My 2001 Octavia 1.9TDi won't pull go over 2,000 revs and can't pull the skin off a rice pudding. It dropped power a couple of times for a second or two but now it seems to be permanent. I've recently had a head rebuild and skim due pitting any ideas anyone?

Grrrrrrr!

sounds to me the car has gone in to safe mode.is there any smoke or lights on on the dash even low water can send the car into safe mode.bill

Try unplugging the MAF sensor. (MAF is located on the the large pipe coming out of the air filter box) If the car runs ok with it unplugged you have found the problem.

Sounds like MAF issues (certainly the easiest place to start). As above, unplug the MAF, and if it drives much better, then the chances are your MAF is duff. It is also said the CTS can cause issues. Otherwise a sudden drop of power can be caused by sticky vanes in the turbo (this will log an overboost condition).

MAF location:

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll keep you posted as to how I get on.

Having looked further in this forum I decided to go down the Redex Diesel Advanced route combined with an Italian Tune Up, 40 miles later it's pulling like a good'un up to 3,000 which ain't perfect but one hell of an improvement.<br>Thanks again.<br>

That suggests your turbo vanes are sticking. This won't be a long term solution, and will ultimately get you into trouble - say when you are pulling out for an overtake, and then the car hits limp mode. I do 120 miles a day to get to work and back, and mine used to go into limp mode a couple of times each day. It was well worth a weekend of taking the turbo off and cleaning it up - much smoother drive and much safer too.