Purchased in July 2014 with no issues. Drove superb and pick up speed from Turbo kicking in was incredible. Turbo kicks in early and pulls like a train. Remapped to 198HP but no paperwork to back it up.
October 2014 started having issues with turbo pipe next to alternator on drivers side. Connection was poor and eventually failed. New rubber pipes were fitted. The old metal pipe was round and the new metal one is a pancake style. All drove ok again, noticed some drop in horsepower.
November 2014 (1st week) issues with car idle speed at junctions. Would rise slightly for no reason, hold in position for 5 seconds and drop again to normal.
November 2014 (2nd week) issues with car not starting, cutting out for no reason.
November 2014 (4th week) car keeps cutting out and eventually grinds to a halt and would not start.
AA came out and diagnosed possible wiring loom issue informing me the loom on this model is housed inside the rocker cover covered in oil. Suggested new one.
Checked Battery and alternator, all ok.
Replaced the fuel filter.
Removed and checked fuel tank pump under rear seat. All fuses appear ok. Still issues with car.
After much searching online through TDI forums, purchased 2 new relay number 19’s and replaced one. Car started first time and no issues with cutting out since. Replaced brake pedal switch for new style at same time as this had broken.
Car still not running as it was back in July 2014. Removed and cleaned MAF sensor, cleaned air filter. Both appeared brand new anyway. Still no change.
February 2015, spots of liquid noticed on driveway from under front of engine. Possible intercooler leak? Both the inlet and outlet pipes into intercooler covered in oily substance, leak spotted by sump screw. Applied dry paper on driveway overnight. In the morning leak appears to be coming from passenger side pipe from intercooler. Pipes cleaned with rag and pipes appear in order. Bottom heat pad from intercooler dropped off (in boot of car)
Symptoms
In 2nd gear mainly when under load I get to approx 3000rpm and engine often splutters like there is a lack of air, car feels like it’s going to stall but doesn’t as I release off the pedal. Performance drop is very noticeable. This happens both cold and warm engine. This is an intermittent issue but the car seems to know when I want the power not to provide it. I think it has a mind of its own.
I assume having done all of the above it’s either an intercooler issue or pipe issue. I have had no limp mode ever so I would guess VNT veins are not sticking
VAGCOM only shows issue with air bag low voltage.
APRIL 2015 on two occasions, Alternator Workshop light came on. However the other half drives a little slow and I blamed her for that! Never come on since I moaned.
I spoke to a F1 specialist over the phone who thinks its a fuel issue. Replaced fuel filter again 2 days ago but still under load in 2nd Gear it drops at 3000rpm.
Any suggestions welcome on what to check next would be great please. I'm getting fed up now as I miss the performance.
