Acceleration Problem 97 Sharan 1.9DT

[mike468]

My Sharan has developed a problem with it's acceleration. From a standing start it seems normal, but over 30 mph there's nothing there. It is accelerating like a non-turbo diesel vehicle.

A possible added complication is that the previous owner chipped it (acceleration had been impressive) and last night I noticed some blue smoke for the first 1/4 mile.

A quick google search gave suggestions of insufficient transmission fluid (seems ok), and the mechanics where I work didn't get a chance to have a good look but think that a cylinder is not working how it should.. I am now off work for a week so thought a bit of self diagnosis via here before laying out money on mechanics.

~Are there any simple tests / checks I could make?

~ This appeared to happen after re-connecting the stereo to the antenna... surely unconnected?

This car is due to transport the family up & down the country next week and to the Loire Valley in France in the last week of August, thus a quick (& ideally cheap!) remedy is required.

Up til now I had been impressed with performance and economy, especially as I had taken it as a reluctant part ex against a V6 Grand Espace, which in turn had only been sacrificed due to a cut in working days (& pay 20%!!).

I valued the Sharan at £400 in the transaction & have spent £200 making it road legal (windscreen, wiper arms and tracking all required attention / replacement).

[Crasher]

Have it fault code read and it will show a boost error, tell us what the code is and we can help. Off the top of my head it will probably be 00550.