Hi there,

New to all this, so sorry if its in the wrong place.....

Need Help. Currently 100 miles south of prague. Driving (hopefully) back to UK on Sunday. My 2000 Octavia 1.9TDi is suffering from a severe lack of power, 60mph tops, no fault light, nothing obviously wrong. With my Estelles Favorits or S100s all id need was a 10mm spanner and flat head screwdriver, but all this newfangled German technology is a little bemusing. Anybody got any suggestions? The MAF thing ive read about seems to be in order (i think) and there are no strange noises. Turbo seems fine too, and no black smoke. HELP. The idea of going to Skoda Centre here is a little daunting.

Any ideas greatly appreiciated.

Cheers,

Paul:thumbup:

Certainly sounds like the MAF could be ideal thing to change..... If you disconnect the MAF, how does the car drive? If still just as bad then that would suggest it was knackered. Have you got a mate with a similar VAG engined car you could borrow their MAF from for a test?

Vag-com will also indicate if the MAF is giving sensible readings....

Thanks. I shall try disconnecting the MAF and take her for a spin. Dont know anyone round here with an Octav such as mine, 1960s octav yes, dont think that has a MAF though!! Are these things easy to replace? Or best entrusted to a Skoda dealer?

Thanks again

You really would be better to visit a dealer and have a diag check. Given your description I wouldn't immediately suggest MAF myself.

If its running in limp mode (i.e no turbo boost at all) then it could be the boost/MAP sensor which is shot. A dodgy MAF normally goes a bit intermittent. Anyone with vagcom around you? Might be able to get a diagnostic check done.

Hi,

So been out for a "spin" with the MAF disconnected, and then reconnected again, and there is absolutley no difference in performance whatsoever i.e. Rubbish, got overtaken by a Skoda 120 - Not happy as I had my foot to the floor in 3rd.

The turbo wizzes as it has always done, so I dont suspect that as the problem (and hope not!!

It's not so daunting.

If the turbo is boosting, then it's all a little odd, as if the turbo is giving it's power, then the car should really be at full power. Hope something on the ECU gives a clue as to the problem.

If 60-65K (or multiples of this) on the clock and the following symptoms: 2000 rpm max, always having to change down on gradients etc, the exhaust mass flow sensor needs replacing. Well-known fault on VW-group turbo engines but why don't the dealers warn us and put in a new or exchange one in before it fails? The engine reverts to "safe" mode to stop you damaging it, and driving becomes rather unsafe.

It happened to me in the middle of France 3 years ago with my 1.9 Tdi and the drive home was a bit slow and hacked off anyone following!

why dont you check al intercooler pipes for splits this could be the cause.

So, Just wanted to thank you all who contributed to helping me sort this out.

In the end took it to the local main dealer in Ceske Budejovice (Where THE original budwieser beer comes from, not that american stuff 25p a pint anyone? ), who booked it in and had it sorted within 45 minutes. Turns out it was the MAF after all. Now she drives wonderfully, although Im not sure if not been limited by the naff maf will have a positive effect on my fuel consumption

Price:

Diagnostic 3.40

Fitting 4.60

MAF 98.20

+ 19% VAT

Could have changed it myself i imagine, but for the extra fiver in labour its worth it. Plus I have another bizarre stamp in the service book!!

Thanks again everyone,

Paul

Good result.