Full Answer
How often should I service my VW Golf or Jetta?
Modern cars and vans like the VW Golf or Jetta need much less maintenance than the vehicles of 25 years ago, but they still have needs. You no longer have to do a service every 6 months, or change the oil every 3 months, but regular fluid changes are still essential to your Golf’s or Jetta’s longevity.
Can a fuel injector go bad on a Volkswagen Golf?
Fuel injectors can go the life of a modern vehicle with little to no trouble at all. That being said, bad fuel injectors are one of the more common issues that happen to any vehicle (Volkswagen Golf included). There’s always more than one, and one going bad is enough to make a noticeable impact on the drivability of the vehicle.
What is the wear rate of a TDI injector?
Although projected wear rates vary, by the time your TDI approaches a quarter million miles, odds are the nozzles are worn and the injectors aren’t delivering as much fuel as new nozzles. And delivery pressures also tend to decline with age, sometimes not evenly across cylinders. Probably the biggest factor in injector wear rates if fuel quality.
How does the service interval display work on a Volkswagen Golf?
All Volkswagen Golf/Jetta models are equipped with a service interval display indicator in the instrument panel. Every time the engine is started the panel will illuminate for approximately 20 seconds with service information. With the standard non-variable display, the service intervals are in accordance with specific distances and time periods.
How often should you service diesel injectors?
Diesel fuel injection maintenance tips Diesel fuel injection systems should be cleaned and maintained at least every 36 months or 45,000 miles — or more often for heavy-use machines (such as long-haul trucks).
How often should fuel injectors be serviced?
It is recommended to get fuel injector cleaning done after every 60,000 to 90,000 miles. If you've noticed a sharp decline in your fuel economy, a lack of power in your car, or have experienced a sluggish feeling when you accelerate, it could mean you need a fuel injection cleaning service.
How long do TDI fuel injectors last?
You can expect fuel injectors to last until the car reaches 80,000 to 100,000 miles.
How long do VW diesel injectors last?
The lifespan of a diesel fuel injector Diesel fuel injectors generally have a shorter lifespan than their predecessors, meaning they need to be replaced more frequently for optimal performance. The life expectancy of a good quality diesel fuel injector is around 150,000 kilometres.
At what mileage should fuel injectors be cleaned?
Add fuel injector cleaning to your preventative maintenance checklist to avoid clogs and their problems. Most automobile manufacturers recommend you get your vehicle's injectors cleaned every 15,000 miles.
Is a fuel injector service necessary?
CARS.COM — Cleaning fuel injectors is a service frequently recommended by dealers and repair shops. But unless there are noticeable signs of clogged fuel injectors (such as a rough idle, stalling, poor acceleration or high emissions levels), it might not be necessary.
How do you know if your diesel injectors are bad?
The most common sign of a bad fuel injector is the check engine warning light, which appears on the dashboard. As soon as an injector isn't doing what it should, this light will come on. (In other words, if it's adding too much or too little.)
How many miles should diesel injectors last?
around 100,000 milesThe average lifespan of a diesel fuel injector is around 100,000 miles. A typical fuel injector has two basic parts: the nozzle and the injector body. If either of these components gets clogged or damaged, it will compromise the entire performance of the vehicle.
How do I know if my injectors need replacing?
Here are a few signs there might be something wrong with your fuel injectors.The Engine Misfires. Dirty fuel injectors may cause your vehicle's engine to misfire. ... Idling Gets Rough. ... Your Gas Mileage Tanks. ... The RPM Needle Starts to Dance. ... Your Car Won't Start.
Can diesel injectors be cleaned?
At a professional garage, they may use an ultrasonic machine to clean the injectors out. Those who have some mechanical skill can pull the injectors themselves, dissasemble them, and clean the parts in an acetone bath and wire brushes.
Does diesel injector cleaner work?
Some car owners have reported increased power after using their injector cleaner. They have reported that they recovered up to 40% of the horsepower of their engine back by applying top-of-the-range diesel fuel injector cleaner.
How can I test my diesel injectors at home?
1:453:48Diesel Fuel Injector Test (Mechanical) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd what we want to do is lean on the handle. And check for a single pop check the spray patternMoreAnd what we want to do is lean on the handle. And check for a single pop check the spray pattern crank. On it really hard and see the spray pattern I make sure that it you get a nice steady.
Why do fuel injectors clog?
Fuel injectors clog when deposits build up over time and thousands of miles; when that happens, they don’t deliver the fine mist of gas that provides maximum performance and efficiency. If that happens, you’ll notice a loss of engine performance or lower fuel economy. The type of gasoline you use also can be a factor.
Is it necessary to clean fuel injectors?
CARS.COM — Cleaning fuel injectors is a service frequently recommended by dealers and repair shops. But unless there are noticeable signs of clogged fuel injectors (such as a rough idle, stalling, poor acceleration or high emissions levels), it might not be necessary.
Is fuel injector cleaning routine?
One tipoff is that fuel injector cleaning is not typically listed on automakers’ routine maintenance schedules. Many shops promote a quick/easy injector service that runs a cleaning solution through the injectors while they’re still mounted in the engine.
Does a GDI system clog a gas tank?
However, gasoline direct injection — a more sophisticated injection system that operates under higher pressure — is becoming commonplace in engines, and some GDI systems have proved to be more prone to clogging than regular fuel injection. That’s why some manufacturers, such as Hyundai, Kia and others, recommend adding a fuel system cleaner to your gas tank periodically if you’re not using Top Tier gas on a regular basis.
