VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power | Technical matters | Back Room Forum

Mon 14 Nov 2016 21:36

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Hi, my wife's car started to experience these symptoms about a year ago. They are now becoming more regular, I've been reading a lot about this but frankly, having just about the ability to change a tyre and an air filter, I'm a bit worried about gettng stung by a garage without getting sorted - will pay to resolve but money at a premium so keen to take a considered approach as we can't replace the car.

There is some context too. It appears to happen at around 2500/3000 revs and when I change gear (typically from 3 to 4 or 4 to 5) at around 50/60 mph. Car continues to drive but there is no turbo when it goes and then struggles on hills / inclines. The strange thing is that when we turn the engine off and back on again it just disappears - but it's now starting to happen every other day.

I used a mechanic for a number of years who did start to look at this. He got the VAG COm thing and must have taken some codes. I remember him saying he could clean out something first, if that didn't work he would replace but said no guarantees that would solve. The engine light is on and I get a warning saying 'emissions garage' when I start the car. Anyhow, he has now packed up - and I'm a bit stuck as to what to do now. As I say I'm reluctant to go to a dealer as feels like they will just say turbo has gone and there appears to be all manner of resolutions to this. I've read about cleaning a MAF/MAS, replacin them, cleaning turbo with innotec, pipes, EGR.....

My plan was to see if there was anything 'basic' I could do myself and then go and find someone to see what the codes are and then take it from there.

Interested in other experiences, advuce on next steps and guidance on what I could have shot at myself.

Now the ironic part. I have a Audi A3 Sport 2.0 TDI 2005. It happened last week on that too.

Thanks in advance.

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Mon 14 Nov 2016 21:47

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - RobJP

First step : old car, never go to a dealership. A good independent garage is what you need.

By the sound of it, a sticking EGR valve is the most likely culprit. But you'd need a proper diagnostic to really find out - no point in changing a part because it might be faulty, unless you enjoy burning money for the hell of it.

If you put up where-ish in the country you are, someone might even be able to recommend a local garage to you. You never know your luck ...

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Mon 14 Nov 2016 21:49

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Thanks RobJP - I'm WF3 between Leeds and Wakefield.

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Mon 14 Nov 2016 22:21

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - dadbif

My son had exactly the same problem, caused by sticking vanes in the turbo, he fixed it himself following the instructions here:-
www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/243533-the-mr-muscle.../
There are videos of the precession on YouTube, hope it works for you

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Tue 15 Nov 2016 08:15

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - elekie&a/c doctor

Or this;reviveturbocleaner.com/

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Tue 15 Nov 2016 12:54

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - Railroad.

Definitely the above. Rather than a conventional wastegate, your engine uses a variable vane turbo which alters the pitch of the vanes to give either more or less boost to suit the conditions. If the vane ring does not move easily the boost cannot be controlled. Too much boost can cause serious engine damage, and so if the maximum limit is exceeded the ECM will drop into limp mode so that damage is prevented. Switching off and restarting the engine will reset it until the condition occurs again.

You should only need a new turbo in a very worst case. Usually they can be cleaned successfully. Once the turbo is cleaned you can avoid future problems by not using the car for short journeys, and by driving it fairly hard between the gears once it's warmed up.

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Thu 17 Nov 2016 20:40

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Thanks all. Quick update...

Asked few friends and work colleagues, two seperate people recommended a mechanic and he's coming out on Tuesday to run the codes on the Golf.

I'm also thinking maybe doing the 'revive' on the Audi.

Will keep you posted.

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Thu 17 Nov 2016 20:49

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - KenC

If you decide to take the revive or mr muscle route please take a few photosto share.

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Thu 17 Nov 2016 22:42

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - focussed

I'm sure I remember that on a Honda Civic 1.7 diesel the ECU was set up to excercise the turbo vane operating ring to keep it clear of fouling when the engine was idling hot. You could hear the slight change in exhaust note as it went through it's cycle.

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Tue 22 Nov 2016 19:50

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Guy came today and ran the computer on the VW Golf….

16785 and 16618 codes found.

16785 relates to EGR and 16618 overboost.

