Volkswagen Transporter T5.II (2010-2015) Questions & Answers

If oil not visibly leaking anywhere mine was getting blown out of one of the turbos ( tdi 400 bi turbo)
the main larger one

My Van has only done 47,000 kms. I don't think any service work has been done on the transmission. Possibly some fluid as part of a standard service. I have no knowledge of previous models as this is my first VW.

According to the VW dealer I use (And the VW forum I am a member of) the 7 speed DSG has a recommended fluid and filter change at every 40,000 miles (64,000km) depending on type of driving.
Improved over the 6 speed, I am not sure.

I bought a brand new T5.2 Transporter Auto 4 Motion DSG in 2010. Service book requires new water pump replacement at 100 000 K,s.Cost from memory was about $2500 from Volkspower in Burwood. Still had issues with vehicle. Took it back and they replaced sensor refill bottle. Same issues. A week later I returned the vehicle and they found the thermostat had gone, Disgruntled I took it to a VW service centre to replace thermostat. Twelve months later Warning lamp came on so booked a service with VW service centre and check lamp issues. Secondary water pump replaced of a cost around $700. A week later temperature warning lamp came on after driving on freeway up a very long incline. Pulled over, water blown into engine bay. Called RACV who allowed me to have towed back to VW service centre. Diagnosis, ERG cooler blown. Cost $3500. They have replaced part and now inform me Engine head gasket and / or warped head. Cost... my insanity. Will be going to see them this morning to sort this out. Feeling very vulnerable. No customer support here. Just one bad situation. I live in Melbourne Australia. The service centre is under the banner of South Yarra VW.

I boughjt a 2011 TDI MULTIVAN, Have had for two years when engine light came on. Scan said low flow on EGR valve . Replaced cost $2800 includes cooler
.Now overheating and no end in sight .Maybe also head gasket .who knows .Meanwhile my old 1998 t4 is nearly at 400,000 klms never let me down

Engine light on my TDI 2011 MULTIVAN came on .yes egr valve low flow .This is because the exhaust gas reticulation valve and cooler have exhaust gas through them that go back into the throttle for combustion again. They have carbon particulates which block the valve and cooler $2800 . . then overheating and pump, mass flywheel, etc $9881-30 expensive.

Good question, I don't I change my oil every 3,000 k's I like running on new oil it preserves my engines better. Mixing oils can cause oils to thicken (congeal) and block oil ways in the crankshaft causing bearing failure. I know this because it happened to my boat engine That only had 120 hours on it, My retailer wouldn't tell me why this happened and wouldn't warrant it, I had to work out what happened myself by asking many mechanics questions and this was the only logical reason. So mixing oils even i its the same type it can still be different and congeal.

The engine on a T3 should last about 330k's but if its never been rebuilt it should need new heads about 190k's as the origional gue used on the gaskets will pit the heads causing a water leak. This green gue was replaced with a black gue when this problem was discovered. I think I got the colours of the gue correct.

when you rebuild your engine its wise to do the bottom end as well. http://portvwforum.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=447

I aint no expert, just from experience, the manual transmition will most definately be more reliable, i have friends with dsg ( with problems) and my polo is dsg as well, im expecting it to crap itself soon( hopefully under waranty) .
The rest is all about same except there is some upgrades u can get i guess like steering wheen buttons etc, but most likely standard on multivans and prob the 4 motion version. (4 motion hmmm yummmm, too pricey for me)