Turbo problem I think?

[Bex9711]

Hi there,

I'm a new member and even though I can see a few threads relating to failing turbos, I didn't want to crash someone elses party.

Anyway, for the last couple of months my VW passat has been very sluggish. When I first purchased 18 months ago it had been well looked after and despite being w reg only had 42k on the clock, it's a 1.9 tdi

I do a lot of miles about 100 most week days and the clock is now at 75k, but I though if any car could cope, this one could!

Basically the problem started with the coolant light coming on most days, and me having to carry water all the time. A couple of garages later and no-one diagnosed the problem, so against my better judgement I tried radweld, although not completely better at least I only need to fill once a week now. Shortly after the drinking problem I started to notice the car struggling on the motorway, I can't seem to make it kick-in to pass anything, and on even the slightest of hills I can't do more than 60 mph, I was overtaken by Mega Bus the other day! I have to sit in 4th just to keep the speed, the revs stay really low and the fuel comsumtion barely goes below 40mpg, I used to get up to 63mpg. I also don't trust it to pull away from junctions in time like it used to.

I'm a complete car novice, but really love my car, I don't have loads of money for an expensive fix, but I'm concerned I could do more damage if I keep driving.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the most likely cause and the likely cost :confused: Thanks Becky

[superslowtdi]

I have a loss of power on my a4 tdi,painfully slow! I have been advised that it could be the air mass flow meter. When they fail (around 50,000) they almost stop the turbo working completley. Cost can vary from £30 - £150 (ebays not to bad) very easy to fit all done in 10 minutes. Worth a try

[Crasher]

The simple step here is a fault code read and the way I play it is no codes, no power-fit an Air Mass Meter (AMM) or as VAG call it, an Air Volume Meter or some people refer to them as Mass Air Flow metres (MAF) but it all means the same part. You may see posts referring to a MAP sensor, that is a Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor and a different part but one that can cause problems. Under no circumstances fit an AMM from anywhere except VW, especially the rubbish touted on fleaBay. The AMM for a Passat TDI varies from between £65.80 and £75.20 depending on the version and they come with a two year guarantee. Typically, pattern AMM's are Bosch but a lot are forgeries and I have experienced so many failures that I now refuse to fit anything other than genuine and I have even had these fail prematurely. There are other common reasons for power loss on TDI’s such as jammed turbo control vanes but a new AMM is quick and easy plus if it doesn’t cure the problem, it’s not a lot of money wasted.

[jack71]

could it be the turbo playing up on mine? have a 2002 130tdi pd. It has got a bit sluggish the past few days,especially when going up hills,seems restricted,then there is a blast of black smoke and a noise which sounds like a rush of air wooshing sound.Dont want to be driving the car about for fear of damaging it.Any ideas folks,want to get it sorted sooner rather than a costly later if you know what i mean.:1zhelp:

[Crasher]

Those symptoms indicate a boost leak and it is usually one of the spring clips to the intercooler that loses its grip on the pipe end barb so the pipe pops off. Did you hear a "Pop" to start with?

[jack71]

Those symptoms indicate a boost leak and it is usually one of the spring clips to the intercooler that loses its grip on the pipe end barb so the pipe pops off. Did you hear a "Pop" to start with?

didn't hear anything Crasher,seemed to happen overnight.car was fine when i parked upp for the night,seemed a bit sluggish next day,just noticing noise and reek now.is this a fairly easy fix?do i have to take the splash guard off from under the engine to remedy problem?

thanks for the help:beerchug:

[neil1052]

Hi there,

I'm a new member and even though I can see a few threads relating to failing turbos, I didn't want to crash someone elses party.

Anyway, for the last couple of months my VW passat has been very sluggish. When I first purchased 18 months ago it had been well looked after and despite being w reg only had 42k on the clock, it's a 1.9 tdi

I do a lot of miles about 100 most week days and the clock is now at 75k, but I though if any car could cope, this one could!

Basically the problem started with the coolant light coming on most days, and me having to carry water all the time. A couple of garages later and no-one diagnosed the problem, so against my better judgement I tried radweld, although not completely better at least I only need to fill once a week now. Shortly after the drinking problem I started to notice the car struggling on the motorway, I can't seem to make it kick-in to pass anything, and on even the slightest of hills I can't do more than 60 mph, I was overtaken by Mega Bus the other day! I have to sit in 4th just to keep the speed, the revs stay really low and the fuel comsumtion barely goes below 40mpg, I used to get up to 63mpg. I also don't trust it to pull away from junctions in time like it used to.

I'm a complete car novice, but really love my car, I don't have loads of money for an expensive fix, but I'm concerned I could do more damage if I keep driving.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the most likely cause and the likely cost :confused: Thanks Becky

Bex,
Sorry to hear your woes......

But I've been in a similar problem since my Passat 130 TDI Sport was serviced by a main ******* in Rotherham in AUGUST for its 60k service with cambelts ! (was nearly 4 figures......OUCH :zx11:)

Totally perplexed & yet too scared to go back to get RIPPED OFF (again)!
I'd previously INSTRUCTED them (at the service) to change the MAF, but despite them telling me they had..... my car was still poorly !

Yesterday I removed the MAF & found it STILL was the original MAF fitted with the original date stamp when my car was made :aargh4::zx11: !

So YESTERDAY I fitted a new BOSCH MAF from my local GSF parts store,
cost was 52gbp + vat (complete unit) exchange & now my car exceeds the legal limit without having to floor it everywhere, & no more living in FEAR of white van man.... :approve:

P.S.
I'd previously checked ALL the Inlet manifold/Intercooler hoses for tightness & splits, checked the rubber vacuum hoses fom the EGR, boost regulator diaphram, wastegate valves diaphram to their connectors & also the Turbo hoses !

