TDI - Bang, and then loss of power.

[Mac68]

Was on my way home tonight and heard a bang, like I had run over a plastic bottle. The car lost power and I saw smoke through the rear view mirror. There is no power when driving and occasationally smoke from the exhaust. I didn't see any fluid on the ground when I stopped. Any ideas how expensice this could be? Car is a 2001 TDI 130 PD with 67K miles.

[adamss24]

Check the boost hoses(the outlet from the turbocharger !) as it may be disconected or even split ! Retighten the jubilee clip if its not tight enough ! Hope this helps.

[Huweth]

Agreed.
I have the same car and the previous owner had the same issue.
It's a rubber turbo pipe. Have a look, it'll be obvious. They are really very cheap. If you can use a screwdriver, you can fit a new one.
Good luck!

[Mac68]

Well, I checked the boost hose (I presume it was one of the big thick ones to the front left of the engine bay when looking at the front of the car) and the top jubillee clip was loose. Tightened it up but the car still has no power. At one stage it cut out and wouldn't even turn over when I turned the key. When it is idling the engine is revving up and down slightly, not smoothly llike normal. When you rev the engine, it dies right back almost to stalling point and then recovers to about 800rpm. Any more ideas of what it could be?

[stevegrass777]

Well i would still check the turbo hoses the intercooler it is at bottom right of car just behind the bumper and there are 2 pipes going to that with clip's on make shore these are secure and sealed (not leaking air) you might need to take the skid plate off.. also follow the pipes back to the engine and turbo checking them..
The pipe you checked could be the air intake?

[new to vw]

check all hoses around turbo...as above what the othere guy's have said..pipe has come lose or split

[Mac68]

Thanks so far guys, I'll check it in the morning in daylight. Just to make sure I'm looking at the correct hoses, looking at the front of the car is this the thick hose in the lower right hand side of the engine or are they different hoses?
I did notice that one of the joins on the thick hose had a lot of black oily dust around it. culd this be part of the problem if the hose is not sealing properly?

[Mac68]

I couldn't see any hoses with obvious damage so it maight be something else.
I checked the thick hose on the right hand side behind the bumper, disconnected the retaining clips and pulled it apart. There was a small amount of oil lying in this hose which may or may not be normal. If I can't find anything tomorrow then it's gonna have to be a trip to the repair garage.

[TBird1]

I had a similar problem last Easter with irratic revs and loss of power.

Turned out to be an air pressure sensor that is fitted one in-line to both the air inlet and the outlet houses on the engine. The sensor is called a MAF or Mass Air Flow sensor - cost about £25 for an original part. My local dealership let me buy one and I fiitted it in their car park (screw driver only needed). First sensor changed made no difference, second one fixed the problem and I got a refund for the first one.

Good luck !

[Mac68]

It turns out that a seal was blown (no, it's icecream) on the turbo pipe. £5-00 plus labour and the garage fixed it.