VW Taigo Check Engine + High Fuel Use: VANOS Issue

I experienced a very similar issue with my 2021 VW T-Cross. As someone with moderate experience working on cars, I initially thought it might be something simple when the check engine light came on and fuel economy dropped. The symptoms matched exactly what you described. After taking it to my regular workshop, they diagnosed a faulty VANOS solenoid that was affecting the variable timing system. The solenoid wasnt getting proper power supply, causing irregular camshaft timing. The total repair cost was 250€, which included diagnostics, parts, and labor. The fix involved replacing the defective solenoid and checking the entire variable timing system to ensure no additional damage occurred. Before suggesting specific solutions for your case, could you share: Current mileage on your Taigo, Any unusual sounds from the engine, When the symptoms first appeared, Whether the check engine light is constant or flickering, If you have access to the error codes These details would help determine if your issue is identical to what I encountered with my T-Cross. Catching timing-related problems early is crucial to prevent potential engine damage and oil sludge buildup.

My Taigo has 95519km on the odometer, and the symptoms started about 2 weeks after my latest service. The check engine light remains constant, and I do notice a slight rattling sound during cold starts. The engine misfire seems more pronounced when accelerating, especially in lower gears. I appreciate the detailed breakdown of costs and repair process. This gives me a good baseline for what to expect. Unfortunately, I dont have access to the error codes right now, but will get them scanned before heading to the workshop. The VANOS failure symptoms you described match my situation pretty closely, particularly the timing issues and increased fuel consumption. The relatively affordable repair cost you mentioned is reassuring, though I realize prices can vary. I will have this checked soon to prevent any potential engine damage from prolonged variable timing issues.

Thanks for providing those additional details. The cold start rattling combined with misfires during acceleration strongly points toward VANOS system issues, quite similar to what I experienced with my T-Cross. The timing chain tensioner might also be involved, as these symptoms often appear together with inlet camshaft timing problems. In my case, the workshop did a complete timing system inspection while replacing the VANOS solenoid. Given your mileage is around 95000km, this is actually a common point for VANOS components to show wear. My repair ended up being straightforward, but I recommend having them check for oil sludge buildup in the VANOS unit while they are servicing it. The presence of sludge could indicate need for more extensive cleaning. Since your issues started shortly after service, have the workshop verify if the oil viscosity used was correct, as incorrect oil specs can impact VANOS operation. My repair costs stayed at 250€ because we caught it early, before any damage to related components occurred. Best to get those error codes read soon, my initial P0012 code helped confirm the inlet VANOS timing was indeed the culprit, saving diagnostic time and costs.

The symptoms you described match my situation almost exactly, thank you for sharing those repair details. The rattling during cold starts combined with low power issues is especially concerning, and your mention of checking the oil viscosity makes a lot of sense given my problems started after the service. I will contact my workshop tomorrow to get the error codes read and have them inspect both the VANOS solenoid and the timing chain tensioner. The engine misfire during acceleration is becoming more noticeable, so addressing this soon seems crucial. Your repaired T-Cross situation gives me a good reference point for what to expect. The 250€ repair cost is much more reasonable than I feared. Even if my total ends up being somewhat higher due to additional cleaning or component checks, its worth fixing before the inlet camshaft timing issues cause more extensive damage. I appreciate the detailed breakdown of your experience, it helps confirm my suspicions about the VANOS failure and gives me confidence in pursuing this specific repair path.