2010 VW Golf 2.0l tdi - Sudden intermittent power loss

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Tue 5 Apr 2016 07:13
2010 VW Golf 2.0l tdi - Sudden intermittent power loss - Guidedog

Sudden power loss 3 times over the past 4 months. Engine partly warm, went to accelerate (last episode was just in front of a huge tractor-trailer) sudden loss of power, loud banging and harsh vibration from the engine. Lasted about 4 seconds, followed by large cloud of white smoke from the exhaust, then return to normal. No warning lights stayed on. Local VW service say there is nothing wrong! But the car now is worrying to drive in case this happens crossing in front of traffic or other dangerous situations. Car now drives normallly. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated

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Tue 5 Apr 2016 11:12
2010 VW Golf 2.0l tdi - Sudden intermittent power loss - madf

Have you been driving lots of short journeys in teh past six months?

Mileage of car?

Has it been serviced regularly?

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Tue 5 Apr 2016 14:54
2010 VW Golf 2.0l tdi - Sudden intermittent power loss - slkfanboy

Has the cam belt been changed recently?

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Tue 5 Apr 2016 18:44
2010 VW Golf 2.0l tdi - Sudden intermittent power loss - Guidedog

Thanks for your reply - the cam belt has not been replaced - I don't think it is due yet

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Tue 5 Apr 2016 18:42
2010 VW Golf 2.0l tdi - Sudden intermittent power loss - Guidedog

Thanks for your reply

Almost all of the driving is on the highway driving with little in town driving

The car has 65000miles, is regularly serviced on schedule and hasn't had the timing belt changed (not due for a while)

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Tue 5 Apr 2016 19:49
2010 VW Golf 2.0l tdi - Sudden intermittent power loss - madf

Well the only thing I can suggest is that something temporarily semi seized, but the engine kept injecting fuel, the semi sizure stopped and teh engine - no flooded with fuel - burnt most of it out through the exhaust.

I would GUESS the EGR valve sticking could do it.. I was going to suggest the turbo was carbonned up - the turbo may have variable vanes which could stick but I am unsure what the impact would be..

Edited by madf on 05/04/2016 at 19:49

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Tue 5 Apr 2016 19:59
2010 VW Golf 2.0l tdi - Sudden intermittent power loss - elekie&a/c doctor
White smoke would tend to suggest unburnt fuel.Could this be an injector fault?A sticking turbo /vanes should flag a fault with turbo over boost.Can,t really see how it could be cam belt related.
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Wed 6 Apr 2016 00:16
2010 VW Golf 2.0l tdi - Sudden intermittent power loss - Guidedog

Thanks for your advice. I can at least go back to the VW service with some ideas. They had none!

I'm on Vancouver Island off the Paciffic Coast of Canada, I guess you must be in the UK?

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