Why do golf injectors go bad?
There are two main ways that your injectors can go bad. The first is for them to become clogged, dirty, or unresponsive. When this happens not enough fuel enters into your Golf’s combustion chamber. The other way is if the injectors are leaking.
What happens when a golf fuel injector leaks?
Thin Oil– When a fuel injector leaks, all of that fuel is not getting burned in the combustion chamber. Any gas that is not fired and sent out as exhaust ends up in the oil pan. When this happens it can decrease your Golf’s engine lubrication to the point that it’ll lock up. You will smell fuel on the dipstick.
What happens if your fuel injectors aren't working?
When the fuel injectors aren’t working properly it can’t do that and fuel mileage suffers. Knock/Detonation– Detonation can cause your Golf’s engine to blow. This is certainly the worst case scenario. Don’t ignore an engine that isn’t running right.
Why do fuel injectors leak?
Leakingfuel injectors are often caused by a bad a crack in their body. When this occurs they must be replaced. If the injectors are cloggedyou’ll need to have them cleaned by a professional. When they are dirty but not yet clogged, you may be able to clean them with a good fuel injector cleaner.
Why is my golf engine less fuel efficient?
Less Fuel Mileage – Your Golf’s engine management computer is constantly adjusting the air/fuel ratio and timing to get optimal combustion. When the fuel injectors aren’t working properly it can’t do that and fuel mileage suffers.
What happens when fuel is not entering combustion chamber?
Emissions Issues – When the fuel is not entering the combustion chamber in the right quantity, the engine may adjust the air/fuel mixture, which can lead to increased exhaust emissions.
Why does my Volkswagen Golf lock up?
Engine Locks Up– Once too much gas gets in the oil, the motor will lock up. If you have reason to suspect there is gas in your oil, do not drive your Golf. Change the oil. Bad Fuel Injectors Diagnosis: Volkswagen Golf. Leakingfuel injectors are often caused by a bad a crack in their body.
What size nozzles should I use for a TDI?
When replacing nozzles in an unmodified TDI (not chip tuned), many owners will increase the nozzle size one step. That means .184 nozzles in an automatic transmission car, and .205 Bosch size (520 Bosio) in a manual. Others will go slightly larger, to .216 (Bosch) or 502 or 1019 (Bosio). These larger nozzles will work with low smoke and no loss in fuel economy in most cars, although they may require some minor adjustments to fueling using the VCDS diagnostic tool. They will provide a significant increase in torque and power. Larger nozzles will deliver fuel more quickly than smaller ones, which is like advancing the injection timing. This will improve starting and can, ironically, increase fuel economy even though the engine can deliver more power. Given there are few, if any, downsides to a minor increase in nozzle size, most owners opt for larger nozzles at replacement time.
What are the symptoms of a fuel injector?
But low power, more smoke, and a loss in fuel economy are the most common symptoms of injector wear. Nozzles are the biggest wear item. Impurities in the fuel change the shape of the nozzle orifice, which in turn changes the amount of fuel delivered and the spray (atomization) of that fuel. Ironically, the worn nozzle holes may deliver less fuel, ...
What additives make injectors last longer?
Probably the biggest factor in injector wear rates if fuel quality. Good fuel, along with a lubricity additive like Stanadyne or Opti-Lube, will help injectors last longer.
Why are injectors bad?
As shown above, Injectors have multiple moving parts that operate for each engine revolution. And even though they’re cooled and lubricated by diesel fuel, they do wear out. The consequence is usually lower fuel pressure and earlier injection. Both are bad for power, fuel economy, and engine life.
How do you know if your fuel injector is worn?
And if one injector is fueling heavier than others, the amount of additional smoke may be minor . But low power, more smoke, and a loss in fuel economy are the most common symptoms of injector wear.
Can a worn injector cause engine damage?
At any rate, worn injectors can cause engine damage. Streaming injectors can melt pistons. They also wash fuel down cylinder walls, which can cause excess cylinder wear. Cars that are persistently underfueled will make more turbo boost to compensate, stressing the turbo more than normal.
Do larger nozzles increase fuel economy?
They will provide a significant increase in torque and power. Larger nozzles will deliver fuel more quickly than smaller ones, which is like advancing the injection timing. This will improve starting and can, ironically, increase fuel economy even though the engine can deliver more power.
Does VW cover the replacement cost?
VW are covering the complete costs for the replacement but I appreciate my car is only 4 years old. However, as this is all entered into the 'electronic' history of the car any future problems should be seen as a pattern by VW, similar to somebody's medical history. I admit I'm happy with the response from VW as the car is now out of warranty.
Can you buy piezoelectric injectors for a CR engine?
The piezoelectric injectors used in the CR engine are extremely fine pieces of engineering but those with the 1.6 in a Golf should take comfort in that they can be bought aftermarket whereas if you have a Caddy they cannot .
Can you buy Bosch injectors?
Yes it is a very common problem. The injectors can be purchased from Bosch instead of VW at a reasonable saving. The other even more common problem is failure of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation assembly which costs a lot more than an injector. This particular engine has been the subject of the EA189 emissions fiasco more than any other and it is bound to have had the recal done now because it has been at the dealer recently and this recall has been causing problems.