Sudden Loss Of Power

[LongGone]

Recently purchased a 1.9 TDI (02 Reg) to tow the caravan. Quite taken with it in the first week running round geting used to it solo. However, after setting out with the caravan hooked up and ten miles down the road and a mile down the M50 the speed started to drop and from there to the Gower at Swansea it managed 45 MPH tops and often 2nd gear up some of the longer inclines. Had a quick look round on arrival. Nothing obvious, so decided to leave it alone till we got back home a fortnight later.

 

From the posts on here by the resident experts I changed the MAF, after carrying out there recommended check, but no different. Purchased TIS off the internet and after some research? decided it confirmed my opinion that the turbo was not functioning as it should i.e. not at all. Made a call to Andy, the one man car sales firm that I bought it off, gave him the history, and was told to bring it in and he would have it sorted. Lent me a courtesy car and said mine would be ready by late afternoon. Considering some of the horror's I've read about on here, I thought this might be a trifle optimistic.

 

I did mention to Andy that from perusal of a forum on the internet I suspected it might be longer, and did the courtesy car have a full tank? Told me that he only dealt with genuine people who knew their stuff backwards, that he couldn't afford otherwise. Turned out that the auto electrician (self-employed) on the diagnostics goes round most of the local dealers\distributors (all makes) solving the problems they can't. Couldn't help leaving with the feeling that I can't be this lucky.

 

Had a call at 4.15pm telling me it was ready and I could collect anytime. Needless to say I was off like the proverbial rabbit. Believe it or not but it goes like a bullet, appreciably better than before it played up.

The fault proved to be the vacuum pipe from the turbo charger vane adjustment vacuum diaphragm which had come adrift. The whole diagnostic system was checked etc, nothing was found and no codes had to be cleared.

 

I liked it before the fault but now I'm very impressed. I'm inclined to think that the extra performance is down to th MAF renewal. Opinions?

 

I just have to give it a run with the caravan on so we'll be off down the Gower again, for a week, on the 29th. Post the findings on return.

 

Bob

[TKPeters]

Yes sounds like the failure of the vacuum pipe causing the turbo to overboost & go into limp mode

[NikpV]

I liked it before the fault but now I'm very impressed. I'm inclined to think that the extra performance is down to th MAF renewal. Opinions?

 

assuming that the hose wasn't leaking air in before complete failure then changing the maf can be a huge difference especially if you've to 50k+ miles

[LongGone]

I liked it before the fault but now I'm very impressed. I'm inclined to think that the extra performance is down to th MAF renewal. Opinions?

 

assuming that the hose wasn't leaking air in before complete failure then changing the maf can be a huge difference especially if you've to 50k+ miles

 

One of my reason's for changing the MAF before contacting Andy was that I had read posts that stated the MAF deteriorated around 40+km, so in the event that the MAF was not at fault, I would not be wasting money. i.e. it could well start to fail anytime, and since degradation appears to be a gradual process, I might not notice it happening until the drop in performance was to obvious to miss. The savings I would make in MPG therefore, might well cover the MAF purchase. Renewal should surely be included in a service schedual.

[Guest HEW]

[Great news bob ...it seems a solution has been found after all...was getting worried as im off to cornwall at the weekend and wasnt looking forward to travelling at 45 mph.....hahaha joke ...probabaly will be anyway ..took on a drive to swindon today with no loss whatsoever,there or on the way back....i shall take a look at the hose..could be a small split..cheers..hew

[LongGone]

Recently purchased a 1.9 TDI (02 Reg) to tow the caravan. Quite taken with it in the first week running round geting used to it solo. However, after setting out with the caravan hooked up and ten miles down the road and a mile down the M50 the speed started to drop and from there to the Gower at Swansea it managed 45 MPH tops and often 2nd gear up some of the longer inclines. Had a quick look round on arrival. Nothing obvious, so decided to leave it alone till we got back home a fortnight later.

 

From the posts on here by the resident experts I changed the MAF, after carrying out there recommended check, but no different. Purchased TIS off the internet and after some research? decided it confirmed my opinion that the turbo was not functioning as it should i.e. not at all. Made a call to Andy, the one man car sales firm that I bought it off, gave him the history, and was told to bring it in and he would have it sorted. Lent me a courtesy car and said mine would be ready by late afternoon. Considering some of the horror's I've read about on here, I thought this might be a trifle optimistic.

 

I did mention to Andy that from perusal of a forum on the internet I suspected it might be longer, and did the courtesy car have a full tank? Told me that he only dealt with genuine people who knew their stuff backwards, that he couldn't afford otherwise. Turned out that the auto electrician (self-employed) on the diagnostics goes round most of the local dealers\distributors (all makes) solving the problems they can't. Couldn't help leaving with the feeling that I can't be this lucky.

 

Had a call at 4.15pm telling me it was ready and I could collect anytime. Needless to say I was off like the proverbial rabbit. Believe it or not but it goes like a bullet, appreciably better than before it played up.

The fault proved to be the vacuum pipe from the turbo charger vane adjustment vacuum diaphragm which had come adrift. The whole diagnostic system was checked etc, nothing was found and no codes had to be cleared.

 

I liked it before the fault but now I'm very impressed. I'm inclined to think that the extra performance is down to th MAF renewal. Opinions?

 

I just have to give it a run with the caravan on so we'll be off down the Gower again, for a week, on the 29th. Post the findings on return.

 

Bob

 

 

Well I'm back from good and bad times. Set off for the Gower with the Galaxy pulling like a train. Hardly felt the caravan at all. Didn't last though. Went into "limp" mode after half an hour or so, but carried on to a motorway service station below Cardiff. Stopped for 30 minutes for refreshments. Started off and everything back to normal, cruising along at 55 mph in fifth, and 60 mph in sixth on flat, (caravans are 60MPH max) but after fifteen minutes it was limp mode again till we got to the Gower.

 

Next day set off for a drive around and everthing back to normal again. She's run perfectly ever since.

Sheer joy driving back, more I drive her, the better I like her. (and to think I've rubbished the MPV concept in the past). Anyway back to the serious stuff.

 

Anyone any ideas? suggestions? as to whats going wrong. All I know is it's intermittent and self repairing. I've come to the conclusion that without Vag-Com I'm going to be doing my proverbial nut, so I'll be shopping around shortly. Initial internet search suggests a Vag-Com or Vag-Com Professional on a laptop. Anyone had experience of them and there compatibility with the Galaxy?

 

Looking forward to any help. Bob

[bus_boy]

Replace your vacuum pipes. They are IIRC, 3.5mm and 5mm ID. You can buy them on ebay. Have a search about for posts on this site with 'gutless' in them!

 

You will also find that the problem vanishes each time you stop and restart.... just find somewhere safe to kill the ignition (i.e. not on a long straight!)

 

Mine has the same problem and i'm getting round to replacing the tubes. I find that longer uphill stretches at high revs can cause it to trip. Double de-clutching is a no-no!

 

Good Luck.