# Losing power on a diesel **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** jetta, volkswagen\ **Created:** [July 23, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355 "2010-07-23T22:30:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mmcdonald0001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@mmcdonald0001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmcdonald0001)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/1 "2010-07-23T22:30:43Z")
I have noticed lately that my manual 2003 TDI Jetta doesn’t take off as fast as it used to. It will not go faster than 60mph up a hill even with my foot to the floor. Is it clogged up somewhere, or maybe a lose hose. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/2 "2010-07-23T23:04:45Z")
Change your fuel filter… ---
**Author:** ![mmcdonald0001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@mmcdonald0001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmcdonald0001)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/3 "2010-07-23T23:10:36Z")
I did that this past spring when it was having problems starting. Could it be the fuel vacuum pump or the catalytic converter clogged up? ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/4 "2010-07-23T23:12:10Z")
I would have the turbo checked. It might be beginning to show signs of age. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/5 "2010-07-23T23:13:56Z")
What converter? Only the 2010 models have converters (maybe)… ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/6 "2010-07-23T23:15:19Z")
Is there a turbo boost gauge that lets you monitor the turbo? ---
**Author:** ![mmcdonald0001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@mmcdonald0001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmcdonald0001)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 11:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/7 "2010-07-23T23:19:14Z")
i really don’t think there is a turbo, even though its called a turbo diesel. There isn’t a gauge on it for a turbo. ??? ---
**Author:** ![mmcdonald0001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@mmcdonald0001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmcdonald0001)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/8 "2010-07-23T23:31:10Z")
ok, I researched it and my 2003 diesel does have a catalytic converter. Actually there are two in one. One works the chemicals and the other one is for the fuel exchange. So Im pretty sure thats what it is. ---
**Author:** ![researcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/edb3f5/32.png) [@researcher](https://community.cartalk.com/u/researcher)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/9 "2010-07-23T23:53:15Z")
The TDI diesel is turbo charged. There is a boost pressure regulator that is controled by the PCM. It appears the only way to check the operation of the boost pressure control is with a manufacturer’s scanner or a capable generic code scanner. It is possible that the waste gate is stuck open but that is integral with the turbo so you won’t be changing that on speculation. You may need to run this by the dealership service department. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 12:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/10 "2010-07-24T00:02:04Z")
Check to see of there’s a urea tank for lowering NOx emssions. If there is, and you haven’t kept the urea tank full, the catalytic converter for NOx reduction is probably plugged up. Tester ---
**Author:** ![DoctorPinto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b19c9b/32.png) [@DoctorPinto](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DoctorPinto)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 12:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/11 "2010-07-24T00:22:00Z")
I have to ask… Did you change the air filter? ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 12:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/12 "2010-07-24T00:36:16Z")
Air filter. You don’t have a K&N air cleaner on it do you? Do you have a CEL? How about the MAF, it sounds like you may be in limp mode. Even when there is not a CEL you may have an issue that may not trigger it. BTW the folk over at the [[TDIClub.com](http://TDIClub.com)] can be a lot of help and there may be a member close by who is willing to give you a hand. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 1:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/13 "2010-07-24T01:06:34Z")
No urea on 4-cyl TDIs. Bigger engines have it. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 1:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/14 "2010-07-24T01:12:51Z")
Yes, it does have a turbo. ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/losing-power-on-a-diesel/52355/15 "2010-07-24T01:13:38Z")
Why?