A mechanical mystery!

[Mr Savage]

Hello all!

Basically the first day I drove my Golf GT TDI 140 it was insanely quick and then on the second day it was actually disappointing, I informed the dealer and it went in to have a check for any engine codes, I was told there were none but they installed a little computer device to record any engine codes that may get logged. So driving around for a couple of weeks I took it back to have the device removed and they still claimed that there was absolutely nothing recorded.

Then one day it felt a lot quicker as soon as I got into the car and all the way to work (which is a 32 mile trip). However when I finished work and drove it back home it had become slower again.

Also sometimes pushing hard down on the throttle and I seem to get no boost at all just a high rev'd engine. But I know the turbo is working as I can feel the kick in the back every now and then, like when accelerating hard in second for example.

Thanks,
Mr Savage.

[Mr Savage]

Edited and shortened so people can be bothered to read 

Thinking of getting the MAF sensor replaced perhaps? Car has a slight vibration at idle too.

[barrym381]

unplug your maf see how it runs

[scarr89]

Hello all!

Basically the first day I drove my Golf GT TDI 140 it was insanely quick and then on the second day it was actually disappointing, I informed the dealer and it went in to have a check for any engine codes, I was told there were none but they installed a little computer device to record any engine codes that may get logged. So driving around for a couple of weeks I took it back to have the device removed and they still claimed that there was absolutely nothing recorded.

Then one day it felt a lot quicker as soon as I got into the car and all the way to work (which is a 32 mile trip). However when I finished work and drove it back home it had become slower again.

Also sometimes pushing hard down on the throttle and I seem to get no boost at all just a high rev'd engine. But I know the turbo is working as I can feel the kick in the back every now and then, like when accelerating hard in second for example.

Thanks,
Mr Savage.

That could be your clutch slipping?

Edited and shortened so people can be bothered to read 

Thinking of getting the MAF sensor replaced perhaps? Car has a slight normal vibration at idle too.

It's a diesel, they will usually have some sort of a vibration at idle. Get it nice and warmed up then see if it is still 'rattly'. It could be a worn engine mount if there is a lot of play.

[Mr Savage]

Even after driving 32 miles to work if I leave it idle in the car parking space the car still judders a bit and it seems really bad if you push your back into the seat as you can feel the entire car vibrating. It's like every couple of seconds that it shakes the car. I've never had a diesel before so I also presumed this is normal but reading around and it seems its not. Could be a worn engine mount as it's done 37k miles.

I don't think it's a slipping clutch. It's hard to describe. I've noticed that accelerating in a corner in second always gets the turbo going but sometimes when on a straight putting your foot down in second and it just feels like the car doesn't even have a turbo, I wouldn't say it's slow at accelerating (probably because the 2l engine is still pushing it along) but it's definitely not as quick as usual and you don't get that feeling of being pushed at the back.

The other day I drove 20 miles to get back home. Got changed for work and came back out 10 minutes later. Started up my car and pulled off and it just felt much more responsive and eager than it had been the past weeks. Yes the car was already warmed up but the difference was like night and day. I am just at a total loss and i'm sorry it sounds confusing, i'm just as baffled as everyone else about it.

[AlexMozza]

Does it Have a Dual Mass Flywheel, They are know to have problems, And when they start to vibrate its a costly replacement!

[Mr Savage]

Does it Have a Dual Mass Flywheel, They are know to have problems, And when they start to vibrate its a costly replacement!

I think it has yes but I believe the faulty ones were recalled some time ago? I hope not! What other symptons would I have if this was the case?

[AlexMozza]

I think its mainly the excessive vibrations and the fact that you get full throttle and very little power.

[Mr Savage]

I think its mainly the excessive vibrations and the fact that you get full throttle and very little power.

Just if anyone was interested I thought id give Total Excelium a try to see what it's all about and surprisingly the car's vibrations have stopped altogether at idle and the car is now idling at about 100RPM less than usual, like 700. No idea why or if it's connected, power seems back too. This car is proving to have a mind of it's own, seems to have mood swings!