VG. Newspapers across Norway have reported problems with Volkswagen T5-based ambulances. Almost all of them have got their engine…

honestaboutcars.com

 

[briwy]

2014 180 BiTurbo now on 82,368 miles. Oil Usage 500 mls/20,000 miles. Oh and it has the A egr.

No disputing there was a problem with 2010/11 CFCA 180 engines. Thereafter, pure supposition as to the actual cause and probably multi-factorial and most of the ones mentioned on the Facebook group are low milage 2010/11 vehicles. Of those that were not other factors were at play.

Same spec here. Sept 14 reg. 58k. A type egr. 3k run to France and Barcelona and the oil dropped a couple of mm on the dipstick (which it's done from new) so no problems yet. OIl changed regularly every year and only branded fuel used. The problem seems very hit and miss to me and may depend on service intervals, fuel, type of use or a combination of all those or some other unknown factor.

 

[Perfectos]

You can check for roof rot, you can’t really check for this engine malady. The former is inexpensive to put right, the later is not.

There is no comparison.

No comparison? You had a bad experience, now you apply your bad experience with all others, I understand your recluctance to accept the facts that not all 180bis affected, however one swallow. Does not make a summer !
I’m sure you’ll come back with a what if and maybe but the facts remain.

You have made your point!
Roof rot cheap to sort out ?

It’s a bit like a bad experience at a restaurant, your far more likely to post a negative than a positive.
I have no axe to grind with any engine or chassis build, reality needs to be kept in sight. £7k + repair bill is horrendous, how many has this applied to ?
1,2,3 % ?
I dare you to post the statistics rather than the scare storey!

 

[BerndRos]

No comparison? You had a bad experience, now you apply your bad experience with all others, I understand your recluctance to accept the facts that not all 180bis affected, however one swallow. Does not make a summer !
I’m sure you’ll come back with a what if and maybe but the facts remain.

You have made your point!
Roof rot cheap to sort out ?

It’s a bit like a bad experience at a restaurant, your far more likely to post a negative than a positive.
I have no axe to grind with any engine or chassis build, reality needs to be kept in sight. £7k + repair bill is horrendous, how many has this applied to ?
1,2,3 % ?
I dare you to post the statistics rather than the scare storey!

Really don’t understand your aggressive attitude.

I have simply relayed what happened to my Cali, and how latent the issue is until it raises itself, if indeed it ever does. The roof rot on the other hand, is patent.

Any prospective buyer of a 180 Bi Turbo, if asking, has a right to know.

 

[Bobbybus]

I bought my vehicle 4 years ago. About 3 months after purchase, I became aware of the potential problem with the CFCA engine (No suffix on the egr). I have regularly checked my oil consumption and it did not use any between services. I checked before a trip to the Lake district in February this year and there was no oil on the dipstick! I am now using about 1 ltr of oil per 1000 to 1200 miles. A very sudden change.
I will probably have Retro Resus recondition the engine and other items recon/changed at the same time. It is a large expense but necessary. I still plan to keep the vehicle until I need a recon!
See you at Slimbridge... I hope!

 

[WelshGas]

I bought my vehicle 4 years ago. About 3 months after purchase, I became aware of the potential problem with the CFCA engine (No suffix on the egr). I have regularly checked my oil consumption and it did not use any between services. I checked before a trip to the Lake district in February this year and there was no oil on the dipstick! I am now using about 1 ltr of oil per 1000 to 1200 miles. A very sudden change.
I will probably have Retro Resus recondition the engine and other items recon/changed at the same time. It is a large expense but necessary. I still plan to keep the vehicle until I need a recon!
See you at Slimbridge... I hope!

Sorry to hear of your problems. What year/milage?

 

[Bobbybus]

WG, It's a 2011 and was just short of 49k when the problem was discovered.

 

[Meoncoast]

I dare you to post the statistics rather than the scare storey!

Individual owners will never know % of oil eaters unless VW decided to inform us.

 

[flying banana]

Egr dpf etc are supposed to help the environment. Scrapping engines under 50 k miles must have a massive carbon impact. As well as the horrendous cost to the customer.

