Passat TDI: Poor Acceleration After Cold Start

AFT 1.9 TDI 130 HP, manufactured in 2003.

Is there a software update available for the engine control unit for this engine?

I experienced a lack of performance in the first 500 meters.

I'm having trouble driving out of my garage. (It's very steep). The engine has to run for 2 minutes before I drive up, otherwise it will stall.

After 2-3 minutes (idle time), or if the engine is off, it's not a problem.

It was exactly like that from the beginning (or from 0 km).
Now I have 27,000, and it hasn't gotten any better.

Is that normal? It happens in the summer too!

It's the same problem in the summer (when it's warm outside).
Location: Maribor, Slovenia. It is currently 0 degrees Celsius.

The driveway leading out of the garage is 10 meters long and 3 meters high. It's too steep for the car to drive up the first few meters.

If the motor runs for 3 minutes, the bass will play for 5 minutes. Then it will work without problems (at 1500 RPM).
'But if I immediately release the clutch, the engine stalls unless I'm not using the clutch. (It happens around 2,500 RPM). But that causes the clutch to slip, and the gears aren't engaging properly.'

Es passirt das wagen erste 300 -500 meter keine PS power hat. Aber nach dem get er ganz OK. Is that normal?

I was at VW yesterday. They didn't find any problems. They weren't aware of any software updates.

Does anyone have any ideas about what I can do?

"Yes, that's actually quite normal. My garage entrance is similar in length and steepness. When I start my Golf, I always wait until the MFA (Multi-Function Display) shows 1.0 liter per hour (depending on the temperature, it can take up to 20 seconds) before driving up the hill. Otherwise, it won't work. My company's Passat is always parked outside (and therefore colder) in the same driveway. I also have to let it run for a short time before driving it, definitely at least a minute. Also, since it's parked next to the garage, I have a better chance of making it up the hill with a bit of "momentum"."

So, it's normal, and to protect your engine (as much as possible during a cold start), always let it run for a moment. Installing a parking heater in my Golf brought enormous (logical) advantages.

Hi,

It seems to be a PD issue.

My ASV (automatic parking system) handles the similarly steep incline without any problems, even after a cold start, while idling in first gear. Okay, the Ibiza is a few kilograms lighter than the Golf, but that shouldn't make such a big difference.

Best regards,

Jan.

Hmm..

I also have VCDS (Vag-Com). Are there any values that can be checked to see if everything is in order?
(The error memory is already okay.)
(I only have 3 months of warranty left).

We will test it at a flow rate of up to 1 l/h }.

(It's a Passat.)

Jan6K wrote:

seems to be a PD issue. My ASV can easily handle the similarly steep incline, even after a cold start, in neutral while in first gear.

I haven't observed any of the problems mentioned in connection with the ASZ so far.
In the morning, I also have to start on a (relatively mild) incline, but it works perfectly well in the usual TDI fashion without using the accelerator - although it's not quite as powerful as with a VP engine.
According to the Popometer, the ASZ behaves the same way whether it is warmed up or cold.

However, I have to reverse out of a flat driveway onto the street before leaving, which takes an estimated 20 seconds after a cold start, and this could mask the lack of power.

@templ

Best regards to Maribor!

'I'm familiar with that problem too. I had to replace the PD elements in the fall, which meant I had to readjust them and correct the timing, and the problem disappeared after that. You can find instructions on how to make these adjustments in the 'Top Fit' articles by Ulf. However, if you still have a 3-month warranty, I would first contact VAG and have them check it out. If they don't find anything, you can still follow Ulf's adjustment instructions.'

It seems to be a PD issue.


Definitely not. I've driven on various oddly shaped duplex garages here, and I don't wait a single second after starting the machine.

Possibly, increasing the idle speed to 945 RPM might help.

by the way
10 meters long and 3 meters high... that's quite a steep incline...

Hi,

It seems to be a PD issue.

Hello,

I can't quite confirm that. For example, I'm on a road where I have to start driving uphill. I wouldn't say that I need to give it more gas now than when the engine is warm. It was like that even before the performance upgrade.

Best regards, Christian.

Well, it also depends on the hill. For example, in my case, the slope is 11 meters long and covers about 5 meters in elevation. That's extremely steep, and you don't usually find that in regular road traffic. My cars start to brake automatically when you're going a little faster than walking speed.

Okay, I can't say whether it's different with PD engines compared to other vehicles, because I've never forced a car up a hill immediately after starting it. But with the newer TDI engines we have here, it's noticeable that they are somewhat "reluctant" to go uphill in the morning, especially on that particular hill. Of course, that requires a lot of load. Unfortunately, it's a pain, but since I live on a slope (and it's steep) and only have space for cars behind my house, I can't avoid it. That's also why I installed the heated seats. Well, and to avoid freezing.

Jan6K wrote:

.... It seems to be a PD issue. ....

This is a problem with the EXHAUST MANIFOLD (c Ulf) of turbo engines.
Modern diesel engines must not emit any visible smoke when starting, so they are operated with a very lean fuel mixture. This can sometimes lead to extremely rough running during cold starts. Because the cold start phase is also included in the EU3 and EU4 emission tests, the engines must be designed in a way that prevents this.

That really speaks to my soul.

I noticed the exact same thing today. I could barely get away from the first traffic light.
I thought it was probably my fault. Otherwise, I wouldn't have noticed it.

AUDI engine code AWF.

....
It seems to be a PD issue.
....

This is a problem with the EXHAUST MANIFOLD (c Ulf) of turbo engines.
Modern diesel engines must not produce any smoke when starting, so they are severely tuned down. This can lead to extremely poor performance during cold starts. Since the cold start is also measured in the EU3 and EU4 cycles, the engines must be severely restricted.

That makes sense! Is there a way to adjust this effect to make it a little less pronounced? I'd like to have a bit more power at the start.

Thank you for all your answers!

Hi,

Quote:

Since the EU3 and EU4 cycles also include a cold start phase, the engines must be modified to meet those requirements.

...and likely more so in EU4 than in EU3.

Even though it was denied above, it still seems to me that PDs are affected by this issue more often than VEs, especially since the newer VEs also have EU3 (like my ASV, for example).

Best regards,

Jan.

Jan6K wrote:

Hi, Quote: Since the EU3 and EU4 cycles also include a cold start phase, the engines must be modified to meet those requirements. ...and in EU4, probably more than in EU3.

The measurement cycle is the same, only the limits are lower.
Unfortunately, such extremely low exhaust emissions seem to have a significant negative impact on cold starting performance.

templ wrote:

Is there a way to adjust this effect to make it a little less pronounced? To have a bit more power at the start?

Try adjusting the idle speed as Julian suggested.

Bertil wrote:

Unfortunately, such extremely low exhaust values seem to have a significant negative impact on cold start performance.

Um... are you talking about starting the engine or cold starting?

OK, how do I adjust the idle speed to 945 RPM using VCDS?

Thank you!