Hello and help (sorry)

[richardk]

Hello all! Firstly want to introduce myself. We have recently bought a new to us 2008 T5 California 2.5 174. We came from a T2 but wanted something to go slightly further in with the 2 kids. So far we have done a lot of camping since purchasing around Feb so despite the below I am pleased we made the switch. I have signed up to the forum and I am very grateful for such an amazing resource!


We didn’t pay top top money for our van but I could be described as the worst purchaser in terms of understanding what needed doing before I bought. So far I have: had suspension fixed, new steering rack, replaced both leisure batteries, new tyres and alloys refurbished all in just over £2k.

The van came with a big bill from a repair in February which made me think we were ok, mileage is also relatively low at 87k. The repairs were, EGR cooler, head set, DPF, recon turbo, sensors, filters at a cost of nearly £7k!

Problems I still have: the main one is that the engine workshop sign appears and a flashing EML light is coming on when the van is at high revs or struggling up a hill, this doesn’t go into limp mode but it feels like there is a reduction in power. She doesn’t feel particularly quick anyway. Last night I changed the moo-ing n75 value but this hasn’t fixed the problem. I am going to take her to my new best buddies at the garage to see if they can figure out the issue but would love any advice. I am confused as all the usual culprits for this problem have been fixed (turbo, EGR, dpf, n75)

There is also a slightly diesel smell if vents are on when starting up or standing still in traffic, could be related?

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks
Rich

 

[Perfectos]

Don't be "sorry"

Sounds like you've had a few age related repairs.

In general the 174 is a great engine, the mileage would not be a concern if it's been serviced regularly and correctly.

To help get the best advice can you provide some (as much ad possible) details

Engine work shop light ? Edit: Re reading I see you mention EML flashing

Can you post a picture of the work shop light (Google) & what colour is the light, when it come on presume orange/ yellow?
Does it flash briefly or come on and go off / stay on ?

Has the van been serviced ? Fuel & air filter etc ? All carried out at one garage ?

Smell of Diesel, fresh fuel or exhaust type gases ?

If Fresh fuel, check the high pressure fuel rail for leaks , then the return feed pipes back to the tank, fuel filter etc.

Have you had the van plugged in to read any fault codes ?

Previous 7k repairs recent ? under warranty? Local garage ? All carried out by one garage or multiple?

 

[Perfectos]

Have a read

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mail.vwcaliforniaclub.com

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[richardk]

Don't be "sorry"

Sounds like you've had a few age related repairs.

In general the 174 is a great engine, the mileage would not be a concern if it's been serviced regularly and correctly.

To help get the best advice can you provide some (as much ad possible) details

Engine work shop light ? Edit: Re reading I see you mention EML flashing

Can you post a picture of the work shop light (Google) & what colour is the light, when it come on presume orange/ yellow?
Does it flash briefly or come on and go off / stay on ?

Has the van been serviced ? Fuel & air filter etc ? All carried out at one garage ?

Smell of Diesel, fresh fuel or exhaust type gases ?

If Fresh fuel, check the high pressure fuel rail for leaks , then the return feed pipes back to the tank, fuel filter etc.

Have you had the van plugged in to read any fault codes ?

Previous 7k repairs recent ? under warranty? Local garage ? All carried out by one garage or multiple?

Thanks so much for the reply. The light than flashes is a coil one (EML I believe) it stays flashing. The words engine workshop show on the display and there’s a beep when it first shows. When I turn the engine off and on it clears and there’s no error. The repairs and service were done local to sellers around 2 hours away. They changed all the filters as well. Looking in the engine bay there is a lot of new stuff in there! The smell of diesel smells fumey to me, I can smell it in the engine bay as well which I guess is where it’s being sucked through the vents. I have bought a Carista reader that should be here soon, she has MOT Friday so I will also ask the garage for advice then. Will update if they find anything.