Looking for some advice - on my fabia vrs, I have had a strange loss of power when booting it in second gear. This seems to happen when having waited for a period of time to exit a junction - this is the only common thing that I have been doing when it happens. Basically, she accelerates, but down on power, roughly, with spirts of power. Back off and floor the car, all is fine - full power. Shift to third and she will accelerate with full power; back down to second, and full power. This is a rare occurance, but is irritating, especially when you are trying to get out of a junction quickly.

The car has done it five times in about two months. The first three times there was a noise from the front offside (driver's side) which sounded like something rubbing, but metallic. The first time it happened, I thought I had blown the lower boost pipe off and it was striking the driveshaft. This wasn't the case.

There are no error codes, no boost leaks - at a bit of a loss. Thought maybe actuator, vacuum problems, or dirty vanes, but uncertain as I would have expected the car to throw a code.

Any thoughts anyone? Ta, Pete

Edited 24 February, 201511 yr by Pete

Slipping clutch?

Highly unlikely - but a possibility I hadnt considered because the clutch is a recent new replacement.

Clutch slip is usaully revs rising higher than they should without the equivalent power going to wheels.

Sounds a bit like the ASR kicking in to me?

Mine used to do this when the exhaust side of the turbo was clogged up and it was overboosting.

To be sure do a boost log on vcds. Worth looking at the Mr muscle oven cleaner method to clean it out. Also make sure the vacuum line isnt damaged, and the actuator on the turbo can move freely.

Hope this helps

Yes, wondering about a dirty turbo.  The odd thing is that the car only seems to do it in second gear, which makes me thing gearbox?