MS3 Power surges in top gear?

[chacon101]

I have noticed this before while driving on the highway but yesterday, this phenomenon showed itself again.

I put it in sixth gear and without lugging the engine (I was probably going 60mph at this point), I hit the gas and accelerate up to about 85mph.

During this time, the power from the car kept coming on in surges. It was like the car would spool the turbo and get a power surge and then lose it for a full second before doing it again and again and again...

I have heard about the 20+psi boost spike on these cars so is this what everyone is talking about? I figured the boost spike would just spike at first but not keep on doing it during one acceleration run.

I have about 3400 miles on the car with a MS CAI and I have had the latest ECU upgrade from the dealer done as well.

 

[SwampAss]

Mine will also do it. If it's any consolation, my 1.8T GTI also did it.

 

[08 Max]

My 08 doesn't...I'd have a dealer look at it. Its not proper behavior...that behavior in the 1.8T pushed me to by a VR6. The new 2.0T does it as well...

 

[SwampAss]

For the record, my boost gauge doesn't fluctuate much at all. Nothing that I would deem as odd.

 

[dkswim]

CAI installed? there were problems with the CAI causing spiking. are you using good fuel? mine dose it a little it could just be the WGA trying to find that happy medium on long full boost runs

 

[chacon101]

That's funny, my 1.8t didn't ever do it. I sold that one to a girl I am dating in DC so I still get to drive it when I come visit (headbang)

As for my fuel, I have been running at least 93 ever since I have been driving. Even in my old POS 1984 Plymouth Champ....

As with anything regarding a troubleshoot, they (the dealership) won't be able to do much unless it can be reproduced. I am going to work on getting that sorted out so I can show it to them.

 

[Sacrilicious]

ya, that doesn't seem right. i'm taking a guess here, but it could be that you're losing air pressure somewhere? give your hoses a quick check to make sure that they're all down tight.

 

[knowledge007]

First off, you cannot dog it in 6th only running @ 60mph. thats why you are getting surges. You dhould be in 4th or 5th. You are flooding the engine.

 

[SwampAss]

We have a carb?!

 

[knowledge007]

When you dog it, as I am sure you all know, your a/f jumps to lke 14 to 1. If your in 6th 60mph @ about what 3k rpms what do you think is going to happen.

 

[SwampAss]

We run rich. Running rich isn't the same as flooding.

 

[knowledge007]

You knwo what I mean... Point is you cant dog it when you in 6th doing 60. Just doesn't work. I mean come on that goes for any 6 gear manual car. What car do you know that can be dogged in overdrive at such low rpms...???

 

[chacon101]

3k rpm is super low?

The engine geezers out at 5500 or so...

 

[dkswim]

its right at peek torque which is at the highest volumetric efficiancy. granted you can shift down but why we have the power. i still think its just the WGA trying to find the right spot

 

[fourthmeal]

What if we had an Electronic Boost Controller that could learn the wastegate's flutter, and work around it? I know HKS and Greddy both claimed to be able to do this with their stepper controllers.

 

[SwampAss]

its right at peek torque which is at the highest volumetric efficiancy. granted you can shift down but why we have the power. i still think its just the WGA trying to find the right spot

heh. I was testing this on the way home. I'm right at 2400rpms in 6th @ 60mph. I step on it...it's no waiting for sure.

 

[chacon101]

Thanks for the responses so far. I was thinking that because it's nearly bone stock, this just shouldn't be an issue. If that's normal behavior, then so be it.

If I have some free time on Monday, I will see about taking it in for a checkup. Or, maybe I can just call the dealer and speak to the service guy..he rocks and I am sure will try to find out.

 

[Sacrilicious]

honestly, i would check that out. in 6th gear, my car is pretty darn smooth. if i stomp it going 60mph (2500-2700rpm), it doesn't get all gaspy on me...it just gives me the power nicely and smoothly (after spool up). at highway speeds, all that should be happening when you go WOT is that it spools up the turbo really fast and then you're FLYING...;o

 

[gr3y]

I'm sure there's a ton of variables that could cause a sputter once in a while, especially if you're wot'ing it, and you've been driving pretty normal before hand..

But if it happens all the time in 6th i'd have it checked out.

 

[fourthmeal]

Funny, for the first time in a long time, I took the highway across town. And sure enough, I'm getting a lot of what you're talking about. Worse, I got a huge puff of smoke and a hollow "pop" when I punched it. The smoke and pop sound only happened once, and I imagine it was just the engine getting choked by fuel, but still..DAMN.

Funnier still, a 3/4 throttle run brings on the power fully, without any hiccup or anything. Its almost as if the engine is running SO rich during those WOT high gear runs, it is choking on itself. I betcha!