VW Tiguan VANOS Issue Causing High Fuel Consumption

I had a similar issue with my 2019 VW Golf GTI. Having some experience with basic maintenance and repairs, I first noticed similar symptoms, the check engine light illuminated and fuel economy took a significant hit. The diagnostic revealed a VANOS solenoid problem, which was causing intermittent engine misfires. After checking forums and consulting with my regular workshop, they confirmed the variable timing system needed attention. The repair involved replacing one faulty VANOS solenoid and cleaning the surrounding components. Total cost was 250€ and the job took about 3 hours. Since the repair, fuel consumption returned to normal and the check engine light hasn't returned. The workshop mentioned these issues are fairly common in this engine family as mileage increases. Before suggesting specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage on your Tiguan? Any other symptoms like rough idling or drop in power? Have you noticed any unusual engine sounds? Did you get the specific error codes from the diagnostic? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced and whether a VANOS solenoid replacement might be the right fix for your situation.

Last service was done at 18000km and current mileage is 21247km. After reading your response, I noticed the rough idling you mentioned, it happens especially when the engine is cold. The diagnostic showed error code P0013, which points to the inlet camshaft position actuator circuit. The engine does make a slight rattling noise on startup, but it goes away after warming up. Your experience with the VANOS solenoid replacement sounds promising, especially since the symptoms match closely. The increasing fuel consumption and check engine light match my situation exactly. Good to know the repair time is relatively short. Did your workshop mention if oil sludge buildup could be contributing to the VANOS failure? My main concern is ensuring all related issues are addressed during the repair to prevent recurrence.

Thanks for sharing those details. Your symptoms, including the P0013 code, cold start rattling, and rough idle, match my GTI case almost exactly. The mileage is quite low for VANOS issues though, which suggests potential premature wear or oil-related problems. When my VANOS solenoid was replaced, the technician did find some oil sludge around the inlet camshaft area. This buildup was restricting proper VANOS operation, causing the engine misfire symptoms. They recommended moving to a higher grade synthetic oil and slightly shorter oil change intervals. My repair included: VANOS solenoid replacement, Complete system cleaning, Oil change with updated spec oil, Testing of related sensors The engine misfire issues cleared up immediately after repair. The check engine light has stayed off and fuel consumption dropped back to normal levels within two tanks. Based on your description and my experience, I recommend having both the VANOS solenoid replaced and the oil system thoroughly cleaned. Addressing just the solenoid without cleaning could lead to repeat failures. This combined approach solved the problem permanently in my case.

Thanks for all that detailed information. The error code and symptoms you described definitely align with my situation. I'll book the car in next week and make sure they check for oil sludge buildup along with the VANOS solenoid replacement. The rattling noise on cold starts was really bothering me, so hearing that yours was fixed completely is reassuring. I did a bit more research after your response and found quite a few cases with similar engine misfire symptoms related to VANOS failure. Going to request they do the full system cleaning you mentioned, alongside the inlet camshaft area inspection. Makes sense to address any oil buildup issues now rather than risk another VANOS solenoid failure down the line. Really appreciate the repair time estimate too, helps me plan better for the shop visit. I will make sure to discuss switching to that higher grade synthetic oil you mentioned. At 21247km, definitely want to prevent any repeat issues. Thanks for sharing your experience, it has been incredibly helpful in understanding what I am dealing with.