Gday ALL,
Thanks first must go to Phill for bringing to members attention on this forum in May 2006 about this safety recall from VW Australia for 1990 to 1992 build T3 vehicles.
On Tuesday, the local VW dealer installed in my syncro the upgrade kit for this recall, fitting new fuel injectors, new fuel lines in the engine bay and associated connections. This is a rectification service under warranty by VW, so there is no charge to the owner.
VW Australia first initiated this safety recall in 1995 for 1609 T3 vehicles but for a range of reasons, only a relatively small number of owners so far have had their T3's rectified.
This recall is open to all owners of eligible T3's as determined by a specific range of vehicle VIN (chassis) and original engine numbers. Specifically this is for 2.1L WBX Digifant engines only. Regardless of the passage of time, VW will not close this recall until it is satisfied that all 1609 T3 vehicles have been accounted for i.e., either rectified, owner doesn't want it done or else vehicle is no longer registered.
If you or anyone you know is the owner of any T3 variant i.e., Caravelle, Transporter or Pick-Up in this year range, then I do recommend owners be told about this recall, they should check first for eligibility and if so, have the rectification work carried out at the owners convenience at any VW dealer of choice. It took mechanics about 2 hours to complete.
VW's technical background for this safety recall is that it is possible that water gets into the windings of the fuel injectors. This can result in damage to the injectors, possibly resulting in running problems, misfiring, a sudden loss of power or stalling.
Given the symptoms described above, they sound to me not dissimilar to the symptoms commonly ascribed to that other bedevilment, the AFM wiring harness patch cable to fix the Vanagon Syndrome. My reading about owners experiences of that patch fix leaves me unconvinced that it really is the absolute answer for the VS. What if instead the culprit is faulty fuel injectors? Has this already been investigated or not? So given that scenario, I thought it might be an interesting exercise were an eligible 20F3 recall T3 found that hasn't yet had the rectification work done but is presently suffering from Vanagon Syndrome. If the Vanagon Syndrome symptoms vanished after the 20F3 rectification work was done, that would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons. Either way, it would add useful info for owners to the T3 knowledge base.
After 14 to 16 years use, most of these eligible T3's have travelled 200,000 kilometres. If for no other reason, it would be really handy to have fitted for free new fuel injectors and new fuel lines. Disproves the adage that "there's no such thing as a free lunch."
I had "interesting" problems when first enquiring about eligibility to VW Australia and also the Federal Department of Transport in Canberra. So instead, anyone wanting to provide me with VIN numbers, I suggest you send them to me first, I will check eligibility for you and let you know either way. It's easy to find VIN numbers, they are usually printed on the vehicles registration certificate. Cheers ALL.
Ken
