Are FSIs as "bad" as I'm reading?

[90Corrado]

I'm starting to second guess buying a '07 Passat after doing a bunch of reading, stories of cam follower disasters and people having to replace it every 5K or 10k miles has me a bit spooked. So is it as bad as people make out on The Internetz or what? Would a TSI be a better choice? I know, a whole 'nother can of worms.

[viziers]

Nope they are not as bad as you may think.. yes you will need to add the cam follower into your oil changes..

If it helps I have an 05.5 A4 with a gt76 and currently pushing 174,000 with no issues.. The gt76 has been on the car for the last 40k+



vizi

[dmorrow]

I don't add the followers into my oil changes. I am at 124k miles, replaced the first follower at around 70k miles, second at around 105k and both of them looked good. Revo stage 1 since 25k miles. I have had very almost no problems with my engine.

[bostonaudi1]

FSI motors are rugged. Just replace the known weak points with newer improved components (DV, PCV). Just check cam follower now and then.

The one thing that annoys me a bit (much more than above) is the oil consumption. BPY motors tend to drink it for breakfast lunch and dinner (and desert too).

[azunderg]

FSI motors are rugged. Just replace the known weak points with newer improved components (DV, PCV). Just check cam follower now and then.

The one thing that annoys me a bit (much more than above) is the oil consumption. BPY motors tend to drink it for breakfast lunch and dinner (and desert too).

this...

[jebglx]

The one thing that annoys me a bit (much more than above) is the oil consumption. BPY motors tend to drink it for breakfast lunch and dinner (and desert too).

no doubt . i need a tanker parked in my back yard

70k on my 07 GTI. APR flashed since it was 2 months old & lives in the 93 program. my CEL just came on...looks to be the N205 valve

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-...ical/ES281138/

anyone know where i can find an instructional on how to replace it?

going to change the cam follower soon

[xJOKERx]

FSI motors are rugged. Just replace the known weak points with newer improved components (DV, PCV). Just check cam follower now and then.

The one thing that annoys me a bit (much more than above) is the oil consumption. BPY motors tend to drink it for breakfast lunch and dinner (and desert too).

this

check oil whenever you fill up with gas, top off in-between changes and your good.

[02GTI-VR6-same1]

If you have all the latest oem fixes and revisions (latest version DV, PVC, flapper motor, cam) the only thing you really need to pay attention to is the cam follower. Fortunately most of us who have owned our FSI since 07' have had all these things addressed by now. I change mine out every 20k miles after having the original one punch thru at 80k miles (cam and pump covered under extended warranty). Crazy as it may sound I would need to see records that the follower FAILED and the latest revision cam was replaced under warranty before buying one. I can deal with old revision DV and PVC (easy oem and aftermarket fixes). I do not want to be replacing a camshaft because a follower failed and only a pump was replaced. or its simply a low mile car with soft cam lobe destined to fail in the future. I dont too care to have an expensive flapper motor replaced out of pocket either but I guess I could deal with that.

[Scum Frog]

As stated the Cam Follower is the weak point.

With my '07 Jetta 2.0T the dealer did the following on warrenty right after I bought it last spring and have not had any issues since.

Cam Follower
Camshaft
Fuel Pump
Tensioner
Adjuster

[ROH ECHT]

The cam follower isn't as much an issue with the oem hpfp, but will require checking/replacing the follower every 5k to 20k miles if you upgrade the hpfp.

Other than that, regular maintenance should include keeping the intake valves free of carbon build-up by either adding a catch-can system or doing a blow-by cleaning of them every 10k to 20k miles. Both will slow the build-up down but will not completely stop it. So eventually you will be getting mysterious misfires and you will need to do a manual valve cleaning.

Other than these two, you have regular maintenance. Fluid changing, plugs, belts(timing & accessory), coils, filters, and occasionally a bad pcv & or breather tube, and DV.

If you'd rather not be bothered or are more of a hands-on person, you can set these up to accommodate either style.

[jhines_06gli]

Don't forget the carbon buildup problem that plagues all the direct-injection engines and robs the low-end torque and fuel mileage.

But all in all, the engine is only as bad as the owner makes it!! I work on these cars daily....usually 4-6 FSI cars in there. If the owner takes care of the car, addresses the known issues as they come up, and uses the correct oil......they have very minimal issues. But those who use Joe Blow's $29.95 oil change special every 5-7K miles is just asking for issues! Chains rattle, followers wear quicker than normal and tensioners fail causing engines to fail!!

My GLI is a VERY early 2006 and was built in 2005. You name the FSI issues and it has had them and been addressed. But it's gotten me to 169K miles without anything catastrohic happening. Been an overall blast and is heavily modified. But the engine still holds up strong.
-J. Hines

[jebglx]

The cam follower isn't as much an issue with the oem hpfp, but will require checking/replacing the follower every 5k to 20k miles if you upgrade the hpfp.

good point...a buddy of mine found out the hard way ($$$$)

[90Corrado]

Thanks for the feedback. This is a wagon to get me & the fam around, I'll get some rims and maybe I'll get it flashed, but I don't know if I'll go down that road since I have the Corrado for fun. Just want something dependable and semi fun to drive on a daily basis.

