// sorry it's a long post, but it's a long story //
a few weeks ago I noticed my gas consumption was higher (15%) and I discovered that it was dropping some gas from the right hand side of the tank area (couldn't determine where ?). It would stop a few minutes after stopping the engine (probably need pressure?).
Anyway, I dropped my car last Monday morning at the dealership, without appointment (I'm not a car expert, I feel it was safer to act promptly). I explained the service representative what was going on, and pointed the area where it drops. of course 175.5$ applies to the diagnostic
in the afternoon, he called me and told me that I need to change the tank. It's a very specific tank, they may have found one in Canada, it's not covered, because my warranty is over ('99 used car bought from VW dealer 3 years ago, 50km as of today). total 1400$ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Instead of giving my agreement, I asked more details about the root cause, and got no answer ! They saw some gas traces on the tank seam. they concluded that changing the gas tank would fix the issue!!!!! they are assuming it comes from a rock or a nail, but cannot see the hole, because it would involve dropping the tank and removing the rear bumper, and they don't want to start anything unless I give my agreement to order a new tank!!!
I escalated to VWoA. they did want to hear anything since my car is 5 years old and 50km. even if it's a mfg defect, I'm not covered. bottom line, if they screwed up to install my tank I can blow up with my car, they are not liable !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At last, I asked if they could cover it through the anti-corrosion warranty. I wanted them to give a clear root cause. no answer except that the corrosion warranty covers the "body sheet metal panels", therefore the tank is not included..........................
It took them 5 days to tell me that and in the meantime, I'm out of car. I asked more quote to VW specialists and got quotes around 800$ with is 600$ less than the dealership.....
I'd like to take my car back, but I feel screwed because I have to pay the 172.5$ for the diagnostic. I want a root cause from them, not "we saw some gas on the seam, SO we HAVE to change the gas tank"...is there a hole, a crack, mfg defect, hose pb, ring, ???? No answer!
Please, tell if you got similar experience from your dealership ?
what would you recommend me to do ?
I never got any accident or did offroading with my car.
what's your experience with gas leak on golf ? do you have any stories of gas leak on your golf ? where did it come from ?
Thanks a lot, I need to have strategy to get back to them on Monday morning.
S.