Polo GTI feels flat

adampadum · Post by **adampadum** » Sat May 12, 2012 5:43 pm

Hi,

I'm fairly new to this forum. I have only had my polo since last month. I really enjoy driving it, but it feels really flat between 3 and 4k revs.

The guy that I bought it from had just had the cambelt changed just before I bought it, so I'm wondering if the timing could be out.

I understand that they have VVT, is this powered via the oil pressure? Maybe a blocked oilway?

After 4k it goes really well, but I don't know if its just I'm used to the power of my old Corrado VR and that is all it has, but it just doesn't feel right.

I have a few ideas with what to do with the car at the moment, but I think they may have to stay in the pipeline for the time being though.

Thanks for the help in advance, and keep up the good work.

6N2 GTI 00 · Post by **6N2 GTI 00** » Sun May 13, 2012 10:05 pm

Welcome to UK Polos

Is it just 3000-4000rpm when the car feels flat or does it feel slugish from 2K onwards too?

The VVT doesnt come into effect until 5K and then its revs out at roughly 7K so it does have a relatively short power band but in 2nd & 3rd gear it should pull really well.

Giving it a good service normally makes them feel more responsive, its also worth cleaning the throttle body with some carb cleaner because that usually gives a noticeable improvement to the throttle response. Other suggestions would be changing the coil pack and to check the CAT to ensure it doesnt need changing.

Hope this helps

emma_88 · Post by **emma_88** » Mon May 14, 2012 2:50 pm

Welcome to the forum

Another things to add to the list is get someone with VAG-COM to scan your car to see if there are any fault codes.

TriggerFish · Post by **TriggerFish** » Mon May 14, 2012 4:15 pm

I've got VAGCOM in Aylesbury/Oxford if it helps?

Welcome, too.

adampadum · Post by **adampadum** » Mon May 14, 2012 11:40 pm

Thanks very much for your help and the warm welcome, guys and gals.

I have used VAG COM on the car and it came up with this (Thanks for your offer though Triggerfish):

17927 - Camshaft Adjustment: Bank 1

But since clearing it, it has never come up again. I'm assuming this was something to do with the cambelt being changed.

It's weird as it is only between 3-4k, it pulls all the way up to it, then feels a bit dead at 3k, then as soon as it hits 4k off it goes again, pulling nicely all the way to the redline, well just before.

I may have to do what 6N2 GTI 00 suggested, as they are fairly quick and cheap things to do, compared to my old car anyway.

Its a really fun car to drive, and has all the usual VW refinements, and the plus point really cheap to run too, just want to try and getting it running how it should be now.

Dub_Dan · Post by **Dub_Dan** » Tue May 15, 2012 8:13 am

Is it not just when the turbo comes in? It's different for me with mine being a tdi and having low down punch but your gti obviously being a lot stronger top end...

6N2 GTI 00 · Post by **6N2 GTI 00** » Tue May 15, 2012 8:42 am

Dub_Dan wrote:Is it not just when the turbo comes in? It's different for me with mine being a tdi and having low down punch but your gti obviously being a lot stronger top end...

He has the older 6N2 Polo GTI mate > 1.6 16V 125BHP N/A (Not the 9N3 1.8T 20V)

adampadum · Post by **adampadum** » Tue May 15, 2012 11:38 pm

I think I managed to find out why it had a flat spot. The previous owner had put an oil breather filter on it, I'm assuming he used to have some sort of aftermarket induction kit on it, and didn't reattach it to the air box.

Just taken it out for a little spin, and its really smooth now, all the way through the rev range. Feels like exactly what it should have been.

Does anybody know any reason why this could have been done, other than for induction noise from the hole that was left on the side of the air box.

Hopefully I can start getting this polo back into shape, need to sort the headlights and the wheels, but other than that seems pretty sweet.

I did notice one of the guys on here fitted a set of four pots on his polo, but I don't know what the fitment would be like with the standard wheels, as it looks like there could be clearance issues with the caliper and wheel with 280mm discs.

Dub_Dan · Post by **Dub_Dan** » Wed May 16, 2012 11:12 am

My bad guys sorry i'm just getting used to tapatalk while I'm bored at work

6N2 GTI 00 · Post by **6N2 GTI 00** » Wed May 16, 2012 11:43 am

adampadum wrote:I think I managed to find out why it had a flat spot. The previous owner had put an oil breather filter on it, I'm assuming he used to have some sort of aftermarket induction kit on it, and didn't reattach it to the air box.

