Well, something had to come along sooner or later. So here's my first engine problem, at 32k. I got the car used at 16k, a 2000 1.8t Wagon.
Description of problem: A few days ago I thought I had noticed some hesitation under moderate to heavy acceleration, usually above 3000 RPM. I don't usually drive hard all the time, so I just ignored it for a few days. Today I decided to test it. I drove the car normal until it was at proper operation temperature, then in 2nd gear at around 2800 RPM I hit it hard. Didn't floor it, but maybe 3/4th of the way. I got power (and heard the turbo) for half a second, then surge for another half second, then power, then surge. I heard the dreaded BEEEEEEEEP and CEL came on. I layed off and was looking for a place to pull over to stop the engine, but after maybe 10 seconds of normal driving CEL went off.
So.. What am I dealing with here? Is it a valve, N75, or what? Something I can fix myself? The car was purchased in NY but I recently moved to South Florida where it's very hot already, and car sits outside all day long. I'm pretty sure the heat damaged a valve or hose or something, even the driver's window is making some noise which it wasn't yesterday. I use M1 0W40 which I change myself at 4 to 5k mile intervals, there are no leaks of any sort and I haven't had any engine problems whatsoever for the 16k miles I've owned the car (which went on the car in 7 months).
Also, I have an aftermarket HU and the last time I was at a dealer in NY (for a recall) they couldn't read the codes from the VAG interface. I'm concerned that if the worst-case scenario plays out and I have to take it to my local stealer, they won't be able to read it - do I have to disconnect my HU?
What the heck, let me try my luck: can anyone recommend a good mechanic in the West Palm Beach area? I'm actually in Boynton Beach, so anywhere in between Boca and West Palm would work. Heck, I'll drive to Ft. Lauderdale if I need to, it's only 25 miles.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is not something major. I would love to fix it myself, but I could only do simple stuff like replace a hose or a valve (if relatively easily accessible).
Description of problem: A few days ago I thought I had noticed some hesitation under moderate to heavy acceleration, usually above 3000 RPM. I don't usually drive hard all the time, so I just ignored it for a few days. Today I decided to test it. I drove the car normal until it was at proper operation temperature, then in 2nd gear at around 2800 RPM I hit it hard. Didn't floor it, but maybe 3/4th of the way. I got power (and heard the turbo) for half a second, then surge for another half second, then power, then surge. I heard the dreaded BEEEEEEEEP and CEL came on. I layed off and was looking for a place to pull over to stop the engine, but after maybe 10 seconds of normal driving CEL went off.
So.. What am I dealing with here? Is it a valve, N75, or what? Something I can fix myself? The car was purchased in NY but I recently moved to South Florida where it's very hot already, and car sits outside all day long. I'm pretty sure the heat damaged a valve or hose or something, even the driver's window is making some noise which it wasn't yesterday. I use M1 0W40 which I change myself at 4 to 5k mile intervals, there are no leaks of any sort and I haven't had any engine problems whatsoever for the 16k miles I've owned the car (which went on the car in 7 months).
Also, I have an aftermarket HU and the last time I was at a dealer in NY (for a recall) they couldn't read the codes from the VAG interface. I'm concerned that if the worst-case scenario plays out and I have to take it to my local stealer, they won't be able to read it - do I have to disconnect my HU?
What the heck, let me try my luck: can anyone recommend a good mechanic in the West Palm Beach area? I'm actually in Boynton Beach, so anywhere in between Boca and West Palm would work. Heck, I'll drive to Ft. Lauderdale if I need to, it's only 25 miles.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is not something major. I would love to fix it myself, but I could only do simple stuff like replace a hose or a valve (if relatively easily accessible).