1.4 scirocco engine rattle on start up + oil light

[StefanWolves]

Hi all. Been getting the eingine rattle on start up after a cold night, this disappears after a few mins of driving so thought nothing else of it.

This morning I get into the car, turn the ignition and the oil light flashes and beeps loudly for 3 times, then disappears, no dashboard warning etc. I drive a few miles to the train station, the same engine rattle comes and goes as normal and no further warning lights or sounds.

I didn't have time to check the oil level as I had to catch the train but will check later on, only had the Roc about 6 months and id have thought the dealer would have topped the oil up - I've only done a few thousand miles since purchase so hope it's not drinking oil.

Are these two things related? I've heard some horror stories about the 1.4 and engine problems... Someone please tell me it's as simple as changing my oil?

[StefanWolves]

Just checked the oil. Plenty in there.

Argh

[StefanWolves]

Anyone got any ideas? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[janherko]

What does it mean "plenty"? If it´s too much oil in there, it´s almost as bad as if there was too little...
first off, get some VCDS and do engine autoscan, just to make sure there´s no significant faults...then, regardless of the autoscan outcome, go to some garage and have the engine checked for any oil leakage...if there will be some, you´ll probably need to have a thorough look by mechanic on what´s wrong in there...any oil leakage means something in this car and ought not to be overlooked...
check my thread: http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... =2&t=14390" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
prior to the worst scenario ever, I too had a few occasions signaling low oil level, which quickly went away...later, when I was at the first technical/emmisions inspection and had the car above me, their mechanic showed me greasy areas in the lower parts of my engine...then, after some 3 weeks, happened what happened:(
I surely don´t want to scare you or anything but it´s been said and proved many times that 08/09 1.4 TSi 160 Roccos are prone to some potentially serious issues...so it´s always good to catch the thing onset to prevent further catastrophy.

how old is the car? how many miles on it? most importantly, has it got full VW service history?

[StefanWolves]

Thanks for your reply !

The red oil pressure light hasn't come on/flashed for a few days now and the car seems to be driving as good as it ever has. Although this morning the amber emissions control light flashed for a few seconds then disappeared.

The car is 4 years old and has 45k on the clock. It's fully serviced, it sounds like a good job I purchased extended warranty through the dealership I brought it from that covers any mechanical problems... I may just take it to VW and claim the amount it's going to cost back through the warranty company.

And sorry when I said plenty I meant as in an ok level, not to much or less, just good.

[janherko]

emissions control light flashing?
I suggest to do autoscan on VCDS and post faultcodes here (if any)

[StefanWolves]

And today... EPC light rears it's ugly head.

So that's engine oil pressure (not shown for a a month or so), engine management light AND now EPC light that have shown over the past month or so. Halfords say it needs a new coil pack but I'm not convinced.

Am I at the start of the dreaded 1.4 misfire??

[Andy Rocc]

if you have an extended warrenty from VW i would get it booked in asap if it were me! Too much waiting could cause long term damage.

[janherko]

Get somebody with VCDS, if you don't have your own, do the autoscan and post faultcodes on engine here...as said before, it's absolutely necessary to catch the potential issue in the beginning. Warning lights you've been experiencing could mean several things. If you feel the car has started misfiring, something's definitely wrong. Remedy can vary from simple coilpack/spark plugs change, maybe injectors replacement, ECU software update (though I doubt you don't have 24S4 by now as it was released and started rolling already in 2011 I guess) to some worst scenarios like engine replacement due to infamous unreliable management and weak pistons...
I, unfortunately, can really tell, since I've seen my own totally degenerated broken 3rd piston and touched the roughness it caused on the inner cylinder.
Poor VW, isn't it? They assemble several hundred thousand cars in a year here in Bratislava plant and they really can be happy the Roccos are being made in Portugal...otherwise, I'd personally go there and throw the broken piston on the local CEO's desk.

[StefanWolves]

Cheers for the replies guys.

The warranty cover isn't with vw it's with a company called Mapfre although I've called them and they say any work is covered as many times per year as you like up to the value of the car. All mechanical/electrical problems apart from general wear and tear are covered.

They have a partnership with halfords garages (unfortunate I know) so for quickness (one just around the corner) I ended up taking it there.

They plugged a vcds in and they say it's the coil pack, I will get the codes next time I go. They did replace something which fixed the issue of the lights coming on the dash for a day or so, but they said it will probably need a coil pack soon.

Anyone know anyone with a vcds in the uk, Wolverhampton area?

[janherko]

Great to hear that...
Also insist on replacing spark plugs for the newest spec. The best possible way to cast out misfires issue is to perform mechanical compression test and see the actual bars in cylinders. Ask them to do it, too. If u were here in SVK, I'd certainly help you with the VCDS:)

[StefanWolves]

Finally had enough with halfords messing me about, the car has been into vw today for the diagnostic. Not good news.

Third cylinder is misfiring.

Thank god for the extended warranty I purchased!

Hopefully this will be sorted sooner rather than later!

Ps never bother with halfords. Useless

[janherko]

Ouch:(
I'm really sorry to hear that. Once such misfire is detected, it's probably the scenario of low compression in given cylinder caused by broken piston and/or piston ring...sorry to say that but it's been experienced many times (included myself) and 99% cases resulted in engine (or so-called short engine or cylinder block) replacement. I suggest to immediately contact VW importer and claim their goodwill out of your warranty.
You probably have the infamous weak set of pistons from the beginning of production.

[StefanWolves]

Thanks for your reply jan

I now have another problem. VW are saying it could be wear and tear and ISNT a common fault.

Which is just ridiculous and lies.

Is there anywhere official that this fault is confirmed by vw that I can show them to prove their lies?

If it comes back vw say it's wear and tear then it's not covered by my warranty and I will have to foot the £1000+ bill

[janherko]

Wear and tear of pistons/piston rings on some 4-5 years old car?? Are they kidding me?
Try to contact this guy:
http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... le&u=11725" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and ask him if there was issued anything official.
He participated in my thread and said this issue has been proven and is considered as subject to engine replacement. Sadly, I don't have anything official in my hands atm.

[StefanWolves]

Thanks I have inboxed him

Last hope, on the weekend the car goes to a different garage for coil pack replacement, if problem persists then back to vw it goes regarding the cylinder misfire and a potential massive bill/argument with my warranty company.