Your fleet running reports

[Rich B]

Transporter MOT today, sailed through with one small issue. The EML has been on for a while (last summer!) and my obd says it’s an EGR fault of some kind. I think it was caused by running the fuel tank too low one time and presumably sucking in a load of crap.

I could clear the code, but it always came back. I took it to a VW specialist for a service and asked them to sort it, but they said they didn’t have the kit to sort it and i’d have to take it to a main dealer. So i’ve ignored it instead. It’s “character”.

Anyway, the mot place have cleared it using their kit, so let’s see how long it stays clear. Otherwise, i’ll probably just get EGR deleted.

[Marv]

Transporter MOT today, sailed through with one small issue. The EML has been on for a while (last summer!) and my obd says it’s an EGR fault of some kind. I think it was caused by running the fuel tank too low one time and presumably sucking in a load of crap.

I could clear the code, but it always came back. I took it to a VW specialist for a service and asked them to sort it, but they said they didn’t have the kit to sort it and i’d have to take it to a main dealer. So i’ve ignored it instead. It’s “character”.

Anyway, the mot place have cleared it using their kit, so let’s see how long it stays clear. Otherwise, i’ll probably just get EGR deleted.

Regarding crap getting sucked in by running a fuel tank low... I'm a bit skeptical about that actually being a thing on cars since they introduced fuel filters. If the pickup for fuel is at the lowest point, any crap coming in with new petrol/diesel would make it's way into the fuel system and not sit there. Then before it even reaches the fuel pump, it passes through the fuel filter.

[Rich B]

Transporter MOT today, sailed through with one small issue. The EML has been on for a while (last summer!) and my obd says it’s an EGR fault of some kind. I think it was caused by running the fuel tank too low one time and presumably sucking in a load of crap.

I could clear the code, but it always came back. I took it to a VW specialist for a service and asked them to sort it, but they said they didn’t have the kit to sort it and i’d have to take it to a main dealer. So i’ve ignored it instead. It’s “character”.

Anyway, the mot place have cleared it using their kit, so let’s see how long it stays clear. Otherwise, i’ll probably just get EGR deleted.

Regarding crap getting sucked in by running a fuel tank low... I'm a bit skeptical about that actually being a thing on cars since they introduced fuel filters. If the pickup for fuel is at the lowest point, any crap coming in with new petrol/diesel would make it's way into the fuel system and not sit there. Then before it even reaches the fuel pump, it passes through the fuel filter.

I’m basing that on the timing of when it first came on, just after i’d had an issue where in was rushing and thought i’d eek out a journey with the fumes of what was left in the tank.

[mik]

I’m basing that on the timing of when it first came on, just after i’d had an issue where in was rushing and thought i’d eek out a journey with the fumes of what was left in the tank.

You clearly consumed all the crap when you did that, and now it's running on clean stuff. Which it doesn't like. Need to add a bit more crap during your next fillup.

[Mito Man]

Maybe you had floaters

[Marv]

I’m basing that on the timing of when it first came on, just after i’d had an issue where in was rushing and thought i’d eek out a journey with the fumes of what was left in the tank.

You clearly consumed all the crap when you did that, and now it's running on clean stuff. Which it doesn't like. Need to add a bit more crap during your next fillup.

I think the general advice is to not put dirty stuff in your VAG, but each to their own

[jamcg]

Transporter MOT today, sailed through with one small issue. The EML has been on for a while (last summer!) and my obd says it’s an EGR fault of some kind. I think it was caused by running the fuel tank too low one time and presumably sucking in a load of crap.

I could clear the code, but it always came back. I took it to a VW specialist for a service and asked them to sort it, but they said they didn’t have the kit to sort it and i’d have to take it to a main dealer. So i’ve ignored it instead. It’s “character”.

Anyway, the mot place have cleared it using their kit, so let’s see how long it stays clear. Otherwise, i’ll probably just get EGR deleted.

