Author Topic: Loss of power going uphill (Read 5913 times)

vegfuel · « **on:** January 01, 2008, 08:36:38 pm »

So I'm heading back to college in my little Golf n/a enjoying the best ecomony on the road when I start up a huge hill. I stay in 5th of course and seconds later I find that I am petal to the metal and going 40 in 70 zone and in the truck lane. I did a stupid thing and dumped it to 4th and pressed. I looked back and she had a huge tail of black smoke :oops: .

could it be that my pump isn't altitude compensated? Shouldn't I be able to claw up hills? (diesel!)

vanagonturbo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2008, 08:39:04 pm »

Are you sure it was black smoke? Maybe a head gasket problem. What color is the car?

vegfuel · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2008, 09:05:54 pm »

pretty sure it was black, the car is dark navy blue. It was just black smoke from being under load and going fast.

jimfoo · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2008, 09:12:54 pm »

I guess one question that needs to be asked is what elevation were you at? An N/A Diesel can loose quite a bit of power at altitude, which would result in black smoke as well.

vegfuel · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2008, 10:01:18 pm »

Ryegrass Summit elevation: 2535 ft

but it just looses power when climbing. I open it full throttle and I watch the speedometer needle go down.

vanagonturbo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2008, 10:18:16 pm »

have you attempted this pass before with different results?

vegfuel · « **Reply #6 on:** January 01, 2008, 11:04:23 pm »

yes , it has always had this problem

ilomax · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2008, 12:06:56 am »

It sounds like you are going up a hill and your car is "bogging" down.

jtanguay · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2008, 04:33:07 am »

sorry to say man but its your N/A. either get a Giles pump, or a turbo :twisted: (or both :twisted: :twisted:)

once the turbo engine is at 3500 rpm and boosting fully, its virtually impossible for them to 'slow down' unless loaded down considerably. mine will have no problems past those rpm's. it'll even accelerate a bit or a lot depending on my foot position :wink: it's the turbo that helps these engines 'claw' up hills

also not to scare you or anything, but try to keep the smoke down while going uphill... or you may find yourself with a blown HG... your best bet is to just tough it out in 4th gear running about 3500 rpm and trying to hold a speed with as little smoke as possible.

subsonic · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2008, 05:28:14 am »

What trans do you have? Diff ratio?

wikdslo · « **Reply #10 on:** January 02, 2008, 06:04:25 am »

Welcome to the world of 52 hp

Try throwing some of your cargo out the window next time. That should help lighten things up !

vegfuel · « **Reply #11 on:** January 02, 2008, 10:22:27 am »

Quote from: "subsonic"

What trans do you have? Diff ratio?

I just know that it is a five speed. Should I check the number on the bell-housing at sciroccogears.org or whatever?

Thanks for the imput jtanguay. I think I will just stick with my stock n/a for now. If I do mods to it I think I might run into more problems like heat issues.

What I really want to do is find a low miles TDI or GTD engine to drop in it :wink:

shegel · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2008, 10:48:28 am »

dude i have the same problem...i go from sea level to 800 feet over the coarse of about 2 miles. if i hit the botttom of the hill at around 70 im at about 40-45 at the top. i thought it was because i have a car that was previously neglected by the po. but maybe not. 86 golf 1.6 mech with the 5 spd trans......=.......life in the slow lane. :roll:

bert · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2008, 12:29:55 pm »

Your lucky it wasnt in a mercedes 2.4D W123 man you would have been in 2nd :? drove one round france,slowly,got upto 80 on the flat,TINY hill and watch the speedo drop,really should have brought a 300D W123
Bert

lyeinyoureye · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2008, 05:15:17 pm »

With ~50hp, it's all about gearing.