A4 1.9TDI Turbo/power problem

Hello there, this is my first post, and I hope it helps me out. I have a 2000 A4 1.9 TDI which I bought two months ago. The problem is that the turbo just doesn't kick in at all, and so there is only gradual acceleration, low gears are very sluggish, but the car runs smoothly enough - I just have to be careful in going for gaps as it won't pull away.

I have booked the car in for a diagnostic at my Audi dealership next week, and lined up a possible replacement turbo. However I have read with interest the threads here about the Mass Air Flow and I am hoping that in fact my problem may be this less expensive one!

I'm looking forward to getting the car fixed, as it should be like having a new one (well ish!) and I wondered if anyone had any ideas to help me out. The diagnostic at Audi is going to cost me £50.

Ideas please!

Chris Marsh

If Audi try and sell you a new turbo get a second opinion, it is very unlikely that your turbo is damaged.

Some dealers have a habit of trying to sell a new turbo when the problem is a simple £2 hose, valve or other cheap easily fixed problem.

thanks a lot for the tips, much appreciated. I'm really hoping it will be just the MAF, not the turbo itself. I do have second hand turbo lined up, but will probably go down the MAF route as there is not a lot to lose this way. Just looking forward to getting it running well...

Cheers

Chris

Just to post a happy end to this story, I had the diagnostic check done and they found that it was indded the Air Mass meter, as all the very helpful posts on this forum had indicated. The audi dealership replaced the part at a cost of £176, £94 of this was labour, including the £50 I was having to pay anyway for the diagnostic). My own garage told me I was as well getting it done this way - as he couldn't do it much cheaper once he sourced the part...

Anyway, the difference is amazing - the car runs like a dream and has power that I've never felt its had - fantastis, and so much better than my initial fear of paying mega bucks for a turbo charger...

Thanks for all your help - I'll definately use this forum again..