S3 Turbo Power Loss 3rd, 4th, 5th Gear!

[W14FEN]

Hi Guys,
My s3 (2002 75k) seems to lose power at around 4000rpm when I floor the accelerator in 3rd, 4th and 5th gear. It's fine in 1st and 2nd.

When I floor it the turbo kicks in and the needle flys up to 3500rpm (without any huge actual acceleration), then its hesitates around 4000rpm for a second and then it keeps accelerating like normal to the red line. The turbo sounds fine.

It feels like the clutch slips or something as the revs shoot up initially without any huge increase in speed. However, the clutch seems ok when I pull away and when I floor it in 1st or 2nd. No slippage I can tell. The clutch is very heavy though in general.

I did a test and floored it in 3rd up a hill and the acceleration dipped at lower revs this time, more like 3000rpm. Thats 1000rpm less than when on the flat.

I also have that over rev problem between gears - very embarassing as it looks like I cant drive!

Any ideas?

 

[W14FEN]

Can anyone help? I've booked it in to have the clutch done, but I'm not 100% thats the problem.

The car also seems to whine a little bittle at idle which is new, would that be anything?

Can anyone help? thanks in advance.

 

[s3ollie]

at a guess id say it is the MAF. i had it when i got my car and the revs would hold for a second between gear changes. unplug it and see if it drives better, it will prob idle rough but if the MAF's at fault should drive better.

 

[W14FEN]

Thanks for the quick reply!

How do I unplug the MAF sensor? where is it located on the s3?
I'm a real novice under the bonnet and dont wanna make anything worse!

Thanks for your help.

 

[Aky]

follow the airbox to the main engine block. there's a plug in between the two that sits on top of the MAF.

 

[jesters3]

CHeck out Waks TT http://www.wak-tt.com/maf/maf.htm same engine layout as the S3:

 

[Mo-S3]

best way to test the clutch is to put it in 5th at fairly lowish speed and try to accelerate. it should do so without any problem or rise of revs but if the revs rise too fast then its gone

 

[W14FEN]

best way to test the clutch is to put it in 5th at fairly lowish speed and try to accelerate. it should do so without any problem or rise of revs but if the revs rise too fast then its gone

I just took the car out, tried to pull away in 5th gear and the car kinda shuddered quite a bit and then the revs slowly started to climb.

I tired flooring it on the motorway a few times and the revs seem to rise quite quick, hold at around 3500-4000rpm then slowly increase.

It's either slipping or loosing power somehow.

Could it be a hose leak to the turbo? What are the classic symptoms I should expect?

 

[jojo]

I just took the car out, tried to pull away in 5th gear and the car kinda shuddered quite a bit and then the revs slowly started to climb.

I tired flooring it on the motorway a few times and the revs seem to rise quite quick, hold at around 3500-4000rpm then slowly increase.

It's either slipping or loosing power somehow.

Could it be a hose leak to the turbo? What are the classic symptoms I should expect?

OK, you are NOT suppose to pull off in 5th gear, but since you can do it suggests to me that your clutch is fine, your descriptions of whats happening is a bit misleading, but I'm sure it's more to do with your mechanical knowledge, please don't take offence, I'm not putting you down! :icon_thumright:
Clutch slip is very obvious, the clutch is the link between the engine and the wheels, so when we say clutch slip, the revs are going up the rev range, but the car is still at the same speed and not accellerating, I hope you understand this part. Now you have mentioned the word 'hesitates', so I'm thinking it's a power delivery problem, so try and unplug the MAF sensor(pictured) and go for a drive to see what happens, hopefully, you will have a driveable car, but running less power! If not, then the problem is something else. Alternatively, you shoudl try and get your car diagnosed with vagcom software, and see if and DTC codes show up, which might point you in the right direction. Hope that helps bud.

 

[W14FEN]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all your posts.

Plucked up the courage and unplugged the MAF sensor. (stupid i know, just get scared of engine lights after some nasty experiences in the past!)

Problem was still there, in 3rd the revs climb faster than the speed, then it hesitates and then the it begins to accelerate inline with the revs. The performance of the car didnt really seem to be effected. Similar power and idle was as normal.

The traction control eps light stayed on whilst the MAF sensor was unplugged, which got my heart rate going. I plugged the MAF back in and it stayed on! 3 miles later when i got home i restarted the engine and it went out!...phew!

So what do you think now? I'm thinking clutch now...you guys?

 

[bantam1]

Get it to a good independent to check out. Post where you are and we can all recommend somewhere to go if you don't have a regular local that you already use. Don't have the clutch done without a having a correct diagnosis first.

 

[golf]

It's difficult to tell what the problem is exactly, see if anyone nearby has VagCom and get the car scanned for faults. It may be a sensor somewhere which has gone or it could be the clutch, but this is normally accompanied by the smell of the clutch frying.

 

[W14FEN]

Thanks,
I live in Cardiff. Anyone got a VAG com nearby?

Would be so grateful if someone could help me out before I let my wallet bleed!

I've got it booked in to NG Motors who are VW Audi specialists. http://www.ngmotors.co.uk/

These seem ok, or has anyone got any better places around the cardiff area?

They said they would diagnose it b4 doing it. Would they have a VAG com thing there?

Cheers for your help

 

[W14FEN]

Hi Guys,
I couldnt wait until weds to see the VAG specialist (with xmas looming) so took it into a local garage today, he was convinced it was the MAF sensor.

He replaced it (£86) and problem is still there! Gutted.

In 3/4/5/6th gears the revs still increase quickly, then the car hesitates, then the revs slowly increase inline with the speed. I've noticed the last few days that it actual happens in 2nd too, just less noticeable. Also after the revs have their initial surge from 2000rpm to 35000rpm they actual drop a little before the increase again.

Any ideas?

Also I'm taking the car on monday to the garage that changed the MAF, is there any chance I can get a refund as he misdiagnosed it?

Thanks guys.