Low Power after Service

[KLV88]

Just chaged air, oil, and fuel filters on my 2000 Bug. I have had the car for about 3 weeks now, and thought I should do a complete service.
Now when I drive it it is lacking power. Idles and starts no problem. I checked for detached wires or vaccuum lines but dont see any issues.
Took the car out again and found when I play with the throttle the power increases to normal, but then goes back to low power.
Maybe MAF sensor. Any suggestions?

[KLV88]

Update: Unplugged MAF Sensor. Runs good now. Therefore replace MAF?

[DZLBUG]

Try some MAF cleaner on it first, maybe you let some crud get in there when you changed the filter.

What type of air filter did you install?

[KLV88]

Installed a Purolator air filter. The old one really wasn't that bad, but did it anyway. I have already ordered a MAF from drivewire.com ($60). Since I've had the car there has been intermittent hesitation at 3000 RPM. I'm thinking this may be a related issue. We will drive with it disconnected until the new one arives.

[KLV88]

Replaced MAF but still low power. What next?

[Growler]

do you have vag com? or is there someone in your area with it?

where do you live?

it would be a good idea to get a log of group 3 in Vag com to see what you MAF is actually doing.

while you are at it, also log Groups 1 & 11 to see what the fueling and turbo are doing.

get a good 3rd gear 2000-4000+ RPM pull onto the freeway logging all three of those fields in Measuring blocks and let email it to growlertdi at gmail.com and Ill take a look for you.

Aaron

[KLV88]

I'll have to find someone with a vag com. I have noticed with the MAF unplugged the car has more pep, and you can hear the turbo spool up a lot more. I believe the problem is more of an electronic/sensor issue rather than anything mechanical. Thanks for any suggestions.

[KLV88]

Update: I had time to get under the hood today and found the the air intake hose connection to the lower end of the motor had slipped off. I connected the pipe and installed a new clamp. Its running great now. Thank you to everyone for your help.

[Growler]

makes sense.

with your turbo inlet hose disconnected, your MAF was not reading the proper amount of air, and in fact it was reading WAY lower than it should have been.

as you found out, this causes the car to make little power. if you would have replaced the MAF and not found the pipe disconnected, you would have seen no improvement.

Good job in finding the real issue. you saved yourself at least the cost of a $120 MAF sensor.