Engine warning light 01 GTI 150bhp

[fixedgear]

Hi,
I was wondering if any one else has had similar problems.
I have a 01 Golf GTI 1.8 150bhp.
The engine warning light keeps comming on and then after a while it will go off (perhaps a few days or a few weeks)

I've had the Lambda sensor changed and the throttle Body cleaned.

History
Car became a little sluggish, some time pulling off from junctions it would just chug across the road. The only solution was to ride the clutch and keep the revs up a little.
Some times when driving it would feel lumpy or become a bit choppy. Usually this happens after dropping down a gear or two and overtaking (35 -70mph). The car would then run a bit rough throughout the full range even when cruising.
I have had the car at an independent garage a few times and they have read the fault codes some of them are not defined. Brought it to a VW garage and the same story, they recommended cleaning the throttle body ( a problem on similar 1.8 passats)
The car now feels much better and is running smooth, but the light came back on last week and is still on.
The independent garage says that there is an air valve down at the turbo that may need to be replaced, they have disconnected it and no fault shows up on diagnostics. They think it might be the cause.

Has any one had similar problems with this engine, or know what the problem might be.

Sorry for the long post, it is also my first one here.

[Buckshot]

Welcome to the foums fixedgear.

I had the chugging problem before my throttle body was cleaned. Its not happened since but i find if i start the car and dont move off quickly enough the water temperature warning light will come on and then go off later. Im told by my VW Dealer/Garage its nothing to worry about.

Sorry but I cant say i have problems when changing gear to overtake.

Late.
Daniel

[New Duncan]

Wrong answer from the Dealer.

Ok another guess tonight. The water impellor is plastic on these. It splits, the effect is that it works with 2/3rds of the impellor sometimes and sometimes it sticks on the broken part, that lies in the back of the pump body restricting the flow of coolant. The water temperature sensor for the guage is in the wrong place on these cars ......grrrrr.

Check for reverse convection when idling.

Check this, check flow rate. Don't cook your 20 valve turbo. The Dealer has no authority to say nothing to worry about - next time they say it, ask for that opinion in writing !