I know it's a Golf but I'm asking because it's the same engine that's used in the 110 SLX Octavia. (my dad has one)

A friend of mine recently bought this Golf and only today has had it on the road. (Needed MOT) He took it out for a spin today and found that it struggles to go past 70 like there's no boost. I haven't seen this 1st hand yet but the says it accelerates well up to 70 and just sort of stops going.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

MAF maybe? Or sticking vanes in the turbo causing a boost issue.

I asked him again about the problem and it seems to be intermittent. Sometimes he can easily go over 70mph (on private road) but once or twice it's just stopped dead at 70.

I take it the engine warning light does not come on?

I can think of lots of things that may cause this but most of them would cause the engine warning light to come on. It could be as simple as a clogged air filter.

Has the car had any recent work done to it?

Stick it in 3rd and accelarate hard upto 4000rpm. Does the turbo kick in at around 3000rpm?

Is there any black smoke?

Next time it does it cycle the ignition, if that sorts it then i'd wager sticking turbo.

Take a look at Small Engine - VW Audi Seat Skoda TDi PD & diesel servicing specialists in Nottingham

Sounds like a stuck VNT turbo blades that many of us have suffered, particularly if the engine has mostly been used in town below 3000 rpm. Try the test suggested by Lummox to reset the limp home mode.

MAF maybe? Or sticking vanes in the turbo causing a boost issue.

My TDi 110 struggles to pull much past 130. Do you think it could be the same problem?

130?? You having a Radox??

My money too is on the turbo vanes sticking and it logging an overboost fault. As Lummox says, try dipping the clutch and turning the engine on and off before releasing the clutch (don't take the keys out for Christs sake, and think carefully about somewhere as safe as possible to do it ), and if you then have power again its probably the turbo.

A good clean out will work wonders if you are handy with the spanners.

I'd say MAF from the one I had and at £65 from a dealer it's worth a punt.

As for struggling over 130mph... so do most cars in the octy TDI's class. IIRC I got to around a GPS indicated 140mph on a clear Autobahn going towards Munich.

That was in a TDI and it really didn't have much left in it in top. For the TDI110 to be cracking 130mph you're doing well.

I'd think MAF or sticky VVT as well.

On the "top speed" point, em the TDi 110 is geared about 30mph/1000rpm, and makes peak power at 4_000, so should be pretty much topped out at 120mph. CM, I believe you're quoting the GPS accurately, but I don't believe the GPS, because a standard 110 would be into the governer at 140 (I'm not saying it won't rev higher, but the governer will have started to scale back the fuelling)!!

Edited 13 October, 200817 yr by KenONeill

I've had my 110 TDI Estate up to 125 indicated and 120 GPS in Germany. That was foot flat to the floor, and a shade over 4000 RPM

I'd think MAF or sticky VVT as well.

On the "top speed" point, em the TDi 110 is geared about 30mph/1000rpm, and makes peak power at 4_000, so should be pretty much topped out at 120mph. CM, I believe you're quoting the GPS accurately, but I don't believe the GPS, because a standard 110 would be into the governer at 140 (I'm not saying it won't rev higher, but the governer will have started to scale back the fuelling)!!

I know it wasn't clear, but I wasn't talking about a TDI 110 ken, hence saying that if you're getting a 110 to 130mph you're doing very well.

I found out that 90 on the speedo is only 83mph according to my GPS the other day. My car seems to top out around 110 indicated, but it never seems to behave very well - prefers it when it is cold (under 6 deg C) - and then it feels much more perky and lively.

Edited 14 October, 200817 yr by mbames

I found out that 90 on the speedo is only 83mpg according to my GPS the other day.

I so hope that was 90 mph indicated and 83 mph on the GPS, cos if you're managing 83 mpg at 90 I want one like yours!

I so hope that was 90 mph indicated and 83 mph on the GPS, cos if you're managing 83 mpg at 90 I want one like yours!

I wish it would do that speed at that sort of mpg (have now corrected my other post!)