Mk 1 Galaxy Power Problem

[poumaret]

my old galaxy seems to lose power going up any half decent hill , goes as normal to start with then suddenly loses power as if I have taken my foot of the excelerator  ive also noticed the temperature gauge does not go up as far apart from that everything ok , I know there is someone out there had this problem so if yoyu can help thanks

[Az2102]

What size engine do you have? Petrol/diesel, manual/auto etc.

 

Have you checked your brakes aren't binding? Check your rear calipers.

 

Don't understand the temperature thing tho. What temperature are you getting? How long is it taking to get up there? Is the water level ok? When did you change the water pump and timing belt?

Edited October 22, 2016 by Az2102

[seatkid]

If its a diesel, then prime suspect is the MAF sensor, and also check the air filter is not bunged up, the filter should be changed every 40,000 miles/4 years.

 

If changing the MAF sensor ensure you get the exact type for your engine type/year e.g. 1z,afu,afn as they vary and arent interchangeable.

 

If you have the 110bhp afn engine, then sticky turbo vanes/actuator is also a very common problem

Edited October 22, 2016 by seatkid

[poumaret]

thanks for the replies,           its a 1,9diesel, the brakes are ok , its the temperature gauge in the dash that hardly gets out the white . the maf sensor checks out ok. is the turbo a pain to do.. I have heard the if the temp is not going high enough it can affect the engine performance though seems to get hot enough,ive checked the thermostat and changes the sender unit it has 4 wires to it.

[Scorpiorefugee]

You haven't said what happens next. Do you have to switch off and start again, does it pick up again without action?

A couple of possibilities. If it sits revving at about 1200 with no throttle action then it could be the throttle pedal intermittent. This happens on the MK2, possibly the MK1. It is possibe to take it to bits and clean it CAREFULLY!

The water level sensor may be intermittent or low water - this will reset after switch off.

The temperature sensor is in 2 parts, one is used for the gauge and possible other things, the other is used for engine management and can cause a few odd things. It can cause the engine fan to come on every time you switch off and it can cause the glow plugs to stop working and make starting in cold weather take about 10 seconds. More than likely none of these so....

I'm no expert but a bit more info might help those who are.

[poumaret]

no I do not have to switch off and start again,when we get to top of the hill it runs as normal till next hill, does not rev high, start easy every time it is not low water does not use any,thanks anyway

[seatkid]

Is it 90bhp (1z/AFU engine) or 110bhp(AFN engine)? How do you know the MAF sensor is ok? A failing (calibration drift) MAF sensor does not show up on diagnostics, only faults shown if there is a wiring fault. Edited October 24, 2016 by seatkid

[Scorpiorefugee]

Yes. I thought of that but it doesn't seem to fit well with his description. However, my original MK1 which started this love affair did seem to be a bit like this and I was amazed and delighted with the great improvement in overall performance with a new MAF. I proved mine by swapping it with the one on the MK2 I bought shortly afterwards but noticed that the faulty MAF pretty well killed the MK2 completely.

 

It's got to be about the way you tell 'em.  :D

[poumaret]

you can test the maf by the 4 wires going into it 1live 1 earth 1 sends to maf one send to ecu. when you have found the earth via a volt meter then connect meter to earth and one of the others, if you have the right one at tick over should read about 1.5 then when reving up the reading should go up and down as you rev up and down/ its the 90bhp engine

[Scorpiorefugee]

You started by saying that it loses power as if you've taken your foot off the accelerator. You must do something or you would just grate to a stop. 

What sort of speed/revs are you talking about and how long have you had the car? Did this just happen, has it developed gradually or has it always done it.?

This is the sort of information which may help someone come up with some answers. If you can think of anything else which may be odd throw that in as well.

The info about the MAF readings suggests that it is doing something but I don't think there are many 90bhp motors about so it is doubtful if anyone can verify that but the whole thing does not scream MAF unless someone has fitted the wrong one but that is still unlikely as the problem would show at other times in the form of poor performance. Is it possible it is just that the 90bhp unit isn't quite up to the job you are expecting? A lot or even a little information would be helpful. You are the eyes and ears of the folk who are trying to help. 

[BrianH]

you can test the maf by the 4 wires going into it 1live 1 earth 1 sends to maf one send to ecu. when you have found the earth via a volt meter then connect meter to earth and one of the others, if you have the right one at tick over should read about 1.5 then when reving up the reading should go up and down as you rev up and down/ its the 90bhp engine

 

To test the maf it really needs to be under load when your checking - But without something known to compare it to you can't tell if its underreading (the calibration point above).

 

You might have better luck by disconnecting it - if theres a noticable improvement with it disconnected (this may well bring the MIL on, but that can be cleared after) then theres a good chance its not working as well as it should do, and in doing so is causing the engine to be underfuelled. If its coated in anything then it will underread to some degree and cause exactly the problems your finding.

 

The other factor that might help is an indication of the milage on the engine?

[seatkid]

I have the 90 bhp afu engine and the symptoms described are identical to what happened to mine when I went on holiday to France many years ago. Going uphill was a struggle like losing power (actually just hitting a limit which reduces with revs) slowing down on steeper gradients and eventually throwing the cruise control off. No mil light.

 

A new MAF fixed it and made me realise that performance had been lacking for some time.

 

You cannot test the MAF sensor on the mk1. Dont waste your time trying. Cleaning doesnt work either. Its the analog sensor that drifts out of range.

[poumaret]

finally sorted the problem , after speaking to a friend of mine in france who had a similar problem and cured it by putting an adative in he sent me a pack that you put in one for the diesel and one for the oil. the galaxy got better and better till after about 200miles was back to normal so assuming it was a fuel injector problemas I only put in the diesel one . thanks for all the replies and help offered