Topic: Car troubles; rattle and hiss
I drive a jetta TDI 2000 (91, 800kms). This summer I had problems
with the mass air flow sensor, but it took a little over 3 months
before I could get it fixed (in November), on a tight budget lately.
During this period, I did not use the car on a daily basis, in fact
it wasnt used as much as when I first got it (was off work for 2
weeks before the mass air flow sensor died, off work for 5 months in
total).
Here is some additional background info before I get into the current
issue; there was a period of two years where I was using
non-synthetic oil. I was told by a mechanic (slightly old school)
that if I was regular with my oil changes then it does not matter. I
am regular with my maintenance. When the mass air flow sensor was
fixed, it was done by a VW mechanic, and he told me to use synthetic
oil only, so now I will. I am a passive driver (drive like an old
man). I take it easy on the car.
I live in the Toronto, Ontario region. We just experience a cold snap
in early January. On my way home from work, ten minutes into the
drive on the highway at 120 km/hr the car starts to hesitate, almost
as though it is running out of fuel. This lasted 10 seconds and it
dies. The power works, but the engine died. Momentum gets me to the
shoulder, tried to start it a couple of times. It was turning over,
but the engine would not fire up. Brought it to the mechanic (same
guy who did the mass air flow sensor). He checked the battery,
changed the fuel filter and pre-heat valve and it started. I also
had the timing belt and tensioner replaced (thought it was supposed
to be done at 92,000km as opposed to the 96,000 km limit).
Pick up my car a couple of days later, start the drive into work and
noticed three things. First, when moving at a steady speed (between
20km 70 km/hr), the car will hesitate a little, sort lurches
forward a bit. Second, it is sometimes slow to respond when I
accelerate taking 2 seconds before the car acknowledges that Ive
stepped on the accelerator, and I am light on the step. Third, when
I do accelerate, gaining speed to change gears, there is a hissing
noise coming from the front passenger side; however, the hissing is
not there (or not noticeable) when Im driving at a steady speed. I
bring it back to the mechanic, but there is little he can do with
out a check engine light. He looks under the hood, all seems to be
well. I leave again and get on the highway, but I dont have the
acceleration; it struggles to get to 120 km/hr (similar to the mass
air flow sensor problem), but before reaching 120 km/hr the car
hesitates a little and the check engine lights comes on.
Back at the shop, the mechanic does some diagnostics. Two errors: the
mass air flow sensor; and the waste gate valve (I did not get the
codes). When revving the engine (and he was sometimes putting the
RPM needle in the red), the exhaust is very black too. He checks the
sensors, and all seems well. He recommends that the air intake
manifold, which is very dirty, get cleaned out; this is something he
recommended back when I had the mass air flow sensor fixed. So it
gets done, the air intake manifold is cleaned out; he said he sealed
all the lines using silicone sealant; no parts were replaced and all
seems well. The mechanic also test drove it, even taking it out on
the highway.
I pick up my car the next day, the hissing problem is still there,
but disappears when the car warms up. On the way into work, the car
hesitates a little (not as much as before) and the exhaust is still
black. Because of the weather I wasnt able to test it out much,
traffic and snow would not allow me to speed up to 120 km/hr to see
how it responds. On my way home, my car is more temperamental than
earlier that day; it hesitates; hisses; the check engine light comes
on; and it struggles if I try to go over 80 km/hr. To keep the speed
at 80 km/hr (on the highway at night in snowy conditions), seems
very difficult. Im surprised the car made the 35 km drive home. If
I accelerated too much, the car at first would be slow to respond,
would then start to hesitate and there would then come a rattling
sound from around the area from which the hissing comes from. My car
is now parked at home. I will find another mechanic to deal with the
problem, but before doing so I would like to get some advice from
people who I know arent going to try and milk me for some $, hence
the reason why I am here.
Could bad diesel be a problem? Shortly before these troubles began, I
tanked up at an independent station near where I work (have not been
there in at least 6 months), where as I usually go to pioneer. At
half a tank, upon the mechanics advice, I went to Sunoco and topped
up with their diesel gold; this being done before having the air
intake manifold cleaned out.
Any and all info will help, my e-mail address is tetrazuly@yahoo.ca,
please do send me an e-mail if you respond to this thread. I would
also like to thank you in advance for taking the time to offer me
any advice.
When I get the diagnostics done on the week-end (hopefully), the
results and codes will be posted on the message board.