Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance Realy poor performance off the line

I'm in Westbank (nr Kelowna) which is above sea level IINM.
Dusty too with it being in a desert region (Cleaned the MAF and the PCV filter today, Fram air filter like new)
Performance is really at it worst under load (a/c on) and yup it's just off of the line; hit gas, wait a bit then off we go (eventually)

I have had a few MIL's in the last couple of years re. O2 sensors (replaced them both-Bosch) and potential vaccum leaks (good mechanic scratched his head) which is why I bought the OBDII code reader ($199.95 on sale @ Canadian Tire eh!) It'll pay for itself in four MIL's! and the batteries WERE included LOL!!!!

Hey Kremit,
I know it's waaay off topic, do you have a link to/copy of the MP3 you got your handle from?

Love to hear/see it!

I bought it lat week (Thursday) the lady at the parts counter brought me over to Customer Service, scanned the tool (rang in @ $249.95) made a phone call and told me I was gonna love her..... $ 150 off? 'Course I love her (aksed her what time she finished work, my G/F laughed at that one!!) Guess they were on sale a week or two before, why not give it a try?!

I made an intake last year ( K&N conical open element, sewer pipe (!) and a peice from a 5.0 Mustang to attatch it to the throttle body. Reeaally ghetto but did the trick, it was a mock up of something I planned to do with some 3" O/D exhaust pipe that I never finished (wife left, and so did my motivation). I took it all off when I was selling the Mystique, and it'll all go back on in a few weeks, along with a decent stereo system from my van (RIP)

Feel free to PM me

So, after changing the oil & filter and PCV valve my performance is back somewhat! Maybe the oil change intervals for Mobile One are every year instead of every other!!!!!

PCV valve was a real pain, old one still rattled but I changed none the less. Car runs fine, but will still get manifold welded next week.

Hey David! Have you had your timing belt changed recently? Mine had never been changed (I'm the 2nd owner)until last week...I was having the same symptoms as yours. The belt was at the point of disintegrating + the timing was so far off that the catalytic converter had been plugged. Talk about back pressure!

Anyway, the new timing belt and catalytic converter ($$ ouch) have completely cured my anemic performance. Check the thread I started in the troubleshooting forum, --> My Poor Performance + A/C Fix <----

Please let us know what the "fix" was. Hope it's not the timing belt + cat! That'd be a real dog!

/Eric

Timing belt was replaced at around 120,000 km. Cat trouble may be possible due to rich mixture, both O2 sensors have been replaced (I did one myself-downstream, and it was oiled up pretty good, as were the plugs when they were changed) I wonder if the crack in the ex. manifold has been allowing oxygen into the exhaust gases, and fooling the computer into thinking the mixture is lean?

I'll clean it all up soon and get back to you..

In my experience oiled-gauze filters do require cleaning the MAF wire at least twice a year.

Took the car in for the manifold repair this AM
Got a call half hour later form the shop, car wouldn't start-fuel pump gone! $400 (CAD) just for the part That's one month payment for a brand new Diesel Jetta!!

Fingers crossed it comes back running well!