Sentinelist

Ok thanks.

Any other thoughts, folks?

ZR8ED

A vacuum leak does sound good, but may not be from your typical vacuum lines. How about your turbo/intercooler pipes/connectors. Normal vacuum type leaks usually don't show up as lack of power under boost, but a leaky intercooler hose will.

Sentinelist

I remember having a vacuum leak on my old Passat and it felt very similar to my experience here (or maybe it was the bad cat, happened about the same time). Turbo and intercooler (and plumbing) ended up being fine. I have not checked the intercooler hose yet or how to get at it- am I going to need to take the bumper cover off?

alex

With the old vacuum lines, it is not hard to crack or knock something loose, it is not going to be anything with the air filter, box, etc. Check for cracks in the j boot and connected hoses.

BlackOp

That's why I changed my lines the first week I owned mine. The car was running fine but it eliminates that factor if it started running poorly. It's why I changed my FPD and FPR also. For $35 bucks...new vacuum lines really helps to troubleshoot in the future.

Paulyy

That wouldn't make any difference with how much oil it has. (assuming stock AFM) If he had a MAF hot/cold wire sensor then the oil can get onto the wire and give out wrong readings. It's actually no good to run an oiled filter with a MAF.

when was the last time you changed you spark plugs & Leads? checked the cap and rotor? Weak spark can cause weak power, **** idle.. ect

St3mpy2

I don't think it's a plugged cat. If it was it would run great at first and then act up after a minute or so, unless its REALLY plugged, in which case it wouldn't crank at all.