Beaver

Beaver

Active Member
Hi all,
When I set of with a cold engine most times there is very little power for about the first half mile. It started a few months ago but was quite rare but now it's almost every time I go out. I've had a good google on the issue and every thread I read is about turbo issues while driving and point to the waste gate actuator. I only have an issue at the beginning of a journey and the actuator arm has a lot of resistance but does move freely and I've lubed it.

Is this a turbo issue and how do I go about remedying it?
 
What engine? If TD5 l had similar, but only for the first few hundred yards. Try a new MAF sensor. It fixed mine.
 
First thing I would do is fit a boost gauge to actually see what is happening, turbo could be producing the goods but if the pump doesn't add the extra fuel to match then you don't get any extra power. Second thought Is the exhaust clear or black if you boot it when cold?
 
Bugger - just read your profile and it is a TD5 so lightning may be correct. Must remember that there are less fortunate people who don't have 300 TDI's:p:D
 
Sorry, I meant to say that it's a 2004 Td5. Would a faulty MAF sensor put the engine management light on?
 
£90for an oem . Can anyone recommend an aftermarket maf Amadsensor as there are some for under 30quid on eBay. Also,can it be cleaned?
 
Try unplugging the MAF and see if it makes any difference. If things improve then your MAF is knackered.
Some MAFs can be carefully cleaned but the TD5 one is very delicate and I've never had much success cleaning one. I have cleaned the MAF on my Scooby several times but it is a different design,
 
Try disconnecting it, as suggested above. However my 2005 Defender wouldn't start with the MAF unit unplugged.

Buy the OE one if needed, some of the cheap aftermarket ones are crap.
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I disconnected the MAF sensor and it goes like a rocket now. I'll get a new one soon but is there any risk to running without it ?
 
With the MAF unit disconnected the ECU will run a default map.
The Defender will run OK and no damage will be done, but it won't be at its' best and will be less economical.
 
You can run indefinitely with the MAF disconnected with no issues. It will not cause any damage. I know of one person who is as tight as a ducks chuff and just wont spend any money until he has to. AFAIK he has been running his TD5 Defender with no MAF for more than four years.

As said the ECU reverts to a default mapping when it gets no MAF input. However a faulty MAF signals the ECU with duff info which causes the problems you have had. Always get a genuine MAF as otherwise you will be buying another one in six months time. The cheap Chinese copies are cheap for a reason.
 
Only a peckerhead would run the engine for years without the MAF unit.
For a start, his fuel economy will be 2-4mpg worse.
And the performance will be reduced. Better to fit a cheap one than none at all. Our 90 has a £30 "lntermotor" one that was fitted by the dealer under warranty and it's running very well.
 
lightning said:
Only a peckerhead would run the engine for years without the MAF unit.
For a start, his fuel economy will be 2-4mpg worse.
And the performance will be reduced. Better to fit a cheap one than none at all. Our 90 has a £30 "lntermotor" one that was fitted by the dealer under warranty and it's running very well.
Click to expand...
I'll let him respond to that as he is on this forum.

So you took your motor back under warranty and let the dealer fit a cheap copy MAF rather than an OEM one ???
I have to ask why would you accept that ? Would you have accepted a budget replacement clutch plate or brake caliper under warranty ?

Cheap parts are cheap for good reason.
 
I ran mine for a few months with the MAF disconnected as it was faulty. No real issues and it did seem more responsive (had a remap at same time as disconnecting). However, after fitting a genuine OEM MAF, I am now getting much better MPG and it's still as pokey, if not more.
 
Yeah that's what happened with mine, it was the improved economy l noticed more than anything, an extra 20-30 miles from £60 of diesel
 
Ha.

I used to fill up with £35 each Thursday and was normally just into the red (my day-to-day travel is fairly regimented). I'm now filling up 2 days later. So, thats about an extra 30/35 miles per £35 fill up.
 
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