VW T5 power loss- turbo? Poor fuel?

**paul b** · 23-10-2008,03:32 PM

Guys and girls,

As seen in this thread...

Was coming home from Blackpool on the motorway when I suffered power loss. There are no warning lights on the dash, no rough running and no excessive smoke of any colour. The van was not in limp mode because when I flicked it down a couple of gears I could still hit 4,000rpm, only the van was very slow.

At 106k could it be early signs of turbo failiure? It just felt like the turbo stopped spinning.

Or could it be bad fuel? For the first time in around 3 months it was filled up at somewhere other than Shell. This time it went to BP, and now I have problems.

Can anyone help?

Paul

**ferretflasher** · 23-10-2008,07:31 PM

Depends what engine you have mate, 4 or 5 cylinder.....? The 5 pots with the DPF tend to go into regeneration mode for a 1/2 hour period during which it will run a bit lean and hesitant. But normal service should be resumed after the regen....?
Ok I see your machine is a 1.9 TDi 85PS.........I would have a good look around the engine firstly, make sure the pipe to the turbo variable vane or waste gate / relief valve is all connected.....
BP fuel is normally a quality product unless the garage have mixed up the diesel and petrol a bit and made a nasty cocktail. I would drain / burn the tank contents off , fill with your Shell stuff and see if normal service returns.
If the turbo is on its way out, it will become loud, makes a very very pronounced whine and generally make some very odd noises.........there after it will go very very quite........immeadiately after the big clunk...!

Have a good poke about looking for anything loose!
FF2

**paul b** · 24-10-2008,10:18 AM

Cheers mate. Will take another look at the assorted hoses and pipes etc, but on initial inspection I saw nothing untoward.

I have full 409.1 VAG-COM software and will rig it up tonight, time permitting.

Paul

**ferretflasher** · 24-10-2008,04:43 PM

VAGCOM................well that makes all the difference. Should be able to eliminate most avenues in 1 go !!!!!!!!!!

**Moose man** · 25-10-2008,10:23 AM

Hello.
Sounds like a good case of Mass Air Flow Meter to me??

**paul b** · 15-11-2008,03:47 PM

Unfortunately its not fuel related.

The problem is far worse. Now I've got pulsing of the turbo, and I think it's noisier too. Looks like a new turbo is what is needed.

Will get the turbo off soon, and if the vanes have play in them or are mis-shaped then I'll get a turbo. Otherwise I'll try and recondition it.

Paul

**paul b** · 24-12-2008,01:34 AM

Another turbo fitted, problem remains.

However, the Overboost fault code is now gone, so something seems to have changed.

Looking at N75, EGR valve and MAF.

Symptoms are loss of power, lots of black smoke under load and reduced fuel economy.

Paul

**rhyd4** · 24-12-2008,02:56 PM

might be a stab in the dark but how about the exhaust system, blocked cat??

**paul b** · 24-12-2008,06:04 PM

Originally Posted by rhyd4

might be a stab in the dark but how about the exhaust system, blocked cat??

I think I've found the problem...

The air inlet pipe is loose, the one that goes into the EGR valve. The metal lugs on it are worn, and it keeps coming away from where it connects to, where some sort of sensor is.

So... £550 and a second hand low mileage turbo later... it was all a £5-£10 pipe!

Many thanks Rhyd, I was beginning to think blocked cat, MAF or EGR valve... thankfully its not them!

Paul

**ferretflasher** · 25-12-2008,12:24 PM

Ooppsss..........well at least your mobile again.

Still let that be a lesson to all and sundrie......have a damn good look around your engine first for anything obvious!! Mk 1 eyeball usually sorts most things out!!

Good luck for 2009 everyone

FF