Help and advice new GTI owner, possibe VAG.com favour near Southampton

[jnc0108]

Hi Guys, some advice please!

I have recently purchased a golf gti from a private seller and trying to solve a mystery or two!

The car has a K04 conversion on a BWA engine, with supporting upgrades such as S3 intercooler, S3 injectors, S3 fuel Pump (unknown internals so bought a new Loba HPFP) and the usual intake/downpipe done.

I have a printout from R-Tech of 345bhp/370ftlbs however they claim they definitely haven't mapped my car, we think the old owner may have bought a mapped ed30 ecu with printout from another vehicle, bolted the parts on and plugged this ecu into my car! Not idea and not how i want my car to be setup, therefore I have spent hours going over the car cross referencing every part to make sure the advert descriptions matches whats on the car. I have recently changed the downpipe and it has thrown an engine light, which is strange especially if the car is mapped as that would have been mapped out, particulary running that sort of power if thats genuine. Before I take my car for a complete retune, ideally I need to find out if in fact the car is running some kind of map and if so possibly reflash to stock to avoid complications with a future tune (unsure if the previous mapper locked it)

I will say the car is running really nice,it pulled really hard and have not had any problems other than EML probably from fitting new downpipe. The old exhaust was stock, which cannot be right if it was mapped on a K04!

I am in desperate need of using the VAG VCDS software on my car to check a few things, one being the boost and maf readings to try and piece together the mystery and get my car running how it should on a stage 2+ map!

I am based near Southampton and happy to cover travel and a crate to use the software? 

Thanks in advance and appreciate you helping out a new GTI owner enjoy the car to its full potential and get to the bottom of the mystery.

Josh

[schmidt_vr6]

I do not think that its running 345BHP on standard downpipe.

Also its not easy to just plug in another ECU from another car. There's more involved like changing the whole lockset, ECU, Transponder, Clocks, Keys etc

[flashp]

Particularly as it's a new car I would put it in into a specialist for a health check and have them baseline the whole car. You'll know where you are for sure then.
You won't do better than JKM given your location: http://www.jkm.org.uk/performance/

[jnc0108]

Thanks for the responses!

I actually had the downpipe fitted at JKM who also checked over the car and nothing major to report.

I have pulled out the ECU today, part number: 1K0 907 115 L

Therefore this is definitely an edition 30 ecu, which has obviously been programmed to suit my car. Keys, alarm, sat nav and everything works perfectly, my car has upgraded highline clocks anyway

I am also certain it wasn't running this power, since fitting the downpipe it has thrown an EML light which certainly wouldn't happen at that level of tune. It looks as if the car needs to be booked back in for a complete retune which rtech said can be done running that ecu, I'm just curious to know if it's stock or mapped already. Any ideas?

I have checked every component needed for the K04 conversion, the only "possibility" is the fuel pump is a stock S3 8P unit but may have uprated internals. I haven't pulled it out as I am fitting a Loba unit anyway.

Wasn't expecting this much drama after buying the golf:) but hopefully soon it will be setup in the right way

I also wonder if the previous owner before the last used this forum as I don't know his name, and would like to find out more!

[flashp]

Did you put this problem to them or report back to them with your EML light issue?
Were they advised of the cars conversion status with respect to all the additional hardware/engine change?
If that came on as result of something they've done (unlikely without any cautionary words) they would want to know and to help. Unless of course you were cautioned and went ahead anyway?

So you had this pipe fitted and a check up...did they offer any advice or did you seek it on fitting the downpipe regarding potential issues or were they simply instructed to fit something you supplied and provide you with a basic mechanical check up?

Jim & Kate are extremely knowledgeable and if they were asked an opinion they would give it. There's very little they don't know and I know they're often presented with new vehicles to owners and asked to check them over and straighten them out.

It sounds to me like your software version/revision in unclear and that it may have even been mapped on another vehicle which could probably cause all manner of issues. Not to mention a whole host of additional hardware.

If it were me I would simply take it back to JKM and explain the full extent of the problem (full disclosure) and the cars background and ask if they're willing to dig deeper and rectify as they go.

As an aside, can I ask why you've had a downpipe fitted to an otherwise standard exhaust system? Genuinely curious. 

[jnc0108]

When the downpipe was fitted I was under the impression the stock system had a precat delete and I wasn't even aware of any of the current scenario. I thought I was driving an rtech tuned gti but wanted to fit a nicer 3inch system as opposed to a modified stock downpipe.

