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Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 6:27 pm
by mikealpha60
Has anyone had any experience of being fobbed off by VW to this degree?

Dealer took my car in to investigate this odd noise (coming from the engine) that i noticed. They agreed that something wasn't right.
They've spent ages looking at it to no avail, said that VW are not aware of any issues then turned around and said that because they have another Scirocco with the same noise therefore 'its a characteristic'.

I don't feel the noise is a characteristic as it isn't there from cold, only appears after doing a short distance and remains.

I said I wanted them to sort it out but VW are backing them up saying "we're not aware of any issue, get him out in another one that does it to prove is a characteristic not a fault".

Is it really this hard to get stuff fixed and how can I get them to sort this out!?

Feedback appreciated.

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 6:50 pm
by Shaun
What is the fault ?

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 6:57 pm
by mikealpha60
When depressing clutch on acceleration there is some weird purring noise, which goes when engaging the next gear. It doesn't make the noise at cold, only when after a mile or so when something has warmed (?) up and remains there. I can hear it clearly in 1,2,3 gears but after that I guess road noise masks it.

The girlfriend can also hear which she too thought sounded weird.

What gets me is that the dealer spent 30 hours of unclaimable time (so they say) looking at this to turn around and say its not a fault.

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 7:28 pm
by trix
182_blue wrote:What is the fault ?
http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... =25&t=6885" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(for completeness)

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 7:41 pm
by mikealpha60
I'm guessing no one on here experiences this issue as not had any feedback.

I was hoping someone might have experienced it just to give some feedback.

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 8:42 pm
by wigit
may be worthwhile trying another dealer as they are far from consistent in terms of service

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:36 pm
by joe4186
i have a very unusual vibrating noise from my engine bay it appears to nearby to the alternator, it happens when driving with very low revs such as 1200rpm it is very annoying when i 4th gear doin about 35mph. i took the car into vw and received similar feedback. i was told that there had been a few engines with this problem its from the fuel rail and that vw had decided that it was a characteristic of the engine, i stupidly accepted this at the time and forgot about it. but it has stated to become increasingly louder,

is there any advice on how to go about ensuring that they get the message that this unacceptable

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 8:08 am
by mikealpha60
Hi mate, i've since sent and escalation letter to VW. Currently waiting for a caseworker to get back to me.

email volkswagencustomercares@volkswagen.co.uk with your complaint.

Amuses me how they say its a characteristic yet they cannot tell me exactly what is making the noise....

I pretty convinced that the noise i've got has become more noticeable with the extra miles on it.

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:41 am
by The Don
The problem with Mechanics nowadays (especially in dealer garages) is that if the computer doesnt tell them whats wrong, they generally dont know what the problem is.


I bet if you take it to a side street garage they will identify the issue in about a minute with their wee stethascope.. :D

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 3:44 pm
by gogzy01
joe4186 wrote:i have a very unusual vibrating noise from my engine bay it appears to nearby to the alternator, it happens when driving with very low revs such as 1200rpm it is very annoying when i 4th gear doin about 35mph. i took the car into vw and received similar feedback. i was told that there had been a few engines with this problem its from the fuel rail and that vw had decided that it was a characteristic of the engine, i stupidly accepted this at the time and forgot about it. but it has stated to become increasingly louder,

is there any advice on how to go about ensuring that they get the message that this unacceptable

I had this very problem aswell but it turns out it was loose bolt on the screen washer bottle and the metal washer on the bolt was vibrating as it wasnt screwed tight. Dealer found it in minutes as they have seen a few other cars with same issue. Never had any problem since.

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 1:19 pm
by mikealpha60
The latest new is that VW customer services are backing up the dealer with their 'characteristic' viewpoint.

The dealer wanted to find me a same vehicle to test to prove to me that it was a common noise that i was hearing but haven't got any in now. They are now trying to fob me off saying that because they cannot get hold of another vehicle they want to get me back out in mine but will endeavour to get me another to test when they come into stock (thats a joke!).

I also find it really frustating that they can't even tell me what the noise is.

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:45 am
by mikealpha60
Oh well, yesterday I went to the local dealer as they said there was now another comparison GT170TDi I could compare my car to.

Took if for a drive and I couldn't really tell if there was a noise when changing gears although the VW technician sitting next to me said he could hear it. The VW technician got in a gave it a go and low and behold the sound was there but more noticeable from the passenger side. In mine I can hear it clearer from the drivers side and can make it do it without trying. I ask the VW guy to have a go in mine but he wasn't interested.

That pretty much closes the book for their investigations as they were convinced it was characteristic. Not entirely convinced its normal behaviour but at least i feel better that this is something they all must be doing. Fingers crossed it doesn't get any worse.

Re: Being fobbed off by VW? Help

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 11:33 pm
by SwedRoc
Welcome to Little Britain; "-Computer says no." ;-)

Strange noises are very low on most garages priority list, for them either it's a clean fault or computer says no.
"you are not the only Roccer in the village..with that sound". So then it's not a fault.

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