1.4 TSi 160 Turbo failure

[adiy2k]

Hi, I bought my car brand new in April 2009 from my local VW dealer. That same year they had to replace the turbo as my car was smoking lots and loss of power, think it was around 6 months after I purchased it. My warranty ran out April last year, a few weeks ago I had the oil light come on so I checked my oil and it was a little low so I topped it up. A week later it came on again, checked oil and it was nearly empty so topped up again and checked underneath the car where I found some sort of tray that was full of oil. Took it to a garage of a relatives friend and they've had it for 2 days, got a phone call today to say that the turbo has gone which has caused the oil leak? Anyway I spoke to VW about it and they said my car should of had an ECU update ages ago but I hadn't been told about it, the guy at the garage now says that he would stake his house on it that this would be the reason to the turbo failing. He explained how to me but I can't remember much of it, something about the ECU not being tuned properly to the car. It's at VW now where they've charged me £75 to do a diagnostics, they'll get back to me on Monday with the results. Where would I stand in getting this repair carried out for free? The car is 4 years old and has done 40k, this will be the second turbo to be replaced since new - one within 6 months of ownership. Could this of been caused by the ECU not having the update applied? Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give me

[zollaf]

do you have a full vw service history thats been done on time.

[adiy2k]

do you have a full vw service history thats been done on time.

I have full VW service history except my last service, all where done on time

[-M-]

There should be grounds to apply for a goodwill contribution from VW. If there was a recall for your vehicle then you would have been sent a recall letter which is recorded delivery - if its just a software update relating to a technical solution then VW doesn't contact you for that - only if the problem occurs at their dealers.

Although the first turbo was replaced during warranty there is no additional time added or given for that repair with the remainder of the warranty period.

[adiy2k]

There should be grounds to apply for a goodwill contribution from VW. If there was a recall for your vehicle then you would have been sent a recall letter which is recorded delivery - if its just a software update relating to a technical solution then VW doesn't contact you for that - only if the problem occurs at their dealers.

Although the first turbo was replaced during warranty there is no additional time added or given for that repair with the remainder of the warranty period.

Thanks for the reply, I guess I'll just have to wait and see what they say tomorrow. The guy from the garage I initially took it to phoned VW CS and they let slip that there was an ECU recall for my vehicle and that could be a reason as to why the turbo has failed, don't see how myself but the bloke said something about the engine being to powerful for the car or the other way round and the ECU update is to rectify that. It just seems strange that since new the turbo has failed twice, it's only 4 years old with quite low mileage and i don't think the turbo should be failing once let alone twice

[adiy2k]

They've told me that the turbo has failed which I told them on Saturday and a garage told me for free, they charged me £75 for that information. They now want £570 to investigate the fault further, it's a joke. There's stories all over the Internet of problems with this engine, 2 turbos failed within 4 years on a brand new car shouldn't be happening. The case has been escalated with a manager at VW CS, they told me they will check my loyalty to the brand before deciding what to do. This is my second brand new car within 6 years with VW and could well be my last, they'll get back to me in 48 hours. In the meantime we have no car to use and my retailer say they won't have any available for the next 2 weeks, absolutely ridiculous

[zollaf]

the problem is emissions regulations and tax. people want quick cars with plenty of power, and thats what manufacturers make. years ago you would buy a 2 litre injection or a 4.2 litre jag, but they are too expensive, so you buy a small engined car with a turbo. but, to avoid loads of lag, a small turbo is used when a big turbo would be better for the power required, but instead you wind that tiny turbo upto 250k rpm to provide the power, but thats out of its reliable rev range, so you end up with a tiny engine with loads of power and no lag but with a lifespan of 25 minutes, a bit like a formula 1 car of old. all manufacturers have the same problems though, especially with small diesels in big people carriers.
i suspect the ecu on yours would be re programmed to give less turbo rpm and less power but allowing the turbo to live longer.
blame europe, its all their fault.