vr6 underpowered

[mk3pete]

ok people i know this thread has been done to death but im at a loss
sometimes the car feels like its dead in the water
other times its got full power
this really is frustrating
any ideas?

it cant be the coil pack or leads (msd set up and they are not blown)
it cant be the maf as i have a new one
and the only fault codes that come up is the ABS and engine speed sensor but that only comes up when the engine is off

[velly_16v_cab]

is it bad fuel? does it feel under power on hot days?
change the filters (fuel/air) and give it some injector clearner.


it may just be that your too used to the car....

[Tim]

My VR6 has always been a bit of a pig in the hot weather. You can fry an egg on the intake manifold after a spirited run.

[mk3pete]

i cant be bad fuel im running 98 all the time
thats the thing though, even if its not hot its still like you say a pig
this has been an on going thing for ages now
im taking my car to work soon im going to try gaping my plugs and see what that does

[sydVR6]

Could be fuel related:

* Clagged Fuel Injectors

* Leaky Fuel Pressure Regulator

Fuel Injectors can be cleaned. A leaky FPR can be diagnosed by diconnecting the vacuum line. If there is fuel on the vacuum side, the FPR diaphragm is leaking and the reg needs to be replaced.

Someone already mentioned fuel filter.

Also, it's worth checking for vacuum leaks.

Gapping your plugs shouldn't really help - the BKR5EKU comes with the correct electrode gap, as will most compatible plugs. Check you have the original/compatible plugs.

[mk3pete]

Could be fuel related:

* Clagged Fuel Injectors

* Leaky Fuel Pressure Regulator

Fuel Injectors can be cleaned. A leaky FPR can be diagnosed by diconnecting the vacuum line. If there is fuel on the vacuum side, the FPR diaphragm is leaking and the reg needs to be replaced.

Someone already mentioned fuel filter.

Also, it's worth checking for vacuum leaks.

Gapping your plugs shouldn't really help - the BKR5EKU comes with the correct electrode gap, as will most compatible plugs. Check you have the original/compatible plugs.

cheers syd

with the injectors is it possible to clean them myself ie, blow them out with an air gun?
also i dont really know where the reg is or what it looks like
anyone care to post a photo pretty please
and my filter is pretty much new so im taking that out of the equation
as with the vacuum leaks i cant really hear any

[Mrk_Mickey]

Haha Pete mate I feel your pain. My car does the same thing. My engine has supposedly thrown lambda probe, engine speed sensor and cam position sensor faults which I have yet to pay some attention to. I've changed my mad, coilpack, leads, plugs, cleaned my injectors a few times, air filter, the only thing I haven't changed very recently is the fuel filter.

[Jmac]

Can i also suggest having the exhaust and cat checked too, could be blocked and cause the classic underpower. get someone who know how to read a Vac gauge, its a great tool to check a blocked exhaust
cheers
Jmac

[Golf Houso]

x2, my VR6 had a blocked cat as well due the overfuelling on misfire, made a massive difference in bottom and top ends once it was changed.

Can i also suggest having the exhaust and cat checked too, could be blocked and cause the classic underpower. get someone who know how to read a Vac gauge, its a great tool to check a blocked exhaust
cheers
Jmac

[Jmac]

x2, my VR6 had a blocked cat as well due the overfuelling on misfire, made a massive difference in bottom and top ends once it was changed.

Yes and Yes
Cheers
Jmac

[mk3pete]

cheers guys but fortunately its a brand new magnaflow cat and the rest is remus exhaust

[Jmac]

Ok back to the drawing board, the fuel can still be bad doesnt matter if you use 98, its as good as what the bowser is delivering, that where the guys are at not the octane rating but the actual fuel itself. The MAF is new, had new MAFS that are defunked too mate, log it. Hook up a fuel pressure gauge and drive around and see log the readings good and bad, , i gather you would have a new fuel filter on. Gauges dont lie hook some up and drive around and see what going on, also if you know of someone in your area that can read a log do that too, when good and bad. You could also check the current draw at the fuel pump good and bad too mate, if its failing itll be relatively high, any more than 7 amps i would be questioning it
Good luck
Jmac

[mk3pete]

Ok back to the drawing board, the fuel can still be bad doesnt matter if you use 98, its as good as what the bowser is delivering, that where the guys are at not the octane rating but the actual fuel itself. The MAF is new, had new MAFS that are defunked too mate, log it. Hook up a fuel pressure gauge and drive around and see log the readings good and bad, , i gather you would have a new fuel filter on. Gauges dont lie hook some up and drive around and see what going on, also if you know of someone in your area that can read a log do that too, when good and bad. You could also check the current draw at the fuel pump good and bad too mate, if its failing itll be relatively high, any more than 7 amps i would be questioning it
Good luck
Jmac

i spose i could speek to loyde at volkwerke and ask him on how to log and install a fuel pressure gauge
i run 98 100% of the time and it happens regardless
filter is fairly new less than 6000 ks i think
not too sure on what your talking about with regards to current draw
would it have a low draw with a high octane reading?
on the MAF though after taking off the old one and installed the new one
it took off like a rocket on the way too work,but after taking it home it went back the same
cheers for the info jimmy very helpful

[Jmac]

The current draw is on the fuel pump mate, your mechanic can check that, and is even easier to do so if he has a current clamp. over 7 amps question the fuel pump.
good luck with the checks
Jmac

[mk3pete]

The current draw is on the fuel pump mate, your mechanic can check that, and is even easier to do so if he has a current clamp. over 7 amps question the fuel pump.
good luck with the checks
Jmac

ahh ok no worries
today i went to repco and bought myself some new plugs
NGK bkr6e-11
11 meaning 1.1mm gap
i gaped mine at .05''
as stated in this thread on msd coil set ups

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3057180&page=1

drove home from work just then and it made a huge difference
but il have to see over the next couple of days fingers crossed