VW GOLF GT TDI PD 115 Urgent Problems

[Welshbeef]

Emergency - the old man has his MOT due this Friday and his Mk4 Golf GT TDI has suddenly lost all power i.e. overtaking of any kind is just not possible like it cuts out.
Could be turbo problems?
Sorry for the very very brief notes but he just text me the above and has no reception until this evening so if there is any common fault please help so that we can get this resolved, note MOT is due Friday and if it fails the car will be off the road until repaired and car is needed for work.

[CampDavid]

I'd have thought it was a sensor, MAF maybe? I'm just guessing but that's where I'd start looking

(I thought you said diesels were reliable, economical etc

[AndrewW-G]

Get it nice and warm (if possible) then turn it off, then immediatley turn it back on again, If that fixes it, then it may well be the injector wiring loom that sits in the top of the motor (had a similar problem with a golf TD 115 I had)

have you got access to a OBD diagnostic reader?

[RobCrezz]

Boost leak? Could have a hole in the intercooler or one of the boost hoses. I would check them first.

[Ranger 6]

Have you tried the folk on www.uk-mkivs.net

Edited by Ranger 6 on Wednesday 28th April 15:05

[RichardD]

Does it run OK for slow driving, just suffers when trying to use a decent amount of power? If so that could point to fuel starvation.

[gshughes]

Most likely to be turbo I think, my dad has similar issue, ie sudden loss of power on his 130PS Touran. Turn off and turn on solves it in short term, but it tends to recur. Number of possibilities, MAF, hole in boost pipe, wastegate valve sticking and causing turbo to shut down, ecu problems etc etc. VW forums should be able to help.

[MrLou]

Sounds like a turbo problem, likely with the variable geometry vanes.

[The Wookie]

RobCrezz said:

Boost leak? Could have a hole in the intercooler or one of the boost hoses. I would check them first.

As a former Evo owner, that was my first thought too. If it had a boost leak it would stutter and cut out under high load, but would just about remain driveable at light throttle.

I.e. it was chucking a load of fuel in and there wasn't enough air to burn it in

MAF would also be a potential cause of this

[Welshbeef]

Thanks so far for the help I'll speak to him later to get the detail

[lost in espace]

It has probably popped an intercooler pipe off, call the AA.

[MrLou]

If you post this in the 'VW, Audi Skoda' section on here you're likely to get a helpful reply from Tame Technician.

[Welshbeef]

Bit more info the turbo does come in at 1900rpm then dies at 2200 so driving between that range plenty of power also seems to be better in hot weather. If its frosty your lucky to have any power?

[MrLou]

Does he get a fault code? is it 17965/P1557?

If so:

Makes: VW/Audi/Seat

Models: All TDi diesels

Years: 95-on

Engine Codes: Many

Fault-code 17965/P1557 - Upper limit of boost pressure exceeded. [Over-boost condition.]

Causes:

On ECU-integral MAP sensored types: [AFN etc. mainly pre-99.] MAP sensor's hose degraded, split, blocked by oil sludge [particularly in the bottom of any loops] or the sensor itself [in the ECU] is full of oil.

On combined MAP/IAT types with MAP fitted in the intercooler to manifold pipe: [ANU etc. '99-on] the MAP sensor itself.

On all types:

Split, leaking, porous, chafed, crushed and generally degraded vacuum hoses.

The "N75" turbo boost-control solenoid.

Incorrect duty cycle for N75 valve from ECU.

The VNT variable-vane turbo's "wastegate" mechanism sticking due to accumulated carbon.

Low system vacuum levels due to a crumbly servo vacuum pipe leaking.

Does his turbo look like this:

http://www.technologie-entwicklung.de/Gasturbines/...

[Zad]

My guess is the EGR valve has gummed up and failed and put it into limp-home mode. Remove, clean with carb cleaner spray, refit.

[Jonboy_t]

Same thing happened on my Bora. Was originally one of two things, the N75 valve (about £5 to replace!) or the wastegate sealed shut so turbo cutting off due to no pressure release (or something!). Mine was the N75 valve so was cheap to fix - check that out first!

[MrLou]

The fault code will really help here, if OPs dad has AA they can read it.

[Jackso]

Had a 115 TDI golf and the same thing happened under load. Went into a limp mode and if you turned it off and back on it was all ok till you next put it under load.

Was the MAF in the end. Supposedly it was a common problem.

[eltax91]

MAF. Almost definitely. This was the same on mine. Pull the plug off it and run it - see if you get boost. If you do, it's the MAF. Where in the country are you? If near Loughborough I'll VAG COM it for you!!

If removing the plug works, PUT IT BACK IN and live with the lack of turbo. DO NOT run it disconnected for lengthy period. Cost me £80 to replace and is 5 minutes/ two bolts and a clip

[Parrot of Doom]

MAF is my guess. Unplug it, try again.

Note that you can often buy the inserts separately from the pipe, that will save you a bob or two.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Wednesday 28th April 17:24