2003 New Beetle TDI engine ''hesitate'' between 1500 and 1800 RPM

[beetle928]

Hi, I own my TDI since 5 months and from the beginning I felt a little something between 1500 and 1800 RPM most of all when cold. Yesterday after a 4 hours ride it became worst even when hot. If I keep the car at a speed the engine must rev between 1500 and 1800 it has like a lack of power like if I accelerate gently when it passes these rpm's it kind of hesitate. Everything else is fine. I tought of the intake or throttle body (if I may call it like that) who need to be cleaned or maybe the fuel filter, I don't know...
Any help appreciated

 

[dweisel]

It may be your turbo actuator needs adjusted. If it seems like you're not getting boost at that rpm range. If you get on it hard,does it seem okay? You can Google the adjustment procedure. Would help if you have access to VCDS.

 

[Rembrant]

I tought of the intake or throttle body (if I may call it like that) who need to be cleaned or maybe the fuel filter, I don't know...
Any help appreciated

Well, it could be the intake OR fuel filter, but it could also be a few other things.
How many kms on this car? Are you getting any check engine lights on?

As dweisel mentioned above, it would help to have someone with VCDS to check the car.

Good idea to check the MAF sensor, but you must be certain that the intake and EGR is nice and clean before doing this. Then I would check the operation of the turbo. There is a lot of information online on both topics.

 

[jasonTDI]

1500-1800 at light throttle is the sign of a bad or chinese mass air flow sensor. This was a common issue back in the day when the OE sensors were dropping like flies and were still $400. Peple tried anything including C.R.A.P units. (chinese replacement auto part) Saw it a lot. Buy a BOSCH maf only.

 

[beetle928]

Thank's for your replies
The car is 235000 kms, no check engine light.
I'm gone for the day but tomorrow I'll warm it up and try to floor it from Under 1500 rpm's to see how it will behave. I'm almost sure I won't fell it or won't feel it much.
I'll post the results.
Thank's again

 

[SaxmanKana]

Jason, I like the C.R.A.P. Pneumonic. I'm thinking that it won't matter what car you drive after the 1st 100K, the replacement parts are all CRAP!

Dweisel, I may need the VCDS when I get home next week after Jazz Camp. CEL on, no power. Had to come back home & switch cars on my way to Louisville last week.

Later,
Dave

 

[Perfectreign]

Hi, I own my TDI since 5 months and from the beginning I felt a little something between 1500 and 1800 RPM most of all when cold.

I learned quickly after having my 2000 Jetta that I'm barely ever in that range. You'll find posts here telling you to shift at 3000 rpm minimum and to not let the car go below 2000 rpm.



Sent from mTalk

 

[SaxmanKana]

I learned quickly after having my 2000 Jetta that I'm barely ever in that range. You'll find posts here telling you to shift at 3000 rpm minimum and to not let the car go below 2000 rpm.

Sent from mTalk

Really? I've not checked any of that out!

 

[beetle928]

Ok, I tried to floor it and I do feel a little something wrong around 1500 rpm when the engine rpm raises. Altough the car accelerate well. When I accelerate gently we do feel very well that there is something wrong.
I saw that I get black exhaust every time I floor it. Is that normal?
Any other idea about my 1500 to 1800 rpm's problem?

 

[lovemybug]

You could have a boost leak showing up at that rpm range. Does anything along the intake show any signs of oil leaking? Especially around the intercooler? If so, check to make sure that things are attached properly and there are not any cracks. If you've bumped into anything with the passenger side front end, give the intercooler a good look, because it might have a crack in it.

 

[beetle928]

My garage should be free in a couple of days. Then I'll have a good look at the intake. I hope it is something minor
I already had something similar on my other car, Volvo V50 turbo gas engine and it was the turbo control valve.

Thank's a lot

 

[jasonTDI]

You have a bad MAF.

 

[jasonTDI]

You can drive them under 2000. It won't hurt them. Just don't floor it while cruising at 1300. roll into the throttle. As long as you rev it out a few times a month minimum through a few gears you'll be ok. These cars need to be exercised. It's the ones that are pussy-footed around that have the most issues. See it daily. I'm not saying abuse it, just DRIVE it.

