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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: signup on 23 August 2009, 02:03

Title: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 23 August 2009, 02:03

Hi All

Just had my Golf GTI 1.8 serviced where the following parts were replaced:
front shocks
rear shocks
Sparks
oil
pollen filter
oil filter

the only thing the mechanic missed was the air filter but that isn't a huge problem.

The problem I'm having is that after the service, the car feels sluggish at any speed and the acceleration from stop seems slower. Also when I take the car into 3rd gear, when the revs hit 3.5K, they jump back down to 3k even though I've got my foot down and should still be acceleration. After the revs jump back down, I get the power back and the car starts picking up speed.

I'm wondering what the problem could be, I know before the service, the engine used to "hunt" at idle but it doesn't seem to do that anymore.

Any help would be appreciated.

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: jake on 23 August 2009, 03:23

The only thing that i can think of is that the sparks could not be right! If the car was running right before it went in, (well... reasonably right), none of the other aspects of what you have changed could have effected this!

do a spark plug test!

Jake

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 23 August 2009, 11:51

Hi

Thanks for the prompt help

I performed a spark test and here's the things I did:
1 - remove each spark plug wire 1 by 1 and test if the revs drop or if the engine noise becomes rough. CHECK
2 - remove each spark plug wire and hold it near a peice of metal to test for sparks. CHECK

Having test it this morning I can cnfirm the following symptoms.
1st gear acceleration seems slower
2nd gear acceleration over revs, then revs back down, have to take my foot off and floor it again to gain any power
3rd gear over revs and again I have to take my foot off and the on again before I get my power back.
4th gear same as 3rd gear.

if it helps, my car now feels like an automatic instead of a manual

Thanks for any further help.

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: gtigolfthree on 23 August 2009, 12:53

You need a turbo dude  :grin:

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 23 August 2009, 20:33

I have a GTI if that helps :)

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: topher on 23 August 2009, 20:38

that sounds an awful lot like clutch slip to me

pull the hand brake on tight and try to drive away in first gear... you'll have to give it some revs

if the revs build up your clutch will be slipping and needs replacing

if your car moves forwards your clutch is fine (but your handbrake is rubbish :grin: )  and also if it stalls.

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 24 August 2009, 07:53

It's only done 70K :(

I read somewhere that the MAF could be busted so I will give that a go. Also I wasn't exactly accurate with my symptoms earlier. The mechanic HAS replaced the air filter with one of but didn't replace the pollen filter. I'm really hoping - no wishing - that the maf is busted instead.

Oh also another thing - the service required display has popped up on the mileometer. I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

Thanks

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: tg1 on 24 August 2009, 07:59

try unplugging the maf and see how that goes?

the service light probably came on as the dude didn't have the right tools (vagcom possibly?) to reset the service light?

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: topher on 24 August 2009, 09:29

from what you describe i very much doubt its the maf - replacing it will just be eating money that you could've put towards a clutch :undecided: Did you try the test i suggested?

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: mac456 on 24 August 2009, 09:39

definately sounds like clutch slip, "revs no power, then the power catches up with it again"

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 24 August 2009, 10:08

So I did a double test this morning.

Engaged the hand brake and rev'd my engine, The bite point was around 2K rpm before I heard the creaking of the hand brake going. I didn't notice the slipping in first gear. so as far as I'm aware, first gear seems ok but as described below, there just isn't any power.

Also removed the MAF cable and didn't notice any improvement.

Whilst driving this morning I noticed a few more things
-1st gear just has less power in it. I can accelerate but I have to rev much harder - around 4500 to 5000 to get what I used to get at 2500 to 3000
-2nd gear slips mildly at around 4000.
-3rd gear slips from 3500 to 3000. my car also used to handle change into 3rd gear at around 2700 but now when I change at that rpm, the car seems weak.
-4th gear slips again but performs slightly better than 3rd gear in terms of power.
-5th gear - haven't tried it yet
-Reverse seems unaffected. I put my foot down when I was in reverse and I was still getting the same "oomph"


Many thanks for your conitnued help.

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: gtigolfthree on 24 August 2009, 10:55

Your description seems a bit contradictory my instinct says clutch, but if I were you I would get somebody who is mechanically minded to test drive your car and give you there opinion  :undecided:

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: Rhyso on 24 August 2009, 11:09

that is deffo clutch slip i'm afraid

see the maintenance section about the G60 / VR6 upgrade - cheaper and better than what you got now and will be able to handle any future power increase :afro:

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 24 August 2009, 11:22

Hi

Ok 1 question comes to mind. Why would I get a clutch issue right after getting components replaced which don't even effect the clutch? I only ask because I would like to understand the issue without getting ripped off by the garage.

Thanks

Ash

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: topher on 24 August 2009, 11:26

could be that your car wasn't getting full power due to dirty old plugs, clogged air filter etc and now it's running right there is enough torque back in the car to provoke clutch slip..

now this is a possibility but i'm in no way saying that this is what your mechanic has done - but i have heard of people thinking the clutch inspection hole was the gearbox oil filler.. putting oil in there will obviously kill your clutch.

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 24 August 2009, 11:46

Ok assuming it's the clutch,

how much will the V60 cost and how hard is it to replace myself? PS, I live in London, so where can I get one from?

Thanks

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: AlanD on 24 August 2009, 11:48

As Rhys has already said, look in the maintenance section :rolleyes:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=87775.0

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 24 August 2009, 12:02

Ok many thanks.

1 more tiny question. The reason why I got my shocks changed in the first place was because everytime I went over a speed bump, my front left side suspension would knock the bottom pretty hard. Having replaced the shocks, I'm still getting the same issue. Can it be that the springs have gone and therefore aren't provinding any protection when going over a speed bump at around 15mph?

Thanks once again.

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: Steve_PD on 24 August 2009, 12:34

if your springs had gone wouldn't they have seen that when the shocks were replaced?? could be wishbone bushes or arb bushes

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 24 August 2009, 13:22

I'm an idiot. I truely am. Went back to the mechaninc over lunch and luckily he had kept the sparks he took out of my car. He told me that the ones he put in had two spark points where as the ones he took out had 3. Could this be an issue as well? Possibly plugs not sparking hot enough?

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: topher on 24 August 2009, 14:27

that won't cause clutch slip mate, even if they're the wrong plugs altogether (in which case if would missfire like a bstard!)

its quite simple really, if you're in gear and the revs are increasing but the speedo stays still, your clutch plate is spinning rather than driving the gearbox

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: topher on 24 August 2009, 14:31

also did you not get your mechanic friend to test drive the car to confirm its clutch slip?

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 24 August 2009, 15:04

I took him for a test drive in the car and he suggested that the sparks could be the wrong ones.

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: Steve_PD on 24 August 2009, 15:05

time for a new garage  :laugh: :lipsrsealed:

Title: Re: Slow acceleration and rev jump after service
Post by: signup on 24 August 2009, 15:43

damn. Buy cheap buy twice eh?
Ok I'll try and get the clutch sorted and report back.