losing power again....

[theboogieman1]

So it seems like I only have the car running really good for a short time then something else comes up. Hoping someone might have something I haven't thought of yet to help me out.

So the problem is when I get on it in third gear and above, I lose just about all power at around 4000rpms maybe a little before. Then once off the gas it clunks pretty hard, not all the time but sometimes worse than others, more so when in a lower gear. I have felt it a little bit in 2nd but not as much as the higher gears. I don't have a CEL and my O2 sensors were replaced not that long ago. I just did a check on the TBB and all is good there. I also unplugged the MAF and it seemed to be a little better but could still tell something is not right. At 4000rpms the engine sounds like it's working hard but I'm not going anywhere any faster. Any thoughts?

[IamEzraM]

pressure test

[mholme]

pressure test

*DING*

[theboogieman1]

anybody close by in the bay area that could possibly help me out? I'm down in Redwood City.

[narb04]

Hey homie, i think its a boost leak in your Y boot...that is what Stevens Creek told me. Didn't you just replace that??

[j_korteS4]

what kind of "clunk"

[detroittechno]

This was my exact situation until today when my car stalled and died at the stop light in mid saturday afternoon traffic. I just replaced 02's last week.

[theboogieman1]

what kind of "clunk"

The whole car just....clunks, as if I hit something in the road. I'm thinking it's a sensor, but this is exactly what was happening when my TBB was torn. Just checked it last night and seems fine. I'm thinking it might be a sensor cause I unplugged my MAF and seems to be running much better now.

[mholme]

The whole car just....clunks, as if I hit something in the road. I'm thinking it's a sensor, but this is exactly what was happening when my TBB was torn. Just checked it last night and seems fine. I'm thinking it might be a sensor cause I unplugged my MAF and seems to be running much better now.

feels like you hit something in the road and you think it's a sensor? If it feels the same as when you had a torn tbb, it may be throttle cut. Like others have said, it may be time for a pressure test.

[theboogieman1]

Yeah it only feels that way once I let off the pedal. While the pedals on the floor it pulls until around 4000rpms and then almost all power goes and if I let up at that point it clunks. If I keep it down longer and ride it up past 5 to 6000rpms it doesn't clunk as hard or at all.

I would like to do a pressure test anyway, just to do it. I have been debating on getting a boost gauge, do you guys think it would be worth it for helping in spotting problems? That's the only reason I would think about getting one, just so I can monitor the car.

[narb04]

02 Sensor might be the problem. I have the exact same problem, and it seems to have come after downpipes. My 02 sensors are mounted onto my test pipes. Could they have gotten clogged up with soot and therefore gone bad?

[marfcus]

Did you take the TBB off the car and inspect it everywhere? I was having the same issue, boost would spike 22psi and then start tapering fast to 18 and below when it is supposed to hold 22psi to redline. Took the TBB off the car and didn't see any problem until i started bending/flexing it around the clamp areas to see if there were any rips and there was a good 1" rip in the boot.

[theboogieman1]

Did you take the TBB off the car and inspect it everywhere? I was having the same issue, boost would spike 22psi and then start tapering fast to 18 and below when it is supposed to hold 22psi to redline. Took the TBB off the car and didn't see any problem until i started bending/flexing it around the clamp areas to see if there were any rips and there was a good 1" rip in the boot.

Well I guess I should take it all the way off then. I took out the IC pipes but left it mounted to the TB and did an inspection. Or I might have to look into the sensors, at least that's what my gut is telling me. I did notice today when it got hotter that it was doing the same thing even without my MAF plugged in. But last night it seemed to feel really good. Can't wait to get a full service on this thing and set her straight.

[theboogieman1]

TBB is Golden. Minus a little bit of grease but looks new, as it should, I just replaced it about 15K ago.

[theboogieman1]

02 Sensor might be the problem. I have the exact same problem, and it seems to have come after downpipes. My 02 sensors are mounted onto my test pipes. Could they have gotten clogged up with soot and therefore gone bad?

Let me know what's up once you get your sensors replaced tomorrow. I got the scanner from Autozone but it's not reading any codes so it might be a boost leak somewhere. Arrgh!

[The_Jerbel]

No codes, hey....Try pulling the codes with VAG com, those scanners aren't always accurate with these cars. I would say that your MAF sensor is probably dead, and your EGT(s) may be as well.

Also do a boost leak test. That should take care of it.

Check your snub mount and motor mounts. The clunk sounds like a classic dead motor mount.