They fitted the 3inch downpipe onto my stock catback which is what I wanted, and didn't throw any EML codes at first until I gave the car some more boost a few days after (I barely drove the car since the downpipe was initially fitted) which was done to a high standard, good service and friendly.

I contacted rtech to discuss a map tweak when this whole scenario has come up as they wanted to know specifically every modification which threw some confusion and forced me to check every part on the car. I haven't once said that JKM are at fault nor do they not have sufficient knowledge I am purely trying to get to the bottom of the modifications on my car and get it tuned properly. I am also fully aware my new purchase is a little messed up and needs sorting

Basically my car has a full k04 conversion other than the loba hpfp and rs4 fpv I am installing in the next few weeks and needs a new map. Unsure of the complications of a gti with ed30 ecu or if this isn't a massive issue for the tuner.

I have also contacted P Torque as I know Will and he is also happy to map it but would prefer I was stock or flashed to stock which again is even more hassle. JKM only use Revo and I don't want to run Revo so that limits me using them (although they are local which is frustrating)

[flashp]

When the downpipe was fitted I was under the impression the stock system had a precat delete and I wasn't even aware of any of the current scenario. I thought I was driving an rtech tuned gti but wanted to fit a nicer 3inch system as opposed to a modified stock downpipe.

They fitted the 3inch downpipe onto my stock catback which is what I wanted, and didn't throw any EML codes at first until I gave the car some more boost a few days after.

I contacted rtech to discuss a map tweak when this whole scenario has come up. I haven't once said that JKM are at fault nor do they not have sufficient knowledge I am purely trying to get to the bottom of the modifications on my car and get it tuned properly. I am also fully aware my new purchase is a little messed up and needs sorting

Sorry, I hadn't meant to imply that you had, I only asked if you sought advice or were offered it and if you were did you heed it. 
Sometimes people present them with 'awkward' cars and don't want their advice.

JKM would be able to set your ECU to stock and sort the car then you'd be free to use whoever you please. In JKM's case one of the clear advantages is that they don't just do mapping unlike some tuners.

The fastest way for you to get the very best out of you new car is to hand it back to them and tell them all you know. They know so much it won't take them long to do.

 

[jnc0108]

It's okay maybe I read it wrong (currently working a Christmas at the fire station so not in the best mood)

Will give them a call, hopefully if they have the car for an hour they will be able to tell what the score is.

Frustrating as I am usually very savvy with cars and unfortunately on this occasion I haven't a clue what's going on! Thanks again for your advice.

[flashp]

It's okay maybe I read it wrong (currently working a Christmas at the fire station so not in the best mood)

Will give them a call, hopefully if they have the car for an hour they will be able to tell what the score is.

Frustrating as I am usually very savvy with cars and unfortunately on this occasion I haven't a clue what's going on! Thanks again for your advice.

They'll be pleased to help you. If you need a courtesy they have two available for very little money.
I know my way at a basic level these days (it was different 25 years ago!) and could do more for myself if I chose to but it became clear that if things don't go to plan I'd be in a hole that I can't get out of myself.

I also hope that my service file will speak for itself when/if the car is sold.

Sorry to hear you're working Xmas eve, hope you have a peaceful shift and merry Christmas! 

[jnc0108]

It's okay maybe I read it wrong (currently working a Christmas at the fire station so not in the best mood)

Will give them a call, hopefully if they have the car for an hour they will be able to tell what the score is.

Frustrating as I am usually very savvy with cars and unfortunately on this occasion I haven't a clue what's going on! Thanks again for your advice.

They'll be pleased to help you. If you need a courtesy they have two available for very little money.
I know my way at a basic level these days (it was different 25 years ago!) and could do more for myself if I chose to but it became clear that if things don't go to plan I'd be in a hole that I can't get out of myself.

I also hope that my service file will speak for itself when/if the car is sold.

Sorry to hear you're working Xmas eve, hope you have a peaceful shift and merry Christmas! 

I'm sure they will be able to help, just hope the cost to find out more isn't extortionate. I only really need to find out what the situation is with mapping, the rest of the supporting hardware for stage 2+ K04 I have figured out

And yes once it's properly sorted it will be a great little machine it's a lovely lovely car! Thanks again and happy Christmas to you also

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