1 month old VW Jetta & Burning smell : Dealer says pay up for a new clutch!

NikhilD · 27th March 2013, 12:50

Mod Note : Please avoid typing with excessive dots.........like................this. Thanks

Bought a Jetta TDI Comfortline from PPS Motors, Hyderabad about 4 weeks ago. There's been a burning smell in the hood from week 1 onwards. I carted the vehicle to the service centre, and left it overnight. They came back saying there is no problem at all. Got the vehicle back home but the smell remained. Took it back to the service centre and insisted they check things thoroughly. They kept the vehicle for 5 days and finally got back saying clutch needs to be replaced and I need to pay for it!!

The car still has a temporary registration and has not even done 700 kms. I have been the only person driving the vehicle and have been driving more expensive manuals for 15+ years.

Completely gutted by VWs response to this....and after paying so much

And now they say I have to wait 10 - 15 days before I can see my car again!!

Rudra Sen · 27th March 2013, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikhilD

They kept the vehicle for 5 days....and finally got back saying clutch needs to be replaced and I need to pay for it!!

But why they're saying this? What's their alibi?
I would like to believe that you are not the one who rides clutch. That well could be their excuse to ask for payment.

NikhilD · 27th March 2013, 13:05

They kept the vehicle for 5 days saying they were checking with VW if it will be covered in warranty...and that their internal process takes so long....

Rudra Sen · 27th March 2013, 13:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikhilD

They kept the vehicle for 5 days saying they were checking with VW if it will be covered in warranty...and that their internal process takes so long....

I'm sorry but I'm not getting this at all.
Why should service center take five days time to check with VW? What exactly is the reason for clutch damage?

NikhilD · 27th March 2013, 13:32

The service guys say the clutch is completely worn out. I find that hard to believe cos the vehicle has done about 650km in total and I have been the only person driving it.

I took the car to the service centre on Friday, they were apparently waiting till yesterday for VW to get back about warranty coverage.

And the inconsistent messages I ve received over the last 6 days have just been crazy totally unexpected from VW.

From when I will receive the car back to warranty coverage to part availability have been made to hear all kinds of versions.

At my wits end managing this ordeal.

.anshuman · 27th March 2013, 13:37

The warranty approval process in VW/Skoda is painfully slow. The compressor warranty approval for my Laura took ages, even after that the dealer was offering partial coverage, after lots of calls and mails they agreed to settle for a lower amount, and this was when my car was covered under warranty.

They do make some excellent cars, but the service support is bottom rate. I wish you good luck if you do not have a back up car.

ajmat · 27th March 2013, 13:38

I do believe that VW give a limited warranty for wear and tear parts for about 6000km

drmohitg · 28th March 2013, 08:43

They can't possibly claim that you wore out the clutch in just 600 kms, even if you have faulty driving habits. This is insane. Do not pay them a penny. Also do check with Wildon as to what is your car's details. May be they passed an old car to you or something?

DieselFan · 28th March 2013, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmohitg

They can't possibly claim that you wore out the clutch in just 600 kms, even if you have faulty driving habits. This is insane. Do not pay them a penny. Also do check with Wildon as to what is your car's details. May be they passed an old car to you or something?

Riding on the clutch can lead to Clutch failure within 100 kms. There are many such cases of clutch failure within 100 km because of riding the clutch. For a newbee to driving such clutch failures are normal.

drmohitg · 28th March 2013, 12:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselFan

Riding on the clutch can lead to Clutch failure within 100 kms. There are many such cases of clutch failure within 100 km because of riding the clutch. For a newbee to driving such clutch failures are normal.

But then how do you conclude that its a manufacturing default? There is no way to prove if the user is at fault or not. The company would always wash its hands off the incident.

VW2010 · 28th March 2013, 16:34

Wondering if its just a clutch issue or the flywheel issue. I have this strange feeling that the issue was with Flywheel and that in turn burned the clutch with no fault of yours. They secretly replaced the fly wheel probably under your warranty or from another car there and now asking money from you for replacing clutch.

Fact is one can burn the clutch withing 5 kms. There is no right way to prove if you did it or its a manufacturing defect.

dkaile · 28th March 2013, 21:48

VW/Skoda gives 6 month/10000km warranty on wearable parts like the clutch also. But this definitely seems like a manufacturing defect.

NikhilD · 29th March 2013, 08:28

I have been driving manuals for more than 15 years...and several German nameplates with dry clutches...to be told that riding the clutch can do this...and within 700 Kms...is very difficult to believe...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkaile

VW/Skoda gives 6 month/10000km warranty on wearable parts like the clutch also. But this definitely seems like a manufacturing defect.

Really hope I can get some recourse here....this has been such an ordeal....seems like the car has been in the service centre more than at home since I bought it....and now they say they don't have the parts and will have the car back only by the 9th

Note from the Team-BHP Support: Please use the EDIT or MULTI-QUOTE buttons instead of typing one post after another on the same thread.

