POWER LOSS - CHEAP MAF SENSORS? 1.9TDI

[Peter Burgess]

I drove 440 miles in 2 days with no problem, until a mile from home I lost power & limped home.

My attempts at getting Vagcom to work on my laptops last year failed, so I can't look at fault codes.

Is my problem likely to be the MAF sensor?

New ones with a 2 year guarantee from Germany are under 30 quid.

English ones are anything up to 150 quid!!!!

Are the cheap ones from Germany any good?

Is there something else I should be checking first?

The car is a 2003 1.9TDI with just 45K on the clock.

Thanks for your help,

Peter.

[Mirez]

It really could be anything tbh without scanning - unplug the maf and go for a drive to see if it improves or gets worse, that can be an indication.

As for the cheap-o ones, heard bad things about them but a damn site cheaper then a genuine one - maybe a second hand one from a scappy if you decide its that?

[Etihad84]

Could be the start of turbo problems maybe sticking vanes.... I reckon that's what's wrong with mine

[Peter Burgess]

Thanks for your replies.

Would I be causing any damage if I drive the car in limp home mode?

It starts & runs, but feels like it's 75% down on power. Flooring it in second is exactly the same as feathering the throttle in second! No nasty noises, just no response to the throttle being floored!

My son's home from UNI with a new laptop. I'll see if he can get my Vagcom to work, otherwise it's a trip down to Halfords for a scan!

Thanks for your help,

Peter.

[Mirez]

No if its in limp mode it wont do any damage but it will suck driving at those speeds:)

You should fill in the region section of your profile, there may be someone locally who can scan it for you

[Chrispb]

Hi Peter

If yours Sons laptop is windows 8 be sure that your lead will work with it.
XP is best some will work with 7 but not 8.

Is that Woodford Green Essex?
I'm at Chatham in Kent but work at Dartford, could meet up if you could make it to there.

[ggsumo]

There are 3 or 4 Mk2's and Mk3's being broken on E-Bay when you message just mention the price you can get it from Germany for

[Peter Burgess]

Thank you Chris for your very kind offer.

Looking through previous threads, someone mentioned a leaking hose causing power loss. With the engine cover off I checked the hose going from the air filter to the rear of the engine bay, &  by the Master cylinder it had come adrift!

Sorry for being such an amateur!

After a struggle with the large diameter spring clip, it's sealing ok again & running with full power again.

Thanks for all helpful advice,

Peter.

[Chrispb]