VW Engine burning very lean. Problem (1 Viewer)

[Emmit]

Hi Folks,
This isn't a question relating to my motorhome which has a Fiat 2.8 lump but rather our car which, I think, uses the same lump as a VW T5 (I may be wrong.)
It's a VW Passat Est. 2.0 @178BHP

Coming home from the IOW we stopped for lunch and everything was fine.
However on restarting the car wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding. It initially only revved to 2500 and basically no more.
It was fine but very sluggish taking off but eventually got up to 60mph but wouldn't accelerate and 'died' whenever there was a gradient. The engine continued to roll and the fuel economy stayed at about the same as before in the journey.
I don't think it was in limp mode but seemed to have a very laean burn (IMHO) No warning lights illuminated.
We decided to try to make it to home, however we stopped for shopping at Launceston.
On leaving the store, I blipped the throttle and it wouldn't go beyond 2500RPM however, on getting onto the road it was as if nothing had occurred previously. I performed faultlessly all the way home.

Question. Any idea's? I'm thinking some gremlin in the ECU sent a message to bu&&er up (technical term) the mix of diesel and air or something similar.
Over to you before I spend what's left of the bank account for no reason at the garage.

All comments gratefully received.

 

[Geo]

Can you turn off ABS and try again, you may find it will rev away

 

[chatteris]

is there a flap in the throttle body, dont know about vw but some peugeot diesels have and it can stick shut and cause a non start or poor performance

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[Khizzie]

Hi Folks,
This isn't a question relating to my motorhome which has a Fiat 2.8 lump but rather our car which, I think, uses the same lump as a VW T5 (I may be wrong.)
It's a VW Passat Est. 2.0 @178BHP

Coming home from the IOW we stopped for lunch and everything was fine.
However on restarting the car wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding. It initially only revved to 2500 and basically no more.
It was fine but very sluggish taking off but eventually got up to 60mph but wouldn't accelerate and 'died' whenever there was a gradient. The engine continued to roll and the fuel economy stayed at about the same as before in the journey.
I don't think it was in limp mode but seemed to have a very laean burn (IMHO) No warning lights illuminated.
We decided to try to make it to home, however we stopped for shopping at Launceston.
On leaving the store, I blipped the throttle and it wouldn't go beyond 2500RPM however, on getting onto the road it was as if nothing had occurred previously. I performed faultlessly all the way home.

Question. Any idea's? I'm thinking some gremlin in the ECU sent a message to bu&&er up (technical term) the mix of diesel and air or something similar.
Over to you before I spend what's left of the bank account for no reason at the garage.

All comments gratefully received.

Its German what else do you. Expect. ?? Will you never learn . Especially after the krauts were exposed as cheaters with emissions. . Lol

 

[andyman]

Sounds like Airmass Meter, i had the same problem on a Passat. No warning lights just lack of power.

 

[jezport]

Could be anything. You will need to have it plugged in and get the codes read

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[tonyidle]

If it's a turbo it could also be a hose leak between the turbo & inlet manifold (which includes intercooler hoses).

 

[chrisgreen]

Sounds like Airmass Meter, i had the same problem on a Passat. No warning lights just lack of power.

i agree ! could be the MAF needs putting on live data at a dealers

 

[rod_vw]

I'll agree with then theory of a possible Air Mass Meter but I'd search the VW forums to find someone with VCDS (Vagcomm) diagnostic system to scan it for you. You are too far away for me to do it for you. Try the VW T4 Forum or T6 Forum or search for VW Golf Forums.

Rod

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[andy63]

Over to you before I spend what's left of the bank account for no reason at the garage.

If it's returned to normal and didn't generate any fault codes (ie warning ligh ) Id not do nothing until you have more to go on
It sounds sensor/electronic rarher than a mechanical fault..
Does it have a regenerative particulate filter that might have been operating and effecting the exhaust sensors...if it has them ....
Andy

 

[Emmit]

An update on this.

This morning I visited my local garage and plugging in the diagnostics we found.......Nothing.
The car is behaving itself and I'm not complaining but it still leaves that nagging worry that it could happen again. Still, the wallet's still intact.
Thanks to all contributors

 

[Allanm]

An update on this.

This morning I visited my local garage and plugging in the diagnostics we found.......Nothing.
.....................
Still, the wallet's still intact.

Well, that sounds like a result to me!

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