He seems to remember the EGR code was the one that came up when he MOT'd a few months back. He thinks the EGR is on it's way out but not the Turbo, he said he'd price up a new EGR and cleaning of the Turbo and come back to me. He reset the codes and will run another check again to see if the EGR comes back on. 20 min drive home and the engine light hasn't come on yet.

In addition, I have bought some revive for the Audi - no issues since I last posted with the Audi and no lights on the dash.

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Tue 22 Nov 2016 20:11

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - elekie&a/c doctor

Sounds like classic turbo problems:wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/16618/P0234/0005...4

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Tue 22 Nov 2016 20:16

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Just another thought which may or my not be related to the above.

Context is typically this. It's a really hot day. The drive is about 2 hours plus, this year these conditions happened twice. We start with the air con on (lowest setting on temparature) and fan setting 1. As the journey progresses, we gradually have to turn up the fan setting and the strength of the blower gradually reduces. At 3/4 hours into the journey - we are on setting 4 and there is nothing coming out of the air flows. The fan motor is buzzing away, high strength but nothing is coming out. I also remember seeing a wet patch after the car had been stationary. As I say, it happened twice this year but never though to get it checked when we got back as we never had the issue again. Related or not do you think?

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Tue 22 Nov 2016 21:53

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - elekie&a/c doctor

Very much doubt this has any relation to your loss of engine power.Has the cabin/pollen filter ever been changed?This could cause a lack of airflow into the cabin.All cars with a/c produce condensate that drains away under the car.

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Wed 23 Nov 2016 08:31

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - Railroad.

Guy came today and ran the computer on the VW Golf….

16785 and 16618 codes found.

16785 relates to EGR and 16618 overboost.

He seems to remember the EGR code was the one that came up when he MOT'd a few months back. He thinks the EGR is on it's way out but not the Turbo, he said he'd price up a new EGR and cleaning of the Turbo and come back to me. He reset the codes and will run another check again to see if the EGR comes back on. 20 min drive home and the engine light hasn't come on yet.

In addition, I have bought some revive for the Audi - no issues since I last posted with the Audi and no lights on the dash.

In that case check thoroughly all the vacuum pipes for any signs of perishing and deterioration. The EGR valve opens and closes, nothing more, so if it's vacuum operated check that it's clean and that it works properly. There isn't anything else that can be wrong with it. If it's an electronically operated valve it could be faulty, but none the less it only opens and closes, albeit in ECM controlled steps. A good clean of the entire air intake system will do the power of good. It's an 11 year old car after all, not a new one.

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Sat 10 Dec 2016 07:57

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Hi all,

Update...

VW Golf. EGR (Piermont £65.00) valve bought. Fitted by the mechanic on Wed. Engine light stayed off and no occurences of symptoms yet. fingers crossed. I think I heard the whizz noise again at one point with the window down.

Audi A3. i used the revive. I lost the nozzle - who knows where its gone. had to use my finger to try and get a spray effect. the bracket thst held the pipe on was a nightmare to get back on with pliers - there must be some tool for this, suggest you buy one to avoid the stress. Could be the placebo effect, t feels a little better. We'll see.

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Mon 19 Dec 2016 21:40

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

ITS BACK!!!!!!!

So so gutted at this. On Saturday it started again on the VW Golf. Exactly same as it was before - back to every time we get in a drive it. Now getting a little dispirited and though the EGR replacement had solved it and wondering where this is all going to end up.

Engine warning light came back on with 'Emissions Garage' narrative appearing in the display. Suppose it's back to the codes again.

Any views welcomes - if not the EGR valve with those codes I posted earlier - what next?

Merry Christmas

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Tue 20 Dec 2016 08:39

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - Railroad.

Same as before. Sticking turbo vanes. It's a very common issue especially on cars that are generally driven lightly, and those that are low mileage. The EGR valve was never likely to be the problem. Either use a product such as Innotec Turbo Clean (Google it), or remove the turbo and dismantle and thoroughly clean it. Your problem isn't going to cure itself.

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Thu 22 Dec 2016 21:36

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Thanks Railroad. Might try the turbo clean first then, is that same as revive?The VW has done 150k and driven regularly. Post christmas the mechanic is going to run the codes again. I'll suggest he maybe cleans the turbo first. I'm not sure if he did that when he changed the EGR. If it was the sticking turbo vanes, and he didn't clean them, why would it have been OK for 10 days?

