[shashank.nk]

That sums up my ownership experience with a 6 month old Polo Tdi. In 6 months i've had 2 breakdowns, 2 parts replaced under warranty and narrowly escaped a potential fire!

I bought a black Polo Highline from VW palace cross in the month of February 2012, link to my ownership thread here:
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...lacements.html


The car was perfectly fine till May when all the problems started, i'll detail out each problem with the cause and what was done by VW to solve it:

Rear right brake jam
On 17th May,2012 the rear right brake jammed and the ABS light came up on the instrument cluster. My dad was driving and he noticed the light, pulled over and realized the right wheel was jammed. We called the VW helpline and they despatched a flat-bed in 2.5 hours. I called them at 12 AM and the flat-bed came by 2AM.

Reason for brake jam
I'd left the car with the handbrake engaged after washing it, for 3 days. On the third day dad drove 10kms, after which the brake jammed.

Action taken by VW
Rear brake shoes were replaced under warranty and car was returned to me on 22nd May,2012. I've never used the handbrake after this when i park the car at home, so the problem hasn't resurfaced.

I used to wash our Octy and the Maruti 800 the very same way and they were left unused for more than a week with no such issues.

I'd also highlighted that there was steering noise, so SA told me he's lubricated the column, when i checked the noise was still there but I needed the car urgently so took delivery and decided to live with it till 5k kms, after which i'll ensure they do something about it. Other members who had bought a 2011 model in 2012 also had similar problems but it had disappeared with more miles on the clock so i decided to wait.

Strut bearings worn out and replaced
In the month of August VW had a free monsoon check-up going on, since my car had 6k on the odo I thought its a good idea to avail this, and also get the oil topped up if needed. I take in my car on 7th August and since they were doing a general check-up too, i asked them to check for steering noise I had from Day 1.

I was called at 4.30 PM and told that my car was 'almost done' and i could take delivery soon. At 4.55PM the SA calls me and tells me that the steering cones need to be replaced and it'll take 4-5 hours,so i can get the car the following day only
I don't make an issue, and allow them to carry out whatever work is required and deliver the car the following day. The next day, SA tells me that its not the steering cones but the strut bearings need to be changed as they're worn out. I ask him how did this happen on a 6 month old car and he says its due to water.

It takes 2 days for them to fix it and finally on 10th August my car is ready, I was told they've put a bigger cap to prevent water from entering the strut from where its mounted on the body and it won't happen in future. The noise was gone and I thought my car won't have anymore issues.

Reason for bearings to wear out
Water entering the struts from the mounting on the body while washing the car.

Action taken by VW
Strut bearing replaced, a'bigger cap is put in place of the smaller one to prevent water from entering in future.


Bolt near Injector goes lose and results in diesel spray

On 19th August, my mom and a few of our relatives take the car on a 200km journey along with our family driver to attend a family function. 100kms into the journey driver notices loss of pick-up,diesel smell in the cabin and finally fumes emerging from the bonnet. The car stalls and comes to a halt. When he opened the bonnet there was a lot of smoke, once it cleared he saw the entire engine was covered with diesel, the diesel was leaking from linings near the wheel wells and also there was spray on the rear windshield too!

VW helpline dispatches a flat-bed 3 hours after i call them. Fortunately, there was no fire and my mom took a bus for the rest of the journey. Car is towed to the workshop on 19th itself at 8PM.

My car was attended to only on 21st, despite the workshop being open on 20th as they had misplaced the tow slip and needed it to commence work on the car! What rubbish i tell you!!

Anyway, 21st they look at my car notice that the fuel lcd display on the instrument cluster has gone bust and is showing half-tank even when there was no diesel in the fuel tank. The job card also mentions low rail pressure.

I'm made to pay Rs.1000 for diesel and they diagnose the problem as a bolt gone lose near the injector and that resulted in a diesel leakage.

Reason
VW technicians have no idea how it became lose, but told me that the diesel spilled onto the driveshaft and thus it resulted in a spray all over the car. I've asked the technician,manager, SA etc. no one seems to have a clue how it went lose in a new car!

Action taken
Bolt is tightened and they test my car for a day to see if there's any problem. None found, so they call me saying my car is ready.

I'd been to the workshop today and we refused taking delivery as we're not satisfied with the car at all and want either a replacement or them to give a confirmation that they haven't overlooked any other fault in the car.

In 6 months the car has troubled me quite a lot, and i'm hating every minute of my ownership experience. The question of how reliable and safe my car is hangs on my mind ever since the diesel leakage happened.