[iGen3]

182,000 here on my '06. love it.
especially after VOA sent me my rebate check for the cam/HPFP replacement at 85,000. ....and the title....

The only thing they still owe me for is $$ for the entire AC system that had to be replaced since the compressor siezed and shot metal filings through the whole system. I think I'll be waiting a while...

[xtravbx]

No, it's a great motor.

I love my car, and have not put a dime in it except for maintenance.

Which means oil change & cam follower.

My wife has a TSI tiguan, and her car does start easier than mine. My FSI cranks once and catches on the second crank. Her TSI catches when i glance at the key just right. But seriously I do notice that it starts AMAZING while mine starts really well - if that makes any sense.

[blackvento36]

Personally

I change the oil every 5k

Cam Followers every 40k

My car consumes 1qt of oil between changes.

I think it's a great motor. Haven't had a single issue other than ignition coils, but my car is early and had the first revision coils stock, newer coils are much better.

[viziers]

FSI motors are rugged. Just replace the known weak points with newer improved components (DV, PCV). Just check cam follower now and then.

The one thing that annoys me a bit (much more than above) is the oil consumption. BPY motors tend to drink it for breakfast lunch and dinner (and desert too).

No lie, mine does not drink any oil and I do my oil changes every 5k and check the follower and replace the CF at 10k every time.... Theres a few of us on Audizine in the B7 section that don't burn any oil but those people all have an 05.5 A4 model like me...


vizi

[xtravbx]

FSI motors are rugged. Just replace the known weak points with newer improved components (DV, PCV). Just check cam follower now and then.

The one thing that annoys me a bit (much more than above) is the oil consumption. BPY motors tend to drink it for breakfast lunch and dinner (and desert too).

Something is wrong with your motor or PCV system.

That is NOT normal behavior.

I have 40k on the clock and barely use ANY oil, like other people have stated. I just changed out my DV to the latest version, and was prepared to have oil dump out of the piping on me - it was perfectly clean inside.

[bostonaudi1]

Something is wrong with your motor or PCV system.

That is NOT normal behavior.

I have 40k on the clock and barely use ANY oil, like other people have stated. I just changed out my DV to the latest version, and was prepared to have oil dump out of the piping on me - it was perfectly clean inside.

Is your motor stock?

Talk to any techs who work on these daily, and the general consensus is these motors tend to use rather high amounts of oil. Admittedly likely worse with higher boost than normal. My engine is in perfect running order, just likes oil. But this should tell you everything, the bar set by VW itself for abnormal consumption is 1qt per 1000 mi, that's 5 quarts between 5k oil changes! Normal?

[theguy1084]

I am so tired of the cam follower hype. Its not really an issue anymore with the revised parts

[jhines_06gli]

I am so tired of the cam follower hype. Its not really an issue anymore with the revised parts

That is not entirely true. It's still a maint. item and must be checked/replaced. I've replaced just as many "B" revision camshafts at the shop in 2007-2008 cars. So it's still a fact of just catching the follower before it starts to wear through. Once all the wear-in coating is gone(the black coating).....it doesn't take long to have the follower crack and start to fly apart!

But no.....it's not as bad as people make it out to be. The engine is overall pretty good, just a little more issue than others. The 1.8T Passat had it's oil pressure/sludge issues. The FSI has it's cam follower issue. The TSI has it's intake manifold problems. There are weak points to all the engines.

[xtravbx]

Is your motor stock?

Talk to any techs who work on these daily, and the general consensus is these motors tend to use rather high amounts of oil. Admittedly likely worse with higher boost than normal. My engine is in perfect running order, just likes oil. But this should tell you everything, the bar set by VW itself for abnormal consumption is 1qt per 1000 mi, that's 5 quarts between 5k oil changes! Normal?

I can't say I talk with techs daily. I can say that my motor consumes less oil than what I hear other people's motors eat up. It makes me think that something is not correct is all - and that people should push to have things resolved under the power train warranty if possible.

My ecu is APR flashed, neuspeed intake, and will have water/meth added this week

[theguy1084]

That is not entirely true. It's still a maint. item and must be checked/replaced. I've replaced just as many "B" revision camshafts at the shop in 2007-2008 cars. So it's still a fact of just catching the follower before it starts to wear through. Once all the wear-in coating is gone(the black coating).....it doesn't take long to have the follower crack and start to fly apart!

But no.....it's not as bad as people make it out to be. The engine is overall pretty good, just a little more issue than others. The 1.8T Passat had it's oil pressure/sludge issues. The FSI has it's cam follower issue. The TSI has it's intake manifold problems. There are weak points to all the engines.

What I am saying is that 3 people post cam and follower failure and now it's "every" engine. That coating doesn't last long but just because it's gone doesn't mean it is bad

[xtravbx]

What I am saying is that 3 people post cam and follower failure and now it's "every" engine. That coating doesn't last long but just because it's gone doesn't mean it is bad

Yes it does. The coating is what keeps the follower "slick/smooth" and prevents it from damaging the camshaft, and the camshaft damaging the follower.