Just taken it out for a little spin, and its really smooth now, all the way through the rev range. Feels like exactly what it should have been.

Does anybody know any reason why this could have been done, other than for induction noise from the hole that was left on the side of the air box.

Hopefully I can start getting this polo back into shape, need to sort the headlights and the wheels, but other than that seems pretty sweet.

I did notice one of the guys on here fitted a set of four pots on his polo, but I don't know what the fitment would be like with the standard wheels, as it looks like there could be clearance issues with the caliper and wheel with 280mm discs.

You have hit the nail on the head mate, the only reason the breather filter would be on there is due to an aftermarket induction kit (most likely a BMC CDA kit)
It’s something that needs doing when you fit an induction kit like the BMC CDA because that oil breather hose would normally go directly into the OEM airbox however when that's removed the pipe has nowhere to go so needs to be cabled tied out of the way. The breather filter is then fitted to the top of the pipe and that will help keep the engine running smoothly if an induction kit is installed. If the induction is then removed the breather filter should be removed too and ofcourse the pipe should be re-connected to the Original airbox to put everyting back standard.

The standard front brakes are 256mm mate, the guy with the 4 pot set up (triggerfish) had previously done the G60 Corrado (280mm) brake upgrade which is why his disks are bigger. You could install a 4 pot kit with the OEM 256mm discs but I would recommend doing the 280mm upgrade first and see how you get on.
All you require for upgrade is a set of G60 Golf/Corrado brake carriers and 280mm discs, you don’t need to change the callipers just the carriers.

Hope this helps

TriggerFish · Post by **TriggerFish** » Wed May 16, 2012 12:57 pm

That was me with the brakes.

I can get a photo of the clearance later if you want?

They fit with the standard wheels fine, but need a 30mm space to clear the inside edge of the spokes. Still need to test fit my G60 winters though. The caliper can take discs from '240mm up to 400mm'. You'll of course need a different carrier depending upon the size of disk you want to use. I can fit upto 285mm in mine, but the 280 were much cheaper (and I had some already), so I went with those! Any other questions, just ask.

I've got a spare set of 280mm brakes off an Ibiza Curpa kicking around at the moment if interested? Got carriers, calipers (need a different banjo to fit the Polo hoses) and a set of ~4k old pads.

Joe

adampadum · Post by **adampadum** » Fri May 18, 2012 7:37 pm

Cheers guys.

Joe, did it make much of a difference fitting the 280mm discs? Which part of the caliper catches on the spokes and is it a huge amount.

I have been looking at the calipers that you bought, and asking one of my mates to make the carrier, as long as did the measurements. But as 6N2 GTI 00 said it may be worth trying out the 280 upgrade first as it will probably be an easier option to test the difference on the car.

How much would you be looking for the little setup you have? Are there any lips on the discs or are they good? May be worth me having a go soon as my pads are getting low any way.

TriggerFish · Post by **TriggerFish** » Sat May 19, 2012 11:17 am

Hey, I did reply to your PM btw

In terms of catching, it wouldn't work at all without spacers - some rubbish phone photos to show what I mean (it's my little finger I've used there, so it really is tight). That's with a 30mm spacer.

I can't really remember how much difference the upgrade made. I'd SORN'd the car for a few months while I was using my RX-8 and upgraded them while it was off the road so I couldn't do a back-to-back comparison. Fitting these 4pots has made a nice difference though, much more feel and modulation available. The 280mm VW setup doesn't really add any more feel to the brakes (which is what I hated most about them) as they use the same callipers.

Mine won't come with any disks, I used those again myself. My setup came with some 285mm disks, but they were completely dead, and my 280mm ones were as new and fitted fine so I used them and saved myself ~£100

My advise, (and this isn't just cause I'm trying to sell something!) would be to try the VW 280mm setup and see how you like it. If you don't like it, you've lost nothing as the carrier will always have a market open to it, you won't need new pads as your 256mm ones fit, and the disks can be used on the new setup so you won't lose anything financially as long as you can sell on the carriers again. (Worth noting, my setup uses Volvo brake pads - £20 from ECP so not expensive either.)

In terms of price, I'll have a look on eBay later, see how much just the carriers go for and get back to you. It's £30 a disk from ECP though, about £5-£10 more than the 256mm ones.

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