VW sink to a new low...

[Uncle Benz]

This was a new one to me! I had the questionable displeasure yesterday of looking at a 2012 2.0tdi Skoda Yeti which was delivered to my 'shop with no oil pressure. Based on previous experience with VW engines I expected the oil pick up in the sump to be blocked with debris. I removed the sump for a look and couldn't believe my eyes!

Which idiot decided to use a rubber belt to drive the oil pump? Absolutely ridiculous!

According to VW this belt has no change interval, and is a lifetime part. So, 135,000 miles is a lifetime then for a rubber belt immersed in oil?

 

[star]

That’s clever. Bet you thought it was a joke.

 

[umblecumbuz]

I think it's a new insurance scam.
Slide a broken belt down the oil level tube, then make your claim!

 

[alexanderfoti]

Nearly as bad as the BMW engines that consume their accesory belt through the front main seal and lunch the engine that way!!

 

[umblecumbuz]

Don't you just love modern engineering!

 

[ajlsl600]

Don't you just love modern engineering!

NO not much!!!!! think a lot of it is developed by guys in their 1st year of apprenticeship !!....

 

[LostKiwi]

So that's a rubber belt that sits in a bath of oil VW driving the most important part of the engine and VW don't expect it to fail?
Has the designer not read Engineering for Dummies?

 

[ajlsl600]

i looked in case i have missed a few weeks !! now tell me THAT aint DTF....

 

[Nigel Hewitt]

As usual the part that cannot fail does the most damage when it fails and is impossible to replace.

 

[rorywquin]

This was a new one to me! I had the questionable displeasure yesterday of looking at a 2012 2.0tdi Skoda Yeti which was delivered to my 'shop with no oil pressure. Based on previous experience with VW engines I expected the oil pick up in the sump to be blocked with debris. I removed the sump for a look and couldn't believe my eyes!



Which idiot decided to use a rubber belt to drive the oil pump? Absolutely ridiculous!

According to VW this belt has no change interval, and is a lifetime part. So, 135,000 miles is a lifetime then for a rubber belt immersed in oil?

Are you sure it is rubber?

 

[rifiki]

Have just had pulley failure on my CLK, it ripped the serpentine belt to shreds and some of it is behind the crankshaft pulley.
It would appear it's quite common and it is not a service item.

 

[M80]

My thinking is that the more modern engineering is thoughtful.
They have learnt how to make reliable engines that will do the moon trip a couple of times, but where is the onging revenue in that.

I see the more modern engines, well cars really, are returning business users to the recognised practice of selling cars on after 3 years as they have lost their reliability / warranty support.

As the new trend for the more modern cars is to be dependant on needing to be connected to the manufacturers server for what used to be simple replacements and the profits are becoming more healthy for them. And of course I'm guessing that main agents were complaining that buyers 'had' less need of them as cars get a 'little' older.

We must have self levelling, auto dimming, kerb tracking, Italian designed fashion headlights until they have a fault and cost a piggin' fortune for repair. Then simple halogen looks good again.

 

[M80]

So a bit like buying a colour printer - 2 new sets of cartridges cost almost the same as the printer....

Except a domestic printer is a loss leader to sell you that ink and then make the bucks.
But similar in that a printer isn't a viable repair economically.

Are vehicle manufactureres looking ahead by 15 years plus?
The ICE is being squeezed out by legislation, as an aside I'm surprised that many more aren't affraid of an ad blue tank that needs all the extra hardware, and software. Better I don't mention NOX sensors, oops too late. A simple enough sensor until it needs SCN coding and for some reason a pair is needed.
But as electric cars become more prominent and more common for us to own, the manufacturers can see that it's electrics that are their continued revenue stream.
All too clever headlights that are beyond Joe Bloggs to sort out for example.
Entertainment systems that they need to update, for us apparently.

Complex engines are to be a memory. Electric motors will be like a larger starter motor, remove replace oh and get the update.

Edit:
Rory your post has fallen off the page.

 

[Uncle Benz]

Are you sure it is rubber?

Oh yes. Definitely rubber, reinforced with cords of possibly kevlar or a similar man made fibre. Probably tested for durability in a hot oil environment in a laboratory...
It's like a very small, narrow cambelt

 

[Wighty]

Glad I've got an M271 engine , not that VW rubbish

 

[rorywquin]

Except a domestic printer is a loss leader to sell you that ink and then make the bucks.
But similar in that a printer isn't a viable repair economically.

Are vehicle manufactureres looking ahead by 15 years plus?
The ICE is being squeezed out by legislation, as an aside I'm surprised that many more aren't affraid of an ad blue tank that needs all the extra hardware, and software. Better I don't mention NOX sensors, oops too late. A simple enough sensor until it needs SCN coding and for some reason a pair is needed.
But as electric cars become more prominent and more common for us to own, the manufacturers can see that it's electrics that are their continued revenue stream.
All too clever headlights that are beyond Joe Bloggs to sort out for example.
Entertainment systems that they need to update, for us apparently.

Complex engines are to be a memory. Electric motors will be like a larger starter motor, remove replace oh and get the update.

Edit:
Rory your post has fallen off the page.

Yes mate. - I deleted it because I realised there was no analogy.....you were too quick!

 

[Jim2]

Ford's used a wet belt too, in the 1.8 engine, I think. Seemed to work out OK too, once it was changed per schedule. But having a belt, any kind of belt running in oil seem's like a crazy idea......

 

[noonboots]

VAG have been using that oil pump drive since 2012. There's millions of them out there. There are bound to be some failures.
On their earlier engines the chains and sprockets were a common failure.
Not that wet belts are confined to VAG. Ford for instance have timing belts running in oil on their eco boost engines. Again they have no change interval.
Obviously there is no rubber involved in the construction.

 

[Gazwould]

Planned obsolescence...

The old VAG from 2004 2.0 TDI PD had the tensioner and 77mm oil pump drive a few years later they lost the chain and went geared but still kept the 77mn .

Even later CR were 77mm , some 100mm right till 2010 .

So looks like they needed a new time bomb .

 

[rorywquin]

VAG have been using that oil pump drive since 2012. There's millions of them out there. There are bound to be some failures.
On their earlier engines the chains and sprockets were a common failure.
Not that wet belts are confined to VAG. Ford for instance have timing belts running in oil on their eco boost engines. Again they have no change interval.
Obviously there is no rubber involved in the construction.

That's more like it!