Tag: grinding

VW: DSG7 is not suitable for TAXI behaviour

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While I am waiting for the verdict of my complaint to danish authority for car complaints, I have discovered an article from Teknikens Värld (Swedish car mag). This article is rising an important point in the defective DSG7 gearboxes from VW.

Some taxi companies in Sweden, have been advised, by VW, not to buy models with DSG7 gearboxes. As they are not suitable for this behaviour, again, according to VW. As the gearbox and its clutches wear prematurely because of the high frequency of starts and stops. Which basically in my opinion means, that VW is selling cars where they are well aware that combination, engine and gearbox is not optimal. More precisely, in one specific case, VW is claiming that Passat EcoFuel DSG7 is not suitable for taxi behaviour. And VW is proposing their VW Touran with DSG7 as a better option for taxies.

But then, I own a Touran DSG7, that they are claiming is better then Passat, but as you can read here, I have plenty of problems with the gearbox or overall combination, TDI engine with DSG7 gearbox. So much for their expert opinion!

Maybe, it’s only VW Polo that this DSG7 (DQ200) gearbox is suitable for?

In my search for a solution, and research of the problem with my car, I came across lot of different car models (VW, SEAT, Škoda) with same problems. And one thing that is notable for me is, that very few Polo’s have this problem. All larger/heavier models, and more powerful engines have problems with this specific transmission (DQ200 – DSG7 with dry clutches). So I am tempted to conclude, that this gearbox seems to be too weak for anything that has more than 90 bhp (break horsepower). If it’s gearbox itself, or the clutches/flywheels that are problems, I am not sure. But one thing is, that they keep on selling a combination, that will cause problems for a buyer.

Last time, my car was serviced for DSG7 problems, was in August 2012, where VW refuse to do anything to the car, as they deemed it as working. Now, 5-6 months later, previous symptoms with gearbox/transmission are coming back again. I have lost all confidence in VW that they are willing to fix this.

Anyway, read the original article in Swedish here: http://www.teknikensvarld.se/2013/02/08/37996/volkswagens-dsg-skador-drabbar-alla/ 

Noise and shaking is back … again

Oh well … it lasted for a 6 months and problem is back again … Just like, the last times. They claim to have fixed it, and it lasts for few weeks, sometimes months and it’s back again …

Last night, I was driving and felt the grinding noise and shaking, again. I thought to have heard the noise before, very faintly  but tried to convince myself, that it was mine imagination. This time it was no mistake what it was. Drove for few kilometers and on an intersection after a full stop, it started to grind and shudder. Glanced at the odometer, and saw, 47.502 km. Which is about 4.500 km since VW claimed to have fixed the problem, and there was nothing wrong with the car.

Difference now is, I have case against them, and can’t complain about it, while this is going on. And the car is out of warranty, but VW ensured me that there is still two year warranty on parts they already replaced. So If it turns out it is still the same parts that are breaking, warranty will hopefully cover it. Unless they decide to replace something else now, or… after the legal proceedings are done.

What is this all about?

Well, in November 2010, I bought a brand new Volkswagen Touran (model 2011). Not long time after I bought the car, I started noticing the strange behaviour when it would shift gears. This was my first DSG car, manual transmission with automatic gear changing; So I didn’t know what to expect and it was snowy so I contributed the behaviour to slippery surface.

When in lower gears and at low RPM’s there would be shaky and jerky behaviour  So, as I mentioned above, I thought it might be snow/ice and ESP system that tried to keep the car stable. This has happened few times in the winter months while roads are covered with snow. So I didn’t think much of it.Continue reading

Complaint (3) Noise is back

So, the noise is back, although very settle, but it’s there nonetheless. Went to dealership to let them know, about it. And they were puzzled. They did some diagnostics, but no errors showed up. They decided to update software in mechatronic unit and in the engine/on-board computer. Not much changed. But told me that they have seen the problem before, and that flywheel replacement helped.