Lost Me Power

[mlkey]

Hi all,

 

Had my 52 plate 110 HDI for about a year, covered about 30k miles in that time, the car now on 110k. About two months ago in heavy rain it lost some of the performance intermittently, returning after a few dry miles later in the journey. During this time, I would be accelerating, feeling the boost pulling nicely, when suddenly it was like backing almost right off.

 

The car has since been fine, until midweek. We had some heavy rain and it did the same again, but this time it seems to of stayed like it, even after plenty of dry miles. So now... it just seems sluggish. Hard to describe, but like extended turbo lag. The boost does come in, but takes longer, and is more sudden. Pulling out of junctions is sluggish until the rpm gets into the low 2k RPM, when the boost comes all at once, before used to pull from around 1600 RPM. I am thinking maybe the MAF sensor, any ideas welcome.

 

Thanks.

[Johndouglas]

Or EGR maybe. Is there any difference when the MAF sensor is unplugged?

[myglaren]

Have you checked your air filter? Could be saturated. Has been known with Xantias.

[mlkey]

Have you checked your air filter? Could be saturated. Has been known with Xantias.

 

Hi myglaren and thank you. I finally open the air filter housing today, removed the slightly damp feeling element, to find the cone shape area in the bottom of the filter housing had several inches of water in it. From the tide marks that are evident, it has actually made it to the top.. I will drill a hole in the botton at the weekend to stop it filling up again.

 

I also inspected the MAF sensor. There is green corrosion on the edges of the elements, looks like the damp got to that too. I cleaned it using a cotton bud and some electrical contact cleaner. That has improved things no end, but looking at it, I think I will replace it.

 

Thanks again for your help.

[paul.h]

I would have a look to find where the water is getting in or the problem will continue.

[mlkey]

I would have a look to find where the water is getting in or the problem will continue.

 

Its being sucked up the intake. not surprising with the exceptionally wet weather. Either the housing does not have a drain, or it is blocked. Either way, it will be rectified at the weekend.

[mlkey]

A final update, fitted a new MAF sensor today, sorted the air filter housing to prevent it filling up with water again, and its driving like a dream. Much more low down grunt thatn its had in the time since I have had it, and much smoother on the throttle. I got the MAF from a seller on ebay, have to say, very impressed with them. Ordered yesterday lunch time, arrived this morning, very well packaged. Saved about £50 on a genuine part, and even if it does not last so long, its no biggie. If anyone needs a MAF, or any other sensors (they appear to do most), drop me a line and I will happily recommend. :D

[techbod]

sounds good but not real the MAF dosent work like that

[mlkey]

sounds good but not real the MAF dosent work like that

 

The MAF don't work very well at all if one of the two films is missing Techbod! Whats the hang up? Why accuse people of bulling when they are only offering to share a source for cheap parts and good service?

[techbod]

bulling indeed :lol: nothing wrong with eBay I use it a lot its much cheaper than the dealers as ive said many times so where do you get the bulling from? my aim is to tell you how to repair things not to point you to where to buy things unless its nessicery then I would tell where the cheapest place would be helping is what these sites are for

[mlkey]

so where do you get the bulling from?

 

You said it "sounds good but not real", effectively accussing me of making this stuff up.

 

Simple truth is..

 

Started having intermittent power losses, boost issues etc. progressed eventually to an antipolution fault message and MIL light. Airbox was full of water (thanks again myglaren), and presumably, some of that made it down the intake. Checked MAF, one of the two elements (not the thermister) was missing, green corrosion on the remaining parts.

 

Changed MAF, now turbo is boosting correctly from around 1600RPM, all very smooth, no sudden surges in power, MIL and message gone.

 

So, whether it sounds real or not, that is the story, whether you choose to accept it, is up to you. I never take anything for granted, especially that any given fault will cause a given symptom, as if you do, you are saying you know all there is to know. I am always learning, as I am sure you are, even at our tender age.

[techbod]

oh I believe you and no I don't know everything and still learning but I'm an apprentice served mechanic and now im really into diagnostics for the last 10 years and trouble shooting is my 4T but now im retired I offer my experiance for free, never do I brag what I know and I know a lot :lol:

[DaveHerns]

"never do I brag what I know and I know a lot " - isn't that a contradiction ?

[techbod]

to brag is to gain providence over, to get retired is an age thing so no competition the younger get good at computers and don't know anything about old tech so when its all new cars then im redundant but while technologies converse im still good and as im a learner I have a head start :lol:

[techbod]

im not here to be better than thy " I am " but old tech at least Ive learned a lot and know what im talking about as I can relate, im no master but I understating the basics of engine and electronics ( that's not bragging ) im no fool I vent the future because im learning and very quick and learn fast ( you don't need to be a master tech to do that ) in my time computers were not in existence so you young trots have been spoiled but ive learned both sides and have the advantage :lol: