Dip in power in first

[AntneeUK]

I noticed that my LCR seems to have a recurring 'fault' where it seems to loose power for a second while accelerating, usually in first.

Take this for example; I turn out of the bottom of my street on to a hill (going up). I accelerate and you feel the revs and power rise, and then it seems to tail off really quickly for a second, and then come back on. It's as if I've lifted off of the accelerator really quickly and then come back on again.

It's done it for a while, and there were no codes showing in VAG-COM when we checked it. Have been round to WiseJason's today and had it on VAG-COM to enable the auto-locking doors and forgot to ask about checking it. It did it as I was leaving his too.

Seems to be OK once you get going. I've not knowingly experienced limp-mode, so I don't know if this is that or not. Does it sound familiar?

 

[Shaunyboy]

Limp mode occurs when the EML is illuminated. Have you done the N249 bypass?

 

[AntneeUK]

I haven't done anything Shaun, bar change the tyres, the splitter a couple of times and put a few tanks of petrol in. EML = Engine Management Light? I'll take a look at this N249 bypass, see if someone has done it previously.

 

[Shaunyboy]

it sounds like the TCS is kicking in and dumping the boost to stop loss of traction, when i got mine i unplugged it and threw it in the boot lol.

 

[AntneeUK]

Ha ha. It doesn't feel like the usual TCS interference TBH. It seems much more obvious, if you know what I mean? I think the TCS feels more discrete, whereas this is really like the fuel just stopped getting to the engine for a second. I could probably replicate it easy enough, so maybe I'll try getting someone in the back to video the dash as I'm driving and see what happens?

 

[SimmoCupra]

Is this just when its cold?

 

[nutter_engineer]

This happens to me also when starting from cold. Usually in first or second gear when you hit just below 2k rpm there will be a certain 'weak' point and the revs struggle just for a second. I did originally thought something was wrong but my mate who's previously had the 1.8T S3, Mk5 golf, audi TT quattro and now on a 2.0T S3, he says he's had this happen on every one of them. So we put it down as being a vag thing.

 

[SimmoCupra]

Mine does the same thing.

Although can stop it by eithe waiting for the cold start strategy to pass (when the engine revs are up past 800rpm, and its running fuel enrichment on its fast idle).

Or pulling away just using the clutch to start with. I know this sounds silly but its easily done when the engine revs are higher when cold first thing. Try it without any throttle input at all. That seems to make a difference to mine.

My problem was also better once I fitted an induction kit - and got rid of the airbox and green panel filter. Also have done the N249 bypass - which is great!

I posted this, reckoning it could be a throttle body missalignement? need some vag Commage to reset it I reck.

 

[AntneeUK]

Thanks guys. Yes, it does only do it when cold. Probably within 5 minutes, which is time usually spent worming through the local streets to get to the A-Roads. That said, when I popped to Jason's the other day (who lives maybe 3 miles away) it did it as I was leaving. It was a 10 minute drive to get there, the engine was running mostly while there, and it did it as I was leaving

 

[SalSheikh]

mine does this now and again even after driving for 15 mins. feels like the cars stalled at times - really really annoying. normally happens when i wanna pull away, from a junction etc.

gotta get it vagcom'd.

 

[vwbassett]

Since i bought the car on cold/wet morning i have noticed when i pull away down my road very slowly at about 5% throttle slowly increasing up the revs there is a flat spot at about 1500rpm but i think as mentioned above it is the cold start management but i never notice it after the very first moment pulling off on my first journey of the day.

 

[AntneeUK]

I just think it's embarrassing, more than anything, especially when you've got someone else in the car as they think you can't drive for sh*t

 

[Shaunyboy]

You should have seen my clio :\ jerky as feck cold, its the nature of performance engines.

 

[Faisal]

happens to me everytime i climb the hill to get out of my area in the mornings...quite annoying

 

[AntneeUK]

Hmm, so yeah, same symptoms as mine. Oh well, I guess it's not something wrong with my car, it's something wrong with our cars

 

[Shaunyboy]

Hmm, so yeah, same symptoms as mine. Oh well, I guess it's not something wrong with my car, it's something wrong with our cars

Its not somthing wrong, its just the nature of a performance engine both clio 182 and leon are jerky when cold, saxo it didnt really mater was same as its just a 1.6 8v.

 

[AntneeUK]

OK, I should probably have said "it's not something wrong with my car, it's a characteristic of our cars"

 

[Shaunyboy]

OK, I should probably have said "it's not something wrong with my car, it's a characteristic of our cars"

Just leave it an extra min or 2 to get warmer but its mostly cos they run rich on cold start.

 

[AntneeUK]

Hmm, don't like to leave cold engines idling TBH. Does more damage that gently driving while cold

 

[SimmoCupra]

How does it do more damage?

Surely its better to wait for the cold start strategy to return Lambda to normal. you will also give the oil pressure time to stabilise. As it can be quite high on cold oil.