Diagnostic or tune-up

[Mrk_Mickey]

Hey guys,

My car has been running like rat-poop recently and I'm eager to get to the bottom of this problem as it's been intermittent ever since I bought the car. It's basically a power cutting issue, where it 'feels' like the car is choking and doesn't want to go anywhere even with the pedal all the way down and all noise apparent.

A few people have mentioned things like a dyno diagnostic, or a diagnostic test where you can go to a dyno place or similar and they can actually check your car out for one way or another, and then possibly suggest either an ECU reflash or a dyno tune to get it running better or something...now I know very little about this so I thought this would be the best place to ask you lot for some advice on sorting out my problem?

Oh and for those who are going to suggest Vag-com... if you actually have vag-com and are willing to scan the car for me then no problemo, but please, if you don't have it and just want to tell me to scan it then don't worry about posting because it doesn't actually help me. (Sorry if that's rude, I'd just prefer technical knowledge/information passed on, not vag-com advice as I'm already aware of that option)

[h100vw]

Sounds like you have a hardware issue mate. Unfortunately, the best way to get to the bottom of it is with VAG-COM. There are too may sensors to go through that could affect the engine's running that doing anything else would be time consuming and probably costly.

If you have good plugs and leads then you need to get it scanned.

Gavin

[Mrk_Mickey]

Dammit...right well who has a propper VAG-COM and is willing to scan it for me??

[h100vw]

Yeah, sorry to have to write that. Can you not get to see a specialist?
Gavin

[Mrk_Mickey]

Yeah, sorry to have to write that. Can you not get to see a specialist?
Gavin

I'm sure I can, but who, and does it cost anything (gotta plan it if that's the case lol)?

[Jmac]

Mate , i think i have mentioned before, have you changed your fuel filter????? , cant remember if you did or not bud.
Jmac

[The_Hawk]

While I have the dodgy eBay knock off, it works fine with the limited computer in the Mk3's Happy to run a scan for you, but at the end of the day I'm no expert... Maybe it's worth taking it to someone who can scan AND fiddle

Normally I would say bring it round on the weekend, but this weekend I won't be here and next week is my mates wedding... But after that...


PS. I have absolutely no good reason for saying this other than because it's the first thing my brain thought... dodgy MAF?

[h100vw]

No need to be an expert, if there's no faults listed check the MAF output on the measuring blocks and see what's being read. Post any codes on here or check the web.

Gavin

[goodfella]

I think loon has a proper cable...

[Jmac]

Yeah and make sure the bugger is getting fuel, saw a Maf fitted to one that had a fuel filter you couldnt blow through, exactly the same sort of symtoms presented, wasnt a good look for the guy.
Jmac

[Mrk_Mickey]

Yeah and make sure the bugger is getting fuel, saw a Maf fitted to one that had a fuel filter you couldnt blow through, exactly the same sort of symtoms presented, wasnt a good look for the guy.
Jmac

Eep that would suck!!

Yeah Jimmy I changed my fuel filter about 6 months ago now. I recently serviced the car and put liqui moly fuel system/injector cleaner in the tank and done the engine flush. The engine flush made it feel great so I don't think it could be that but I'm starting to feel wary of the injector cleaner...

Oh and also, I know this is a silly thing for me to do but I just haven't gotten around to fixing it...I'm running a straight pod so yeah my MAF could be screwed.

I think Seb is closest to me and I would assume he has some sort of VAGCOM stuff, surely...?

[Mrk_Mickey]

Hmmmm....

My cousin has just linked something I completely overlooked. He asked if I was losing coolant and indeed I have been...which means, if I'm not incorrect, that could be a sign of a blown headgasket?? Ie water is escaping into the engine?

My heater core is busted (surprise surprise...) so it's bypassed; I just assumed any coolant I lost might be because the AC is on and coolant is trying to get to the heater core or something but the first description makes much more sense...

[william]

dude the heater core is specifically for the heater.. nothing to do with the ac
your lack of power could be any number of things. I can help you over the phone if you wish just call me 0405243154

[glidn]

i would say this is or will be happening.

You will have a water leak on the thermo Housing, Such damn common problem on the vr6. Why they bothered with a plastic two piece unit is beyond my. Oh well

Secondly does it run like poo when it's from cold or when it's completely hot?

My previous VR6 i had which i sold approx 24 months ago, had the leak problem and did not get fixed in time by the new owner. Any way a few months down the track and now when engine is cold sometimes struggles to start or will start start driving and the engine will cut out. This is due to blown headgasket so the engine can not get sufficient pressure and therefore dies. So long story short is he has now had to replace the vr6 engine.

[Mrk_Mickey]

i would say this is or will be happening.

You will have a water leak on the thermo Housing, Such damn common problem on the vr6. Why they bothered with a plastic two piece unit is beyond my. Oh well

Secondly does it run like poo when it's from cold or when it's completely hot?

My previous VR6 i had which i sold approx 24 months ago, had the leak problem and did not get fixed in time by the new owner. Any way a few months down the track and now when engine is cold sometimes struggles to start or will start start driving and the engine will cut out. This is due to blown headgasket so the engine can not get sufficient pressure and therefore dies. So long story short is he has now had to replace the vr6 engine.

That story sucks Well I've noticed that my car doesn't really like to be started up, sometimes it will struggle. When I first turn it on I don't fang it either...I give it about 5 or so minutes before I really use the pedal so the oil has lubricated everything and it's started to warm up. Recently, as soon as I go to give it a bit from my pedal I get hardly any response. I get all the noise and absolutely NO go, only about 20% power.