Oil leak blues

[Chr1s0]

Hi All,
Looks like i have made a very expensive clanger. I booked my 2015 140SE for its first MOT and a service believing 3 years were up mid March. On inspection Lister Coventry have found an oil leak and say the gearbox has to come out - oh and by the way your out of warranty which ran out end Jan......
I currently face an £800 bill just to remove/replace the gearbox and that does not cover the fault. It has only covered 10K miles and i am gutted.
Has anyone managed to get VW to pay up out of warranty? What a clown I am. Cheers Chris

 

[westfalia]

If VW have any left, they should offer some sort of goodwill help.

 

[Ryemslie]

If VW have any left, they should offer some sort of goodwill help.

If they don’t then take it somewhere else. An £800 bill sounds rediculous to drop out a gearbox. Is it dsg?

 

[Volkywagen]

are major parts ie gearbox engine etc not covered for a longer warranty? After 10k miles they should honour this totally.

 

[WelshGas]

are major parts ie gearbox engine etc not covered for a longer warranty? After 10k miles they should honour this totally.

No, 3 years.
The vehicle might only have done 10,000 miles which means it has probably been standing idle for 18 to 27 months of the 36 months it has been registered.
Oil seals degenerate if not used and also deform if left in one position for prolonged periods of time.

Unfortunately the OP has found out the hard way. “ Use it or lose it “.

Low mileage can be more problematic than high mileage.

 

[westfalia]

No, 3 years.
The vehicle might only have done 10,000 miles which means it has probably been standing idle for 18 to 27 months of the 36 months it has been registered.
Oil seals degenerate if not used and also deform if left in one position for prolonged periods of time.

Unfortunately the OP has found out the hard way. “ Use it or lose it “.

Low mileage can be more problematic than high mileage.

I`d disagree there.
Classic cars with low milage ? Museum pieces ? Ferraris and that sort ?
I don´t think they all have the seals changed every 3 yrs.
It´s a VW problem and it should be sorted out with some goodwill.
Or they should write in the back of the brochure ` if you do low miles and only
short journeys, this isn´t the car for you as we have many problems and are running
out of excuses`.

 

[Volkywagen]

I`d disagree there.
Classic cars with low milage ? Museum pieces ? Ferraris and that sort ?
I don´t think they all have the seals changed every 3 yrs.
It´s a VW problem and it should be sorted out with some goodwill.
Or they should write in the back of the brochure ` if you do low miles and only
short journeys, this isn´t the car for you as we have many problems and are running
out of excuses`.

Agreed. I have a Mk2 16v gti that I only use for four months every year. I’ll be upset if I had to change the seals every three years. In fact I’ve never changed a seal after 9 years.
I once owned an A4 and three months after the warranty ran out it dropped the 4th gear cog and the gearbox threw its guts out in a busy town centre. After a bill from the council for Oil clear up and a letter from them wrt pollution...yep, Audi stood firm and said no fix. It’s only when I kicked up a fuss they decided to replace the gearbox and honour the warranty, but without some stern words they wouldn’t have sorted it.

 

[WelshGas]

I`d disagree there.
Classic cars with low milage ? Museum pieces ? Ferraris and that sort ?
I don´t think they all have the seals changed every 3 yrs.
It´s a VW problem and it should be sorted out with some goodwill.
Or they should write in the back of the brochure ` if you do low miles and only
short journeys, this isn´t the car for you as we have many problems and are running
out of excuses`.

But I Disagree regarding Classic Cars. Totally different engineering compared with modern vehicles. Museum Pieces - either have no fluids in or if you get down low - Drip trays.
As far as expensive cars parked up for long periods, rarely are they just left. Wheels off on stands, suspension hanging engine and drivetrain turned weekly or monthly and then all fluids changed etc: etc: before being used.
No comparison I am afraid.
The California is based on a commercial vehicle, designed to do at least 10,000 + Miles /year.
If the California is going to be left idle for a prolonged period then it should be done properly. It’s not a Caravan and even they should be properly stored over winter and not just parked up.

 

[Chr1s0]

I see where your coming from, it had only done 5K before i purchased it a year ago. It now gets regular use minimum weekly, and long distances as well.
I would understand at 200K miles as based on a commercial vehicle but feel very sore about it right now. I don't want the gearbox taking out (manual), it is my pride and joy that i never thought i could own. I pushed myself to avoid this very thing by buying as late a model as possible. If i don't get any joy from VW i might consider using a specialist in the midlands area.
I also asked the dealer what differences they do when servicing a cali - grease the roof mechanism etc. But got a very blank response. Looks like i will be using that specialist after all. It was only last week i was telling someone about the amazing low depreciation/running costs. Thanks for your replies.

 

[westfalia]

Agreed. I have a Mk2 16v gti that I only use for four months every year. I’ll be upset if I had to change the seals every three years. In fact I’ve never changed a seal after 9 years.
I once owned an A4 and three months after the warranty ran out it dropped the 4th gear cog and the gearbox threw its guts out in a busy town centre. After a bill from the council for Oil clear up and a letter from them wrt pollution...yep, Audi stood firm and said no fix. It’s only when I kicked up a fuss they decided to replace the gearbox and honour the warranty, but without some stern words they wouldn’t have sorted it.

