many thanks for your reply.
through the years i have moved form a D2 to D3 to D4.
each one much less accessible to the DIYer
what you have described with eh D4 engine matches to what i am seeing.
odd that the MPG is worse on the D4
eg. i used to get 34mpg on my 25mile trip to work.
currently i just manage to get 30mpg.
the D3 was 'chipped' though, so was faster then the current D4,
possibly more efficient due to the chipping?
but will get VGCOM on it asap to check any codes.
cheers raj