Thread: terrible TD5 turbo lag in hot ambient temps

Hey mate.
Can't say it is worse on hot days but it is defiantly more noticable with the air con on. Try looking at the turbo modulation valve also, it's bolted to the side of the air con compressor. It could be faulty or one of the small hoses attached to it could have a hole in it from age or chafing.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Robbo

Keep the IAT sensor in the air cleaner lid clean.

Thanks Graeme, cleaned all 3 air path sensors a week ago with contact cleaner... It's been a problem for at least 2 years in the heat with the aircon on, but finally have some "spare" cash to look into it

300,000 km and the youngest TD5 are almost 10years old now, I would suggest everything in the air intake path, air filter, all sensors, remove and clean all hoses (from what I have seen, the rubber hoses delaminate after a while)

Clean the intercooler and maybe the inlet manifold (be carefull removing due to possibly breaking the studs) Also clean the radiator to allow good clear airflow as well.

Also, the turbine blades may be erroded and so not efficient and the compressor section blades may be worn as well. (due to hot gas etc)

Thats the order from cheapest to most expensive as well.

As the temp goes up, air density goes down and so the turbo cant move as much air as on a cold day. (I know where I have a reference table but its not here). As an engine ages its performance can only decline, steadily at the beginining but then more rapidly to the stage where a full O/H would be required (dont be alarmed, yours may not be that severe, thats worse case).

a 1% degrade here, 2% degrade there, another 1% some where else is 4% but cumulative builds up to 6% when its all combined in a system.

Hay Ewe

Be mindful that the ecm adjusts its operating parameters to reduce performance when it detects from the IAT and MAP sensors that the intercooler efficiency decreases, as occurs in hot weather. One of the distinct benefits of fitting a larger I/C to my D2A even with its slightly larger I/C was the absence of performance degradation in hot weather.

Thanks guys. The small hose from the turbo to the link pipe is very soft and easy to squeeze etc. I think I might buy some silicon hoses as a starting point. I have already cleaned the radiator as it's new, all the sensors have been cleaned, new air filter etc. I'll definitely look at a larger intercooler, is there much difference between the 2 and the 2a, or should I just go aftermarket largest and be done with it?

Originally Posted by winaje

Thanks guys. The small hose from the turbo to the link pipe is very soft and easy to squeeze etc. I think I might buy some silicon hoses as a starting point. I have already cleaned the radiator as it's new, all the sensors have been cleaned, new air filter etc. I'll definitely look at a larger intercooler, is there much difference between the 2 and the 2a, or should I just go aftermarket largest and be done with it?

I'm just about get the allisport intercooler and hoses about 800~ including freight from pommyland.
If you are going to go to the trouble of pulling the intercooler out, might as well go the whole hog, if cost is not an issue.
Aussie intercoolers much too expensive.
Btw, I have the same issue in my 99, so going through the same elimination process, the lag is painful at times.

Cheers
Kev

Originally Posted by bigkevg

I'm just about get the allisport intercooler and hoses about 800~ including freight from pommyland.

Thanks for the info... *sigh*, another thing to add to the list. PLEASE let us know how you go getting rid of the issue, and if the I/C makes a significant difference too