I´ve got a MK2 GTI ,16 valver, big bumper, dark blue metallic.

 

[westfalia]

But I Disagree regarding Classic Cars.

Okay, but what about older Vdubs.
My T2 is 40 yrs old next year, original engine and box ( and seals )
Since it went into semi-retirement about 12 yrs ago it´s only done about
1000kms per year. They were built as transporters too.

 

[WelshGas]

I see where your coming from, it had only done 5K before i purchased it a year ago. It now gets regular use minimum weekly, and long distances as well.
I would understand at 200K miles as based on a commercial vehicle but feel very sore about it right now. I don't want the gearbox taking out (manual), it is my pride and joy that i never thought i could own. I pushed myself to avoid this very thing by buying as late a model as possible. If i don't get any joy from VW i might consider using a specialist in the midlands area.
I also asked the dealer what differences they do when servicing a cali - grease the roof mechanism etc. But got a very blank response. Looks like i will be using that specialist after all. It was only last week i was telling someone about the amazing low depreciation/running costs. Thanks for your replies.

I commiserate with you regarding this problem. An independent will be cheaper but VW do warrant parts fitted for 2 years, unlike Independants and a Full VW service history assists the resale value.
As far as servicing of the Habitation equipment including the roof, there is none and the roof mechanism is basically sealed units.

Myself, I would get a 2nd opinion as regards the leak, and maybe have the gearbox oil changed and the level checked in 3 - 6 months if the leak is minimal.

 

[WelshGas]

Okay, but what about older Vdubs.
My T2 is 40 yrs old next year, original engine and box ( and seals )
Since it went into semi-retirement about 12 yrs ago it´s only done about
1000kms per year. They were built as transporters too.

Totally different engineering compared with modern engines and I bet if you filled it with modern, low viscosity, synthetic oils it would leak like a sieve.

 

[westfalia]

Totally different engineering compared with modern engines and I bet if you filled it with modern, low viscosity, synthetic oils it would leak like a sieve.

Yes, you´re probably right, but going back to what problem the OP has, 800 quid bill, one month
out of warranty. Yes, it would be easy for VW to say - sorry, computer says no - but for me that
is just wrong. It isn´t he's fault.

 

[WelshGas]

Yes, you´re probably right, but going back to what problem the OP has, 800 quid bill, one month
out of warranty. Yes, it would be easy for VW to say - sorry, computer says no - but for me that
is just wrong. It isn´t he's fault.

No, I agree, probably the previous owner who only did 5000 miles in 2 years.

 

[Volkywagen]

I´ve got a MK2 GTI ,16 valver, big bumper, dark blue metallic.

Top stuff mines an oak green on Borbet Cs (rare 16s) I used to have an Ed1 G60

I´ve got a MK2 GTI ,16 valver, big bumper, dark blue metallic.

 

[Volkywagen]

Top stuff mines an oak green on Borbet Cs (rare 16s) I used to have an Ed1 G60

Sorry

 

[westfalia]

Sorry

Oak green ? is it a H reg 5 door ? with air con ?

 

[sidepod]

800 Sterlings to take a box out and repair it seems reasonable to me.

Get in it every day and thrash it. It’ll respect you for it

 

[westfalia]

800 Sterlings to take a box out and repair it seems reasonable to me.

Get in it every day and thrash it. It’ll respect you for it

Thrash it in Blighty lol.

 

[Volkywagen]

Oak green ? is it a H reg 5 door ? with air con ?

No air con, 3 door J reg. 62k Miles. rainbow interior. G60 brakes front, G60 wheel arches. Chromulux rear windows, lowered on spax adjustables. I paid pennies for it a long time ago. I’ve done a lot of work to it over the years. Hindsight I should have got rid of the 16v and kept the G60 but it is what it is.

 

[westfalia]

No air con, 3 door J reg. 62k Miles. rainbow interior. G60 brakes front, G60 wheel arches. Chromulux rear windows, lowered on spax adjustables. I paid pennies for it a long time ago. I’ve done a lot of work to it over the years. Hindsight I should have got rid of the 16v and kept the G60 but it is what it is.

Nice one, your moneys safe there, mk2 16 valvers are gonna be
the new bitcoin.

 

[Chr1s0]

Quick update, VW have offered a minimum of 40% off the entire bill at the current time. I needed to involve VW customer care to get to this point but at least they can get on with the investigation of the oil leak.

I just hope it is a simple seal to fix. Cheers Chris

 

[westfalia]

Quick update, VW have offered a minimum of 40% off the entire bill at the current time. I needed to involve VW customer care to get to this point but at least they can get on with the investigation of the oil leak.

I just hope it is a simple seal to fix. Cheers Chris

Its a result, i suppose.
40% minimum, did they say what the Max is.

 

[Meoncoast]

Quick update, VW have offered a minimum of 40% off the entire bill at the current time. I needed to involve VW customer care to get to this point but at least they can get on with the investigation of the oil leak.

Think 40% is a bit short. We had our bed stuck down just out of warranty and VW paid 80% as "good will". The other advantage is if you pay a % however small you get 2 year warranty on repair. I would stick out for a bigger "good will" % (this was 2015)