Any idea what might be going on here?

[chenko]

I have a 2L Mk4, 160km on it and yesterday encountered some issues. I will do my best to describe what was happening:

Lost power in the lower end and when i go to accelerate under load (up hill, from a start or after cruising then giving it more pedal) it lacks power but not only that the engine seems to shake/vibrate .....no smoothness to it at all (i feel it even in the steering wheel the shaking from the engine)

Idles bit rough with the same shakey engine .....again no smoothness

Sounds a bit like an old aircooled now! Idling and under acceleration is a bit put put kind of noise and in pulses.

I disconnected the MAF (this was replaced about 40,000 km ago) and this didn't make a difference so it is something else.


Any insights are appreciated as gonna be about 5 days before i can take it to anyone and need to keep driving.

[dylan8]

lack of power sounds like its in limp mode... mine did that when the MAF went, but yours is new?
maybe get someone to scan it.
using extra fuel?

[chenko]

lack of power sounds like its in limp mode... mine did that when the MAF went, but yours is new?
maybe get someone to scan it.
using extra fuel?

yeah i have replaced the MAF not so many k's ago and was told if it is a MAF problem just disconnect the thing and see if it works better.....it doesn't

the engine shaking thing is something i didn't experience when the MAF went either

it is cruising ok just under load is down about 20% in power down and gets the shakes!

don't know on fuel as only yesterday changed all of a sudden... but did smell a bit rich

thanks for reply

---------- Post added at 02:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:41 PM ----------

just started it then ........is definitely running very rich

not game to drive it anywhere now

[Drift]

Check your leads. Sounds like it's actually runnning on 3 cylinders. Start it, then pull one lead off at a time to see if it stalls or gets worse. If it does, reconnect the lead then move on to the next.

[chenko]

ok thanks drift.....i will try that tom

---------- Post added 12-12-2011 at 07:10 PM ---------- Previous post was 11-12-2011 at 07:42 PM ----------



---------- Post added at 07:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:10 PM ----------

update: had NRMA guy come out

says its ignition leads and not entirely uncommon that one or more can crack/go

apparently not too expensive?
also recommended that i don't drive it far as can bugger up oxygen sensor?[COLOR="Silver"]

[Drift]

Leads cost bugger all, well most leads. We're talking VAG here. But yes, listen to the friendly NRMA fellow regarding the restriction on driving.With a buggered lead, there's unburnt fuel entering the exhaust system which can adversly impact on the O2 sensor as well as the cat converter. The later will cost a bucket load more than a set of leads to replace.

[chenko]

Leads cost bugger all, well most leads. We're talking VAG here. But yes, listen to the friendly NRMA fellow regarding the restriction on driving.With a buggered lead, there's unburnt fuel entering the exhaust system which can adversly impact on the O2 sensor as well as the cat converter. The later will cost a bucket load more than a set of leads to replace.

Good stuff. Might even get it towed to somewhere local then rather than even drive it for 15 mins, that NRMA membership being useful again.