Galaxy 2.8 Engine Vibration

[Guest markc]

Since buying my 03 reg 2.8 galaxy as an ex demonstator just over a year ago, it has exhibited what I can only describe as an engine imbalance or wobble at ~1300rpm. This only occurs when the engine is under no,or light load, and is most apparent when starting from cold, whilst the engine fast idles at this speed.

I have taken it to two ford dealers, both of which have contacted ford technical who say that this is a 'characteristic' of the engine and that other 2.8 cars do the same. Personally I think this is a poor response from Ford, and think that it is more likely that the ECU settings are out - has anyone else experianced this on either a galaxy or VR6 sharan?

By the way - apart from this slight annoyance, I think that the 2.8 is a superb engine in a very good all round car.

 

Mark.

[Dally]

Mine occurs between 1000 and 1100 rpm. I've also got a missing beat every now and then when accelerating.

Took to a VW tuning specialist (C&R enterprises) they say coil packs are playing up and recommended 6 new coil packs and six new plugs and they know that it won't necessarily get picked up as a fault code on VAG COM. It's booked in with Ford next week to see if they will do this (last time they said no because there were no fault codes). Let see.

[MrT]

I am not sure about this getting not picked up on VAG-COM, the engine management has a misfire detector and counter built in.

 

The engines do feel a bit "lumpy" when idling about 1200 rpm when cold but it does not seem like a misfire. You can feel it through the car, but not hear it. If you turn the climate control off the lumpiness seems to go. Also if you look at the engine or touch it when it is doing this, there is no movement or matching vibration.

 

I have also wondered whether this is also due to the auto box, as in neutral as compared to park, it is also a lot less noticeable.

 

Both my 2.8 galaxies (Mk1 & Mk2) have been auto and had this "lumpy fast idle" issue from new.

[Guest markc]

My Galaxy is a manual - so I think that rules out the auto box possibility. I know that the coil packs can cause issues, but this characteristic only occurs at this narrow range of rpm - at all other rpms the engine is very smooth. I am still of the opinion that the problem is releted to the ECUs programmed coefficients. I am very interested to hear the outcome of Dally's visit to Ford. Also, I don't know if this is something that just Galaxies exhibit, or is it a VR6 engine characteristic (Golfs, Passats, Corrados)?

[Dally]

I am not sure about this getting not picked up on VAG-COM, the engine management has a misfire detector and counter built in.

 

The engines do feel a bit "lumpy" when idling about 1200 rpm when cold but it does not seem like a misfire. You can feel it through the car, but not hear it. If you turn the climate control off the lumpiness seems to go. Also if you look at the engine or touch it when it is doing this, there is no movement or matching vibration.

 

I have also wondered whether this is also due to the auto box, as in neutral as compared to park, it is also a lot less noticeable.

 

Both my 2.8 galaxies (Mk1 & Mk2) have been auto and had this "lumpy fast idle" issue from new.

Mr T, I agree with your points on the auto box and climate but despite this, the lumpiness is there. I find it hard that this would have got past QA processess in the design and development stage as a characteristic because it does impact on driving at slow pace in traffic when the rpm is in this range - you can feel the roughness through the drive train, slight though it may be.

 

I agree that beyond 3000 rpm, the motor is silky smooth but I am getting that intermittent missed beat and flat spot feeling when accelerating hard.

 

With regards to VAG COM, C&R did say that they have had a number of motors in where coilpacks were deficient and it had not shown up as a fault code.

 

I got a quote from may local VW dealer for replacement plugs and coils just in case Ford say no -

[Richmond]

Mine is a bit lumpy at tickover and just above, not a misfire or engine vibration, I'm sure. I seem to remember reference being made to this as a characteristic of the engine in other threads.

[Grandad]

I have the same missed beat at around 1500 - 2000 revs in slow moving traffic. Also slow to accelerate up hills. I have seen several references about faulty MAF sensor and that it is possible to disconnect it and see if engine runs any better without it. Might this be worth a try?

 

For my own information, what is the MAF for if you can run engine without it? Is it part of emmisions monitoring and if so, would you have to refit it for MOT?

 

PS I'm not a real Grandad - it's just that I ownwed a Granada when I first came across this great web site.

[kalel]

Hi guys

 

Seems as we all have aomething going on with our VR6es. I'm experiencing a hesitation between 1000 and 2000 revs on light acceleration. If preceeded by a long deaaceleration it really feels like misfire. Flooring the pedal, even from idle, is another ballpark, makes me just hang on for dear life.

[Denis]

I have the same problem, it amazes me how this can happen when my previous V6's (Scorpio and Mondeo) were perfectly smooth.

 

Just a thought but is it possible it's because we're not using Super Unleaded? Here's a couple of quotes from the Daily Telegraph motoring agony aunt, Honest John, who seems to think it makes a difference.

 

Q: Our K-reg Saab 900 XS has developed an impossible-to-diagnose fault. Its engine begins to lose power a minute or two after running normally. It feels as if the brakes have suddenly been applied. A warning light comes on and the manual indicates a fuel-injection problem. The garage has checked everything, including the ECU, but the problem remains. We started using supermarket petrol about three months ago. Could that have had any effect?

K.J., Isle of Wight

 

 

A:There's your culprit. Switch to - and stick with - Shell Optimax. It might cost more than the stuff you've been using, but there are valid reasons for that. "

 

 

Q:My Opel Omega automatic's engine developed a habit of suddenly cutting out for no apparent reason. It happened more than once while I was making a turning manoeuvre, during which I naturally lost my power steering and most of my braking. On one occasion I had the fright of my life. I was making a right turn - with a police car in view and heading towards me - when the engine died without warning. I failed to make the turn and had to restart, back up and begin all over again.

 

Vauxhall agents came up with various ideas, including the possibility that the vehicle needed rewiring because stray electrical fields must be upsetting the electronics - a prospect that did not appeal to me or to my bank manager. Fortunately, shortly afterwards I read your comments about the quality of supermarket petrol. I cleaned out the fuel system, started buying only Shell or Texaco and have not had a problem since.

J.H., Ferndown

 

 

A:Very many thanks for sending this in. I must receive at least 50 e-mails per week from people who simply don't believe me and, ignoring my warnings, fill their high-performance cars with any old supermarket rubbish.

 

I know- different cars, different faults, but worth considering.

[MrT]

I believe that my V6 runs smoother on Super Unleaded as opposed to plain unleaded. However I still use the supermarket variety of Super Unleaded as it is only 1p a litre more.

[Guest fredt]

And mine runs smoother, cleaner and even better yet CHEAPER :lol: on LPG :lol: