Heavy Fuel Use & Stalling: VW Transporter Injection Issues

Had similar issues with a Caravelle last year. The symptoms matched exactly, excessive fuel consumption, power loss, and white smoke from the exhaust. The engine performance was seriously compromised. The problem turned out to be faulty fuel injectors and a damaged engine control unit. The system was not delivering the correct amount of fuel, causing the engine to run rich and misfire. The smoke indicated unburned fuel in the exhaust. The repair involved: Complete diagnostics of the injection system, Replacement of 2 faulty injectors, Reprogramming the engine control module, Cleaning the remaining injectors, Testing the fuel pressure and delivery This was a serious issue that required immediate attention to prevent further engine damage. The repair took 3 working days to complete. Worth noting that neglecting these symptoms can lead to catalytic converter failure and increased engine wear. Recommend finding a shop that specializes in fuel injection systems and can provide detailed diagnostics before starting repairs. These symptoms almost always point to fuel delivery problems rather than simple maintenance issues.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Did similar symptoms show up again after the repair? My VW has been in the shop twice already for related issues but the fuel consumption problem keeps coming back. The mechanic mentioned potential leaks in the fuel system but wants to charge for a full diagnostic first. Your case sounds very similar to what I am experiencing with the power loss and smoke. Would help to know what you paid for the entire repair including parts and labor to get a rough idea of costs before I commit to anything.

Had no issues since getting it fixed properly. Your symptoms do sound similar, but my final repair was much simpler than initially expected. The mechanic found the actual problem was just a loose connection in the injection system wiring, not the major component failures they first suspected. The total repair only came to 95€, which covered fixing the faulty cable connection and running a complete system diagnostic. This was a relief since I was preparing for a much bigger bill based on the symptoms. The fuel consumption and power issues disappeared completely after the repair. Looking back, the smoke and stalling were caused by the system receiving incorrect signals due to that bad connection. A proper diagnosis helped avoid replacing parts unnecessarily. If your vehicle keeps having recurring problems despite previous repairs, having a specialist thoroughly check the entire fuel delivery system might save money in the long run. Sometimes what seems like a major fuel system issue can be resolved by finding and fixing simple electrical connections.

Taking your story to the mechanic definitely confirmed what I needed to know. Took my car in yesterday after reading about your experience. The mechanic found similar issues with the fuel injection system but discovered the root cause was different. Turns out my air filter was completely clogged and the engine control system was compensating by pumping more fuel. The power loss and smoke were happening because the engine wasnt getting enough air flow. Much simpler fix than I expected. The total repair came to 280€ including: New air filter installation, Fuel system cleaning, Full diagnostic check, Labor costs Car runs perfectly now, no more stalling or smoke issues. Fuel consumption is back to normal and the engine has proper power again. Really glad I got it checked instead of waiting for more problems to develop. The system just needed basic maintenance rather than major repairs. Definitely learned to pay more attention to regular service intervals. Going to stick with this mechanic since they took time to find the actual problem instead of just replacing expensive parts.

Good day, I had a complete engine overhaul done because it was consuming 1 liter of oil per 1000 km and fuel consumption was 12 liters per 100 km. After the overhaul, the oil is OK, but the fuel consumption remained at 12 liters per 100 km. The throttle body was cleaned, the catalytic converter was cleaned, everything is OK... One more observation: the engine fan still engages... every time I stop and turn off the engine, it runs for about 4 more minutes. Fan

(Translated from Czech)

Good day, I had a complete engine overhaul done because it was consuming 1 l/1000 km of oil and fuel consumption was 12 l/100 km. After the overhaul, the oil is OK, but fuel consumption remained at 12 l/100 km. The throttle body was cleaned, the catalytic converter was cleaned, everything is OK....one more observation: the engine fan still engages...at every stop and engine shutdown it still runs for approx. 4 min. Fan

(Translated from Czech)

Check if the engine coolant temperature sensor is functioning properly. A faulty sensor can cause the engine control unit to misinterpret the engine's temperature, leading to excessive fuel consumption and the fan running longer than necessary. If the sensor is faulty, replacing it might resolve both issues. Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions!

Please check if the thermostat is working correctly. A malfunctioning thermostat can cause the engine to run cooler than it should, leading to increased fuel consumption and the fan running excessively. If the thermostat is stuck open, replacing it could help improve fuel efficiency and regulate the fan operation. Let me know if this resolves the issue or if you have more questions!