Power Loss

[Michael_H]

Drove on the M1 on thursday and I had power loss intermittently. Good speed pick up and cruise, and then car would slow down barely maintaining 60 mph. Engine seems fine, if I floored the pedal it would gear down and the revs would go up, but no pulling power. I have replaced the MAF three times alredy, and when in no power state, it felt as it did before AMF change in the past. But now the power loss is intermittent. I tried reading the ECU with VAG COM, but all I get is "no response from controller" or something similar to that. I have been told that a clogged cat converter can be the culprit?

The day before I had removed and opened the air filter box to check its state, and this happened after. Have I done something wrong with the air intake?

 

Also, what is the little pipe which is plugged into the air filter box in the back?

 

Another query. When A/C is on and the compressor kicks in, there is a hissing noise from behind the glove box, which slowly grows louder, and the stops, and this happens with every cycle of the compressor.

 

My GAL is a 1998 Auto TDi 110 AFN engine.

[jbgt2]

Hi, just the Ford garage to check my 1.9TDI lck of power. Error codes state the cat and dpf converter need unblocking. Get a DPF celaner and conditioner pack from a motor factors or the main dealer.

To unblock the ford mech said to take off the exhaust from the turbo and disconnect from the mid section of the exhaust - pic shown below. The get the DPF cleaner and pour into this section you've removed and leave for 12hrs to soak. Next wash out with a power washer and refit. Next pour a deisel conditioner in to the fuel tank and run for 10-15 miles with highish revs. Power loss should be fixed. Yet to try this but will within the month as overtaking is nerve wracking - will I wont I?

 

Sorry pic wont load but item can be seen via ebay advert

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-GALAXY-MK2-1-9L-DIESEL-CATALYTIC-CONVERTER-OUT-FROM-2005-/180944278426?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a211e939a

Edited August 26, 2012 by jbgt2

[seatkid]

Dont know if jbgt2s reply is a wind up, but there are no error codes for cat or dpf, indeed there is no dpf fitted at all to the Mk1 or Mk2 Shalaxies. Maybe jbgt2 has a mk3, in which case he's posting in the wrong forum.

 

Michael, the likely cause of intermittent boost is a sticky vane actuator or mechanism on your turbo. Search the forum for several solutions suggested. The simplest solution smay be to give the car an "italian tune up" - search if you dont know what it means - basically you thrash the balls off the engine at near maximum revs/loads over several or more cycles to blow crud out the turbo. It may or may not work, otherwise you have to clean the turbo out by one means or another.

 

The little pipe at the back of the air pipe supplies the "clean air" side to the turbo control solenoid (TCS) - which controls the turbo via varying the vacuum to its actuator.

 

The hissing noise is the sound of a/c refrigerant gas expanding after the expansion valve as it goes into the evaporator (the bit that cools the air). Its normal to hear it a little, if it gets really loud then its usually a sign that the gas is running low.

[jbgt2]

Thanks for info seatkid, maybe the Ford mech was winding me up.

As my Galaxy Mk2 definately has a (DPF I dunno new to this) the Cat converter could be blocked from town use - correct?

I so is the italian tuneup the correct solution or will this Ford mech method of taking off the exhaust and using a cleaner be a real option?

 

I must have words with Ford mech :glare:

[chrispb123456]

Seatkid is right there is no DPF on the MK1 or MK2 but you do have a cat converter.

[jbgt2]

So powerloss could be a possibile cat coverter that is clogged with soot from town driving (previous owner)?

If so, the best way to clean is take off and soak in an soot dissolving solution or a fuel tank additive?

 

Any advice welcome as my Shalaxy powerloss is driving me nuts!!!

[chrispb123456]

JBGT2

 

By using a laptop and purchasing a lead from ebay (under £10 you can do your own diagnostics without going to Fords or anywhere else.

 

Do yourself a favour before you start dismantling things get yourself one of these,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-409-1-KKL-VAG-COM-OBD-2-II-VW-AUDI-SKODA-SEAT-DIAGNOSTIC-Cable-UK-/261078372642?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3cc97bd122

 

Then download the free software from the Ross-Tech web site

 

http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds-lite/download/index.html

 

Scroll down to bottom of page click on the button download VCDS-Lite Release 1.1

Follow the installation instructions.

 

If you get stuck on installation or have problems give a shout on here.

 

Am not saying the Cat isn't blocked but there's other things more common to check before pulling off the exhaust.

[jbgt2]

Thanks