Golf TDI poor performance

Angus Manwaring ("Angus Manwaring" ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Well, 90bhp isn't a helluva lot to drag something the size of a Golf about - MkIV, I presume? Still, it does make you wonder just what the

68bhp non-turbo SDI must be like... Glacial, I'd imagine. Also, there won't be a lot there off-boost.

With a diseasel, if it's only ever been pootled, it can clag up quite easily. A good long hard motorway thrape should get it cleared out. And I mean hard. Binary throttle, get the rev limiter interested. You'll probably find that you can't see much in the mirror - that's just the clag being cleared.

You've answered your own question. -Change the MAF (use a proper Bosch one, not the cheaper clones)

Very very common.

Tim..

Doesn't sound like 90hp to me. My Croma 2.0 CHT had 90bhp, was bigger than the Golf. Official figures were 0-60 11.2s ans 112 mph. Didn't feel sluggish.

I agree with the OP. Does sound like the MAF sensor. Mine went on my old x-reg Vectra, performance was completly flat until it was replaced. One thing thou' air cant get in if it cant get out. You'll get a very similar reduction in performance if the exhaust is clogged. Thrashing it wont always clear it. It might need to be replaced. If the exhaust is clogged then changing the MAF wont have much effect. I had an old Cavalier diesel with the issusu engine that did that. Apparently some clown had fitted the (much) cheaper petrol back box instead of the correct diesel version. 30mph flat out back from my parents in Wales was not a lot of fun! Bangor to Peterborogh with a car that would only do 30mph by the time I was on the then new A14. Dave

ISTR that no discernable difference means that the MAF is indeed knackersed. Swap it out for a new one, as Tim said though, only use a genuine Bosch item - the copies just cause more problems.

get someone with vagcom to scan the ecu for error messages. MAF's are notoriously common faults on the mk4 range (along with many others). As someone else has mentioned, don't bother with a cheapo maf, go straight to VW. Think mine was about £60-70 last year for my V6 4mo.

Might also be the turbo or related pipetry? The MAF on my petrol car went bad and there was no noticeable difference but then it is supposed to have >300hp.

A failed MAF on a VAG TDI is *very* noticeable. My A3 felt a lot quicker after replacement.

You're right though, it could be something else, but the MAF is favourite.

Just for some further specifics, I had an opportunity to put my foot down last night, on the flat, 3rd gear goes up to about 63 mph, and when doing

75 mph (on a private runway, obviously) I put my foot flat down and after 15 seconds the speedometer still wasn't registering 80 and didn't feel likr it was ever going to reach it.

I don't know if nudges opinion one way or another at all about the cause?

All the best, Angus Manwaring. (for e-mail remove ANTISPEM)

I need your memories for the Amiga Games Database: A collection of Amiga Game reviews by Amiga players

Still probably the MAF. Did the poster in u.r.cars.vw.watercooled arrange a meet with VAG-COM?

Yes, JB - a very nice bloke. We did a couple of tests, then he had a look under the bonnet and discovered a pipe off, which he re-attached. That improved things no end, and we did some more tests. I was hoping that would be it, but as JB predicted, the problem came back and I have been in limp mode a couple of times. With that pipe back on though, its not permanent, its fine when I restart the car - until next time.

Apparently it s very likely the MAF, and I intend to replace it as soon as the wallet allows. :)

All the best, Angus Manwaring. (for e-mail remove ANTISPEM)

I need your memories for the Amiga Games Database: A collection of Amiga Game reviews by Amiga players

Just to echo make sure its a genuine one :) ... I've been down the not genuine route and its a headache and ends up costing you more. I only use genuine parts now.