I'd like your opinion on the following:

1.Is my car a 'lemon', or are such failures 'ok' in a 6 month old car ?
2.Due to the diesel leakage is there any chance of engine/fuel filter damage as the mixture would've become lean and i've no idea how much i've driven since the diesel leakage started.
3.The car was almost covered with diesel everywhere, will the reliability of other parts(rubber bushes,wires,linings etc) be affected because of diesel spray ?
4.I've complained on VW's facebook page as well, but they just give me standard answers. No proper acknowledgement or response yet. Any chance i can escalate to higher-ups ? Can someone help me out with the email id's please ?
5.Will approaching the MD of the dealership(VST group) help in anyway ?
6.Can I push for a replacement based on my experience so far ?
7.I'd planned on getting a proper ICE setup,diesel tuning box/re-map on my car in a few months. Considering the problems i've faced, should i discard these plans ?

I've lost all trust in this car, sure its a machine and anything can fail but if it repeatedly throws up issues every now and then its very frustrating to deal with it.

Also, with each vist to VW palace cross,they're response is improving, right from the deputy incharge of workshop to the technicians, everyone is patient enough to answer all my queries and are quick to diagnose and fix issues reported, but what can they do when the car itself is defective.

As a last resort, should i consider selling my car or should i give it another chance ?

Here's a pic of the cap and the bolt which had become lose and resulted in diesel leakage:

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

I'd like your opinion on the following:

1.Is my car a 'lemon', or are such failures 'ok' in a 6 month old car ?
2.Due to the diesel leakage is there any chance of engine/fuel filter damage as the mixture would've become lean and i've no idea how much i've driven since the diesel leakage started.
3.The car was almost covered with diesel everywhere, will the reliability of other parts(rubber bushes,wires,linings etc) be affected because of diesel spray ?
4.I've complained on VW's facebook page as well, but they just give me standard answers. No proper acknowledgement or response yet. Any chance i can escalate to higher-ups ? Can someone help me out with the email id's please ?
5.Will approaching the MD of the dealership(VST group) help in anyway ?
6.Can I push for a replacement based on my experience so far ?
7.I'd planned on getting a proper ICE setup,diesel tuning box/re-map on my car in a few months. Considering the problems i've faced, should i discard these plans ?

As a last resort, should i consider selling my car or should i give it another chance ?

1. These problems are not okay in a 6 month old car. From what you have written it looks like your car is a classic case of a bit of customer neglect leading to minor problems which on being left with the A.S.S has resulted in far more damage accruing to the car. For example: The brake jam - all it needs is a slightly hard tap on the drum with the tip of your wheel spanner for the brakes to work loose - if this was done initially there would have been no further problems. However the car was driven with the jammed brakes (as you say) and which should have indicated itself to the driver as the car would have been sluggish or on the initial movement in first would have refused to move properly.

2. No damage likely to engine and fuel filter.

3. Diesel is harmful to rubber bushes and also to brake linings. However, it is not likely that the bushes will be damaged on account of this - a good underbody wash should take care of this to a large extent. In the case of the brake linings, if there was an issue you would have felt a reduced braking response by now - if you haven't then they haven't been affected. There would be no issues with wires.

4. I suspect that the diesel leakage could be due to A.S.S. errors when the car was left there over several days. So, to this extent, an escalation might be worth a try, if you're willing to go through the motions and if required, have the necessary patience. However, from what you have mentioned, VW have been kind to replace the brake linings under warranty although they aren't covered.

5. No

6. No, the errors you have mentioned are a combination of both user and A.S.S. oversights so it could be difficult to push for a replacement.

7. Yes, it is better to discard these plans.

My opinion on the last question would be to give it one more chance as it is now working properly. If it gives you any other problem, I would suggest you sell the car.

[shashank.nk]

Originally Posted by VeyronSuperSprt

1. These problems are not okay in a 6 month old car. From what you have written it looks like your car is a classic case of a bit of customer neglect leading to minor problems which on being left with the A.S.S has resulted in far more damage accruing to the car. For example: The brake jam - all it needs is a slightly hard tap on the drum with the tip of your wheel spanner for the brakes to work loose - if this was done initially there would have been no further problems. However the car was driven with the jammed brakes (as you say) and which should have indicated itself to the driver as the car would have been sluggish or on the initial movement in first would have refused to move properly.

2. No damage likely to engine and fuel filter.

3. Diesel is harmful to rubber bushes and also to brake linings. However, it is not likely that the bushes will be damaged on account of this - a good underbody wash should take care of this to a large extent. In the case of the brake linings, if there was an issue you would have felt a reduced braking response by now - if you haven't then they haven't been affected. There would be no issues with wires.

