Engine responsiveness when warm...

[mbelle]

What would cause, particularly when warm i.e. if it's a warm day or car has been idling for longer periods than normal, my engine appear less responsive??

It feels like it's under load; I know that when it gets warm, additional coolers come on etc. but still, it feels like it just can't be bothered.

Now, under these conditions, it's fine when on boost and can't say it really feels any less powerful when on boost, but it just feels like effort when not, and very laggy.

When it's cold i.e. just started in the morning or something, the car feels very responsive - slightest touch of the throttle and the car wants to move...

Any thoughts on what it could be or suggestions appreciated...

Thanks

P.S. Car is standard...

[rhunter203]

I'm having the exact same problems!!!

[Nige_RS4]

Normally associated with heat soak on the intercoolers unless there is another problem.

[Blue_Thunder]

Maybe the viscous coupling on the radiator fan could be on it's way out? You would usually be able to hear the fan going if that was the case.

[mbelle]

Maybe the viscous coupling on the radiator fan could be on it's way out? You would usually be able to hear the fan going if that was the case.

When you say 'hear the fan going', do you mean the fan that sounds like it speeds up with engine speed??

[Contigo]

mbelle, slightly OT, did you get your clutch done last year after thinking it was on it's way out?

[mbelle]

mbelle, slightly OT, did you get your clutch done last year after thinking it was on it's way out?

No, I keep putting it off; every time I consider getting it booked in, it feels like it'll last another few thousand miles...

M

[Contigo]

Jeez, that's bound to have borked the flywheel too!

[Blue_Thunder]

Maybe the viscous coupling on the radiator fan could be on it's way out? You would usually be able to hear the fan going if that was the case.

When you say 'hear the fan going', do you mean the fan that sounds like it speeds up with engine speed??

Exactly. When a viscous clutch gets hot, it expands, 'locking' the fan onto the spindle so that it's turned by the auxilliary belt. This puts a lot of extra load on the engine. When it cools down, it allows the fan to spin freely, or more to the point, not spin under the power of the engine.

Your car will sound like an aeroplane trying to take off when the viscous fan is engaged!

[mbelle]

Maybe the viscous coupling on the radiator fan could be on it's way out? You would usually be able to hear the fan going if that was the case.

When you say 'hear the fan going', do you mean the fan that sounds like it speeds up with engine speed??

Exactly. When a viscous clutch gets hot, it expands, 'locking' the fan onto the spindle so that it's turned by the auxilliary belt. This puts a lot of extra load on the engine. When it cools down, it allows the fan to spin freely, or more to the point, not spin under the power of the engine.

Your car will sound like an aeroplane trying to take off when the viscous fan is engaged!

Thanks Blue_Thunder - seems I have at least this issue then!
I'll get it changed and see how the car is after that....

Jeez, that's bound to have borked the flywheel too!

Errrm... perhaps I'll get it booked in then...

Another reason I was holding off was, was because I was deciding/investigating what I could do with my shi**y box - I have a very noisy 1st gear (to the point where I hate being in the gear), very slightly noisy 3rd and a barely noticable noisy 5th; guess I'll just get the clutch done ASAP.

M

[alastairg]

Its heat soak causing increased under bonnet temperatures and hence intake temperatures to increase. Affected all the turbo charged cars I have ever owned.

[rhunter203]

That's what I thought but my car didn't feel like this last year!

[jimbo1234567]

ive got a top gearbox guy marcus. let me know if it needs a rebuild.

[alastairg]

That's what I thought but my car didn't feel like this last year!

Global warming

[mbelle]

ive got a top gearbox guy marcus. let me know if it needs a rebuild.

Cheers Jimbo.

That's what I thought but my car didn't feel like this last year!

Exactly - same with me.

I think heat soak does contribute a small factor to this experienced, but I also have the issue that Blue_Thunder mentions earlier, which I think is the main cause...