Volkswagen Engine Issues

02 Oct, 19

Volkswagen is a German manufacturer with a vast portfolio of vehicles, from classics like the Beetle to luxury sporty models and sedans, VW is able to offer something for everyone. Of course, the one thing all cars have in common, no matter their manufacturer, make, or model, is an engine. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most common engine issues experienced by VW drivers.

Common VW Engine Issues

The engine troubles listed below are the most common on average experienced by drivers. This  is not an exhaustive list. In general, these issues will arise with time and use and can be exacerbated by poor maintenance or lax servicing standards. So if you want your engine at peak performance, you should always ensure that it is well maintained.

Poor Lubrication

Probably the number one cause of engine trouble, poor lubrication occurs when there isn’t enough engine oil moving around the engines parts. Your VW’s engine is comprised of multiple moving parts, such as valves and pistons, that need to be well-oiled to ensure their full range of movement. Without oil properly circulating them, these parts can become dry. They will grind against one another as well as seize up entirely. The oil also helped to keep your engine cool, so it can also cause overheating, if oil levels drop low enough.

Oil Pump Failure

If the oil pump fails, it can directly impact on the projected lifespan of your engine. Without the oil pump, the much-needed oil isn’t able to circulate through the engine, resulting in dry parts that lose their effectiveness and become damaged.

Deposits and Debris

If your oil has become old and expired, it can start to break down, leaving deposits and debris throughout your engine as it circulates. These deposits love to settle on your spark plugs as well as around valves and seals, ruining the effectiveness of your engine.

Poor Fuel or Air Compression

Your engine requires the correct mix of air and fuel to work correctly, and without this, the engine will not be able to run at optimal levels. This type of engine issue is typically caused by broken valve seals, cylinder holes, worn out piston rings, and faulty sensors.

Coolant Leaks

This is probably one of the easiest engine faults to diagnose, as its key symptom is coolant that regularly runs low despite being topped up regularly. Combine this with colored droplets on the ground under the front of your VW and you almost certainly have a coolant leak on your hands. When it is running, the engine becomes very hot and needs to be cooled. Otherwise, it will become burned out. The parts and mechanism will become overheated. In worst case scenarios, the engine can actually become so hot that it can warp. Therefore, along with engine oil, coolant is circulated throughout the engine to keep it cool. Without this liquid, things will begin to heat up fast.

Radiator Blockages

Expired coolant can impact your VW’s radiator creating clogs and sediment build up that reduces its functionality, directly impacting upon the engine by causing it to overheat. The radiator is important to the healthy running of your engine. It is responsible for lowering the temperature of coolant, so it can constantly circulate the engine.

Worn Out Spark Plugs

Spark Plugs need to be serviced regularly and replaced around every 30,000 miles. Found inside your engine, the spark plugs are responsible for creating the spark needed to ignite the fuel inside your engine, thus inducing motion. When your spark plugs become old, they can become ineffective and produce insufficient sparks resulting in poor fuel economy, slow starting, and regular misfire and stalling, which can cause permanent engine damage.

Seeking Servicing

If it’s been a while since you’ve brought your VW in to have its engine serviced, then you should think about bringing it to specialist mechanics sooner rather than later. This will help ensure your engine is fighting fit and that any issue is caught early, resulting in cheaper repair bills in the future.

If you’re looking for a great service center and you live in or around Santa Barbara, CA, check out Santa Barbara Autowerks. We are specialists in imported automobiles. Our dedicated and friendly team will ensure your engine is in perfect running order.

* Volkswagen Engine image credit goes to: teddyleung.