Unreal turbo lag on 2.0 turbodiesel?

[Grindle]

Mate's Hyundai Tucson. Starts fine, on the motorway there are no issues, cruises 50-60-70-80 effortlessly.
BUT in town it's a nightmare. First gear usually ok, into 2nd or 3rd and absoutely nothing, until 2,500 rpm, then fine. Town work is almost impossible.
As the car happily runs to red line with good power, what could be causing the dramatic loss further down?
Pipe split somewhere?
Any suggestions welcome.
88,000 miles. Has sat about 6 weeks admittedly before he bought it off a relative.

[anonymous-user]

VGT jammed open? Faulty MAF?

[Grindle]

It went away this morning, strangely, let's see what the next drive brings. All he has done is fill up with diesel and put a diesel fuel cleaner bottle-full in it. Can't see that making much difference within 10 miles though.
Let's hope it stays like this.

[anonymous-user]

I'd suggest an "italian tune up" and see what happens! (esp if it mainly used for short, low speed trips)

[Grindle]

Sorry what is that, a re-map? Not heard that one.

[GreenV8S]

If the wastegate is sticking and not closing fully, that could make it very slow to build boost but would not affect power once it is on boost.

[finlo]

Had the same on a Santa Fe, being an auto meant pulling out of fast junctions was somewhat interesting! Anyhow a gunked up EGR valve was the culprit.

[E-bmw]

Italian tune up.

Grindle said:

Sorry what is that, a re-map? Not heard that one.

Take it out & rag the f$ck out of it!