Also, Please take the time to use proper punctuation as per Team-BHP rules. Avoid...typing...like...this. Thanks.

GTO · 29th March 2013, 20:52

Mod Note : Moved out posts from the Jetta review into a new, independent thread.

norhog · 29th March 2013, 21:56

I would just like to add if oil is leaking thru seal on gear box side to the clutch plates it can also cause burning smell or clutch plate wear out.

27th March 2013, 12:50	#1
NikhilD Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11 Thanked: 0 Times	1 month old VW Jetta & Burning smell : Dealer says pay up for a new clutch! Mod Note : Please avoid typing with excessive dots.........like................this. Thanks Bought a Jetta TDI Comfortline from PPS Motors, Hyderabad about 4 weeks ago. There's been a burning smell in the hood from week 1 onwards. I carted the vehicle to the service centre, and left it overnight. They came back saying there is no problem at all. Got the vehicle back home but the smell remained. Took it back to the service centre and insisted they check things thoroughly. They kept the vehicle for 5 days and finally got back saying clutch needs to be replaced and I need to pay for it!! The car still has a temporary registration and has not even done 700 kms. I have been the only person driving the vehicle and have been driving more expensive manuals for 15+ years. Completely gutted by VWs response to this....and after paying so much And now they say I have to wait 10 - 15 days before I can see my car again!! Attached Thumbnails Last edited by GTO : 29th March 2013 at 20:51. Reason: Please avoid typing with excessive dots.........like................this.
	() Thanks

27th March 2013, 13:05	#3
NikhilD Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11 Thanked: 0 Times	They kept the vehicle for 5 days saying they were checking with VW if it will be covered in warranty...and that their internal process takes so long....
	() Thanks

27th March 2013, 13:32	#5
NikhilD Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11 Thanked: 0 Times	The service guys say the clutch is completely worn out. I find that hard to believe cos the vehicle has done about 650km in total and I have been the only person driving it. I took the car to the service centre on Friday, they were apparently waiting till yesterday for VW to get back about warranty coverage. And the inconsistent messages I ve received over the last 6 days have just been crazy totally unexpected from VW. From when I will receive the car back to warranty coverage to part availability have been made to hear all kinds of versions. At my wits end managing this ordeal.
	() Thanks

27th March 2013, 13:37	#6
.anshuman Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Good-Gaon Posts: 7,763 Thanked: 11,064 Times View My Garage	The warranty approval process in VW/Skoda is painfully slow. The compressor warranty approval for my Laura took ages, even after that the dealer was offering partial coverage, after lots of calls and mails they agreed to settle for a lower amount, and this was when my car was covered under warranty. They do make some excellent cars, but the service support is bottom rate. I wish you good luck if you do not have a back up car.
	(4) Thanks

27th March 2013, 13:38	#7
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,858 Thanked: 27,925 Times View My Garage	Re: Volkswagen Jetta : Test Drive & Review I do believe that VW give a limited warranty for wear and tear parts for about 6000km
	(1) Thanks

28th March 2013, 08:43	#8
drmohitg Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Liverpool/Delhi Posts: 5,439 Thanked: 7,539 Times	Re: Volkswagen Jetta : Test Drive & Review They can't possibly claim that you wore out the clutch in just 600 kms, even if you have faulty driving habits. This is insane. Do not pay them a penny. Also do check with Wildon as to what is your car's details. May be they passed an old car to you or something?
	(1) Thanks

28th March 2013, 16:34	#11
VW2010 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: electricity Posts: 2,763 Thanked: 3,412 Times	Re: Volkswagen Jetta : Test Drive & Review Wondering if its just a clutch issue or the flywheel issue. I have this strange feeling that the issue was with Flywheel and that in turn burned the clutch with no fault of yours. They secretly replaced the fly wheel probably under your warranty or from another car there and now asking money from you for replacing clutch. Fact is one can burn the clutch withing 5 kms. There is no right way to prove if you did it or its a manufacturing defect.
	(1) Thanks

28th March 2013, 21:48	#12
dkaile Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Meerut, India Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 7,856 Times View My Garage	Re: Volkswagen Jetta : Test Drive & Review VW/Skoda gives 6 month/10000km warranty on wearable parts like the clutch also. But this definitely seems like a manufacturing defect.
	() Thanks

29th March 2013, 20:52	#14
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,497 Thanked: 300,302 Times View My Garage	Re: 1 month old VW Jetta & Burning smell : Dealer says pay up for a new clutch! Mod Note : Moved out posts from the Jetta review into a new, independent thread.
	(1) Thanks

29th March 2013, 21:56	#15
norhog BANNED Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MUM/CCU/Tokyo Posts: 310 Thanked: 393 Times	Re: 1 month old VW Jetta & Burning smell : Dealer says pay up for a new clutch! I would just like to add if oil is leaking thru seal on gear box side to the clutch plates it can also cause burning smell or clutch plate wear out.
	() Thanks