Loss of Power at low revs, TDI

[Welshnel]

I have been noticing lately that when I am in low revs, my car feels flat up until the turbo kicks in. I thought it might just be me getting used to the car but driving up a hill to work, I know its not me and it does seem to be the car.

The car is a TDI 130 and I've been told that it could be the Airflow metre but I want to know if it could be something else other then just that before I start spending money.

Also it’s a lot worse when the engine is cold.

 

[ross p]

How low on the revs are you talking? Under 2000-2500k then its called turbo lag

 

[Muttley]

Turbo begins to have effect at 1800 rpm or so. Below there, you have more-or-less a standard diesel.

Don't expect miracles at negligable rpm, be gentle with the throttle below 2000. Keep it between 2000 and 4000 for best results. No advantage to revving high - just hits the smoke limit and power drops off very quickly.

There's no real "lag" as such, just that even with VNT the turbo can't deliver much at very low rpm, there isn't enough exhaust flow to spin the turbine.

 

[Welshnel]

Yes, the Turbo kicks in at about 1800rpm and I know its a standard diesel below that but it just seems to be more sluggish then normal.

tends to be more noticeable when cold and I tend to be gentle with the car until the temp gauge is up to half way.

 

[MrBen2k7]

When my MAF went, I had no power at all, and it wouldnt rev over 1900, as in would stop itself....

 

[sssstew]

hmm strange why its worse when cold... i was initially thinking a vacuum problem, i had the same sort of thing when a vacuum hose was left unplugged from the main reservoir after some work but it was really really laggy then. A PD 130 should pull well from low revs but really pick up after 1800.