VW Golf TDI Injection System Drift Causing Rough Idle

Had similar symptoms on my 2012 VW Passat TDI. The drift compensation error often points to injector problems, which matches the rough idle and performance issues you described. The onboard diagnostics showed similar compensation adjustment warnings before I addressed it. The fuel injection system needed attention, specifically, the injectors were not atomizing fuel properly. After testing, two injectors showed incorrect spray patterns and needed replacement. The car sensors were picking up these irregularities, triggering the engine management light. This is a serious issue that requires proper diagnosis and repair. Continuing to drive with faulty injectors can lead to poor fuel economy, increased emissions, and potential engine damage. The drift compensation error is the engine management system trying to adjust for the failing injector performance. In my case, testing revealed carbon buildup was preventing proper atomization. The repair involved replacing injectors and cleaning the fuel system. After fixing, the rough idle disappeared completely and the engine regained its smooth operation. Would recommend getting it checked soon, these symptoms typically worsen over time and can affect other engine components if left unaddressed.

Thanks for the detailed walkthrough of the injector problems. My Golf started showing the same symptoms last month with the drift compensation errors and rough running. Getting ready to take it to a shop, but curious what the repair cost was in your case? Also wondering if youve had any other fuel injection or airflow sensor issues pop up since getting it fixed? Want to know what to watch out for going forward.

Just had my injector issue resolved last week actually. The shop diagnosed and replaced a faulty injector, which cleared up both the rough running and drift compensation errors. Total cost came to 515€ for the complete repair including the system reset and injector replacement. The reset quantity drift compensation issue hasnt returned since the fix. Performance is back to normal and the engine runs smooth again. The fuel economy has also improved noticeably now that the injection system is working properly. No problems with airflow sensors or other injection-related issues since the repair. The mechanic mentioned its important to use quality fuel and keep up with regular maintenance to prevent future injector problems. The compensation adjustment parameters are now reading normally in the diagnostic system, which confirms the fix was successful. If you go ahead with the repair, make sure they perform a complete system reset after replacing any faulty injectors. This ensures all the engine management parameters are properly calibrated to the new components.

After reading everyones advice, I took my Golf to a reputable diesel specialist last week. The whole experience was actually smoother than expected. They confirmed the drift compensation error was indeed caused by a failing injector, just like others mentioned. The final repair bill came to 490€, which included replacing one bad injector and cleaning the entire fuel injection system. They also performed a full system reset to clear all the old error codes. The rough idle disappeared immediately after the fix. The mechanic showed me the old injector, it was pretty gunked up with carbon deposits. Been driving for about a week now and the engine runs perfectly smooth. No more check engine light and the fuel economy has definitely improved. Really glad I caught this before it caused more damage. Going to stick with premium diesel from now on and keep up with the maintenance schedule to avoid future issues. The car sensors are all showing normal readings now, so hopefully this fixes the problem for good.