1.6 TDI - How reliable

waitechris · Post by **waitechris** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:30 am

So, I'm in the market for a Caddy Maxi and it's likely to be the 1.6 TDI 2011(ish) model.

To be honest not a great fan of diesels, I'd rather have a petrol, but those are out of my price range, so it'll either be the 1.6, or maybe the 2.0.

I also do a lot of short journeys to/from the train station during the week as I commute to work by train, where which I know isn't ideal. I would aim to stretch its legs at the weekends and when I'm not at work.

So, my question is; how reliable are these engines? I've done a lot of research and seem to come up with the same issues of the injectors failing every 5 minutes, and them spending more time off the road than on it. I'm not sure of how much this is due to there being generally only negative people reviewing on the internet, but it does raise some concerns for me.

What's people's experiences on the matter? Is there anything in particular to look out for when viewing used Caddy's? If it helps, I would probably be getting some sort of remap, although not sure which/by who.

Post by **Doc** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:55 am

They are reliable, for every bad review you have read there are 50-100 perfectly good vans out there.
Think about how many times you've read someone talking about how good their car/TV/phone is compared to the rants of a few that have problems.
The negativity surrounding the 1.6TDI injectors is well founded, there are lots that have failed but likewise there are lots more that are going strong.
Short journeys will be hard on the engine, they do take a while to warm up and most of your engine wear will happen in the period while the engine and oil are getting up to temperature.
Your idea of taking it for a run at weekends and days off will help with carbon deposits and DPF regeneration.
I don't buy into the theory whereby some "remappers" claim they can prevent injector failure as the injectors usually fail on the solenoid coil insulation due to breaking down with heat and water ingress, neither of which a ECU tune will resolve. So long as you're not looking at a remap as preventative measure to avoid injector problems fine, tuning when done correctly can help reduce strain on a engine, cleaner burning helps reduce carbon deposit build up and fuel consumption is normally reduced once the novelty of the additional power wears off.

waitechris · Post by **waitechris** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 10:42 am

Cheers Doc, that's what I'd hoped for really. Often seems to be the case that the people 'reviewing' are just there to complain.

In terms of the remap, it would just be to boost the performance, I imagine the 1.6 may struggle a bit with 101hp if fully loaded (not that mine would ever have much weight in, 200kg motorbike at most probably).
Though again, I did wonder whether the reliability of the engine would be affected by the additional hp gains.

Just out of interest how hard is it to change the injectors? I'm reasonably handy with a set of spanners having done Cambelt, waterpump, brakes etc on a Mk4 Golf. Though I'm no pro and there's more than a few occasions that I've snapped things off.
Would be pretty nervous about getting an injector stuck in as I've heard stories of.

Post by **Doc** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 10:49 am

The 1.6 injectors are quite easy to remove, you can use the compression to "assist".
To install a replacement, you'll need the injector, the washer/seals and a new seal for the fuel return line. The bolt is of the stretch variety so you shouldn't reuse it. New bolt and torque wrench.
Need to very very careful not to hydro-lock the bolt hole with fuel.

Jcalvert95 · Post by **Jcalvert95** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:02 pm

I always read bad things about the 1.6s too, but I've had my 2011 maxi 1.6 for nearly two years and it has ran like a dream since the day I got it. I've had the cambelt and water pump replaced, as well as a regular service. But to be truthfully I think it's brilliant and I love to drive it because it's so smooth. I had mine remapped for more power not long after I got it. When I did get it the standard power was still strong even when fully loaded. My van will never have less than 250kg in at all times and often more. I personally would highly recommend one. I did want the 2.0 myself when I was first looking purely so I could map it and have much more power but I couldn't afford it at the time. Good luck mate!

John stratton · Post by **John stratton** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:32 pm

I guess I have been one of the unlucky ones on the Injector issue . I have had my 2011 1.6 TDI from very nearly new with regular servicing .

At 22,000 miles injector 4 failed , on contacting VW Customer Care they did contribute towards its replacement , without this contribution it would have cost me circa £700 to replace with a new one supplied by the dealer .

I hope I have just been unlucky and the other three will last , only time will tell .

My only other area of concern is a slight seepage from the rocker cover gasket and injector port cover seals , again I believe this is a common fault with the TDI 1.6 engine .

Other than this issue I am totally happy with he van , runs well , economical , spacious etc .

Simon46 · Post by **Simon46** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:55 pm

My 2011 1.6 ex BG I love it. Number One injector went down within a couple of months and it was remapped! 80 quid for used one plus stretch bolt and 2 new crush washers genuine vw. It can be replaced at roadside if tools are on van

John stratton · Post by **John stratton** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 7:16 pm

I now have a spare and am putting it in the van with the required tools and parts to change over if I ever need too . I have vcds to programme in the injector but my understanding is that it will work without although best to programme in soonest . I would just like confirmation that this is the case otherwise will need to carry laptop and cable which is not ideal really .

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Simon46 · Post by **Simon46** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 7:42 pm

It will work without vcds. If just replacing one.

John stratton · Post by **John stratton** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 8:08 pm

Thanks . Do you know if they come out easily ?

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Nialsihg · Post by **Nialsihg** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 4:10 pm

Anyone else have a Egr valve issue?
I have just to replace it on my 1.6 Tdi 98000 km.

When I was going to work I suddenly have less power and two warning blinking on my dashboard.

I went to 2 vw dealers but they had no time so I went to a small garagiste to change the valve.

I take the old one back so I'll post some pictures soon.

Big Pimp · Post by **Big Pimp** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 7:53 pm

Does anyone have the part numbers for the injector washers and stretch bolt.

Have one (if not 2) injectors leaking a wee bit and the smell coming into the cabin is annoying me.

Caddy c20 tdi75

John stratton · Post by **John stratton** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 9:20 pm

Stretch bolt wht003187 .
Washer 03L130519
For 1.6 TDI . Info from Etka .
Probably best to check with dealer with vin just to be sure .

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John stratton · Post by **John stratton** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 10:43 pm

Just a point , have you checked it's not the rocker cover injector seals leaking oil slightly at the base of the injector . Common on these 1.6 TDI engines .

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Post by **Doc** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 10:51 pm

Part of the injector replacement is to swap out the seal on the fuel return line as these leak too. Make sure that's been done. The new ones are a different colour (green I think) to the old (orange?).

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