4. I suspect that the diesel leakage could be due to A.S.S. errors when the car was left there over several days. So, to this extent, an escalation might be worth a try, if you're willing to go through the motions and if required, have the necessary patience. However, from what you have mentioned, VW have been kind to replace the brake linings under warranty although they aren't covered.

5. No

6. No, the errors you have mentioned are a combination of both user and A.S.S. oversights so it could be difficult to push for a replacement.

7. Yes, it is better to discard these plans.

My opinion on the last question would be to give it one more chance as it is now working properly. If it gives you any other problem, I would suggest you sell the car.

Thanks for the post Veyronsupersport! I was stunned by the silence of this forum on my thread,i mean it took 400 views for the first reply!! I was beginning to wonder if i'd done something wrong by sharing my experience here.

The problem of brake jam seems common to all Polo's, few other members have had their brakes jammed, and replaced by VW under warranty.
I use this car most of the time, that odd day dad took it as our driver didn't show up and a small car is easier. I guess he wouldn't have noticed the sluggish response and that led to further complications.

Its a relief to know that engine and fuel filter are safe.

The A.S.S guys said they've washed the car *properly*, any additional wash i should get done ?

I'd never thought that A.S.S guys could've messed up. When i spoke to my independent Skoda mechanic, he said it has to be a goof up by the A.S.S guys, but i refused to believe him. Even if they've goofed up there's no way to prove it, besides spoiling relations with them may not be good in the long term i guess.

I'll have stick with Polo as of now, new gen i20 scared me with its dynamics, dad isn't convinced spending on a Fiat Punto and i don't have the patience to wait for a Swift.

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

Thanks for the post Veyronsupersport! I was stunned by the silence of this forum on my thread,i mean it took 400 views for the first reply!! I was beginning to wonder if i'd done something wrong by sharing my experience

The A.S.S guys said they've washed the car *properly*, any additional wash i should get done ?

I'd never thought that A.S.S guys could've messed up. When i spoke to my independent Skoda mechanic, he said it has to be a goof up by theU A.S.S guys, but i refused to believe him. Even if they've goofed up there's no way to prove it, besides spoiling relations with them may not be good in the long term i guess.

I'll have stick with Polo as of now, new gen i20 scared me with its dynamics, dad isn't convinced spending on a Fiat Punto and i don't have the patience to wait for a Swift.

Saw your post just this evening as I hadn't logged on earlier - been travelling. If the A.S.S have washed the car, it should be okay. You're very right on this - it would be difficult to prove and it could spoil your relationship with the A.S.S.

Have you looked at the Micra / Pulse Diesel or Liva Diesel - don't know your preferences / tastes - these are just some options.

[shashank.nk]

Originally Posted by VeyronSuperSprt

Saw your post just this evening as I hadn't logged on earlier - been travelling. If the A.S.S have washed the car, it should be okay. You're very right on this - it would be difficult to prove and it could spoil your relationship with the A.S.S.

Have you looked at the Micra / Pulse Diesel or Liva Diesel - don't know your preferences / tastes - these are just some options.

I'm on good terms with the guys at the workshop now. The deputy manager at the workshop explained what went wrong and also accepted that the car was giving too many troubles in a short period.I'd like to hold this car for 4 years atleast (warranty expires after that), so will give them the benefit of doubt this time.

Micra/Pulse and Liva were ruled out thanks to their looks. Micra/Pulse too feminine and Liva just plain boring to look at (no offense to anyone )

Any further mods like ICE/tuning box are best avoided atleast for another 6 months or so right ?

[AvonA7]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

That sums up my ownership experience with a 6 month old Polo Tdi. In 6 months i've had 2 breakdowns, 2 parts replaced under warranty and narrowly escaped a potential fire!


In 6 months the car has troubled me quite a lot, and i'm hating every minute of my ownership experience. The question of how reliable and safe my car is hangs on my mind ever since the diesel leakage happened.

I'd like your opinion on the following:

1.Is my car a 'lemon', or are such failures 'ok' in a 6 month old car ?
2.Due to the diesel leakage is there any chance of engine/fuel filter damage as the mixture would've become lean and i've no idea how much i've driven since the diesel leakage started.
3.The car was almost covered with diesel everywhere, will the reliability of other parts(rubber bushes,wires,linings etc) be affected because of diesel spray ?
4.I've complained on VW's facebook page as well, but they just give me standard answers. No proper acknowledgement or response yet. Any chance i can escalate to higher-ups ? Can someone help me out with the email id's please ?
5.Will approaching the MD of the dealership(VST group) help in anyway ?
6.Can I push for a replacement based on my experience so far ?
7.I'd planned on getting a proper ICE setup,diesel tuning box/re-map on my car in a few months. Considering the problems i've faced, should i discard these plans ?

