Bora 115 bhp 1.9 TDI power turbo problems

[allawee]

Hi everyone. I don't know what the problem is excatly with my Bora. It is a 2000 X reg model. 115 bhp, 6 speed gear box. For some reason it is very sluggish! Off the mark, it takes ages to accelerate on first gear. On motorways, with the slightest incline, it loses power and I have to go from 6th to 5th to 4th gear just to stay at good speed. If the car has more than 3 people forget about 6th gear all together. Just had the car serviced by a local mechanic as someone suggested it could be an air filter, but that made no difference. I know I have a problem, because my husband has a 110 passat TDI and his accelrates and feels more powerful! Any help would be useful!

Just to add couple of things please:

1. The multifunction inicator sometimes disappears, is that related?

2. Will chipping it makes any difference?!

Thanks everyone

[benjie]

Just to make it clear, I know nothing about engines. But from what you describe, (based on other posts I've read) it sounds as if the car's gone into 'Limp Mode' Have you had your MAF checked? That's a whole heap of trouble there.

I'm sure someone else will be along eventually to answer your question more thoroughly!

[Rustynuts]

OK, time for some detective work.

The multi function indicator disappears? This could be a loose wire somewhere, and may not be of too much concern. However, it may also be the start of something awful. Here's what you do. Look under the bonnet and find the coolant bottle on the drivers side of the engine bay. It's sort of ball shaped and opaque plastic, with (should be ) pink or purple coolant filled half way up. On the side of the bottle is an electrical connector which reads coolant level and reports to the ecu. Unclip this, and look very closely at the connector. If there's any sign of pink or purple residue, you're in deep trouble.

Here's an extreme example, the guy had coolant in his tail lights.

Basically, the bottle leaks, and coolant migrates down the wiring in the connector, shorting out everything it gets to. The instrument cluster is usually the first to show signs of damage.

Your power problem? The maf sounds like it's failing. Look at the air filter housing on the passenger side, and where the air hose comes off and heads down towards the back of the engine bay is an electrical connector. This connects to the maf which sits inside the hose and reads air flow. When the maf fails, it under-reads the amount of air being pulled in, and reduces the fuelling to suit, hence lack of power. Disconnect the connector (engine turned off here) and then try a test drive. If the power is the same or better, you need a new maf. You could always swap maf's with the other car to confirm if you like, but be carefull with them, they're expensive and fragile.

Footnote. If the car has a leaking coolant bottle, get a new maf this morning (if it's faulty) and trade the car in this afternoon!!!!! There's no cure for coolant migration, other than replacing all the affected wiring, and you don't wanna do that, do you? Do you know how many yards of wire there are?

Edit: And don't consider chipping it to cure a problem, it'll only make the problem more pronounced.

[Rustynuts]

Benjie, limp mode is something slightly different. What we have here is an overall lack of power, whereas limp mode is a sudden shut down of the turbo (by the ecu). Everything works just as it should, until some critical value is read by the ecu (from one of the sensors) and then the power drops off suddenly, usually while booting it up a hill or overtaking.

[benjie]

Bloody hell, I'm going to check the coolant bottle sensor now, just to make sure. I can't afford to replace my car!!

[Wobby]

Thanks Rusty,

I am guessing this is the same on a Passat? I will keep an eye on this from now on.

Thanks

RobK

[Soundwave]

I'll be keeping an eye on my coolant bottle from now on!

That was a real eye opener. Thanks.

Would that apply to my golf tdi 130 estate (2003 03)? Or had they sorted this potential problem out by then??

[allawee]

I have sorted the limp mode problem now. Thanks guys. I swapped the MAF from the passat and bingo it worked! fantastic. I went to the dealer bought the part for £88 and changed it myself and the car drives like a dream.

Thank you very much

[Rustynuts]

[ QUOTE ]

Would that apply to my golf tdi 130 estate (2003 03)? Or had they sorted this potential problem out by then??

[/ QUOTE ]

Applies to all cars with the same style coolant bottle as far as I know.