Is it a twin turbo? If it is they’re known for the egr shitting itself and taking half the engine with it

[Rich B]

I’m basing that on the timing of when it first came on, just after i’d had an issue where in was rushing and thought i’d eek out a journey with the fumes of what was left in the tank.

You clearly consumed all the crap when you did that, and now it's running on clean stuff. Which it doesn't like. Need to add a bit more crap during your next fillup.

I think the general advice is to not put dirty stuff in your VAG, but each to their own

Good advice Marv - speaking like a man who’s “been there, done that”…

[Rich B]

Transporter MOT today, sailed through with one small issue. The EML has been on for a while (last summer!) and my obd says it’s an EGR fault of some kind. I think it was caused by running the fuel tank too low one time and presumably sucking in a load of crap.

I could clear the code, but it always came back. I took it to a VW specialist for a service and asked them to sort it, but they said they didn’t have the kit to sort it and i’d have to take it to a main dealer. So i’ve ignored it instead. It’s “character”.

Anyway, the mot place have cleared it using their kit, so let’s see how long it stays clear. Otherwise, i’ll probably just get EGR deleted.

Is it a twin turbo? If it is they’re known for the egr shitting itself and taking half the engine with it

Nah, it’s a 6.1 2021 150bhp, so later than the biturbo ones.

[V8Granite]

Transporter MOT today, sailed through with one small issue. The EML has been on for a while (last summer!) and my obd says it’s an EGR fault of some kind. I think it was caused by running the fuel tank too low one time and presumably sucking in a load of crap.

I could clear the code, but it always came back. I took it to a VW specialist for a service and asked them to sort it, but they said they didn’t have the kit to sort it and i’d have to take it to a main dealer. So i’ve ignored it instead. It’s “character”.

Anyway, the mot place have cleared it using their kit, so let’s see how long it stays clear. Otherwise, i’ll probably just get EGR deleted.

Regarding crap getting sucked in by running a fuel tank low... I'm a bit skeptical about that actually being a thing on cars since they introduced fuel filters. If the pickup for fuel is at the lowest point, any crap coming in with new petrol/diesel would make it's way into the fuel system and not sit there. Then before it even reaches the fuel pump, it passes through the fuel filter.

What happens is you get cavitation as it's a higher concentration of "dirt" in the tank, this essentially gives a slightly aerated flow of fuel to the pump and this is no good for pumps or injectors.

Water in fuel and cavitation are our number one fuel pump killers and an extra filter online can be a very handy thing.

I change my diesel filter every time I change my oil filter, roughly every 6000 miles.

Dave!

[integrale_evo]

X5 mot, roll out the flags for a clean sheet

4932 miles last year, 4992 the year before. Fairly consistent!

[Alex88]

So, following on from the Mini's spate of unreliability, where in just the last 6 months, we've had..

-Failed diaphragm
-Failed PCV valve
-Failed VVT solenoids causing vast amounts of oil loss (suspect the garage fucked this up, TBF)
-Cracked oil filter housing, causing the car to dump all its coolant and overheat

It now needs a new turbo. Two garages said it just needed a new wastegate actuator, but two Mini specialists have said that's nonsense, as the turbo is water cooled, so loss of coolant has caused damage.

Just waiting on a cost for either turbo repair or replacement with a re-con unit.

Will probably look to Japanese for our next car, and partner wants a Jimny, but will have to run the Mini for a bit now I've spent a fortune on it. And these F55/56 B38 cars are supposed to be pretty reliable

Fucking BMW's..

On that note, our actual reliable car - the 20 year old Mustang, has developed its first problem. Air-con stopped working.

[Broccers]

Bought two new tyres for the old boxster to match the fronts.

Sold mini.

Got a countryman coming who knows when as shortage of something important like wheels.

The new Countryman is a funky thing. I had no idea there was a delay on delivery currently. As BMW’s smaller cars have got uglier the Countryman stands out as a far better choice.