The follower needs to be replaced when the coating is wearing or worn off.

For a part that was NEVER listed as a regular maintenance item for the vehicle - becoming a regular maintenance item or catastrophic failure will occur, most people would consider that bad, or a flawed design.

Does it bother me? No. Does it bother most automotive enthusiasts who can turn a wrench on their own? Probably not - but it still is not correct.

[rickjaguar]

I'm starting to second guess buying a '07 Passat after doing a bunch of reading, stories of cam follower disasters and people having to replace it every 5K or 10k miles has me a bit spooked. So is it as bad as people make out on The Internetz or what? Would a TSI be a better choice? I know, a whole 'nother can of worms.

there are some bad cars out there but most if them are good. I checked my follower at 55000km and it was fine. Will do so again, NBD to look. Stay on top of things with good oil. Mine isn't burning more than 1L/8000km. As with any high performance machinery, it serves you well to keep it in optimum health.


Sent from my 1st generation Motorola brick using Tapatalk

[Arin@APR]

The biggest issue with cam follower wear is simply oil usage. 10,000 mile oil changes are too much. Some dealership are not using VW FSI approved oils. Car owners are not changing the oil or using the correct oil, etc etc etc.


Use good oil (the correct approved oil). Don't beat the snot out of the car when it's cold. Check the follower at your oil changes and change the oil ever 5k.

[gmikel]

The biggest issue with cam follower wear is simply oil usage. 10,000 mile oil changes are too much. Some dealership are not using VW FSI approved oils. Car owners are not changing the oil or using the correct oil, etc etc etc.


Use good oil (the correct approved oil). Don't beat the snot out of the car when it's cold. Check the follower at your oil changes and change the oil ever 5k.

if anyone were to read the disclaimers on the 10 k oil change they'd see that almost no one falls into that catagory.

[blackvento36]

Yes it does. The coating is what keeps the follower "slick/smooth" and prevents it from damaging the camshaft, and the camshaft damaging the follower.

That's not the case. The coating lasts 10k miles tops, and I get at least 40k out of a follower. It's my opinion that it's a break in coating meant to last until the follower and camshaft wear in together.

In any case I can show you a picture of a follower @20k with no coating on it at all and the same follower @40k with a camshaft that's smooth as glass

[theguy1084]

That's not the case. The coating lasts 10k miles tops, and I get at least 40k out of a follower. It's my opinion that it's a break in coating meant to last until the follower and camshaft wear in together.

In any case I can show you a picture of a follower @20k with no coating on it at all and the same follower @40k with a camshaft that's smooth as glass

Agreed. I have a follower sitting in my garage right now with about 5-8k miles and the coating is almost gone. It looked just like one I took at 20k. I replaced it at 20k only because I put an apr hpfp on and again in another 5-8k because I when big turbo and had the head off and apart anyway. Every oil change? Give me a break! I'm pushing 142bar and not the least bit concerned. I'm do for an oil change soon and the rebel in me isn't going even going to check it. Oh no!

[xtravbx]

That's not the case. The coating lasts 10k miles tops, and I get at least 40k out of a follower. It's my opinion that it's a break in coating meant to last until the follower and camshaft wear in together.

In any case I can show you a picture of a follower @20k with no coating on it at all and the same follower @40k with a camshaft that's smooth as glass

Hey - if I stand corrected, that's great. I'm just going by what the point of the DLC coating actually is. If it lasts beyond that - great. But the DLC coating is to protect the follower and the camshaft.

[theguy1084]

Hey - if I stand corrected, that's great. I'm just going by what the point of the DLC coating actually is. If it lasts beyond that - great. But the DLC coating is to protect the follower and the camshaft.

Actually your oil protects your engine parts more than any coating will

[87socorro]

Follower is not that bad you only have to purchase one and get Vw's parts warranty anytime it goes just go back to the dealer with the worn down piece and they replace it for free

[dmorrow]

Follower is not that bad you only have to purchase one and get Vw's parts warranty anytime it goes just go back to the dealer with the worn down piece and they replace it for free

So you're saying you take back your worn followers (assuming without a hole worn through it) they replace it? Have you actually done this?

[jhines_06gli]

Follower is not that bad you only have to purchase one and get Vw's parts warranty anytime it goes just go back to the dealer with the worn down piece and they replace it for free

Good luck with that. I can assure 99.9999% of dealers are not going to replace it for free for you. The follower is a maint. item. Do you take your oil filter back after you use it and request a parts warranty on it because it's wearing?

[theguy1084]

Good luck with that. I can assure 99.9999% of dealers are not going to replace it for free for you. The follower is a maint. item. Do you take your oil filter back after you use it and request a parts warranty on it because it's wearing?

The follower is NOT a maintenance item.

VW has a 1 year parts warranty. They would replace failed batteries all of the time when I worked there as long as it was with in a year.