2002 Jetta 1.8T probs

[JRD]

Ok Im at a loss what to do here. The misses is getting ticked! She has a 2002 Jetta GLS with the little 1. 8T and the car used to be REALLY peppy for a small car. Over the course of the last 6-7 months the cars performance has really gone down hill. And when we took it to the track this weekend it really showed. When she ran it 6 months or so ago down at the local track she got 15. 7's-16. 0's out of it, bone stock... no joke. Then she ran it again this weekend and got a 17. 9's consistantly. Now other than those 2 trips to the track she drives the car like a 90 year old woman. She just likes to go to the track every now and then and have some fun. We are not judging the cars performance by 1/4 times. We have just been noticing that it has been getting slower and slower, but thought maybe we were just getting used to the car or something, but this just proves that our inclinations were right about the peformance going downhill. No more trips to the track for this car, or at least until I figure out whats wrong. I dont want to leave her car less.



Ive been very anal (for a lack of a better word) on the up keep of the car. Oil changes every 3k, fuel filter has been changed in the last few weeks,

new plugs and correctly gapped last weekend. And nothing but Premium goes into the tank. Yadda yadda yadda you get the idea. The is no noticeable missing or anything, just seems to not want to go anymore. Could it be the fuel pump heading south? Should I check the fuel pressure?



This car is not a small block Chevy or a Cummins so I am completely lost as why this car is slowly getting worse and worse... Car has 57k on the ticker now. Does anyone have any ideas what I need to check? Or anything thats common with these types of cars that I need to pay special attention to? Im not really looking to get the car back into the high 15's, just want to know why its losing its zip.

You know the saying... Happy wife, happy life. Thanks in advance!

 

[KBennett]

We have the TDI Beetle and Jetta and your symptom sounds like the same issue the TDI's have, a bad MAF sensor. The Beetle started losing power when it got hot out so someone suggested unplugging the sensor to see if it would run better. It runs much better unplugged so I think it's ready for a new one. Maybe you could try this on your 1. 8T.



On the TDI's the MAF sensor is located on the air intake tube between the intake and the air filter. Sometimes they just need cleaning but I tried it without success.

 

[JRD]

Thanks for the speedy reply! I will go out there tomrrow and unplug it and see how it goes.

 

[jwilliams3]

I am gas ignorant: Where is the MAF sensor on a 1. 8T?



My wife loves her 02 1. 8T Jetta... . and I have a great liking for it also. Great car with good power.



I only run synthetic 5w40 through it w/VW filters.

Only mod is a KN air filter.



Her car still seems to run like the day we got it... about 1. 5 years ago. It will probably need some plugs eventually.



Anyone know what kind of transmission fluid goes into one? and how to change it (how much etc. )?



I have read somewhere that the VW sometimes have an oil starvation problem that starts with a plugged suction tube...

 

[TowPro]

The MAF (mass air flow sensor) is in the air tube between the air box and the intake. Not far past that KN air filter that is spreading oil all over the MAF!

I am gas ignorant: Where is the MAF sensor on a 1. 8T?



I only run synthetic 5w40 through it w/VW filters.

Only mod is a KN air filter.



QUOTE]

 

[rowilson]

Do yourself and wife a favor and trade the car while it's still running. My sister in law has had nothing but problems with it and VW. Her Passat 1. 8 turbo needed a rebuilt engine under warranty and since she didn't keep the recipts they wouldn't cover it even though they know it's a design problem. Long story short it cost her almost $3500 to get them to fix it. Check out Consumer Reports as they show this engine to be one of the most problem prone engine ever built. There was a story about one woman having the same problem with her car and dealer and VW America and it sounded like my SIL wrote it. Other VDubs may be good but not this one. Not just my . 02 worth.

 

[JRD]

Justin I was wondering the same thing as you about the transmission fluid and such... SO i called the dealer to see what they recomended for fluid. You know what they said!? Its a sealed unit and the oil NEVER needs to be changed on the transmission! I for one think this is a load of BS and if it is true, that it by far the DUMBEST design I have ever seen. So this weekend Im going to crawl under the car and see for myself...



Also KBennet if I just unlug the MAF sensor and run the car around the block and the performance improves that will tell me the MAF is bad correct? Will this do anything to the car other than maybe set an engine light for a faulty MAF because it is unplugged?

 

[KBennett]

Also KBennet if I just unlug the MAF sensor and run the car around the block and the performance improves that will tell me the MAF is bad correct? Will this do anything to the car other than maybe set an engine light for a faulty MAF because it is unplugged?

I have no idea what will happen on the 1. 8T. I know on the TDI Beetle it smokes a little more off the line because it does not know how much air is flowing. In the case of the 1. 8T it may run rich. I would take it easy at first to make sure you don't kill anything