As I said in my original post, I aint no mechanic so no chance of me distmantlng and cleaning it myself. Apologies if it looked like I was wiating for the problem to cure itself, I just wanted to be guided in the next conversation with mechanic. Others commented possibly EGR - the code suggested that too, I'll discuss checking pipes (although if it was pipes wouldn't it not have cured after EGR valve), try that turbo clean and then see if he celaned the vains before anything else major.

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Fri 3 Mar 2017 18:08

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Hi all, I wanted to provide an update. While I wanted for pay day - the guy suggested I use some of the better diesel, he'd heard 'some'reports that this helped. So we've been filling with the Shell V-Power and BP ulitimate although it does grate at 10pm a litre. It did actually help - the loss became less frequent to the point where it was sometimes not occuring. I had the the vanes cleaned yesterday, using the Mr Muscle - he said they were pretty coked up and that that there was some 'give' in the vanes. I super ride home - they whistling came back as the turbo kicked in. Within 24 hours it's back. No engine lights coming on now, occuring more at 3250 revs now as opposed to 2500/2750 revs before.

So the EGR valve has been replaced and the turbo vanes cleaned, better fuel in. What next do you think?

Will take back and get the codes read again but guessing they'll throwup the same one.

Frustrated.

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Sat 4 Mar 2017 16:55

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - dieselnut

It's the actuating mechanism for the vanes that gets clogged with carbon rather than the vanes themselves.

The actuating mechanism sits in a void inboard of the exhaust side of the turbo & I can't see Mr muscle getting in there easily.

The tiny particles of carbon must get through the plain bearings for the variable vanes then buils up inside until the mechanism gets totally fouled & starts to stick.

You can't beat taking the turbo apart to clean out the operating mechanism. It will be full of tiny carbon particles.

Here is a bit of an explanation with some pics.

www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/vnt-turbo-cleaning-disa.../

Google VNT Turbo Vane Cleaning.

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Sun 5 Mar 2017 14:24

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Cheers Dieselnut - i did pay him to do just this, when I say Mr Muscle - that's what he cleaned it with, not the other method. I've been during it last few days and outside of the issue it's driving really great, the fizz sound is back, feels really good. For example today, great through the gears, 25 mins into a 70mph motorway run - felt it go, still maintained the speed as we were level ground but knew it had gone. Turned ignition off and back on as we waited off slip road and fine.

I'll get back into mechanic next, not checked pipes I don't think yet (I'd do that myself but don't know where to start), then MAP or MAS - bought some MAS cleaner - worth a try, also read others that have had wiring issues. Back over to the mechanic I think. Look out for a post later on the Audi A3 - this is least of my worries now :-((((

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Tue 14 Mar 2017 21:10

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Quick update. I'v been driving this a lot and the symptoms appears to have moved on. It's running as good as ever through the gears and acceleration. It seems to now trigger at a higher speed - running at 60/70 mph and then goes into what appears to be limp mode/loss of power, and not as regular now. I got some MAS cleaner and sprayed the connection but that doesn't appear to have helped. Ironically, the coolant warning light is now coming on - there is a water patch at the front drivers side. I top up coolant - do 20 miles and it needs topping up again. I'm not sure if it's related - back with mechanic on Thursday.

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Sun 26 Mar 2017 17:13

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - George2005neil

Hi - a lot happening.

New radiator - coolant issue was a leak, resolved last Tuesday, no issues since.

I changed the air filter and the fuel filter, (did that myself) not sure when they were last done but fuel filter was black. Whilst air filter off I sprayed MAS/P again - filter was a bit dusted up.

Can tell this has made a difference to the drive, turbo fizzing and really good drive.

Alas, still not resolved the car going into limp mode. Frequency very much reduced but still there.

Any advice on how to check the pipes for any splits and leaks, I'm assuming more than a visual check? Any which pipes, all of them?

The journey continues.....

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Sun 26 Mar 2017 19:48

VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - VW Golf 2.0 TDI 2005 - sudden loss of power - elekie&a/c doctor

This is what you need;uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&a...k

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