Gearbox and no power HELP!!!

[PASSAT-UK-82]

Recently brought a 2001 130 5 speed and when you first start it in the morning it has no power. As in you put your foot on the throttle and nothing happens unless you hold it down for 5 or 6 seconds and it goes. Even then the pick up is slow until its warmed up. Then theres the fact os really juicy on diesel... like average of 30mpg driving sensibly... The gearbox also decided to lock up the other day where I couldnt select any gears. Finally freed up but now crunches into 5th like the synchro is gone. Still has the occasional lock up but not like it did. Any help or suggestions welcome thanks!!!

[scotty33]

A fault code would be useful, if you prefer not to go that route yet, I would go with the guide at Martin 1810's site as a first port of call:

B5 VNT TURBO PROBLEMS - PASSAT (https://sites.google.com/site/1810martin/home/b5-vnt-turbo-problems)

a vacuum leak due to chafeing on a steel clip on the airbox is not uncommon, but check the rest out too?

It does sound like something has come adrift in the gearbox, I guess a specialist would advise a rebuild, you could also use a s/hand box (I happen to have one if you are interested?)

[DSG4ME]

That should be a small hose to the air filter causing that, it stops the Turbo kicking in if it's off, it runs from the pipes on the bulkhead and is quite a small bore hose in nylon iirc.

[scotty33]

That should be a small hose to the air filter causing that, it stops the Turbo kicking in if it's off, it runs from the pipes on the bulkhead and is quite a small bore hose in nylon iirc.

Quite right, it is the smaller bore hose that makes up the vacuum system, the thing is (and sorry to be pedantic here the larger bore hose that goes to the airfilter is not vacuum, the smaller that passes over the top is vacuum), the same vacuum system also runs across the back of the engine bay to the EGR control valve. A leak on the system anywhere can affect the turbo operation.

[DSG4ME]

Quite right, it is the smaller bore hose that makes up the vacuum system, the thing is (and sorry to be pedantic here the larger bore hose that goes to the airfilter is not vacuum, the smaller that passes over the top is vacuum), the same vacuum system also runs across the back of the engine bay to the EGR control valve. A leak on the system anywhere can affect the turbo operation.


NP, I just remember having it myself one time, iirc I'd changed the air filter and not put the hose back on and had a 1.9 that felt like a car in limp mode without the jerking.

That one that comes off the egr wears on the engine cover also a lot.