Strange loss of power and cruise control

[Greg Roles]

My vote is sticking vanes, they won't throw an error, but would do as described. Also I had terrible over boost issues when the turbo actuator bleed line, running from the vacuum solenoid on the turbo to the inlet just after the air box was clogged. This line has to be free to allow the vanes to operate correctly. My vote is a tank of premium, some cleaner or soot reducer such as the Morleys stuff, and a good flogging getting the turbo hot, and working the vanes through their range hard. You want to do so with minimal soot, which causes them to get sticky in the first place, hence the additive.

[Dyldo]

thanks cogdoc. She is already with VW. Well, actually, she's with a multi-service shop that does VW and GM and Toyota and god knows how many other marquees. Think those guys can work it out?

[ForceFed]

Thanks Greg. I will suggest that to the guys at VW tomorrow.

[ForceFed]

So I got it back from VW. Reset the ecu. Problem still remains. I took onboard Greg's suggestion of giving it a flog, no luck unfortunately. I have run the car on BP Ultimate Diesel since i bought it (only my second tank).

It feels as if it is stuck in low boost. Under normal driving conditions if you try to feed it some burst turbo makes a squealing noise and barely spools.

Do you think the vanes are stuck or is this baby toast??

Again, what a start to owning my first dub.

[Transporter]

So I got it back from VW. Reset the ecu. Problem still remains. I took onboard Greg's suggestion of giving it a flog, no luck unfortunately. I have run the car on BP Ultimate Diesel since i bought it (only my second tank).

It feels as if it is stuck in low boost. Under normal driving conditions if you try to feed it some burst turbo makes a squealing noise and barely spools.

Do you think the vanes are stuck or is this baby toast??

Again, what a start to owning my first dub.

Did they have any suggestion what would follow next?

[ForceFed]

Am going back today to discuss it.

[Greg Roles]

The noise worries me. Apart from an obvious boost leak, it seems like the VNT system has a problem. As the vanes are controlled by air pressure solenoids, might be worth investigating. If problem remains we can put up some DIY pics of parts to check, but I am working a conference till Sunday arvo so wont be much help till then. Only drama is the 103 has the turbo down low, hard to access / see...

[ForceFed]

Thanks Greg that would be great. It's booked in tomorrow at Ford (of all places) under the used car warranty. They are going to say nothing is wrong with it as I'd expect.
I'll get them to look for vacuum/boost leaks.
VW suggested to do a full boost pressure test that can only be done using their VAS system.

They drove the car under normal low boost conditions and said it drove ok but I insisted that anything above low boost is the issue. It feels as if the engine is doing all the work if you give it a bit of stick.

I will keep you all updated. Have to get to the bottom of this.

[Dyldo]

We've got two TDIs on issue here. The VW guys have mine and have been trying to get it to throw the error codes but so far today they have't had it overboost and show the issues (ie limp mode). I'm happy they're being thorough, but as always keen to get the ride back (for my wife).
I tried to nicely tell them to look at boost issues and sticking vanes/actuators but got crickets.

[ForceFed]

Well just as I suspected the Ford guys found nothing with their "Universal" diagnostic software. I suggested sticking vanes/actuators and they looked at me dumbfounded. I explained that yes some boost is coming through the turbo but not as much as it should be. Low boost = OK Any more boost = SHIITE

They recommended that I go see "their" preferred repairer and I said that's all well and good but wouldn't you think a VW specialist will be better equipped to diagnose this type of problem?

I guess I need to go back to VW and get this boost pressure test and then go back to the yard i bought it from with the results.

What a headache....