Vectra 2.0 DTI acceleration stutter (multiple flat spots)??

[craigey]

Hi all,

I've been looking through the previous threads looking for an answer to a problem that I'm having with my 2.0 DTI 1999 Vectra. So far I have found a few links, but they nearly all point to the Air Flow Meter (AFM), I have tried swapping it with a spare, but it didn't make a difference. However when I unplugged the AFM my ECU light came on and I couldn't rev the car over 4000 RPMs. So I'm doubtful that could be the problem.

The problem is that when you accelerate between 2500 - 3500 revs the car seems to loose all power for about 1-2 seconds. It then picks up and continues to accelerate for a couple of seconds before loosing power again. It just keeps doing it in all gears except 1st (and only in 2nd when very cold). In all other gears the problem is constantly there. It get's really annoying accelerating from 70-80+ mph.

Anyway when I first noticed the problem I took a look under the bonnet and I could hear air from somewhere. I traced it to a split in the Turbo pipe, which a local garage replaced for me. I had assumed that replacing the pipe would fix the problem, but no such luck. Has anyone got any other ideas on what could be causing this.

Thanks for your time guys.

[GerryB]

A mate of mine had a similar problem with an Audi A6 and it turned out to be a valve which shuts of the flow of diesel when the ignition is turned off. This valve was sticking when the car was started and it was starving it of fuel.

[craigey]

That's certainly what it feels like, but up until 2500 revs the car has a lot of acceleration, although it can be quite sluggish in first especially when the engine is cold.