So last night, out of a 30 into a National speed limit, floor it and all good until 60, about to change from fourth to fifth and lose power. 

 

The remaining 5 miles was painful with no turbo apart from in first gear. 

 

Parked up at home, off, back on and fine. Was fine on my 25 mile journey to work too. 

 

Am I correct in thinking it went into limp mode? Away soon, but when we get back I will get my mrs to take it to her garage and get it diagnosed. I hope it isn't anything bad as it already needs a new compressor and we need a new dishwasher ££££££ :(

I would put my money on it being the Air flow meter.

I shall update you Dean in a couple of weeks when it goes in

This is likely to be one of two things:

 

1) Turbo / turbo actuator (sticky vanes)

2) EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve

 

Did you get any lights on the dash when it dropped into limp-home mode? Either the glowplug light or EML (Engine Management Light).

 

When the car drops into limp-home mode a fault code is logged and stored. You need to get it read using VCDS.

Nothing on the dash and yes, will be getting it read but we are off on holiday Thursday so it will have to sit for 2 weeks before my wife can take it into work. Thankfully we are using hers for the 19 hour round trip!

Any news yet? Mine is doing similar to what you describe.

Was something to do with overboost, but a quick reset of the error and it hasn't come back

Was something to do with overboost, but a quick reset of the error and it hasn't come back

Having this problem with mine at the moment. Has happened twice now so chances are it will come back.

 

Going to try cleaning my turbo to see if that helps the sticking vanes

It's probably too early to tell but after 200 miles with Shell V-Power Nitro +, it's not happened on mine again other than when I started it up at the petrol station and went onto the duel carriageway. Pulled over at the next exit, turned it off and on again and then trouble free the rest of the journey. I have noticed a slight drop in mpg but that was probably me trying to get the fault to happen.

Done 600 miles now and got the exhaust control system light on, no loss of power as before, in fact, no noticeable difference at all.  Came on after a little 'Italian Tune Up'.

and it happened again on Friday 

 

Quick restart when traffic allowed and was fine, but a worry. Just need 18 more month out of it and then I can chop it in. No big bills please

If it is an overboost and limp mode issue it is likely sticky vanes assuming actuator is confirmed as operational.  You can either try Mr Muscle yourself or remove turbo and clean it up. A workshop may only agree to do the latter.

 

Some links:

 

 

 

 

VW are saying I need a new turbo. My wife works there so the mechanic was dealing direct with me on saturday. I can get a turbo for £320 + whatever the mechanic will do for an after hours fit. Still cheaper than a new car

I have the exact same problem and I have been told I need a new turbo aswell, how much am I looking at?

7 minutes ago, Pudq1 said:

I have the exact same problem and I have been told I need a new turbo aswell, how much am I looking at?

 

Not sure. £320 for the turbo was at a negotiated rate with Euros as my wife knows them well from her previous job. Fitting will be mates rates so my prices won't be accurate. Kinda wished I had changed my wheel and fitted a MFSW a couple years back as this car will be in the family for a few more years. 

19 hours ago, zeffania said:

VW are saying I need a new turbo. My wife works there so the mechanic was dealing direct with me on saturday. I can get a turbo for £320 + whatever the mechanic will do for an after hours fit. Still cheaper than a new car

Is that because i) they don't believe that it is a vane VNT problem or ii) because they don't believe a clean / Mr Muscle will resolve it in the long term. Probably the latter I am suspecting. But longevity of the fix varies depending on how bad it is.

 

If you wanted to try a cheap fix you could try cleaning yourself per the linked posts.

 

Remanufactured turbo units seem to be around £200 and up.  For the benefit of others, on my first search a brand new unit also came up at the same price you have been quoted.

 

I don't know the supplier but feedback looks ok. 

 

The labour is the thing that can affect the job significantly. 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXHAUST-TURBOCHARGER-TURBO-VW-JETTA-1K-CADDY-MK-3-04-10-GOLF-MK-5-1K-1-9-TDI-/371423842839?hash=item567a961217:g:UJwAAOSw0HVWA-FE

 

 

I am happy with euros, I believe it comes with a 2 year warranty and I will await the conversation my wife will have with the mechanic. It will be an after hours cash job I should imagine so hopefully not too painful. 

Take the turbo off, leave submerged in petrol overnight, fully dry and refit.  Problem will be fixed.  Total cost £5 for a few litres of fuel compared to £££'s for a new turbo just because the VNT mechanism inside is carbon'd up.

New turbo fitted at the weekend and no more limp mode which is nice. 

 

However, the issue that I had also was that the turbo didn't spool till later, 1.5k changed to 2k. This has not changed. My car was remapped nearly 6 years ago via Shark and their STS box. Do you think I will have to re-do the mapping or am I stuck with this and have to change my driving style?