[1.9 PDTDI BJB] Smooth idle, but total loss of power after loud bang while driving

[gla983]

Hi everyone,

I would desperately need your help with the following issue:

I was driving on a back road at low speed and revs when I heard a loud bang from the front left of the car. I pulled over immediately, but in the heat of the moment I can’t remember if it stalled or if I turned the engine off myself. Started the engine again, it idles smoothly, it may be a bit louder like it has a minimal blowout. Barely noticeable.

When I tried to move the car to a safe spot it immediately stalled upon releasing the clutch pedal. When I started the engine again and tried again with applying more revs, the car barely moved and there was (if I recall right) black/grey smoke coming out of the exhaust after trying to slip the clutch a bit. The car was towed home after that.

Tried to start again on the driveway and look for solutions. The smoke is gone, the car is able to crawl forward and reverse with partially released clutch. Once I release the clutch fully it stalls. Still idles smoothly, no fault codes stored. I inspected the boost pipe and the lower pipe going into the intercooler in place. Both looked and felt intact. Will have a closer look tomorrow after I purchased a trolley jack and an axle stand.

The complete clutch kit including DMF and slave cylinder was replaced two months ago with Valeo parts (the slave cyl might be a different brand, the mechanic didn't specify).

Would you have any ideas or pointers what could be the issue? Thanks in advance.

 

[Seatman]

I would be looking at the boost pipes, possible one has completely blown or even just come off. Air intake goes to turbo, then from turbo to intercooler then up to intake manifold.

 

[gla983]

I would be looking at the boost pipes, possible one has completely blown or even just come off. Air intake goes to turbo, then from turbo to intercooler then up to intake manifold.

Thanks Seatman, I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I'll have a better look today if the weather will be a bit kinder. It was mostly raining over the long weekend. I'll keep you posted about the findings.

 

[Tdijarhead]

If the boost pipes upon inspection appear to be intact, it might be a good idea to inspect the turbo. Pull the lower pipe and spin the turbo impeller with your finger. It should spin easily and smoothly. Check the side to side and in and out play. There should be very minimal side to side and almost none in and out. Inspect the blades and sides of the turbo for damage or signs of contact between the two.

If that proves to be intact, it’s possible that the mechanic who did the clutch didn’t do a good job or one of the clutch parts failed prematurely.

 

[gla983]

If the boost pipes upon inspection appear to be intact, it might be a good idea to inspect the turbo. Pull the lower pipe and spin the turbo impeller with your finger. It should spin easily and smoothly. Check the side to side and in and out play. There should be very minimal side to side and almost none in and out. Inspect the blades and sides of the turbo for damage or signs of contact between the two.

If that proves to be intact, it’s possible that the mechanic who did the clutch didn’t do a good job or one of the clutch parts failed prematurely.

Will do, thanks a mill! Hopefully I'll find a cheap issue.

 

[gla983]

Found the pipe, thank you so much both of you.

One of the pipes blew off the intercooler's joints at the bottom. One of the previous owners or their MacGyver award winning mechanic solved the broken clip with the help of something that looks like epoxy I can't push the pipe back, there is probably some glue dislodged there.

Ordered Gates replacement parts online (pipe and clips), hopefully they will arrive in a week and I can install them. Thanks again for you help, I really appreciate it.