My Vectra 2.2Dti (2000/x, 60K miles)is poorly. This time the car is loosing power. Up to approx. 3,000 rpm through the gears it accelerates normally. However above 3,000 rpm the power disappears. The 50 to 70 mph overtaking power is missing. Attempt to thrash it in 3 or 4th and the engine management light comes on, the engine drops into limp home mode. Turn the ignition off and restart the engine and all is well again. Normally I dont rev the engine over 3000 rpm because that gives about 60 in third. Best fuel economy (50 mpg) can be found below 3000 rpm. However I needed to do a bit of "brisk" overtaking on Saturday. Was a bit embarrassed when the power disapered. Some testing on a quiet road on Sunday showed that this was repeatable. Not very often I hasten to add as 3000 ++ rpm in 4th and 5th is well into "Good Morning Judge" land. The dealer had a look at it today. Found error codes that leads him to conclude that the air mass sensor (£100 ish + vat) is faulty. Any thoughts on this? He also says that the vacumn valve for the inlet manifold switchover solenoid was very hot (that's the one on the nearside of the engine bay, by the battery, nearest the front with a white pipe). Now these are £125 + vat. Should this be hot? is it energised all the time and therefore likely to be hot? Thanks Dave (more bills!)