They're quite large for a mini. X1/2 platform. Feb order for May. Delivery date currently unknown.

[Broccers]

So, following on from the Mini's spate of unreliability, where in just the last 6 months, we've had..

-Failed diaphragm
-Failed PCV valve
-Failed VVT solenoids causing vast amounts of oil loss (suspect the garage fucked this up, TBF)
-Cracked oil filter housing, causing the car to dump all its coolant and overheat

It now needs a new turbo. Two garages said it just needed a new wastegate actuator, but two Mini specialists have said that's nonsense, as the turbo is water cooled, so loss of coolant has caused damage.

Just waiting on a cost for either turbo repair or replacement with a re-con unit.

Will probably look to Japanese for our next car, and partner wants a Jimny, but will have to run the Mini for a bit now I've spent a fortune on it. And these F55/56 B38 cars are supposed to be pretty reliable

Fucking BMW's..

On that note, our actual reliable car - the 20 year old Mustang, has developed its first problem. Air-con stopped working.

Our R55 was an absolute money pit for the amount of miles it did. Smoked badly when idling. Sold it to a mate who is genuinely pleased even though he blew 2 coil packs in a week thrashing it about.

[jamcg]

So, following on from the Mini's spate of unreliability, where in just the last 6 months, we've had..

-Failed diaphragm
-Failed PCV valve
-Failed VVT solenoids causing vast amounts of oil loss (suspect the garage fucked this up, TBF)
-Cracked oil filter housing, causing the car to dump all its coolant and overheat

It now needs a new turbo. Two garages said it just needed a new wastegate actuator, but two Mini specialists have said that's nonsense, as the turbo is water cooled, so loss of coolant has caused damage.

Just waiting on a cost for either turbo repair or replacement with a re-con unit.

Will probably look to Japanese for our next car, and partner wants a Jimny, but will have to run the Mini for a bit now I've spent a fortune on it. And these F55/56 B38 cars are supposed to be pretty reliable

Fucking BMW's..

On that note, our actual reliable car - the 20 year old Mustang, has developed its first problem. Air-con stopped working.

Goes to show you can’t listen to the internet noise sometimes, everyone says eco boost engines are unreliable but in 2 years I never a single issue (granted non wet belted version but still)

[John]

I’ve been out in the Beetle yesterday and today taking advantage of the glorious weather but all is not well

It’s not been running as smoothly as normal so as the petrol was old I replaced it with fresh and took it on a longer drive. Running nicely except when under load climbing hills when it developed a misfire which should point to the ignition system. I had some points in stock so I started there and to be honest the points did look fairly old but “ok”. After changing them I took it out and what a transformation, 40bhp has never felt so lively

Nice easy fix

[Alex88]

Can't fecking believe this... After all my harping on about how reliable the Mustang is...



Had just set off for Shuttleworth air museum, and within 30 seconds the car suddenly started running really rough. Coughing and spluttering and loss of power. Managed to swing in to a quiet road and called recovery. Luckily, the chap arrived 40 mins later and got me home.

The car has various codes

ECM/PCM processor
Cam position timing over retarded
Cam position correlation
Random misfire detected
Catalytic converter efficiency bank 1&2

I've just put those cats on, too. Hopefully they're not damaged

ChatGPT is leaning towards a VCT/timing issue

So that's two broken cars!

[Jobbo]

Oh Alex, that’s a right annoyance. Bet it’s a cheap and simple fix though.

[V8Granite]

Yeah, generally when all the faults happen at once it's something simple.

Dave!

[Alex88]

Cheers. You're right - symptoms are pointing to just a VCT solenoid, which are about £30 a side.

I'll get both sides done while I'm at it, as I've since discovered that this is a common failure point.

Will just need to get the car transported to the garage and keep my fingers crossed that it is only that!

Right PITA..

Need to continue my search for a Mini specialist who can assist with a re-con turbo, too.