VW Sharan
EA188 pump-injector with 96 kW for the Sharan facelift 2004. Successor to the ASZ with improved exhaust aftertreatment. Same fundamental PD weaknesses.
Good Sharan Diesel
BTB 1.9 TDI PD with 130 hp is a well-rounded engine in the Sharan I. Solid everyday usability.
Engine Weaknesses 5
Like the AUY, the BTB tends towards camshaft wear from high valvetrain loading. Occurs from approx. 180,000–220,000 km.
Symptoms: Ticking from valvetrain, power loss, rough idle
PD unit injectors can affect multiple cylinders simultaneously. Check the wiring harness before replacement — it is frequently also damaged.
Symptoms: Limp mode, engine misfires, cold-start issues
EGR valve clogs with soot. Fault codes P0489 and 'exhaust workshop' are characteristic. Cleaning is possible.
Symptoms: MIL, hesitation, limp mode, P0489 code
On the BTB 1.9 TDI 150hp PD in the Sharan the wiring connections of the unit injectors break. Fault messages relating to electrical faults in PDE circuits are typical. Engine failure without repair.
Symptoms: Hesitation under load, MIL, electrical fault PDE, engine power loss
The copper sealing rings of the BTB 1.9 TDI PD unit injectors become porous over time and no longer seal. Fuel escapes at the sealing face between the injector element and cylinder head. More difficult to access in the Sharan than in saloons.
Symptoms: Diesel smell in engine bay, visible soot deposits on cylinder head near injectors, occasional visible fuel leakage.
Vehicle Weaknesses 7
The Sharan 7M rusts at sills, wheel arches, and door lower edges through dirt accumulation behind trim. Rust is almost always to be expected on vehicles with over 150,000 km and 10+ years.
The manual and electric sliding doors of the Sharan 7M wear at rollers, rails, and locks. Doors no longer close cleanly or are difficult to move.
Defective actuator motors in door locks and corroded wiring harnesses in door grommets lead to partial or complete central locking malfunction.
The Sharan 7M's AC compressor fails at higher mileages. Common causes are a defective drive plate, control valve, or condenser damaged by stone chips. Compressor replacement €700–1,000.
Control arm bushings and ball joints wear prematurely on the heavy Sharan 7M. Rear axle control arms on older examples are prone to corrosion.
The Sharan 7M weighs over 2 tonnes when fully loaded. Brake discs and pads therefore wear significantly faster than on smaller vehicles.
The Sharan 7M's headlight lenses yellow and become opaque, significantly reducing light output. A common failure at MOT inspections.