Altea TDi FR problem - temporarily lost it's oomph

[JonTelfer]

Hi All,
Just popped out for a short journey in my TDi FR. On the way out it had really lost most of it's power. It wouldn't rev past 3k in first or even get past 2.5k rpm in second. It still went, but just refused to rev. Had the foot flat to the floor and it went up to 2500 and then started dropping with my foot still flat.

Picked up the new tiles for the bathroom and got ready to crawl home but it was absolutely fine.

No engine lights or any other clues. The only thing I can think of is that my new mats may have been putting a bit of pressure on the accelerator when it was started the first time, but I don't think it can have been much.

Any ideas anyone?

Jon

 

[JonTelfer]

Found a guy with a simlar problem in the toledo forum - looks like they reckon it's either a dodgy maf sensor or a stuck turbo which puts the ECU in to some kind of limp home mode.
Got a fairly long drive on Monday so I hope this doesn't come back....

 

[aceman]

Most likely as you say the ECU detected something wrong and went into limp mode. If it reoccurs then take it to your dealer as a fault code should have been generated if it did indeed go into limp mode.

 

[nebbers]

I had similar recently and had a boost pressure sensor replaced. Seems fine now.

 

[JonTelfer]

As an update - the problem had been getting more frequent, say 3 times a week, and I took it in to the dealer but there were no faults logged in the car. Apparently there had been a few Alteas in with this problem, they upgraded the software and said to call if it happens again. Sounded like a bit of a fob off at the time but we'll wait and see.

Jon

 

[nebbers]

Strike my last post. Boost pressure sensor replaced on a Friday. Same problem reoccurs on the next Tuesday.

Let me know how yours goes...

 

[JonTelfer]

It's been OK so far - touch wood. Given the frequency before the software upgrade and the amount of driving since, I reckon it might be the fix. I'll keep you posted though.

 

[nebbers]

Right, now I'm fed up. Car currently at White Dove. Spoke to servicing for them to tell me the fault code says that a boost pressure sensor needs replacing.

That's 2 sensors in 3 weeks.

Had a few words with them and they will look again.

Interestingly, when engine is playing up this last week, it has developed a 'sigh' as the revs drop down through 1500rpm. Does anyone know wjat that could be?

 

[JonTelfer]

Hmmm, it's looking like it might be a different thing. On my car it never died whilst driving - it came on as soon as I started driving the car and equally it would clear by turning the car off then on. Mine also had no fault codes registered.

My car hasn't had the limp home thing since the software update. I'm not sure what it covers really, I got the impression it was a trivial thing to install though.

All my stuff at the moment is going through SMC Windsor - they're OK, although I do wish they'd get parts in advance so that if they find they can't fix stuff e.g. the FM button on the radio or the boot light unit, I have to go back a second time.

Good luck with it.

Jon

 

[JonTelfer]

PErhaps I spoke too soon. On Sunday I turned the car on and got a Engine fault contact dealer message on the MFD. This is the first time I've had it - it didn't happen with any of the other limp home events but the car had the same limp mode symptoms. When I turned the car off and then on the fault had gone and it was back to normal. It's going in on Monday so hopefully the fault will have been logged.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Jon

 

[nebbers]

Don't let them tell you its purely a sporadic fault on the boost pressure sensor! That is a symptom, not the cause.

 

[JonTelfer]

Thanks - I'll see what they say. No progress with your car then?

Looks like it's just us on this thread so it doesn't look to be a particularly common fault.

 

[Tell]

It seems to be an FR TDI problem as the thread calls it, new design of engine, sensors, software etc may be. Has any one with a 140 gone into limp mode ?, I don't think so.

 

[nebbers]

Altea TDi FR problem - permanently lost it's oomph

Well forget the engine management light, the engine has now developed a definite buzz/humm and lost all turbo. It's now like driving a transit.

Booked in for 3 days as of Monday 19th.

When I get it back, I will want proof that the engine delivers 170BHP too.

 

[Tell]

I wonder how many FR owners don't have problems.... it seems possible that the new engine set up seems to deliver more problems ?. Klawit, what's the German forumn saying, any evidence that 170 BHP engines are prone to issues ?.

Some one said on this list or was it Honest John or when the petrol issue developed, that if you drive with an engine warning light on then it's going to wreck your engine if the cause is not sorted out. Think you should stop driving it myself.

 

[Rallye Dale]

Not had any probs with mine yet, touch wood

It's only done 1800 mile though

 

[nebbers]

Have stopped driving it when possible, but is is essential for certain circumstances (ie driving baby to carers) as it is the only car that is suitable for car seat (other car is a smart fortwo).

Must admit that given the dealers willingness to let me carry on driving it, if there is anyother damage, they are going to be busy.

 

[Barney]

I thought it was just me but it seems not. I've got a 3 year old Leon cupra tdi 150. Short trip to the shop today, 5th gear pulled upto 3000 and would not rev any higher. Backed off and drove on but engine was flat. felt just like a diesel with a turbo. came out the shop, started alright put my foot down and it lost its power and the engine management light on the dash came on. i think it must be what is refered to as limp home mode. hope to get a fault code soon. any thoughts?

 

[JonTelfer]

Just got back from the garage - computer says it's a thrust pressure sensor. Not replaced because they don't have it in stock.

Oh and when we phoned you to say that your replacement radio is ready for fitting what we actually meant was "Eh? What radio, there's no mention of a faulty radio in your notes, we had a look and it's working fine". I get in car to find that it's still broken, show the guy and he's now agreed to get a replacement. All in all a pretty frustrating start with SMC windsor. Bring back my 1.6 Leon which had no problems in 4 years.

 

[nebbers]

After 'talking to' the garage, who initially said that they could find no problem, I persuaded them to give the car a road test. Afterwards, they accepted that there is NO turbo.

Seat have no fault diagnosis recipe for my particular fault, so thay are going to order several spares such as Mass Air Flow Sensor, Turbo Unit etc and randomly swap them about until the faulty part is identified.

Experts....