 

[AlanC]

I bought my vehicle 4 years ago. About 3 months after purchase, I became aware of the potential problem with the CFCA engine (No suffix on the egr). I have regularly checked my oil consumption and it did not use any between services. I checked before a trip to the Lake district in February this year and there was no oil on the dipstick! I am now using about 1 ltr of oil per 1000 to 1200 miles. A very sudden change.
I will probably have Retro Resus recondition the engine and other items recon/changed at the same time. It is a large expense but necessary. I still plan to keep the vehicle until I need a recon!
See you at Slimbridge... I hope!

A very similar experience to us except our oil issue kicked in at 85k miles halfway down the Autoroute south in France.

After a year of various remedies (flush and refill, investigations) and lots of topping up the oil, the engine went into limp mode and had to have a new engine fitted. The old one went back the Germany so I was never able to investigate further.

My advise would be to get the engine sorted, either with a recon or replacement sooner rather than later.

Good luck

Alan

 

[willwander]

Egr dpf etc are supposed to help the environment. Scrapping engines under 50 k miles must have a massive carbon impact. As well as the horrendous cost to the customer.

Politicians logic

 

[Bobbybus]

Engine warning light now on permanently and keeps going into limp mode...b*gger!

 

[AlanC]

Engine warning light now on permanently and keeps going into limp mode...b*gger!

The DPF will have clogged up and the ECU is unable to regenerate it. It may be possible for a dealer to force a regen, but the reality is that it will occur again and probably quicker.

Time to bite the bullet I fear.

Alan

 

[Bobbybus]

The DPF will have clogged up and the ECU is unable to regenerate it. It may be possible for a dealer to force a regen, but the reality is that it will occur again and probably quicker.

Time to bite the bullet I fear.

Alan

Yes, you are right. I have been dreading this day. I can't trust how far (or near) I can travel in it now. That's the 2nd vehicle in 2 months that is out of action for me. My Defender needs a new chassis before I can MOT it! I'll have to use my motorbike for everything now...though I'm not sure how I will get my octogenarian parents to the shops on it!

 

[AlanC]

Yes, you are right. I have been dreading this day. I can't trust how far (or near) I can travel in it now. That's the 2nd vehicle in 2 months that is out of action for me. My Defender needs a new chassis before I can MOT it! I'll have to use my motorbike for everything now...though I'm not sure how I will get my octogenarian parents to the shops on it!

You do seem to be collecting some bad luck just now.
I would think a new or refurbished engine is easier to do than a chassis.

If it is any consolation, the new engine in our van is totally reliable now and does not consume any oil between changes. I am not aware of the regen process and have changed the oil change period to 1 year or 10K miles whichever come first.

Alan

 

[SusiBus]

You do seem to be collecting some bad luck just now.
I would think a new or refurbished engine is easier to do than a chassis.

If it is any consolation, the new engine in our van is totally reliable now and does not consume any oil between changes. I am not aware of the regen process and have changed the oil change period to 1 year or 10K miles whichever come first.

Alan

Yes, you are right. I have been dreading this day. I can't trust how far (or near) I can travel in it now. That's the 2nd vehicle in 2 months that is out of action for me. My Defender needs a new chassis before I can MOT it! I'll have to use my motorbike for everything now...though I'm not sure how I will get my octogenarian parents to the shops on it!

As the previous owner of Bobbybus when this engine problem hadn't come to light, I'm deverstated that he/she has turned out to be one of the cursed ones. Also, to put it mildly, very disappointed that VW knowing of this fault have been reluctant to support affected owners. It might be 8 years old but a total engine failure at 50,000 miles due to a known fault is unacceptable. Maybe in vain, but I'd still try knocking at VW door for support.

 

[Bobbybus]

As the previous owner of Bobbybus when this engine problem hadn't come to light, I'm deverstated that he/she has turned out to be one of the cursed ones. Also, to put it mildly, very disappointed that VW knowing of this fault have been reluctant to support affected owners. It might be 8 years old but a total engine failure at 50,000 miles due to a known fault is unacceptable. Maybe in vain, but I'd still try knocking at VW door for support.

