Desperately need advice, loss of power

[MattyGreg05]

after filling up with diesel at tescos, and About 30 miles into a 170 mile journey I noticed a loss of power from when accelerating. worried that the turbo may be on its way out again I pulled over at the services to inspect but couldnt find any leaking oil coming from the bottom of the exhaust. So I drove very cautiously the rest of the journey without the radio on and noring my nails all the way. it was hideous, i was expecting a total failure of the engine for some reason. I have to make the return journey on wednesday evening so am bricking myself now.

Over the last few weeks i have noticed a few spots of what looks like oil on my tailgate, which has made me a little concerned, however I have been driving with the rear box on the exhaust recently as i need to get the new one fitted, so i thought the oil spot could be from a result of that? also Ive ive recently been think ive been able to smell hot oil when the engine is hot occassionally. ?

the engine is a 1.9tdi AHU and is in a mk3 golf but im so worried I need some diagnostics before committing to my return journey wednesday so if anyone can help, please all info would be greatly appreciated.

with regards to symtoms well it seems like the turbo isnt doing much if anything, ie its not punchy in the power anymore, just steadily gets upto 70/80 etc, doesnt smoke, and doesnt actually sound as noisy either strangely enough? just feels like the turbo isnt working. could it be miss-firing? piston rings? contaminated fuel? could the front section of the exhaust be blowing ???? would this cause the loss of power???
please help.

[Ian Hulley]

Sounds like it's in 'limp mode' i.e. the turbo isn't working, my AFN 1.9TDi did this when the boost sensor was on the blink. I'm told it can also do this if the oil supply to the turbo fails or the vanes inside the turbo catch on coke deposits.

Ian

[MattyGreg05]

Sounds like it's in 'limp mode' i.e. the turbo isn't working, my AFN 1.9TDi did this when the boost sensor was on the blink. I'm told it can also do this if the oil supply to the turbo fails or the vanes inside the turbo catch on coke deposits.

Ian

Okay i supose its still not definate that this is the reason but......
if so is it safe to drive without causing further issues???

[Ian Hulley]

I can't comment on that ... you may wish to consult your owner's handbook I should imagine 'limp mode' was only intended to get you to a place of safety or repair but our's just turned into a normally asthmatic 1.9 d****l. I could reset our's by switching it off and on again ... which showed it up to be a faulty sensor.

Ian

[MattyGreg05]

I can't comment on that ... you may wish to consult your owner's handbook I should imagine 'limp mode' was only intended to get you to a place of safety or repair but our's just turned into a normally asthmatic 1.9 d****l. I could reset our's by switching it off and on again ... which showed it up to be a faulty sensor.

Ian

Hmmm cheers ian.. just a thought, is there any kind of warning light that shows when the limp mode becomes active?

[Ian Hulley]

Hmmm cheers ian.. just a thought, is there any kind of warning light that shows when the limp mode becomes active?

Nope, not on the Passat.

P.S. Most garages will be able to check the fault codes and tell you exactly what the ship's computer thinks was wrong ... i.e. Boost Pressure.

Ian