I've lost all trust in this car, sure its a machine and anything can fail but if it repeatedly throws up issues every now and then its very frustrating to deal with it.

Also, with each vist to VW palace cross,they're response is improving, right from the deputy incharge of workshop to the technicians, everyone is patient enough to answer all my queries and are quick to diagnose and fix issues reported, but what can they do when the car itself is defective.

As a last resort, should i consider selling my car or should i give it another chance ?

Here's a pic of the cap and the bolt which had become lose and resulted in diesel leakage:

1. Such failures are definitely NOT OK in any car, more so in a 06 month old car. Too early to consider a lemon.

2/3 - Unfortunate, Serious issue. It should be definitely escalated.

4. search for the escalations email ids, I am sure it's posted on this forum before (exclude Mr. Neeraj Garg, because IIRC he left VW for Maruti )

6. Few POLO owners got their cab bills reimbursed, not heard of car replacement yet (in our Country).

7. No

===========

The issues are very unfortunate and I can understand your feelings. Irrespective of resolution of these problems and assurances from engrs. it stays at the back of our mind, though the issue might not ever appear again.

Having said that, the issues reported not necessarily suggest a lemon car though the problems are serisous - the diesel spray issue is quite serious, but from your post it most likely looks like some carelessness from the A.S.Service guys.

Brake - this is common and many T-BHPians faced this issue (not to justify the issue though), one way to avoid is not to pull the hand brake to its maximum and/or to park the car in 01st gear. I too own a Polo, and reading many fellow members post, I never engage the hand brake to its maximum especially when travelling during monsoons, so far lucky.

If not yet taken, would suggest taking the 2 + 2 = 4 yrs / 100K km warranty for your car.

As far as the SAs @VW dealership are concerned, from my experience they lack knowledge of the issues/resolutions and they have to forward even a small error code/issues to VW engrs. at Chakan (?), so least our expectation from them the better.

===========

Posting this just from my experience of owning Polo, not an expert in automobiles,. Hope it helps, and wish your car is back to its best soon.

=============

Managed to search one of the POLO TDI issue -

Issue reported -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post2075181

Status after resolution of the incident, thread updated long back, no news is good news (guess) -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...ml#post2591029

shall PM you the escalation email if I manage to find it.

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

Any further mods like ICE/tuning box are best avoided atleast for another 6 months or so right ?

Since you have already had a problem with the diesel lines, tuning boxes would be best avoided. To avoid any further reliability issues surfacing, I would suggest you avoid the ICE upgrade too.

[shashank.nk]

Originally Posted by AvonA7

2/3 - Unfortunate, Serious issue. It should be definitely escalated.

4. search for the escalations email ids, I am sure it's posted on this forum before (exclude Mr. Neeraj Garg, because IIRC he left VW for Maruti )

7. No

===========

The issues are very unfortunate and I can understand your feelings. Irrespective of resolution of these problems and assurances from engrs. it stays at the back of our mind, though the issue might not ever appear again.

Having said that, the issues reported not necessarily suggest a lemon car though the problems are serisous - the diesel spray issue is quite serious, but from your post it most likely looks like some carelessness from the A.S.Service guys.

When the brakes jammed and the bearings were replaced i just let it go as some of the problems were common to all Polo's, but my confidence was shaken when diesel leaked and there was a lot of fumes from the bonnet. Will search for e-mail id's of higher ups'.

Originally Posted by AvonA7

Brake - this is common and many T-BHPians faced this issue (not to justify the issue though), one way to avoid is not to pull the hand brake to its maximum and/or to park the car in 01st gear. I too own a Polo, and reading many fellow members post, I never engage the hand brake to its maximum especially when travelling during monsoons, so far lucky.

Ya i've stopped using the hand brake now,unless absolutely required.

Originally Posted by AvonA7

As far as the SAs @VW dealership are concerned, from my experience they lack knowledge of the issues/resolutions and they have to forward even a small error code/issues to VW engrs. at Chakan (?), so least our expectation from them the better.

===========
If not yet taken, would suggest taking the 2 + 2 = 4 yrs / 100K km warranty for your car.
Posting this just from my experience of owning Polo, not an expert in automobiles,. Hope it helps, and wish your car is back to its best soon.

I got the warranty at the time of purchase itself, received the booklet after repeated follow-ups though.The car is ok now, we've refused taking a delivery as we want the A.S.S to look at the car again and assure us(in writing hopefully) that no issues are overlooked.

