Why is Your VW Suffering From Power Loss in Bellingham?

Posted on March 17, 2024 by Carson Wileman

Your VW’s engine creates power with air and fuel combined to produce combustion. This energy transfers to the wheels, making your car move. The engine sometimes loses power, and you experience poorer performance.

Fortunately, you can fix this problem with a proper diagnosis and a few corrections. Here is a guide to help you answer the question: What makes your VW suffer from power loss?

Blockages in the Air System

One of the most common causes of power loss in VWs is blockages in their airflow. Your engine requires clean air. Dust or other particles may damage the engine if they enter the combustion chamber. An air filter ensures the flow of clean air to the motor. It filters the air of dust and other harmful particles. It generally has a lifespan of around 15000 to 30000 miles, depending on driving conditions. After reaching that maximum, it can no longer keep those particles out of your engine. You will notice a loss in your car’s performance if you do not replace this filter.

You also have airflow out of your engine through the exhaust, which removes all the harmful and unnecessary gasses from the engine that build up and take up space in the engine. The sooner the exhaust pushes these gasses out, the sooner the engine will restart combustion, providing power for your car. However, any obstacles in the way, like a restricting catalytic converter or a clogged exhaust, cause your engine to lose power. Using a good fuel system additive about every 3000 miles will help reduce some contaminants that clog the converter.

Sensor Malfunctions

The airflow only works correctly when your car can monitor it correctly. Another common cause of power loss in VWs is sensor malfunctions. The Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF) monitors the amount of air the car needs to accelerate. Once it gets that measurement, it sends the information to the ECU, which notifies the throttle to open the correct amount. If the MAF is faulty and does not measure the airflow correctly, you could experience a severe loss of power. Sensors wear out due to heat and dust, but you can clean them to improve their function and the engine’s overall efficiency.

The Oxygen sensor is another piece that often malfunctions in your VW. The MAF senses the air entering the engine, and the oxygen sensor measures the amount of gasses exiting the engine. You will find the oxygen sensor in the exhaust pipe. If the readings of the MAF match the Oxygen sensor readings, your car will run perfectly. The oxygen sensor also connects to the fuel injection system, so you need it to keep your vehicle running well. An oxygen sensor failure can cause the engine to burn a rich air-to-fuel mixture, which hurts your fuel economy.

Faults in the Fuel System

The fuel system of your VW is another thing that can cause you to lose power. The fuel filter filters the fuel before it goes into the engine. If it gets clogged and the fuel does not reach the engine chamber at the right time, in the right amount, then the engine will perform poorly. You will notice power loss while accelerating and sometimes feel intermittent jerks.

Fuel injectors bring fuel into the combustion chamber by spraying in fuel at high pressures. They must spray the precise amount of fuel into the chamber for combustion. Even a slight miscalculation will disrupt the combustion cycle, creating a loss of power and, sometimes, broken pistons. One of the most common causes of fuel injector failure is carbon buildup, which comes from low-quality fuel. Carbon buildup makes it difficult for the injectors to spray fuel into the cylinders accurately, giving you a loss of power and performance.

The final piece of the fuel system is the fuel pump. This mechanism delivers fuel from the fuel tank to the engine. It must be powerful enough to push the fuel at high pressure. When the pressure is low, the fuel injectors will not do their work accurately, resulting in a power loss. You may not notice a faulty fuel pump at low speeds, but you won’t get the needed power when you want quick acceleration.

With the right knowledge and training, most of these issues of power loss can be easily fixed, and most of these parts are not expensive. If you have concerns about your VW losing power, call and schedule an appointment with us at Mint Automotive in Bellingham, WA. We have VW-trained technicians who will get your VW running at peak performance in no time.