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Need info on '99 TDI with low power!



 
 
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  #1  
Old April 5th 06, 06:29 AM posted to rec.autos.driving
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Default Need info on '99 TDI with low power!

I just bougt a '99 Jetta TDI for a very good price, only has 87k miles
on it. BUT, it is very underpowered on acceleration, street or
freeway. I can get to 70 mph on the freeway, but it definitely is not
accelerating right. Nothing else seems wrong when driving, just the
acceleration.

I suppose it could be related to the injectors, or the turbo, or maybe
just a fuel filter that the gal never changed. Does anyone have any
suggestions on what a likely explanation of this problem would be?

thanks

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  #2  
Old April 5th 06, 06:54 AM posted to rec.autos.driving
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Default Need info on '99 TDI with low power!

wrote:

> Does anyone have any
> suggestions on what a likely explanation of this problem would be?


You'll probably get more answers by posting this on rec.autos.tech instead.
  #3  
Old April 5th 06, 01:28 PM posted to rec.autos.driving
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Default Need info on '99 TDI with low power!


> wrote in message
oups.com...
>I just bougt a '99 Jetta TDI for a very good price, only has 87k miles
> on it. BUT, it is very underpowered on acceleration, street or
> freeway. I can get to 70 mph on the freeway, but it definitely is not
> accelerating right. Nothing else seems wrong when driving, just the
> acceleration.
>
>


Diesels have ****-poor acceleration. That is like their only problem.
Certain car manufacturers try to compensate somewhat by turbo-charging. But
I suspect your Jetta is working just fine, if you've never driven a diesel
before. -Dave


  #4  
Old April 5th 06, 05:01 PM posted to rec.autos.driving
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Default Need info on '99 TDI with low power!

Diesels have ****-poor acceleration. That is like their only problem.
-----------------------
I thought the TDI had plenty of torque. That would translate in
strong acceleration. And besides, a well-functioning TDI should
definitely be able to exceed 70 mph.

  #6  
Old April 5th 06, 06:21 PM posted to rec.autos.driving
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Default Need info on '99 TDI with low power!

Well, yeah, if you race kids in Camaros for pink slips your only hope
is that they can't see you in their mirrors anymore by the time they're
ready to collect. But if it can't make 70 on the highway, something's
wrong. There could be a number of causes, including

* Slipping automatic transmission or clutch (regarding acceleration in
manual-transmission models, note that everybody says these things ought
to be upshifted earlier than you'd expect from experience with small
gassers)

* Engine controls

* Injection pump or other fuel-system components

* Being just flat wore out. Not my bet, given the robust little engine,
but there are people whose driving and maintenance habits could wear
out the crust of the earth and expose the outer mantle in eight years
and 90,000 miles.

Time to consult the factory repair manual and/or refer it to a mechanic
who knows these cars.

BTW, it's a bit late to hear it now, but you may find out why you got
it for "a very good price" -- it could be some little thing or some
semi-big thing (though it'd have to be as big as a semi to rival the
depreciation, insurance, etc., let alone the whole price, on a new
car). This is also why one is well advised to consult a trusted
mechanic with no vested interest in the deal before buying a car.
You're paying not only for expertise but for objectivity, since by that
stage you more or less by definition want the car.


Best of luck,
--Joe

  #8  
Old April 7th 06, 12:08 AM posted to rec.autos.driving
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Default Need info on '99 TDI with low power!

Funny, I find one can burn rubber just fine in a stock TDI.

The the original posters, your MAF is malfunctioning or intake is
clogged. Check out tdiclub.com for more info.

  #9  
Old April 7th 06, 12:32 AM posted to rec.autos.driving
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Default Need info on '99 TDI with low power!


Mike T. wrote:
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> >I just bougt a '99 Jetta TDI for a very good price, only has 87k miles
> > on it. BUT, it is very underpowered on acceleration, street or
> > freeway. I can get to 70 mph on the freeway, but it definitely is not
> > accelerating right. Nothing else seems wrong when driving, just the
> > acceleration.
> >
> >

>
> Diesels have ****-poor acceleration. That is like their only problem.
> Certain car manufacturers try to compensate somewhat by turbo-charging. But
> I suspect your Jetta is working just fine, if you've never driven a diesel
> before. -Dave


definitely not. A TDI is a badass little car, not a whole lot of HP
but it should have hand-of-God torque. Everyone I know that's driven a
TDI has raved about it. There's something wrong with the OP's car.

nate

  #10  
Old April 7th 06, 03:16 AM posted to rec.autos.driving
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Default Need info on '99 TDI with low power!


John S. wrote:
> wrote:
> > I just bougt a '99 Jetta TDI for a very good price, only has 87k miles
> > on it. BUT, it is very underpowered on acceleration, street or
> > freeway. I can get to 70 mph on the freeway, but it definitely is not
> > accelerating right. Nothing else seems wrong when driving, just the
> > acceleration.
> >
> > I suppose it could be related to the injectors, or the turbo, or maybe
> > just a fuel filter that the gal never changed. Does anyone have any
> > suggestions on what a likely explanation of this problem would be?
> >
> > thanks

>
> You should get reasonable acceleration from a TDI, but it is not a tire
> burner.


Sure it is. In stock form, it can spin the tires in the dry.

> And the response is going to feel sluggish compared to a
> gasoline engine car.


Obviously you've never driven one. In a 0-35 (like in town), it gets
up and moves out. Up above that, it runs out of RPM.

> That said if you are getting poor acceleration
> you might suspect a bad turbocharger.


Errr, the turbos on VW/Audi cars are pretty tough. You have to work
pretty hard to blow them up.

> If the previous owner was not
> meticiulous about having frequent oil changes then the turbo bearings
> may be shot and the turbo is barely running if at all.


Heh. I'm not sure where you get your info, but it's not based in
reality.

E.P.

 




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