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Volkswagen GTI Maintenance and Repair

185 messages,  Last post on Jul 12, 2012 at 7:17 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen GTI, Hatchback

Messages Page 13 of 19

#117 of 185 GTI noise at low speeds by dlebar04

Sep 02, 2007 (1:30 am)

Hello Forum! First of all, this is a great place for info From buying to owning to selling. I love this place.
  
I got a question that I am not sure where I could find some help. I got a 2003 VW GTI that is making a loud whomping noise when I am going from about 25mph to 10mph. The car makes this noise whether the car is in gear or not (It's a manual). Currently the car has 40K miles.
  
It seems like it is coming from underneath the engine. It also shakes the car a little bit. The noise follows the speed of the car, meaning that when I am slowing down, the frequency of the noise also slows down.
  
I just had a 40K mile maintenance done at the dealer, but I can't take it back until tuesday, and I was planning on doing a 700mile trip with the car on monday.
  
Does anyone have any idea what this could be?
  
Thanks in advance for any help!!

#118 of 185 Re: GTI noise at low speeds [dlebar04] by extech2

Sep 02, 2007 (2:59 pm)

Replying to: dlebar04 (Sep 02, 2007 1:30 am)
My guess it's a bad tire - possible thread separation. Try this on a road with no traffic: accelerate to 40 mph, put it in neutral, and shut off the engine for a few seconds. Your power steering and brakes won't work so be careful. If you still hear it start looking at tires and driveshafts.

#119 of 185 Strange GTI symptoms by dtm6159

Sep 17, 2007 (10:55 pm)

I own a 1986 VW GTI with about 270k miles on it. Recently I killed the engine in first gear (not a very rough kill) at a stop line in a mall parking lot, and the engine refused to re-start. The starter and engine turned, but the engine would not start. after checking the spark plug I discovered that the engine was not flooded. (the plug had a light grey frost on it, indicating a lean fuel mixture) I plugged in the cold-start valve, and the engine reluctantly started up, but the temperature guage was pegged, and the light was flashing. I drove the car about 6-7 blocks home. During this 3-4 minute drive, the engine was making stressed whining noises, and seemed to be having a hard time. When I arrived at my driveway I promptly turned the engine off to allow it to cool off. I opened the engine compartment. The radiator was very warm. I returned to the cockpit, and turned the key into the 'on' position. The electrical systems in the engine went crazy, including the stereo, the dome light, the diagnostic lights, the gear lights, etc. seemingly the entire electrical system in the vehicle. I returned to the engine compartment and jiggled lights with no result. Frusterated, I allowed the engine to cool for about 25-30 minutes. The next attempt to start the vehicle was successful, and all electrical problems had vanished, except for the temperature guage, which was flashing and pegged instantly. The engine compartment however was not hot, and the engine seemed to be running fine except for a faily loud tick, which slowly got quieter, and eventually vanished. the radiator never overheated dispite the guage indication, and the fan was operating properly. After about 15 minutes the engine was running better than it had all week, leaving me totally baffled.
 
Anyone know how to explain all this stuff?
 
Thanks in advance,
 
Dan

#120 of 185 correction to above by dtm6159

Sep 17, 2007 (10:56 pm)

'jiggled lights' should be 'jiggled wires'

#121 of 185 Re: correction to above [dtm6159] by eldaino

Sep 20, 2007 (8:11 am)

Replying to: dtm6159 (Sep 17, 2007 10:56 pm)
could it be the simple fact that it has 270k on it?

#122 of 185 Re: Strange GTI symptoms [dtm6159] by extech2

Sep 23, 2007 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: dtm6159 (Sep 17, 2007 10:55 pm)
My first guess it's a bad ground wire connection in the engine bay or under the dash

#123 of 185 Re: new gti 100 miles and a list. READ THIS BEFORE YOU BUY [j14152] by ttbuyer

Sep 29, 2007 (10:30 pm)

Replying to: j14152 (Jul 21, 2007 9:13 am)
Thanks for posting this.
 
The nightmare memories of my wife's 99 Carbio have been fading and I found myself considering a new 4-door GTI with the DSG.
 
Thanks for the reality check.
 
I must always always that even though they are appealing in many ways, VW's are junk.
 
To quote "The Who" We Won't Get Fooled Again

#125 of 185 VW reliability vs. Subaru, Mazda by paimon

May 05, 2008 (5:07 pm)

Be warned:
 
Back in 2000, I bought a new GTI which was nothing but problems: clutch went out at 40,000 miles, glove box hinge broke twice, power window went out three times (the same plastic retainer clip snapped each time), both headlamps and most other exterior bulbs burned out, CD player went on the blink, AC would stop sporadically, turbo valve malfunctioned, etc.
 
I had all maintenance done at the dealership and never abused the vehicle.
 
I got desperate when the dealer advised me that the part required to repair my inoperative window -- stuck in the down position for the third time -- would not be available for weeks due to inadequate supply, and they could offer no further assistance. (Guess they thought I could just tape some trash bags over the opening.) I had to call the regional manager, who forced the dealer to order the part. I finally got everything repaired and traded in for a 2003 WRX. After 100,000 miles (same clutch, same brakes, no significant problems), I traded for a 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 (a few electrical problems at the onset, but no big deal). The WRX and Speed 3 were a little more expensive, but far superior in performance and reliability.
 
After I traded the GTI, I got a notice about a lawsuit regarding faulty VW windows for 1998-2002 models. This means that VW had known about the problem (a plastic, not metal, clip was used to connect the glass to the window motor) for several years, but did nothing until they were sued.
 
The bottom line is that VW, at least in 2000, made a grossly deficient, unreliable vehicle which looked good in the showroom but did little else. Based on some of the posts here, it seems that little has changed. While enthusiasts (like the folks in the automotive press) will tout the brand's European flair, performance edge and creature comforts, these aspects will never compensate for the cost and frustration of VW ownership.
 
No warranty will restore the hours spent waiting at the repair shop or rental office, and no reimbursement will provide a sense of confidence in the vehicle overall. It's a shame, since my GTI, at a cost of $21,000, could have been the best $22,000 car on the road. VW simply chose to skimp on functional parts while adorning the cabin for test drive appeal. So, potential VW buyer, my advice to you is to fully evaluate offerings from Subaru, Mazda or other reliable brands before buying VW.
 
You should have confidence in your new vehicle, and reliability concerns can ruin all the fun.
 
Good luck, and safe motoring.

#126 of 185 A/C causes water leak on passenger floor by ambrocked

Jul 30, 2008 (9:25 pm)

Hi. I have a '97 GTI, and I've noticed that when I run the A/C for extended periods of time (over an hour or so) water starts to pool onto the floor on the passenger side. I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem and/or maybe knows how to fix it? Thanks much!
Amber

Messages Page 13 of 19

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