I'd also removed & cleaned the EGR, & intercoler pipework previously,
but it was the new MAF that cured it !

Neil. :biglaugh:

[Crasher]

Neil, was yours producing black smoke with a failed MAF?

[neil1052]

Neil, was yours producing black smoke with a failed MAF?

No visable sins of black smoke...
then again I don't follow myself driving very often !:D

[Crasher]

I'm always looking in the mirror, when driving that is, not adjusting my makeup

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_5.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm824YYGB)

[onzarob]

I'm always looking in the mirror, when driving that is, not adjusting my makeup

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_5.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm824YYGB)

I'm sure i going to crash one day because i do the same...ever since i been driving:biglaugh: (18 yrs)

[jjnuttall]

Jack71:1zhelp:

I have that very same problem with my passat 130tdi pd. What was the cause and am I going to damage the car by using it? Is it an easy fix too?! Was in town and heard a song I like on the radio, turned up and by the time it had finished this noise had appeared!! :zx11:

Cheers, :beerchug:

[jack71]

Jack71:1zhelp:

I have that very same problem with my passat 130tdi pd. What was the cause and am I going to damage the car by using it? Is it an easy fix too?! Was in town and heard a song I like on the radio, turned up and by the time it had finished this noise had appeared!! :zx11:

Cheers, :beerchug:
Don't know yet JJ,have taken Crashers advivce and heave it booked into my mechanic to have a look at it in the morning.:bigeyes:.he is veedub mechanic so he knows his beans.fingers toes and everything crossed that it is a fairly simple easy and not expensive fix.But when it come sto having good luck... i have as much as a dead black cat!!!:aargh4: Will keep ya posted tomorrow night on how i get on

[jack71]

phew sorted, Got MAF replaced,

hooked up to vagcom.......£15.00
new MAF.......Genuine vw part...£40.00+vat
relief at nothing more serious being wrong.......priceless!!!:biglaugh:


local vw ******* charging £75.00+vat for MAF EXLUDING FITTING OR DIAGNOSTIC. AND THE SPAARES DEPT DONT KEEP THEM IN STOCK!:confused:

[Crasher]

£40+VAT genuine, I don't think so!

[jack71]

:zx11: problem still hasn't gone away,power does not seem as sluggish,but still getting wooshing noise on acceleration and black smoke.guy had it hooked up to diagnostic reader today,no faults or errors.:1zhelp::banghead::Screem:

[jjnuttall]

Car's going into a local dealer I've been using for ages now so know they won't rip me off. U manage to locate the problem and get it sorted. Had the rear footwell in mine with an inch of water in so took the battery bay apart and unblocked a couple of holes which should sort the problem. The temp sensor is always showing about 20 degrees below what it really is outside!! Seems that a lot goes wrong with passats. Don't know whether I have made a wise choice in getting one. Hopefully this will be it for a while now but watch this space....

[jack71]

Car's going into a local dealer I've been using for ages now so know they won't rip me off. U manage to locate the problem and get it sorted. Had the rear footwell in mine with an inch of water in so took the battery bay apart and unblocked a couple of holes which should sort the problem. The temp sensor is always showing about 20 degrees below what it really is outside!! Seems that a lot goes wrong with passats. Don't know whether I have made a wise choice in getting one. Hopefully this will be it for a while now but watch this space....
sorted,pipe at the intercooler had burst rather than pop off,was a tear in it ,would not have seen it unless the engine was running and revving.my mech spotted it in 20 mins,got new pipe and he fitted it for 30 quid all in.car is running a dream now thank god,must have been leakng a bit beforehand as car has way more power now than it did before:drive:

[n793]

Bex,


I'd also removed & cleaned the EGR, & intercoler pipework previously,
but it was the new MAF that cured it !

Neil. :biglaugh:


hi i have the same problem computer tells me its a Manifold Absolute Pressure...
can you tell me where about it is please , and is it easy to replace ?:beerchug:

[billza1967]

Car's going into a local dealer I've been using for ages now so know they won't rip me off. U manage to locate the problem and get it sorted. Had the rear footwell in mine with an inch of water in so took the battery bay apart and unblocked a couple of holes which should sort the problem. The temp sensor is always showing about 20 degrees below what it really is outside!! Seems that a lot goes wrong with passats. Don't know whether I have made a wise choice in getting one. Hopefully this will be it for a while now but watch this space....i know what you mean mate spent over 4 grand on mine in the last few months car still has problems wish id never clapped eyes on mine i really feel like giving the **** a good hidin just like basil fawlty:AR15firin

[steveolaw77]

Hi I have a slight noise in my car its a sort of whoshing hissing noise when pulling through the gears. The noise leaves at about 2000 revs and theres a chooing (lol) noise when changing gear or lifting the throttle. mpg is kinda average between 30 and 40 in town and round fifty on long jaunts but if i floor it the mpg drops right down to ten or below.
Anyone any ideas im scared its a turbo problem but theres no reek, i have a suspicion of cracked or loose pipe somewhere.

[Crasher]

What car do you have?

[steveolaw77]

2001 Passat Tdi130SE

[Crasher]

It is difficult to say from your description but a cracked/split boost pipe would usually mean quite a lot of black smoke from the exhaust on acceleration. The turbo on the 130PD can get a bit wheezy as they start to get clogged up. If you are worried, get it inspected by a dealer or by a specialist.

[steveolaw77]

Theres definitely no black reek but the noise clears after about two thousand revs. Does that mean my turbo is done for or will it clear itself. Its booked in for next week at the mechanics hope its safe to drive tilll then.
Thanks