How good are the Caristas?
- Thread starter GetTheDub
- Start date
You get a month of full functionality for free. (Tweaks, resets etc)
They are defo not going to be as good as main dealers' equipment but will show up errors - very handy for that.
Also to check mileage etc.
It is easy to break some settings with the Carista - at least it was for me. I lost the folding mirrors functionality but was steered in the right direction to get them back again.
Give a chimp a Carista and see what happens.
They are defo not going to be as good as main dealers' equipment but will show up errors - very handy for that.
Also to check mileage etc.
It is easy to break some settings with the Carista - at least it was for me. I lost the folding mirrors functionality but was steered in the right direction to get them back again.
Give a chimp a Carista and see what happens.
Yeah they do seem pretty cool and also handy to diagnose your own motor. Not a fan of the ongoing subscription though. But I guess you can cancel and resubscribe whenever you need it.
Dealers will be using tools that work with the lower level proprietary protocols. As an enthusiast the closest you'll get to that is VCDS.
Carista and OBDEleven are well regarded tools operating at the OBD protocol. Both have invested in being slightly specialised towards VW vehicles so are a much better choice than a "generic" OBD tools. They do occasionally misinterpret some fault codes that VCDS might get right, but generally folks around here can point you in the right direction.
For full diagnostics you will often need a tool that can read live data not just the logged codes, VCDS can do this as can OBDEleven to a lesser extent. I'm not sure about Carista.
The important thing here is they're just tools - none are going to really do a diagnostic for you that's done by the human using the tool. That's especially true when looking at live data because you need someone with knowledge of the data logging going on and what it mechanically means in the engine.
At the price though Carista is a no brainer to either start diagnosis or rule out a dodgy purchase. Just remember that someone that wants to hide things knows this too and will have cleared all the fault codes before you arrive - you need to at least test drive to see if any intermittent codes are logged.
Carista and OBDEleven are well regarded tools operating at the OBD protocol. Both have invested in being slightly specialised towards VW vehicles so are a much better choice than a "generic" OBD tools. They do occasionally misinterpret some fault codes that VCDS might get right, but generally folks around here can point you in the right direction.
For full diagnostics you will often need a tool that can read live data not just the logged codes, VCDS can do this as can OBDEleven to a lesser extent. I'm not sure about Carista.
The important thing here is they're just tools - none are going to really do a diagnostic for you that's done by the human using the tool. That's especially true when looking at live data because you need someone with knowledge of the data logging going on and what it mechanically means in the engine.
At the price though Carista is a no brainer to either start diagnosis or rule out a dodgy purchase. Just remember that someone that wants to hide things knows this too and will have cleared all the fault codes before you arrive - you need to at least test drive to see if any intermittent codes are logged.
Thanks. I have got a proper diagnostic all booked in by the main dealer now. I have also bought the Carista EVO for my own personal use as well. They do come with live data as per their website listing mentions if anyone is interested in that. Fingers crossed all goes well! Thanks
Judging by some of the tales of woe on here, most official VW service centres are not aware of that yet.
Back in June 2021 Carista were offering a lifetime subscription for £83.99 but don’t offer it anymore sadly.
So It went in for a oil + inspection & supp check, interestingly their service only brought up the brake discs need doing and NOTHING else. The previous service which I questioned back in April this year mentioned water pump/cam belt (both never done since new), cracked engine mount, front shock absorbers all need doing. How can a different main dealer miss all of that?? I quizzed the sales guy about it and he said he doesn't know but to also take both services as fact and act on both.. I feel like someone isn't doing their job properly here.
Also the diagnostic for the emissions light didn't go anywhere. He said they ran the diagnostic and said they sent off whatever it is to VW and it came back with "no test plan". He then said it would cost another £360 to have someone do a manual diagnostic on the EGR.
I asked him does he think its the EGR then and he said that would be his first guess but worst case it could be the turbo?
I walked out of there with more questions than when I walked in.
Also the diagnostic for the emissions light didn't go anywhere. He said they ran the diagnostic and said they sent off whatever it is to VW and it came back with "no test plan". He then said it would cost another £360 to have someone do a manual diagnostic on the EGR.
I asked him does he think its the EGR then and he said that would be his first guess but worst case it could be the turbo?
I walked out of there with more questions than when I walked in.
The only way to tell is to thoroughly clean the engine and gearbox from the top down.
If the oil is black it’s most likely the drive end crankshaft seal, is the engine oil level dropping?
If it’s relatively clear oil it’s brake fluid (hydraulic fluid) from the clutch slave cylinder.
Either way it’s a gearbox and clutch out job. Worth considering the mileage and taking the opportunity to renew the clutch, DMF and slave cylinder.
First job is to eliminate other potential leakage / spills.
The gearbox oil was just topped up to full 3 weeks ago. If that was leaking they probably would have flagged that up I assume, so not 100% sure. Would oil still be wettish from an oil change 3 weeks ago if it got on those components? They empty it around that area don't they? (I'm guessing by the way because I'm new to these motors)
Is this the same van as in your other thread that you are thinking of buying?
www.t6forum.com
If so how do you know the gearbox oil was topped up 3 weeks ago? And do you know why?
Have you asked the dealer specifically the question you are asking here, is the gearbox dampness mentioned in the inspection video a concern, maybe in writing if you're concerned about failures should you go ahead with the purchase? At least then if the worst happens you have a written statement of opinion from an actual business that you have some comeback on, not just a thread on an enthusiasts forum?
What's the worst thing this warning light could mean?
Both the AA a d RAC offer commercial inspection services: https://www.theaa.com/vehicle-inspection/ https://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-inspections I've seen these before. Do you think they are more thorough than a full service? Cheers
If so how do you know the gearbox oil was topped up 3 weeks ago? And do you know why?
Have you asked the dealer specifically the question you are asking here, is the gearbox dampness mentioned in the inspection video a concern, maybe in writing if you're concerned about failures should you go ahead with the purchase? At least then if the worst happens you have a written statement of opinion from an actual business that you have some comeback on, not just a thread on an enthusiasts forum?
The gearbox oil change was done at a different main dealer, it's in the paperwork for it.Is this the same van as in your other thread that you are thinking of buying?
What's the worst thing this warning light could mean?
Both the AA a d RAC offer commercial inspection services: https://www.theaa.com/vehicle-inspection/ https://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-inspections I've seen these before. Do you think they are more thorough than a full service? Cheers
If so how do you know the gearbox oil was topped up 3 weeks ago? And do you know why?
Have you asked the dealer specifically the question you are asking here, is the gearbox dampness mentioned in the inspection video a concern, maybe in writing if you're concerned about failures should you go ahead with the purchase? At least then if the worst happens you have a written statement of opinion from an actual business that you have some comeback on, not just a thread on an enthusiasts forum?
I have asked and I am waiting for a response. At the time of asking questions regarding everything, it was a lot of "Don't know, can't really say, have no idea, don't know". So it looks like I have to ask other people who may have had a similar experience etc.
