Hi guys, been away a while but please could anyone offer any advice?

I have a diesel MK3 Octy VRS Estate and absolutely love it. It has behaved brilliantly and is a pleasure to drive, up until now!

 

As I left work last night (engine stone cold) and as I went to accelerate in second gear, there was virtually no power, as though the turbo wasn't spinning. I pushed harder on the accelerator and eventually the turbo kicked in and a load of dark smoke came out of the exhaust and then everything felt fine. There were no warning lights on the dashboard, there was plenty of fuel in the tank and I know my oil level is fine.

This then happened again this morning just as I was arriving at work. The engine was at normal operating temperature and had just had a long motorway run. I had just turned right at some lights and was trying to accelerate and it happened again. No lights on the dash etc.

 

Anyone else had this problem? Anyone have any ideas what it could be?

Your advice/help would be appreciated

Edited 24 January, 201412 yr by vRSuper1

well I'm not an expert but this doesn't sound like a problem with turbo to me... if the turbo is gone then it would not kick in

I would guess more like electronics / injectors / pump problem..

Not sure what the Octy is like but that sounded like the EGR valve on my Mondeo ST, played hell on me for a while especially in cold weather. I took it off and cleaned it and it worked fine then.

Whatever it is I'd guess it's not going to be good for the dpf all that smoke.

I'd get it booked in ASAP.

Certainly if I boot it from cold (only had to do it once or twice as I really don't like doing it) it's not as quick but never seen black smoke.

I had the same thing on my MK4 Golf 1.9TDi.

 

It was the fuel pump - different setup I know but another possible thing to consider.

Mines just been in for a new boost sensor under warranty. Wouldn't rev more than 3000rpm, and EML light on!

Similar thing with my old Vectra 1.9cdti. Fine once I'd cleaned all the crap off the EGR valve. That was at 70k though and I'd be surprised if yours has hit that mileage already!

Boost sensor although my VXR had its timing chains replaced when it showed these symptoms due to a known issue with sub standard chains.

I also noticed that my engine (1.4 TSI) is not as lively when the engine is cold. Performance seems to come back when it heats up (water at 90 degrees). Generally i try not to go above 3k RPM when the engine is cold.

I also noticed that my engine (1.4 TSI) is not as lively when the engine is cold. Performance seems to come back when it heats up (water at 90 degrees). Generally i try not to go above 3k RPM when the engine is cold.

I think that's standard on a turbo engine. All turbos I've had were like that, both petrol and diesel.

At a guess the exhaust gasses aren't hot enough to contain enough energy to power the turbo fully.

Presumably that'll mean that small engines that rely on large amounts of turbo charging like the ford Eco boost engines will suffer more. Although as they're smaller physically they probably heat up quicker.

Edited 26 January, 201412 yr by gullyg

I also noticed that my engine (1.4 TSI) is not as lively when the engine is cold. Performance seems to come back when it heats up (water at 90 degrees). Generally i try not to go above 3k RPM when the engine is cold.

How many miles before the 1.4 is warm ?,  did you get the manual or DSG ?

 

Regards

T

There are so many sensors on a modern VAG diesel engine that any one of them could cause your issue. 

 

The fact that the turbo eventually kicked in and worked normally may indicate a stuck VNT mechanism although that is normally only found on high mileage gently driven cars so if that's the issue with yours then there's a manufacturing problem.

 

Get it looked at by Skoda, even though the engine light isn't on there should still be a fault stored in the memory.

 

Having said that, they'll probably just clear the code and send you on your way with a "Come back when it happens all the time".

How many miles before the 1.4 is warm ?,  did you get the manual or DSG ?

 

Regards

T

 

It takes about 3 miles for it to reach optimal temperature, but it starts heating inside air after about half a mile. I'm still experimenting with different methods now that winter's here, for example i notice that turning heating on has a profound effect on engine temperature. If i start off with heating off, coolant needle goes to about 70 quite fast, after i turn on the climate control needle goes all the way down in about 10 minutes.