Somethings not right with my TDi

[Mrmann]

Hello.

Firstly, Im a noob on here, so bear with me! New to Passat ownership and this forum :)

I've just acquired a really clean and tidy TDi (130) that I think was formerly babied by its previous owner...
Below approx 1800rpm, there seems to be no power whatsoever :( at 1500rpm in 2nd gear, if I flatten the happy pedal - the car doesn't accelerate at all.
Doing 80mph on private roads (...yeah.) in 6th gear, the car hardly wants to go any faster. 100mph seems out of the question.

my mpg is also averaging 35.2 on the motorway at maintained 70mph.

Its not going into limp mode, and theres no funny noises (I've heard about the vvt turbos sticking, causing overboosting, and no power below 2500rpm ish..)

Is this behaviour normal? I was expecting the pd130 to be lively and torquey! (it picks up at 1800rpm, and pulls okay....if a little less than I was expecting.)

[arnieboy]

Hi,

I'm not technical but this is not right - I've had two tdi 130s and tried a 100. My current tdi 130 with 170k miles has loads of power well before 1800 rpm. If I boot it on the motorway in 5th (top gear) it flies past traffic. My mpg at 70 is around 45 - 50, maybe more.

[Mrmann]

Hmmm. Ill start with some injector cleaner and a new fuel filter - somethings up for sure :/

[zollaf]

no, start with a code read and find out whats wrong with it properly. my guess is a coolant sensor telling the ecu lies, stuck open stat or dodgy AMM, but a code read and look at live data by someone that knows what to look at will tell you whats wrong.

[Mrmann]

The problem with that is that I don't know anyone with a code reader. Is it kit I can pick up cheaply myself? Im guessing that asking a garage to read it for me will only result in hefty prices.

I used to have a corsa that I could read the codes from using the clock on the dashboard! Oh for the love of simplicity...

[Guest 2]

The UK is a big place, tell us where you are and there might be someone near with vcds.

[zollaf]

The problem with that is that I don't know anyone with a code reader. Is it kit I can pick up cheaply myself? Im guessing that asking a garage to read it for me will only result in hefty prices.

I used to have a corsa that I could read the codes from using the clock on the dashboard! Oh for the love of simplicity...

as chris says, there will maybe be someone local that can do it. either way, paying a garage 30 quid for a diag scan so you know whats up is often cheaper than randomly throwing parts at it until you get the right one.

[berrick]

Getting the codes read has to be a good start. The other thing you can readily check yourself is if the vacuum pipe has become disconnected. It's a push fit. On my 130 TDI 2005, in front on brake fluid cylinder, it is on the rear wall of engine bay. There is a metal retaining clip that is holding several pipes. The 3rd one down is the vacuum pump pipe and is black in colour and push fits into a black rubber pipe (that has a green line along it). On mine this simply needed pushing back together and I got full power back. Worth checking as it takes a matter of minutes.

[paulos130]

Hi Mrmann - i feel your pain - and i would like to hi-jack your thred in a friendly manner if i may!

I have just picked up a 2005 130 tdi (i have just spent 5 years in a 130 estate so i have more of a reference point) and i have similar issues.

Luckily i have just had a code read with vcds lite - it only threw up one code

18043 P 1635-35-00

i need to try and find this with a bit of googling - or is there a look up table or similar does anyone know?

I am off to look at the vacuum pipe (thanks berrick) and will report back.

I am assuming coolant temp sender - as i am returning 41mpg regadless of driving style (i used to get 55mpg regularly in my old 130) - but could be wrong.

Hope you get a code read - and we can share fault finding

good luck

paulos

[Mrmann]

as chris says, there will maybe be someone local that can do it. either way, paying a garage 30 quid for a diag scan so you know whats up is often cheaper than randomly throwing parts at it until you get the right one.

Good point - Id not thought about reaching out to the community! I live in Bristol, and work Near Stroud/Stonehouse :)

Haha no worries Paulos - I'm going to have a look at my vaccum hose too in the morning. I'm also going to service it this weekend, new filters and oil etc (Thats just what I do when I buy any car). I bought this car for the MPG and good reputation (I hope I'm not mistaken) that VW PD engines have (Ive heard the 130 is the best all rounder too?)

[Mrmann]

Also, Autofolding Mirrors? Apparently not...

At least, mine would seem to be faulty...

It says something in the manual about not moving them manually, however I suspect that this is fine (Ie, in case they are knocked)
Can they be buggered by folding them with handpower? is it common? Or should I be getting a multimeter out and taking my new car apart... sigh

I rather not dismantle the entire door trim on my weekend off! :(

[JustinM3]

As Berrick said, check vacuum pipe/s. I had that one off by accident, and it was frustrating how late and limp the turbo came in; was flat as a fart.

[paulos130]

mrmann, did you get your mpg sorted? hope so!

[stevegrass777]

It sounds like sticky vanes in the turbo if its being babied for a long time it might be choked up.In vcds basic settings 11 I think,you can cycle from turbo on to off,take the air intake pipe off after the intercooler and before the egr and see what kind of boost on boost off also look at the actuator to see if its moving fully.

