Noisy 150 TDI

[Ridg]

are the garage going to pay for the damage they did through negligence then?

they should do, becuase if they have put the wrong oil in then its their fault

[spydoor]

Rhyso - yep cams need to be replaced 

The_Ridge - The garage that carried out the service are sending an inspector out to take a sample of the oil. 
Once they have the result back from castrol (48hrs) they will know for sure if that was the cause.  If they are at fault then they will be paying for the repairs, if they find a way of wriggling out, i.e. if there's any doubt about the cause, then I'll be stumping up for the bill and spreading as much negative press about the garage as possible.

Something I keep having to tell myself is, even if I have to pay for the work, the engine will have a whole new lease of life.  So, although I wouldn't have chosen to do the work, it being done isn't all bad.

[spydoor]

Well...over a week later I'm told that the oil that was in the engine was Castrol Edge 5w30, which the inpector says is the correct oil.  The engine specialists carrying out the repair work aren't so sure.

I'm sure that I've always used 5w40.  If I do a search on castrol's site and use their Lubricant advisor I get to the model page http://www.ew2.lubesinfo.com/login.asp?sc=1156 and quickly get confused.

I can narrow it down to two different models:
Golf 1.9 GT/GTI PD (QG1 - 96/110kw)
Golf 1.9 GT/GTI PD (QG0/2 - 96/110kw)

The one labelled QG1 is stated to use 5w30 whereas QG0/2 states 5w40.  Anyone know how I tell which model mine is? Or, is the site suggesting that both oils are suitable?

I noticed that the product info for the 5w30 doesn't mention PD engines, whereas the 5w40 specifically states "Specialist product for VW PD engines requiring the 505 01 specification"

[Ridg]

i've always used 5w40 as mines on the fixed interval service


this is from the halfords site

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_198255_langId_-1_categoryId_77304

Peace of mind - right oil for VW diesel fixed servicing cars This product should not be used in PD models equipped for VW Longlife extended service intervals (indicated by the letters QG1 on the VIN plate - see handbook for details) as Castrol Edge 5W-40 contains the specifications for these vehicles.

check your VIN number or handbook and find out if you're meant to be on fixed or variable servicing.  if you're on fixed then you should be using QG0/2

the only problem with this is that certain ways of clearing the service interval can force the computer into fixed interval, so although your vin says variable the computer has been told its on fixed.


EDIT:

just had a look at the castrol site

c.    Service Interval Display - if the listed Longlife oils are not used the display must be changed to show 'non-flexible' and the reduced service interval implemented

so its going to come down to what mode your service interval is on, if you're on fixed then they have fooked up, if you're on variable then its correct.

[jettagolf]

this is a well documented fault with the pd engine especally the 150 ours has had a cam and followers my mates has had a cam and followers and the local garage has done a few. people say its the wrong oil but there has been problems with cars which have been using the correct oil from day one, also i have heard that the cam is made from a soft metal which is not up for the job,
my mate got his cam changed about 8000 miles ago and it has had 2 oil changes since with the correct oil and when he was having running problems with it before christmas he took the rocker cover of it just to check there was wear marks on the cam.
i dont believe its the wrong oil because there was a pd 130 owner my dad knew and he did his own servicing from day one and he did not use pd spec oil cos he did not know about it and the car ran for 140000 miles with out a problem, and our car had a full vw service history when we bought it (means nothing cos there are many dealers that didn't use the correct iol in these cars) it got its cam at 97000 miles its done 150000 miles now and its coming up to a service and i will be checking the cam cos if there is any wear marks it will be going back to vw cos they have a 2 year warranty on all parts and the cam will just be under 2 years old

[spydoor]

check your VIN number or handbook and find out if you're meant to be on fixed or variable servicing.  if you're on fixed then you should be using QG0/2

the only problem with this is that certain ways of clearing the service interval can force the computer into fixed interval, so although your vin says variable the computer has been told its on fixed.

so its going to come down to what mode your service interval is on, if you're on fixed then they have fooked up, if you're on variable then its correct.

I've got my VIN number, how do I tell if it's fixed a variable?

[Ridg]

apparently it should contain either QG1 or QG0 i'll check mine later and confirm that the code is actually there.

if not its one of the option codes that are in the service book, this i've seen so you could check your option codes, if you don't have the book then VW should have a log of what options your car had.

[spydoor]

I couldn't figure out if I was on fixed or variable from the VIN, so called VW.

They've told me i'm on time/distance based service interval and recommend I use 5w40 505.01 spec.  I've emailed the garage's manager, see what he says.  I'm really not holding my breath anymore.

But...
Got the car back today ...and, I'm not sure if its just cos i've been getting the bus for the last few weeks, but it seems sooo much quicker    So happy with the work my new garage has done for me.

In the end I had the following done:

• New camshaft
• 8 New hydraulic tappets
• Cambelt kit
• water pump
• Engine flushed twice
• New oil (5w40!!) & filter

[Ridg]

yeah the site that said it was on the vin number was wrong, its actually in the options list (in the service book)

either way, they have put the wrong oil in

good to hear you've got her back and that you're happy with the rebuild, now just to get your money back.

[spydoor]

Well, the sage still continues 

The regional manager for the garage that did the service is still standing by his opinion that oil used was suitable for the car and doesn't "know where VW are coming from".  He assured me that his contact at Castrol would call me to exaplin but that was coming up to a week ago now.

I'm gonna call him on Monday and tell him I'm going to the small claims court, anyone know any good solicitors in this field?