2.0l 8v engine lacking power when warm.

[adamdanshona]

My 8v seems to pull really hard up though the rev range when its cold, but when its warm its flat as a pancake!!!
How many other cars out there go like stink when cold and sluggish when hot when they are running correctly? None i have ever had! thats for sure!!! I would expect a diffrence between a cold frost morning and a hot sunny day, this makes no odds on air temps! simpy engine temps, And if my car goes so well when cold, why cant i make it do that when its warm? I mean its not exactly got to be a hot day, the first 5-10 mins of a journey is actually what i would expect for a 2.0L GTI, the rest is like a 1.4L, something must be up ?? Any ideas?
It is not hesitent,just sluggish it is also going through a lot of fuel as if it is running rich.
I don`t thash my car when cold, but it wants to pull, but when warm there is no throttel responce.! it just feels flat no go.
Also if I stall the car when warm it is difficult to start a lot of cranking over before it starts again.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Oj 89]

Wow.... Just wow..... Have you scanned the car for logged faults at all? Thats the best place to start with ECU'd cars. Then go from there. You might have a Lambda sensor on its way out, that'd be like driving with the choke out... Sound familiar at all?

Also, give us some kind of location where you are so someone with scanning software can take a look if you haven't

 

[adamdanshona]

I live near Harrogate North Yorkshire,The car is all original only done 63000 miles arches and alloys are like new.
I love the car,but with it`s value I am reluctant to spend a fortune chaseing faults.So any help would be welcome.Is there any local clubs nearby?

 

[F2 Ed]

I'd start with coolant temp sensor

 

[adamdanshona]

Is the coolant temp sensor linked to the ecu? Where abouts is it located?
The temperature gauge reads normal.
But that would explain why it goes through a lot of fuel, if the ecu thinks the car is cold and over fueling it.Thanks

 

[F2 Ed]

Yes, its linked to ECU. Forget what the dials read
The signal controls fueling

At the front of your cylinder head is a plastic pipe flange, the sensor is on top of that. 4 plug one

 

[F2 Ed]

I've had to change these on all my 8vs, so its a likely place to start & cheap enough

 

[adamdanshona]

Thanks for that I will get one ordered at the weekend.

 

[towaportsmouth]

It sounds like it could be air mass meter. Located above the air box and has a part in how the ecu works out fuel mix. It made my 8v Gti run terribly when it was warm, really under powered. I changed it (about £140) and it doesn't take effect straight away because of how the ecu reads it but after a day or so's driving it was like a different car.