 

[SaxmanKana]

You can drive them under 2000. It won't hurt them. Just don't floor it while cruising at 1300. roll into the throttle. As long as you rev it out a few times a month minimum through a few gears you'll be ok. These cars need to be exercised. It's the ones that are pussy-footed around that have the most issues. See it daily. I'm not saying abuse it, just DRIVE it.

I never dog the engine out, load it up, I always downshift for power. at least to the low end of the power range. I drive highway miles, I shouldn't carbon up anything!

Thanks,
Dave

 

[beetle928]

You have a bad MAF.

Sorry but what MAF means??

 

[SaxmanKana]

You have a bad MAF.

That was easy! Mass Air Flow sensor. Meters the amount of air going in & adjusts
w speed & temp. It's after the air filter on the inlet tube!

 

[jasonTDI]

Sorry but what MAF means??

MASS AIR FLOW (sensor)

 

[beetle928]

LOL sorry. I should have known. I'm french native speaking so ...
Thank's
I did'nt have the time to check anything yet. As soon as I can I'll let know the results in case it could help someone else.
Thank's again

 

[UhOh]

MAF = Mass Air Flow sensor. It informs your car's computer how much air is being drawn into the engine.

I'd agree that the MAF is highly suspect. I'd also suggest checking your snowscreen (Google it) as stock ones (an actual screen) often get plugged up with insect pieces; when clogged up there's a relief port/door that opens up, but it only does so when there's a good demand for air- that is, a clogged snowscreen can cause a lag in rpms. Oh, and obviously, if you don't know when the air filter was last changed then you should look to change it.

 

[beetle928]

The air filter is fine. I'll check everything else as soon as I can.
Thank's a lot

 

[dweisel]

Beetles are a pita to check snowscreen because the fender liner has to come off,plus a few otherparts. Here's what I do. Reverse snorkel BJ. Remove airbox from engine. Take a leaf blower and blow from where the airbox attaches to the snorkel. Should clear anything from the snowscreen.

You can thank me later for saving you an hours worth of disassembly to access the snowscreen.

 

[UhOh]

Beetles are a pita to check snowscreen because the fender liner has to come off,plus a few otherparts. Here's what I do. Reverse snorkel BJ. Remove airbox from engine. Take a leaf blower and blow from where the airbox attaches to the snorkel. Should clear anything from the snowscreen.

You can thank me later for saving you an hours worth of disassembly to access the snowscreen.

Another example of why this site rocks!

 

[beetle928]

OK the result of what I did : I took out the Air Flow Meter sensor and cleaned it with electric components cleaner. I checked the intake a bit and blown air in the snorkel with a reversed shop vac but it looked ok. I took it for a short drive and it seems to be ok. Before that the problem was present everytime I go with cold engine but tonight it drove like a new.
I'll use it for work in the next days and test it better.
Thank's to all for the help and yes this site rocks

 

[beetle928]

Confirmed. My NB drives like new. Even when the engine is'nt warm (blue lamp ON) no more hésitations. The problem has completely vanished.
I forgot to say that I also put electric cleaner in the MAF sensor connector and bent the pins a little bit to get better contact.
Thank's again

 

[SaxmanKana]

Beetles are a pita to check snowscreen because the fender liner has to come off,plus a few otherparts. Here's what I do. Reverse snorkel BJ. Remove airbox from engine. Take a leaf blower and blow from where the airbox attaches to the snorkel. Should clear anything from the snowscreen.

You can thank me later for saving you an hours worth of disassembly to access the snowscreen.

I may as well give Blue a BJ while I'm working on the stuck actuator. Going to clean the turbo vanes w Easy Off w LYE. sodium hydroxide!

Dweisel, you RAWK!

Dave

 

[beetle928]

Beetles are a pita to check snowscreen because the fender liner has to come off,plus a few otherparts. Here's what I do. Reverse snorkel BJ. Remove airbox from engine. Take a leaf blower and blow from where the airbox attaches to the snorkel. Should clear anything from the snowscreen.

You can thank me later for saving you an hours worth of disassembly to access the snowscreen.

I already wrote many thank's but a special thank's to you

 

[AnotherPerson]

I already wrote many thank's but a special thank's to you

It's about a 45min job to pull the cap. I did it about a month ago for a evaporator.


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