2000 Bora Sluggish Performance HELP!

[r.nolan91]

Hi, I have a MK4 2000 Bora (2.0L 4Cyl, Auto, Prem. Unleaded Petrol).
The problem we have is that when you accelerate in D (Drive) the engine is unresponsive and sluggish, our mechanic suggests that it may be an Air Mass Meter problem; but when engine is warmed up and hot, this sluggishness seems to reduce but still not anywhere near as responsive as my sister's 1.6L Mk4 Golf.

Also, whether related or unrelated to this problem, my Bora fails to smoothly change through the gears in the automatic transmission. When wanting to accelerate through the gears quickly, I have to take my foot off the throttle for an instant so that the revs dont exceed 4000RPM.

Please note, as a 10 year old vehicle, it has only done 65,000KM and is driven irregularly each week.

If anyone could help me out with this it would be much appreciated or if anyone is in the same boat as me please let me know!
Can anyone suggest what the problem may be? As my mechanic is not 100% sure that this will fix the problem, and the suggested part is $400

[florantonio]

hey, my bora jerks a little as well, user - dylan8 i think had a similar problem with his bora and had it fixed for a little over 1000. not 100% sure though, but maybe private msg him to find out.

[Manaz]

Get the car to a workshop with the proper diagnostic tools to check it out for you. I'm sure someone in Vic can recommend an independant VW specialist down there for you...

[r.nolan91]

Yes!, If anyone could please suggest a good specialised VW mechanic in the South-Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne, pleeeasse PM me!

[dylan8]

I had the same problem, and ended up replacing a few things over a month or two to sort it out.
MAF, o2 sensor, catalyst converter, fuel and air filter, and something else (ill post up if i remember it)
As Manaz said you need a proper diagnostic tool to check it out. I was told that sometimes though one part being out can point to a fault with another, so be prepared that the first part you replace may not solve it.
If you haven't changed anything else maybe best to start with the cheaper sensors like the o2 and work up to the MAF unless your mechanic is 100% sure.

Is your temperature gauge reading exactly 90oC after 10mins or so of driving? or is it sitting below? I believe this points to the catalyst converter

is it just slowER then normal? I found when i went to accelerate from a standing start, my car use to just sit there. take a second or two to even move (really fun on fast moving intersections)

i was also told a MAF in these cars usually has a life of 60,000-100,000km, i had mine replaced when i purchased the car under warranty at 60,000km with another that had already done 80,000km...
I managed to get another dodgy 60,000km out of it and replaced it as i thought the car was getting sluggish at 120,000km

Don't take my word for it though. There's a few mechanics/vw experts on here that maybe able to give you some better advice