Poor Performance after timing belt change

[reddevil]

My TDI is not performing well going up hills over 65 mph. it hesitates and blows grey or black smoke. Hills that I used to be able to accelerate up i now have to downshift to get over them. Also I have noticed that when i shift at or above 2000 rpm's, I hear a loud noise that sounds like an open air hose coming from the right side of the engine.

This all started happening after I got the car back from the dealer for a timing belt change. Dealer service manager says it is nothing they did and he talked to the mechanic while I was on the phone and mechanic said he noticed the intake manifold while working on the engine and that it probably needs cleaning. I am hesitant to take it back to them. I just bought vag-com and determined there are no codes present. I have been driving a couple weeks now and things are not getting any better.

any advice? could it be timing? or should I start the intake cleaning process? i am thinking though that if the intake manifold was an issue, I would have had these symptoms before i took it in for atiming belt change.. I should note that I have changed the fuel and air filters. Also, I disconnected the maf as has been suggested here to test the maf and the engine did not get better. Another clue may be that I noticed oil at the connection to the intercooler from the turbo. what do you think???

 

[rdkern]

Since you have VagCom, check the timing. It could be that.

If it isn't way retarted, other options can be considered.

 

[millsap2]

I've just been fighting a similar problem. Mine was two things. 1: the mechanic had set the timing WAY high which caused surging whenever driving at highway speeds. The second thing was that my local mechanic had busted the pressure pipe when changing the timing belt which basically de-turboed the car (see post "Mystery Probelm Continues"). Check the timing with the Vag-Com and inspect your entire air flow system and make sure it's all in tact and connected.

good luck

 

[dieselt]

Timing or Turbo

Could be either or both

 

[whitedog]

I've just been fighting a similar problem. Mine was two things. 1: the mechanic had set the timing WAY high which caused surging whenever driving at highway speeds. The second thing was that my local mechanic had busted the pressure pipe when changing the timing belt which basically de-turboed the car (see post "Mystery Probelm Continues"). Check the timing with the Vag-Com and inspect your entire air flow system and make sure it's all in tact and connected.

good luck

I second this.

Check the timing first because the dealer probably didn't set it to the top of the graph where you get the best mileage.

Then check the hose connections to find the one that has slipped off which is most likely the noise problem.

 

[reddevil]

thanks for the advice. I checked the timing today and it is almost off the graph on the upside... was way above the upper line on the graph. So it looks like a timing adjustment is in order. I have not found the hose leak yet.... but am still trying. oil is around the lower intercooler connection.... am thinking of putting the car on ramps and revving it up and maybe a look will reveal the leak.