Car faster when cold!

[richj2k]

Hi,

Strange one this. Car is a lot faster from cold right up to about 90 on the temp gauge. As soon as the car warms up to its normal temp which is usually dead on 90 it seems to lose a fair bit of power.

If the car reaches 90 and I say leave it for an hour and the engine cools slightly, the power is restored.

Anyone any ideas. Car is 2006 2.0 tdi with no other apparent problems other than a slight rough idle.

Many Thanks,

Richard

 

[Dannykn9]

Hi mate, pretty sure this is the same on ALL cars because of the cold air intake and engine being cold.
Back in the day and possibly now still, you use to be able to chip your car which tricked it into thinking there was cold air intake, thus giving more power.

Someone who is more engine minded will be along soon to explain more.

 

[richj2k]

I can understand that to an extent but my two previously turbocharged cars, one petrol, one diesel were actually fast when the engine had warmed up. I understood this to be becuase the car wouldnt allow say full boost until the engine was warm.

May be wrong though.

 

[P10GOT]

I was always under the impression that you shouldn't got WOT until the engine was fully warm anyway?

 

[chris.vincent3]

P10GOT is right. You shouldnt take your car to hell and back before its got to optimum temprature, eg 90 as it can damage the engine in the long run and wont last as long. Supposed to cool the engine down aswell.

The turbo is also gravity fed so when there isnt sufficiant oil pressure there wont be any oil in the turbo so again not a good idea to floor your car as soon as you get out of your house driveway or work exit..

 

[Ste_Nova]

I was always under the impression that you shouldn't got WOT until the engine was fully warm anyway?

you say that but my nova gsi was driven flat out when cold, quite often the limiter was hit when cold going out of my drive way, 204k miles later we opened the engine and it was mint

 

[RYes3]

quite often the limiter was hit when cold going out of my drive way

Lol, I miss the old Nova day's Mine wasn't a GSi though, just a pesky 1.3 SR haha

 

[Brodster]

you say that but my nova gsi was driven flat out when cold, quite often the limiter was hit when cold going out of my drive way, 204k miles later we opened the engine and it was mint

Well you've been very lucky..........guarantee you that. Alot of a damage can be done to the engine before its at full operating temperature as said in previous posts. Thats why petroleum companies spend millions in developing oils that can stick and adhere to components when the engine is cold so that when you start it you've got instant lubrication instead of waiting for it to do its job.

 

[max69vk]

Have you had the car scanned on VCDS to check all the temperature sensor are working & operating correctly as they do more than just show you how hot the coolant is?

Also, colder oil is thicker, it'll seal any compression leaks in the engine better than when hotter (and thinner)... Not wanting to worry you but this is usually happens on engines that are thrashed from cold & where the lack of adequate lubrication in the cylinders causes more excessive wear. Worst case scenario of course.

 

[cheekymonkey91]

how much of a difference are we talking when it comes to the speed of the vehicle?

 

[richj2k]

Just for the record i DONT thrash the car when the engine is cold! Thats just stupid! I just noticed the car accelerated alot quicker when the cars temp was under 90. It doesnt have to be cold, as long as its under 90 on the temp dial its quick. As soon as it its 90, its sluggish again

Also, next step is to get the ecu scanned for codes. Just need to find a garage near me thats open weekends

 

[Brodster]

Just for the record i DONT thrash the car when the engine is cold! Thats just stupid!

Just for the record my comment wasn't pointed at you anyway. I replied with quote to show you its wasn't directed at you.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

I thouth I'm the only one experiencing this. I can think of two explanations: the air entering the engine doesn't get heated by the engine and maybe the clutch being cold has better grip.

 

[mjr901]

I defo get this.