VW Tiguan oil crisis closure, hopefully.

[Thermo1223]

Original;
Thread 'Tiguan decided to identify as the Exxon Valdez...' https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/tiguan-decided-to-identify-as-the-exxon-valdez.384747/

Waited for the wrong part, partially my fault for not supplying the VIN.

Thankfully the dealer was open today and had it in stock. More $$$ but the right part.

So far, so good. No codes, waiting till I really wash all the oil off the bottom to know for sure if there is any leaks. Of course they don't supply a new hose for the crimped part. I was able to transfer it though.

 

[shortyb]

The oil separator is one of those iffy parts on VAG engines. Some get many, many miles and no failure, some fail after 30K. Since failure causes seal leaks, I've adopted the preventative maintenance of replacing every 60K on all of mine. Order through FCP Euro, paid for it once, and since all of mine use the same part number, subsequent ones are no cost.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

It's not hemorrhaging oil any more ?

If it 's a lease - wouldn't the delaer cover it under the 50k mile powertrain warranty?

 

[Thermo1223]

It's not hemorrhaging oil any more ?

If it 's a lease - wouldn't the delaer cover it under the 50k mile powertrain warranty?

It's at 65k, so nope. I didn't see any massive leaks on the drive today. Tomorrow I'll clean the underside off and go from there. Regardless it's getting turned in shortly so it won't be my issue anymore.

 

[AZjeff]

Order through FCP Euro, paid for it once, and since all of mine use the same part number, subsequent ones are no cost.

How can they do that?

 

[dbias]

I always change mine around 70k miles. Here is a picture of my 2017 Audi A4. Easily changed in the driveway.

 

[shortyb]

How can they do that?

Through their Lifetime Replacement Guarantee. https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee

To clarify my original post, you purchase the part, use it and purchase a replacement. When you send the used one back to FCP, you get credit for the original purchase price. Use the credit to purchase another one, rinse, and repeat.

 

[AZjeff]

Through their Lifetime Replacement Guarantee. https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guarantee

Should have said how can they afford to do that? It sounds like you're gaming their guarantee. The part that fails isn't necessarily the part you bought from them.

 

[Thermo1223]

Update!

The oil pan is apparently made of glass and the engine being sealed so tightly that cracking the plastic lower half of the pan is possible when the oil seperator fails. Apparently the boost pressure is too much and it pops(hence the noise she heard). It only really leaks bad when sitting. There is enough crankcase vacuum that it barely drips when driving as long as you treat it sanely. Going to a dealer further away I've trusted before to make sure that is the case. I could see it just dripping from the pan this morning. The lower pan is very shallow so it barely holds half the oil capacity.

Pics for reference.

Stock

Aftermarket

 

[skyactiv]

$90 "OEish" steel pan kit sold at ECS Tuning.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assembled-by-ecs-parts/steel-oil-pan-kit/018573ecs01kt1/

 

[Thermo1223]

$90 "OEish" steel pan kit sold at ECS Tuning.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assembled-by-ecs-parts/steel-oil-pan-kit/018573ecs01kt1/

Ya I saw that and wish I had the time to deal with it myself. The PCV was an easy hour job, the oil pan probably not and if it was my truck, no biggie but if her car doesn't function...well doghouse is a nice way to put it.

 

[shortyb]

Should have said how can they afford to do that? It sounds like you're gaming their guarantee. The part that fails isn't necessarily the part you bought from them.

They rely on most folks not taking the time or dealing with the hassle to send parts back. And I'm not "gaming" the system at all. I only return the part that I purchase from them, NOT the original part on the car from the factory. You have to start by purchasing the part from them, ordering another, then returning the first one you purchased. Once you start the cycle, especially for high use items such as cabin filters, wiper blades etc., it pays off quickly. I also spoke with FCP about using the LRG for the same part across 3 vehicles and they said that it does not matter as long as the part was purchased from them and use the proper VIN for the vehicle the part is ordered for. They DO keep track of "overuse" of the LRG per vehicle, ie; you purchase an oil filter every week for the same vehicle. Thats a no no.

 

[Nessism1]

VW/Audi make some vehicles that are high on my desirability list, but problems like described here kills the buzz. Way too many plastic parts on those engines. And things like water pumps and related hardware have a long history of failing. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems that don't focus very much energy on improving their products year over year.

 

[AZjeff]

And I'm not "gaming" the system at all. I only return the part that I purchase from them, NOT the original part on the car from the factory.

Apologies. It sounded like you bought one OE pan then if/when it failed on other cars you sent that one in for warranty. How often do these fail?

 

[shortyb]

How often do these fail?

Not too terribly often now, the part has been through at least a dozen revisions. But still fail at a rate that they should be considered a maintenance item IMHO. The problem with VAG is they source out designed parts to supply manufacturers, in the case of the OE separator it is Hengst. Overall, it is a great supplier, and their stuff is pretty top shelf. However, just like any other sophisticated piece made of plastic, and subject to heat/cold and all manner/age of oil, vapor etc., it can and does fail.