SA's at most of these places are useless, the technicians and supervisor's are knowledgeable though. I mostly interact with them and avoid SA's totally.

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

The car was perfectly fine till May when all the problems started

Shashank, some observations:

1. On both the occasions that you had the problem the car was being driven by someone other than yourself.

2. In the case of the fire incident, the warning lights (the warning coil lamp) would have been blinking well before the fire started as the diesel fuel pressure would have reduced, the volume of air being drawn into the engine would have increased - all these would have triggered the warning lamp. The driver would have not even noticed the light or probably noticed and didn't realise it's significance as there would have been no problem initially. Had you been driving the car, you would have stopped it immediately on noticing the lamp blinking, called the A.S.S., arranged for a flat bed and prevented the situation from happening. As I always say, keep drivers away from your VW's, Skoda's etc - you just never know when you'll land in a problem!

[shashank.nk]

Originally Posted by VeyronSuperSprt

Shashank, some observations:

1. On both the occasions that you had the problem the car was being driven by someone other than yourself.

2. In the case of the fire incident, the warning lights (the warning coil lamp) would have been blinking well before the fire started as the diesel fuel pressure would have reduced, the volume of air being drawn into the engine would have increased - all these would have triggered the warning lamp. The driver would have not even noticed the light or probably noticed and didn't realise it's significance as there would have been no problem initially. Had you been driving the car, you would have stopped it immediately on noticing the lamp blinking, called the A.S.S., arranged for a flat bed and prevented the situation from happening. As I always say, keep drivers away from your VW's, Skoda's etc - you just never know when you'll land in a problem!

Aah..now that's something i never thought off. When i went to the A.S.S i studied the job card thoroughly and noticed they'd mentioned 2 important things :

1.Low fuel rail pressure (in the common rail)
2.Fuel display(lcd on the instrument cluster) had gone kaput.

In case of a low rail pressure i'm pretty sure that a warning light would've come on, its pretty serious afterall. My bad luck that disaster struck at the wrong time!
This was the first time we'd hired a driver on a long journey as I had my exams to prepare for and dad was busy,will make it a point to avoid drivers as much as possible henceforth.

But wouldn't it all happen quickly ? Fuel starts to leak, low pressure in the common rail and the engine stalls. The driver hopefully didn't drive too long after the leak started.

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

This was the first time we'd hired a driver on a long journey as I had my exams to prepare for and dad was busy,will make it a point to avoid drivers as much as possible henceforth.

But wouldn't it all happen quickly ? Fuel starts to leak, low pressure in the common rail and the engine stalls. The driver hopefully didn't drive too long after the leak started.

The next time hire a cab - it will save you trouble, heartache and as in this case a lot of money too. That's what I do; rather than hire a driver.

It wouldn't happen all of a sudden - the leak would have started in a slow manner and gradually increased.

[shashank.nk]

Originally Posted by VeyronSuperSprt

It wouldn't happen all of a sudden - the leak would have started in a slow manner and gradually increased.

That's bad news. If at all any warning light was displayed, it would've happened as soon as the leak started right ?

Mom wanted to take a cab,but I insisted on they take my car and this happens. Will take a cab or our Octy in future.

We haven't paid for any part replacements till now as VW covered it under warranty. This time alone we've to pay 1k for diesel they used, as apparently my car was out of fuel even though the display on the cluster was showing half tank.

[VeyronSuperSprt]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

If at all any warning light was displayed, it would've happened as soon as the leak started right ?

Yes, these warning lamps are very sensitive. They would light up at the slightest indication of a problem.

[shashank.nk]

VW A.S.S maintains that the car wouldn't have caught fire despite the massive fuel leak.

Their logic- Diesel is not as easily combustible as petrol and even if it comes in contact with a hot engine it won't ignite like petrol. Only if there was a spark nearby, could the car have caught fire.

Is it true or a load of crap ? I'm trying to assess the risk of fire in cases like mine

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by shashank.nk

VW A.S.S maintains that the car wouldn't have caught fire despite the massive fuel leak.

Their logic- Diesel is not as easily combustible as petrol and even if it comes in contact with a hot engine it won't ignite like petrol. Only if there was a spark nearby, could the car have caught fire.

Is it true or a load of crap ? I'm trying to assess the risk of fire in cases like mine

Yes its true.Diesel has higher flash point than petrol. So they wont catch fire so easily. But at a sufficiently high temperature it can catch fire and once it catches fire it can sustain the combustion thus proving dangerous.

Spark cant ignite diesel . High pressure and heat can!

Auto ignition temperature of diesel is around 210 degree Celsius. So if the surface of engine is that hot then it will definitely catch fire.