ECU map and VW dealers

[WonderBang]

Hello all!

As a new Scirocco owner (not yet collecting it Sunday) I firstly want to say hi and secondly have a question regarding the 1.4 tsi I have bought.

I have been reading about the problems some owners have been experiencing with misfiring cylinders. The 1.4 tsi (160) I purchased had 1 60 year old owner from new and was first registered Sept 09 so I think it is a MY2010 since it has the white dash mfd and new (much nicer) steering wheel. I purchased from a VW dealer and called them up today after getting a bit paranoid regarding ECU maps and was told "all recalls will be done and the car has a full VW service history"

So my question is, from experience can anyone tell me if VW will ensure the latest maps are installed? And also having 1 f0 year old owner, full VW history and it being sold from a VW garage should this car be ok?

I hope I'm not in for an unpleasant suprise when my dreams are finally a reality and I have my 'roc!

Kind regards,
WonderBang

[RW1]

If you have asked the dealer, what they will see on the system is no outstanding "campaign" work for any necessary updates.

You can confirm that by looking in the boot on the metal floor for little white stickers to the passenger side of the spare wheel well. With MY2010 160PS, I'd expect one. Thats the engine one for the ECU update for misfiring/fuelling. On the sticker should be written 24s4. They have by VAG instruction, do the 24s4 at the next service of a 160PS. That will have been next service post October 2010 unless the Scirocco was specially taken in by the previous owner.

If 24s4 is there as a sticker, than any further updates relate to a minor misfire during warm-up due to slight leanness of fuelling combined with very dry air conditions.

All other updates will be because the previous owner has had a problem. They do not get recorded on the car. And may never have happened because your car has not had the problem.

The only way to verify the map is G5860 or G8913 or G9256 or G9660 is by the dealer reading the ECU or using VCDS diagnostics yourself. 24s4 is all for of the above engine ECU standards for a DSG. Any one of them will be OK. (I run G5860, the first issue of 24s4.)

If a dealer loads a revised ECU map now, they can only download the latest standard.

If you still have doubts, challenge them as to when 24s4 was done. The cars history file should show when. The closer to post October 2010, the better.

C.

[WonderBang]

Thank you for you time and elaborate response. Since you own the same/similar car does the reliability and engine live upto the exterior aesthetics and the "luxury" feel you get sitting inside the car? Being a VAG I can't imagine these engines to be too bad reliability wise.

[RW1]

I might add, your Scirocco like mine never had the ECU problem software as the previous map G4009 had the interpretation correction of the knock sensor incorporated at build. Which goes back to May 2009.

I haven't had much wrong over the 2.5 years. The fault log at 15,876 miles reads.

- Heating is not the best below 5'C at first while running in.
Better management of the Climatronic controls by me has improved that.
(But you will note in one of the links the ECU map correction for this. Not taken it up yet.)

- Rattle in the rear. Found to be the Parcel Shelf passenger side hinge rattling in the side rear panel socket mounting.
Piece of Velcro pad solved that.

- Wipers smearing.
Fixed by fitting Jetta wipers, part number 5K2 955 426 & 5K2 955 425.

- Spark plug gaps set wider then VW workshop manual recommendation at when built new.
Re-gapping calmed the engine and also solved the warm-up misfire in dry air.
(No need for ECU update for this correction.) VW revised the spark plugs one year after I found it. lol

- Alarm Horn (siren) battery back-up failed in the cold winter 2010/2011.
Replaced the Alarm Horn unit, known problem on other VW models for years.

- Camshaft Adjuster rattling on cold start-up for 2 - 3 seconds.
Fixed without tearing half the engine apart as VW instruct dealers, by making a simple tool.
(Problem can occur with engines upto CAV*213442, which is quite a recent build number)

Engine now runs very smooth as a consequence of the reduced spark plug gap and the Camshaft Adjuster working properly. The DSG will happily hold two gears higher, ie. where it used to use D4 on certain gradients, it now uses D6. At 30mph (32 mph indicated) it runs D6 at 1300 rpm and is in D7 by 35mph. The gearchanges are silky smooth even under hard acceleration, have to look at the dash MFD indication, lol. Wheel spin has gone (same tyres as when new - Bridgestone Potenza). In addition, mpg has risen and is now consistantly better than the VW brochure and front tyre wear rate has dramatically reduced (50% reduction). So yes the engine/DSG is OK and is all very refined.

Quite happy with the car generally. Right choice for my daily runner replacement. Engine seems sound as does the rest of the car, so keeping another 3 years cos VW offer nothing new in the 1.4TSi 160PS DSG to make a change worthwhile at the moment. And its the same engine/gearbox again when I change, suits well what I do from day to day.

On a par with the last 5 Mk2 Scirocco's and a Corrado that I've had/have for reliability which has been very good over the years. Some were new build, some 1 year old. I'm very pleased with it and its well put together.

C.

[WonderBang]

RW1 I really appreciate your posts, I was already literally over the moon about my purchase but you have more than answered the questions raised in my mind regarding the misfire errors. I must admit I am blwon away by the knowledge, helpfulness and ease of use of these forums. 10x better than the Corsa and Clio forums I used to frequent.

Just one last point to raise as my friend Is also looking into the possibility of a Scirocco, he wants to know how to avoid the pre- May 2009 cars. Am I right in telling him that as long as he has the white on board computer and newer style (more aluminium parts) steering wheel it will be a post May 09 build?

[RW1]

Thank you.

Correct, Mk6 Golf electrics (white dash display) were introduced May 2009 build onwards.

C.

[ZephyR]

I would agree with RW1 although I haven't had any of the problems he's had. Mine's been totally reliable and its just had its first MOT and 3rd service with no issues.
Great pulling power across the rev range and good mpg.
It should be noted that VW continue to use the 1.4TSi in many models produced by the VW / Audi Group - so they must be happy with it.

[WonderBang]

Which model year is your 'roc? Thank you for your response also, it is greatly appreciated.

[ZephyR]

Which model year is your 'roc? Thank you for your response also, it is greatly appreciated.

Got it July 2009. Its MY2010 with the white MFD and new style steering wheel.