[paulos130]

oh dear, can you remedy sticky vanes? or is it new unit?

should find out today as the car has gone to my local indie in Bristol - hope its something cheap!!!!!!!

my money is still on cts - but we will see (wishful thinking no doubt!)

[paulos130]

Ok so now I am really stuck!

indie reports no problems after full code read and live logging

asked about vacuum pipes - all ok

im guessing those of you on here that work on these May have come up with this scenario before
to save reading all my posts - awx 130 tdi 2005 estate - returning 40mpg regardless of how you drive it

i have just done 95k in the same car - 2003 - and returned 55mpg whenever I tried

hope someone may help!

last point - would a duff loom throw a code?
final final point - should I replace cts anyway?

thanks

[passat 130 tdi]

My 2001 , returns 40 to 44 mpg , into the 50's only on a really long run with a light right foot . Its had new thermostat , new cts, recent timing belt . Parkers lists the car as 49 mpg combined anyways, and thats from new. 5 speed gearbox .

[paulos130]

maybe i do just have to live with it - i get your point - its just that i have the direct comparison of an identically engined passat estate which for 5+ years gave me 55mpg all day long - and yes i do drive like a granny - thats how i keep cars so long and spend so little on them!

my 'other' car is a 2002 alfa 147 1.6 petrol, with 135k on it - it looks immaculate and ive had it for 8 years - and that thing gets me 40mpg all day long

i want my log burner to burn fewer logs!!!!!!!!!!!

im thinking i just put a stat and a cts in it for the crack

[micheal balbrig]

If your own stat is getting temperature to 90 degrees you can probably rule it out.
The older tdi inlet manifold had a habit of getting clogged with carbon deposits resulting in air restriction.
Although it was a tedious job to remove and clean it was always worthwhile.
You could try a swop of amm to one that you know works properly.
Have you still access to your first model to compare vacum hoses etc are all fitted correctly.
You probably have ruled out possibility of brakes sticking as a possibility of problem.
If all else fails a second opinion by someone with good vcds expertise may show up something that is being missed

[paulos130]

thanks Micheal,

firstly i do not have the old 2003 one - i sold it on ebay a few weeks back - so cannot swap bits for testing

Have ruled out brakes im pretty sure (no heat - rolls nicely - will check when next on a ramp)

Took it to indie yesterday - they tested for lots of stuff - could not find any issues - reported its a lovely car and drives superb!

I know that - i just want my missing mpg!

I get your point about a second opinion, and i feel sure that someone with the right fault finding methodology would find this!

its just frustrating when you do not have the knowledge / experience!

My temp gauge does take a while to get up to the 90line - and it does tend to hover just below for a bit - which is why i am thinking that a new stat and a new cts can be in and done for less than £100 - and it may be worth a go?

To finish - i have also learned the following upon interrogating the service history:

Car has 85k on the clock
Was serviced Oct 2013 with 81k - inc fuel and air filters
Had new timing belt & water pump on 75k
Car did c55k miles in first three years - has done c30k in last 6 years
It is SO clean that it has obviously been cared for very well - and has been used very lightly for last few years

Which way next?

[JustinM3]

CTS is £10-15 I expect, thermostat £3.50 delivered I paid when Eurocarparts had a sale on. Slightest doubt change them, easy diy job.

[caldirun]

Ok so now I am really stuck!

indie reports no problems after full code read and live logging

asked about vacuum pipes - all ok
im guessing those of you on here that work on these May have come up with this scenario before
to save reading all my posts - awx 130 tdi 2005 estate - returning 40mpg regardless of how you drive it
i have just done 95k in the same car - 2003 - and returned 55mpg whenever I tried

hope someone may help!

last point - would a duff loom throw a code?
final final point - should I replace cts anyway?

thanks
I hate to say, I told you so, but!
The 2005 is pants but mine at least returns 52.4 MPG, mixed driving.
Has the alarm woken you up in the night yet? has the car auto-locked
when you have been sitting inside (much worse if you are outside at the time and the keyfob
is in the ignition switch!!) How much did you get for that nice estate?

[paulos130]

hi caldirun

the car is awesome except the mpg

no alarm issues - no locking issues - nothing

i got £1200 for the 2003 one - 180k - leaked like a mothertrucker - suspension was shot

whenever we talk about the car, my daughter says "i prefer the new one - its waterproof!"

you takes your choice! i will find the mpg - and when i do i will be very happy!

[paulos130]

by the way - caldirun - the self locking thing is likely a broken door lock microswitch

does your light on buzzer work?

[paulos130]

i had this on my 2003 (see a door lock can go on any car!) and essentially the ecu thinks the door hasn't been opened - so it locks the doors

also the same reason why it doesn't buzz the buzzer, cause it thinks the door is shut!

[caldirun]

i had this on my 2003 (see a door lock can go on any car!) and essentially the ecu thinks the door hasn't been opened - so it locks the doors

also the same reason why it doesn't buzz the buzzer, cause it thinks the door is shut!
Thanks for that, Paulos, I had door lock problems shortly after buying the car, I stripped the drivers door lock and "repaired" it.
I have since replaced all the other locks but now the drivers door is giving me problems again, I am waiting for a 2002 lock to arrive to
replace it. I have had no door lock issues with my 2002 car and issues with all on my 2005, hope you have better luck!