Hi guys, after some advice for a friend with a VRS TDI

She has it remapped (Superchip Bluefin) so as its now coming upto 12k on the clock I was wondering...

Does the fact its remapped mean it really shouldnt be on variable servicing or do the oil quality sensors pickup the general state of the oil irrespective or a remap being in place? Is it safe for 18k (she mainly does motorway or dual carraige way work) considering its running higher boost levels than intended from the factory?

I know a number of turbos seem to have failed at around the 60k mark but am I right in saying these are all or mainly on the 140PD engines and NOT the 170PD?

Thanks in advance.

I would have thought she would be safe on this.

I wouldn't expect the 'oil quality sensors' to be altered at all by a performance remap i.e. Bluefin, remember other parameters are measured as well, things like stop/starts, cold running, style of driving etc. so the service monitor program will just do its job and predict the next service.

Considering mainly Motorway driving you are hardly using the extra turbo boost (in UK at least) so I doubt this is different. If the car gets ragged frequently, thereby using the extra performance, I would expect the range to service to come down (probably) Bluefin or not.

A couple of questions;

1. How long ago was the Bluefin installed?

2. 12,000 miles covered so far; what is the service prediction?

3. Has she had the 26E6 campaign ECU update done?

Finally; turbo failures; sorry but no idea.

1. - around 7,000 miles

2. - Well this is where it gets a little confusing as the car was set to fixed by the dealer (the same dealer did this to mine when new also!)

3. - No.

So if it went to skoda the course of action is ECU update and then remap update file from Superchip to go back on?

I just wasnt sure if the formula for oil changes looks at the ECU data containing boost/timing etc therefore knowing/not knowing its running higher levels of boost than standard?

Thanks.

Edited 9 October, 200817 yr by DGW
No need for quote.

1. - around 7,000 miles

OK.

2. - Well this is where it gets a little confusing as the car was set to fixed by the dealer (the same dealer did this to mine when new also!)

IIRC all cars come set to Variable from the factory, if she's happy with fixed then leave it BUT as you've already said she does a lot of Motorway mileage which suggests 15,000 miles plus per annum, in which case IMHO she would be better to be on Variable.

3. - No.

Ought to get it (26E6 update) done ASAP - improves the car.

So if it went to skoda the course of action is ECU update and then remap update file from Superchip to go back on?

Yes; except that you will want to put the new Superchip map (i.e. the one that they will have done on the 15th October when I go to see them that will take account of the 26E6 update) onto the car. If you put the map that is at present in her Bluefin into the car it will AFAIK overrule the 26E6 upgrade.

Thanks for the info.

Personally I'd stay on variable servicing and do an extra oil change at about 9-10k miles as this makes a huge difference to how the engine runs. I'd suggest staying with the longlife VW507 oil for both changes too.

I'd also do the fuel filter at 40k not 60k miles and the air filter every 10k miles.

Personally I'd stay on variable servicing and do an extra oil change at about 9-10k miles as this makes a huge difference to how the engine runs. I'd suggest staying with the longlife VW507 oil for both changes too.

I'd also do the fuel filter at 40k not 60k miles and the air filter every 10k miles.

Think she had already sussed thats the best route also. Its what I'd do. Thanks very much.

My car is 84150km old now, is still on variable servicing. Will have to bring it in at a tad over 91tkm. (because the 60tkm service was at 61tkm).

Bluefin is on since 62tkm.

I will stay on variable servicing (dont have the time to do a small service every 10tkm). And my car does have to do a lot of highspeed stints

On the other hand, I only do a couple of short distances (<15km) in a week and most of the distances are longer (over 150km).

My car is 84150km old now, is still on variable servicing. Will have to bring it in at a tad over 91tkm. (because the 60tkm service was at 61tkm).

Bluefin is on since 62tkm.

I will stay on variable servicing (don't have the time to do a small service every 10tkm). And my car does have to do a lot of high speed stints

On the other hand, I only do a couple of short distances (<15km) in a week and most of the distances are longer (over 150km).

If anyone is going to regularly test the performance available with Bluefin remap it is YOU and clearly, if you are doing 30,000km (18,750 miles) between services, there is no change in servicing requirement with the installation of a remap and the use of its available performance.

We can only dream of the speeds you regularly do on the Autobahn.

I would have thought she would be safe on this.

I wouldn't expect the 'oil quality sensors' to be altered at all by a performance remap i.e. Bluefin, remember other parameters are measured as well, things like stop/starts, cold running, style of driving etc. so the service monitor program will just do its job and predict the next service.

Considering mainly Motorway driving you are hardly using the extra turbo boost (in UK at least) so I doubt this is different. If the car gets ragged frequently, thereby using the extra performance, I would expect the range to service to come down (probably) Bluefin or not.

