Hi everybody,
I've been rehabbing my 2003 ALH Golf for the past year or so, learned a lot in the process, got it up to, almost, full mechanical functionality.
The essential problem: chronic low power/low boost. My process so far:
-Pulled off, de-clogged and cleaned the turbo system (intake manifold, EGR...). There was no significant buildup, and what little there was I have removed. It's clean.
-New N75 solenoid
-New vacuum hosing on whole system using a kit from AARodriguez, just to avoid any possibility of variations in pressure from using non-metric hosing
At this point, the turbo started working--*so long as the MAF sensor is unplugged*. Now, I've read some threads on this forum that this has happened to others--that some have driven their vehicles for extended periods of time (year +) with the MAF unplugged, with some concerns that despite the apparent fix, this wouldn't be the best for fuel economy.
I share this concern; my last tank was about 50/50 highway/around-town, and I got 36-37mpg. I rarely do better, sometimes worse. Obviously great economy for a gasser, but I demand more from my TDI, darnit! And besides that, I just don't like driving around with the CEL on.
These are other measures I've taken, just to eliminate as many factors as possible:
-New air filter
-Cleaned out snowscreen
-Drained side mount intercooler of excess oil (2+ cups; haven't taken the whole thing off and washed it out though)
-Cleaned out MAF sensor thoroughly with aerosol MAF cleaner
When the symptoms did not improve, I replaced my MAF with a cheap, but new one from online. No goods.
So, ***??:confused::confused: I'm currently thinking that perhaps my cheap new MAF was the gasser spec part, not the TDI spec part; from what I understand, even though the gasser MAF sensors fit just like the TDIs, they deliver a different signal...?
I know this is an existing problem, so I hope there's an existing explanation/solution.
Thanks!!!
I've been rehabbing my 2003 ALH Golf for the past year or so, learned a lot in the process, got it up to, almost, full mechanical functionality.
The essential problem: chronic low power/low boost. My process so far:
-Pulled off, de-clogged and cleaned the turbo system (intake manifold, EGR...). There was no significant buildup, and what little there was I have removed. It's clean.
-New N75 solenoid
-New vacuum hosing on whole system using a kit from AARodriguez, just to avoid any possibility of variations in pressure from using non-metric hosing
At this point, the turbo started working--*so long as the MAF sensor is unplugged*. Now, I've read some threads on this forum that this has happened to others--that some have driven their vehicles for extended periods of time (year +) with the MAF unplugged, with some concerns that despite the apparent fix, this wouldn't be the best for fuel economy.
I share this concern; my last tank was about 50/50 highway/around-town, and I got 36-37mpg. I rarely do better, sometimes worse. Obviously great economy for a gasser, but I demand more from my TDI, darnit! And besides that, I just don't like driving around with the CEL on.
These are other measures I've taken, just to eliminate as many factors as possible:
-New air filter
-Cleaned out snowscreen
-Drained side mount intercooler of excess oil (2+ cups; haven't taken the whole thing off and washed it out though)
-Cleaned out MAF sensor thoroughly with aerosol MAF cleaner
When the symptoms did not improve, I replaced my MAF with a cheap, but new one from online. No goods.
So, ***??:confused::confused: I'm currently thinking that perhaps my cheap new MAF was the gasser spec part, not the TDI spec part; from what I understand, even though the gasser MAF sensors fit just like the TDIs, they deliver a different signal...?
I know this is an existing problem, so I hope there's an existing explanation/solution.
Thanks!!!
Stumped! MAF weirdness
