VW Golf

1529 messages,  Last post on Nov 04, 2012 at 3:48 PM

You are in the Volkswagen Golf Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Golf, Hatchback

#1313 of 1529 Re: 2001 VW Golf 2.0 GLS Problems - HELP! [genuinity] by allhorizon

May 01, 2006 (11:06 pm)

Replying to: genuinity (May 01, 2006 9:03 pm)
OK, here are a few things that may be helpful for you.
 
Your transmission is still pretty new, and if I remember correctly, you also have a much better one than the older models. So I wouldn't worry about it, unless you know you have a serious problem with the transmission. Make sure it shifts into the highest gear relatively early at modest acceleration, and that the torque converter locks,i.e., rpms - the "20/30/40 thingy" - become in synch with speed under modest gas and no incline.
 
Your engine may run a bit rich; starting problems like you describe most often in my experience happen with this engine if it was almost warmed up, then shut down abruptly and restarted very soon, again. At any rate, perhaps you need a new air filter or something else minor - if you haven't had your regular maintenance done in while, it may be time to do now. If your warranty is out, you have the choice of a reputable independent shop or VW. Take a look at this site for good dealers/ service places in your neighborhood. Unfortunately, although improving, the VW service network is still quite spotty. Independent shops can be excellent, too - ask around.
 
Finally, never let your car run out of oil. Please check the oil at least once a month, and refill as necessary. Most older 2.0 engines run very well on 20-50 oil, and don't use any (or very little) between oil changes on that weight. You can't use 5-30 or anything close to that in this engine, especially if it is a few years old.
Many shops, even VW service centers, don't know this.
 
A few 2.0s had problems from manufacturing (e.g., piston rings installed upside down) that caused high oil usage, but you likely would have noticed in the first few thousand miles. For the most part, the 2.0 is almost indestructible. Mine has about 150,000 miles and is still going strong. Incidentally, since I have an older (=lighter) model and the manual transmission, it is quite peppy, too.

#1314 of 1529 Re: 2001 VW Golf 2.0 GLS Problems - HELP! [genuinity] by bpeebles

May 02, 2006 (6:56 pm)

Replying to: genuinity (May 01, 2006 9:03 pm)
I can answer some of your questions....
 
Running out of oil: The 2001 2.0L engine is KNOWN to have an oil-consimption problem. NEVER EVER allow it to get so low that the oil-light comes on. If allowed to happen too often ENGINE FAILURE IS IMMINENT!
 
Folks with 2001 2.0L engine need to check and top-off the oil EVERY TIME THEN GASTANK IS FILLED....no exceptions.
 
BTW: My daughter has a 2001 wiht 2.0L engine... she carries a quart of 5w30 in the trunk and keeps the oil topped up.
 
revving when starting: Suspect the MAF (Mass AirfFlow) sensor. There is extended warantee on them from VW.
 
Automatic xmission... The dealership is correct in that ONLY somone with computer can check the xmission fluid.
 
It wont hurt to clean your snowscreen either.
 
Here is a good place to research dealership service departments.
 
I hope the above helps you.

#1315 of 1529 2.0 problems by allhorizon

May 03, 2006 (12:38 am)

At least, we had somewhat similar comments!

#1317 of 1529 GLS Problems by genuinity

May 05, 2006 (10:37 pm)

Than you so much for your comments. I totally appreciate it. my mechanic seems to think its my oxygen sensor - not sure if thats the same thing as a MIL. Definately going to take the memo that you attached to the dealership b/c i havent heard of it. Although it doenst surprise me - as much as i could love my car the dealership is the problem. they are horrible to deal with
 
ne whoo thank you for all ur input i totally appreciate it. I'm in candada so im not sure if the memo is good here but im gonna give it a try.
 
thanks again!

#1318 of 1529 Re: GLS Problems [genuinity] by bpeebles

May 06, 2006 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: genuinity (May 05, 2006 10:37 pm)
In an effort to help clarify things for you
 
MIL ==> Malfunction Indicator Lamp (the engine light on the dashboard)
 
Oxygen Sensor ==> The O2 sensor is screwed into the exhaust pipe. It "sniffs" the exhaust gasses and reports its findings to the engine-computer . The O2 sensor is NOT used during startup and I would not expect it to affect your revving problem during startup.

#1319 of 1529 2000 1.8t problem by gittisquared

May 06, 2006 (6:08 pm)

While driving at about 40mph my golf engine and power steering suddenly shut off. I managed to pull over and tried to restart, but if wouldn't. After waiting for over an hour for the tow to come the car finally turned on, although it turned on I did not trust it to get me home so I had it towed to the shop. Since it's the weekend I won't hear from them til monday. Does anyone have any idea what would cause this strange behavior?
 
thanks

#1320 of 1529 Re: 2000 1.8t problem [gittisquared] by micweb

May 07, 2006 (7:44 am)

Replying to: gittisquared (May 06, 2006 6:08 pm)
Something to do with the ECU (engine control unit or computer) since such a massive failure is rare. ECU's are generally programmed to go into "limp mode" before shutting down altogether; and before that the infamous check engine light comes on if the computer detects emissions problems.
 
I had a 2001 Golf and very early on, in the first 3000 miles of driving, probably just the first 1000, the engine suddenly shut down completely while driving on the freeway. However, it immediatlely restarted (no need to work ignition switch). It was much like a computer crash but with an immediate reboot.
 
I reported it to the dealer but there were no codes and I had no problems until 42,000 miles when I started losing power in the mountains. At first I thought it was vapor lock; it felt like that, like the engine was stumbling or missing unless I gave it a lot of throttle. Finally more severe symptoms manifested at regular altitude, and the check engine light came on. The dealer pulled codes indicating misfires, but could not diagnose the problem. At that point I was on the extended VW warranty, which is apparently much stricter in application than the original warranty, and the dealer told me they couldn't do anything further until they could actually duplicate the problem (the engine would start missing for them). I said I wasn't interested in waiting until I had to be towed in, and they had no response. I traded the car in on a different make shortly thereafter.
 
Oddly enough I bought a 2005 Golf later on, since VW's are pretty good driver's cars with good safety equipment. Also, I was willing to cut VW the benefit of the doubt- they aren't the only maker with computer glitches. What annoyed me, of course, was their cavalier attitude to jumping on the problem and fixing it.
 
Let us know what you find out. Yours is the closest I have heard to the problem I had. However, it may turn out just to be an ignition module failure, the turbos (I had a 2.0) had notorious coil on plug module failures. Still, it should have gone into limp mode.
 
I kept the Golf 2005 for about 2000 miles but then had to trade it in as part of my downsizing from four cars to two.

#1321 of 1529 thany you by gittisquared

May 07, 2006 (8:38 am)

Thanks for your response. What do you mean by limp mode? I'm just worried the repair costs are going to be astronomical, hope it's something really simple like a dirty fuel filter.

#1322 of 1529 Re: thany you [gittisquared] by genuinity

May 08, 2006 (7:22 pm)

Replying to: gittisquared (May 07, 2006 8:38 am)
Okay, here is some more information with what Im going through with my car. When it stutters and stalls the power steering turns off and i can turn it a bit off the road until it just dies.
 
This only does it when I am starting my car - and only happened once like a year ago while i was driving.
 
too bad they didnt diagnose ur problem ...id love to know whats going on with my car...my mechanic thinks i need an new 02 sensor and im taking it into him tomorrow.
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