Plus 3 Golfer
Veteran Member
As some may know about 300 miles ago at about 26k miles I inspected my FF for metal contamination. I had previously inspected the FF at about 22k miles and found no contamination (it was pristine). This time I found metal contamination as shown in pic below. An inspection of the HPFP regulator (VW calls it metering sensor) found no contamination. My original FF was replaced at 19.7k miles by a dealer in PA.
Today, I had scheduled service to replace a faulty front seat belt buckle latch (SRS light on) at an AZ dealer. When I dropped my TDI off this morning, I informed the SW that my FF had metal contamination on top of the FF and had him load a pic of my FF and one that had an HPFP failure diagnosed onto his computer. I explained information that I gleaned from this sight on this contamination issue including that I and many believe that there should be no metal flakes in the fuel system. He said he is not aware of any issues with metal contamination or HPFP failures at their dealership but they will look into it.
About 1 ½ later, the SW tells me that their tech opened the fuel canister and “found some metal in the fuel filter but not much.” They took pics and sent their pics and my pics to the VW area rep. The rep told them to check the metering sensor, and the fuel pump in the tank. No metal was found in the bottom of the fuel tank or on / around the metering sensor. One small piece was found on the fuel pump in the tank. The Tech says “they told me to start with replacing the FF and cleaning out the fuel filter housing. May need more work and diagnosis.” I’m to not touch the fuel system and they will recheck at my 30k service. The SW and tech also know that the fuel from the HPFP is circulated back to the FF and tank. So I’ll have to wait until 30k miles. . My guess is it will be mid-summer before I reach 30k miles.
I asked the SW “what did VW say might cause this”. He said you probably already know but they said that gas in the fuel system could cause this. I responded by saying I filled every tank and only put ULSD in the tank. He also said that metal may have been introduced in the tank at the pump.
It appears that VW (the area service rep) is aware of this metal contamination issue based on their response to the tech. To my knowledge (based on my questioning of the SW and tech) that neither my fuel filter nor sample of fuel was taken / sent to VW. It may be of benefit for anyone that has inspected their FF and found metal contamination to do something sooner rather than later.
Today, I had scheduled service to replace a faulty front seat belt buckle latch (SRS light on) at an AZ dealer. When I dropped my TDI off this morning, I informed the SW that my FF had metal contamination on top of the FF and had him load a pic of my FF and one that had an HPFP failure diagnosed onto his computer. I explained information that I gleaned from this sight on this contamination issue including that I and many believe that there should be no metal flakes in the fuel system. He said he is not aware of any issues with metal contamination or HPFP failures at their dealership but they will look into it.
About 1 ½ later, the SW tells me that their tech opened the fuel canister and “found some metal in the fuel filter but not much.” They took pics and sent their pics and my pics to the VW area rep. The rep told them to check the metering sensor, and the fuel pump in the tank. No metal was found in the bottom of the fuel tank or on / around the metering sensor. One small piece was found on the fuel pump in the tank. The Tech says “they told me to start with replacing the FF and cleaning out the fuel filter housing. May need more work and diagnosis.” I’m to not touch the fuel system and they will recheck at my 30k service. The SW and tech also know that the fuel from the HPFP is circulated back to the FF and tank. So I’ll have to wait until 30k miles. . My guess is it will be mid-summer before I reach 30k miles.
I asked the SW “what did VW say might cause this”. He said you probably already know but they said that gas in the fuel system could cause this. I responded by saying I filled every tank and only put ULSD in the tank. He also said that metal may have been introduced in the tank at the pump.
It appears that VW (the area service rep) is aware of this metal contamination issue based on their response to the tech. To my knowledge (based on my questioning of the SW and tech) that neither my fuel filter nor sample of fuel was taken / sent to VW. It may be of benefit for anyone that has inspected their FF and found metal contamination to do something sooner rather than later.