A couple of questions;

1. How long ago was the Bluefin installed?

2. 12,000 miles covered so far; what is the service prediction?

3. Has she had the 26E6 campaign ECU update done?

Finally; turbo failures; sorry but no idea.

With regard to 2. on variable servicing, is there a way of seeing what the predicted mileage of the next service is? Cheers.

Ignition on, engine off, once the seatbelt warning message has cleared etc (maxidot only) press and hold the trip reset button on the dash until the trip counter changes, this will show the predicted mileage to next service.

This will stay blank just after a service BTW

With regard to 2. on variable servicing, is there a way of seeing what the predicted mileage of the next service is? Cheers.

1. Run the engine

2. Switch off the ignition one 'click' only (not two clicks to where you would remove the key).

3. Press and hold the trip meter button until the display changes from the 'mileage' usually shown.

4. The display will then show the miles and days due to the next service/inspection.

5. Remove the key and display reverts to normal.

This is for both regular and maxidot displays; and regardless of whether you are on variable or flexible regime (works on my wife's Roomster that is on fixed{no variable available}).

Worked a treat. 4200 miles to go. That will take it to well over 18,500 miles for the first service. Cheers.

If anyone is going to regularly test the performance available with Bluefin remap it is YOU and clearly, if you are doing 30,000km (18,750 miles) between services, there is no change in servicing requirement with the installation of a remap and the use of its available performance.

We can only dream of the speeds you regularly do on the Autobahn.

To be fair long, high speed autobahn drives are much much better for the oil life than lots of relatively short drives around town or stuck in traffic.

I'd like to think variable servicing is intelligent enough to cope, considering it has an oil quality sensor (actually based on thermal properties of the oil as it cools down as I understand it). However, reading the variable servicing bumpf in the new Scirocco brochure it makes a point that variable servicing should only be used when the vehicle is regularly used for long journeys and not often used at high rpm etc etc, so I honestly think I'd go back to fixed servicing on a tuned car, or at least do an oil/filter change about half way between the intervals to make sure.

I'd like to think variable servicing is intelligent enough to cope, considering it has an oil quality sensor (actually based on thermal properties of the oil as it cools down as I understand it). However, reading the variable servicing bumpf in the new Scirocco brochure it makes a point that variable servicing should only be used when the vehicle is regularly used for long journeys and not often used at high rpm etc etc, so I honestly think I'd go back to fixed servicing on a tuned car, or at least do an oil/filter change about half way between the intervals to make sure.

I don't think it is set to a level for maximum protection, but more for keeping fleet costs down.

In a couple of PD140 the engine gets noticeably more noisy, revs less well, smokes more, has poorer fuel economy and generally isn't as happy once you hit about 10k miles. The engine oil sensor then thinks you're good for another almost 9k miles on the oil.

A simple pump the oil out, new oil filter and new oil completely transforms the engine back to it's happy quieter and smoother former self.

At 10k IMHO the oil is past it's best and obviously affecting the engine enough to make a noticeable difference.

If you want to keep the car for a long time I wouldn't be scrimping over £50 every 10k miles.

If you stay on variable and do the extra change, you maintain a full service history and only have to pay for the full service cost every 2years or 20k(ish) miles.

Edited 13 October, 200817 yr by cheezemonkhai

I don't think it is set to a level for maximum protection, but more for keeping fleet costs down.

In a couple of PD140 the engine gets noticeably more noisy, revs less well, smokes more, has poorer fuel economy and generally isn't as happy once you hit about 10k miles. The engine oil sensor then thinks you're good for another almost 9k miles on the oil.

A simple pump the oil out, new oil filter and new oil completely transforms the engine back to it's happy quieter and smoother former self.

At 10k IMHO the oil is past it's best and obviously affecting the engine enough to make a noticeable difference.

If you want to keep the car for a long time I wouldn't be scrimping over £50 every 10k miles.

If you stay on variable and do the extra change, you maintain a full service history and only have to pay for the full service cost every 2years or 20k(ish) miles.

where did you get your pump from cheezemonkhai, any idea of cost?

where did you get your pump from cheezemonkhai, any idea of cost?

I got a heavy duty one from a sailing supplies shop and it was about £50, however I have at least 5 cars to be doing with that and probably more random things and other cars too.

If you're just doing one or two then screwfix sell one that does well in tests:

Laser Fluid Extractor - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

It's not the cheapest out there but works well apparantly.

If you do extract the oil via the dipstick, then also pull out as much as you can out of the oil cooler and filter housing. IIRC I think it gets nearly all the oil, but I'd still take the sump plug out every other service (eg the one you pay for )