Thanks for the thoughts Graham. I'm really not sure what to do now. An independent VW specialist has said the cost of a new engine and a recon engine is the same due to one being built on a factory line and one been rebuilt in a workshop by humans. And they are 264 miles away from where I live! Barely managed 3 miles today...Looking for a nearer independent business. Not sure if I'll bother with VW as I'm not aware of people having any luck with them in the UK for some time.

 

[SusiBus]

I'd try talking to various VW dealers, explain your situation, and see if any of them are prepared to approach VW with regard to at least selling you an engine at trade price. Obviously you would have to cover the labour costs etc, but it might help to soften the blow.
And if any other owners have had assistance from VW, PLEASE SPEAK UP NOW!

 

[BerndRos]

I dealt with VW in late 2015, new engine fitted early 2016. They paid 70%, I paid 30%, which was somewhere in excess of £2300 from memory. Think I was one of the last to be helped, as AlanC here was denied help despite trying hard with VW.

 

[calicasas]

This the is the very reason i wont buy another California. I have 36k miles on my 2011, so if the problem does arise at say 50k, then i wont know potentially for another few years. I have already lost some compression on one cylinder and an oil analysis suggests aluminium in the oil. VW seem to partially act on ‘newer’ claims - you can forget older single owner vehicles with low mileage. The mere fact that VW walk away says a lot about their attitude -should i ever have a problem with a newer and what is now pretty much a £70k vehicle, i would be very annoyed... I vote with my feet, hence not going forward with my planned replacement of my California, furthermore i wont be replacing my Passat with a VW next year, nor will we be replacing my wife’s Jetta with another VW. The only way to protest is by voting with my feet... not that they will care much..

 

[Digger]

Sad but are any other manufacturer any better. Friends S class Merc was back at dealers so often within its first year they bought it back.

 

[Goss]

Just read most of this thread as I have paid a deposit on a 2012 T5.1 California 180bhp bi turbo with 44,800 and 2 former keepers. Due to collect it in the next week.

What do I need to look for to ensure I don’t have any future problems?
Thanks in advance.

Goss

 

[2into1]

Just read most of this thread as I have paid a deposit on a 2012 T5.1 California 180bhp bi turbo with 44,800 and 2 former keepers. Due to collect it in the next week.

What do I need to look for to ensure I don’t have any future problems?
Thanks in advance.

Goss

You really just need to understand the issue and get a feel for how many are impacted and make your own decision. Finding it has had an EGR cooler with a /D suffix installed for most of those miles is the single best reassurance, but that's unlikely. Ask the dealer to send you a photo of the sticker on the cooler and you'll start to be able to assess the risks (many have no problems).

 

[Goss]

You really just need to understand the issue and get a feel for how many are impacted and make your own decision. Finding it has had an EGR cooler with a /D suffix installed for most of those miles is the single best reassurance, but that's unlikely. Ask the dealer to send you a photo of the sticker on the cooler and you'll start to be able to assess the risks (many have no problems).

Thanks, but that has put me off risking this purchase so I contacted the dealer and made an appointment to see them face to face to discuss as I placed a deposit on the Cali and was concerned after reading this thread. They knew that my concern was the EGR valve so by the time I arrived they had arranged for a local VW dealer they use to check and record the compression and the supply and install a brand new EGR valve! They will cover the cost and supply documentation and receipts so I have proof of the work before purchase and for resale.

They showed documents where they have carried out this work before as a belt and braces approach to complete customer satisfaction but did stress that the actual number of failures were so insignificant, less than 1%.

What a result!

Goss

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks, but that has put me off risking this purchase so I contacted the dealer and made an appointment to see them face to face to discuss as I placed a deposit on the Cali and was concerned after reading this thread. They knew that my concern was the EGR valve so by the time I arrived they had arranged for a local VW dealer they use to check and record the compression and the supply and install a brand new EGR valve! They will cover the cost and supply documentation and receipts so I have proof of the work before purchase and for resale.

They showed documents where they have carried out this work before as a belt and braces approach to complete customer satisfaction but did stress that the actual number of failures were so insignificant, less than 1%.

What a result!

Goss

An excellent decision. Enjoy your purchase.