Thank you to all those that contributed to this thread as it gave me the confidence to this fix myself. I still have some problems though!

Limp mode was activating after 3000rpm limiting power. It was like the engine had stalled! Check engine light would go out after a couple of days. So I carried out the above and it looked to have sorted it, power delivery had definitely improved. After my second run down the dual carriageway however the problem returned. I went to pull away and it stalled, it was then really hard to build revs so I kept it in 2nd and as it got to 3000rpm engine check light came on. I switched the engine off and back on again but the light was still on. Although the engine check light continues to be on I think I still have full power?

Does anyone have any ideas? Faulty sensor perhaps?

At this point it would pay you to read the fault codes.
Otherwise you could end up either just shooting in the dark or retracing old ground with little progress.

Sweetsixteen said:

At this point it would pay you to read the fault codes.
Otherwise you could end up either just shooting in the dark or retracing old ground with little progress.

Click to expand...

Ok thanks, I've tried reading the codes but my scanner says 'no codes are stored in this module'

Could this be because I just have one of those handheld jobs off ebay? Bought it for a renault so not sure if they are vehicle specific?

My scanner is still not picking up any codes although it can delete the check engine warning?

Car doesn't seem to have a problem at all with putting down the power just that when it gets to 3000-3500rpm it trips the limp mode

Is there sensor that is doing this and can it be removed?

Many Thanks

Hi mate,m having the same issue with my doblo 1.3. I'm having difficulty actually locating the turbo . Can I confirm its at the rear centre of the engine at the bulkhead side. I have the exact symptoms you describe, limp home at 3000 revs and eml. Egr looks new and I have a new pressure sensor, which is the code that showed up on the scanner. I'm really hoping the waste gate is what's causing this issue. Could you explain in idiots terms how I find the turbo and if there are any landmarks to guide the screwdriver in to the right location. I can't see a thing from the area under the airbox. Any help would be appreciated as I don't want to throw any more money at this. many thanks Paul

Alright bud, it's at the front just off centre. Best to remove airbox to get a better view. You'll need to disconnect main air pipe from the airbox where the maf sensor is located.

I struggled to find turbo to start with as well. If you follow main air pipe past the maf sensor this pipe will divert into the side of the turbo.

It's roughly in line with the latch for bonnet release

I've copied a url link to a photo to help. The cylindrical metal object to right of the photo is the actuator This part will be more obvious when the airbox is off. If you follow down from the actuator down the shaft you'll find the pivot for the wastegate. It's this part that needs lubricating. It's hard to explain but I took the airbox off located the turbo then studied a few photos to work out what was needed

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MzgwWDY3NA==/z/CxgAAOSwu4BVnUDi/$_3.JPG

Thanks very much for all the tips. I managed to locate the turbo and access the arm from underneath. I was just about to give up on this car until I came across this thread. I couldn't believe it when I took it a run and the revs went past the 3000 mark. I gave it a real good blast and touch wood no limp home mode. I have reset the eml light and hope I have turned the corner. I also noticed the pipe to the turbo was mega loose and tightened this up also. Could a loose Pipe cause the eml light to throw a pressure sensor code? Cheers Paul

I too would like to say thanks to the posters above for really useful photos and pointers!

I too had the limp home curse over a period of time and had worked my way down the list air filter -> Egr -> Maf before finding this great info on here! After 5 mins under the Punto 2008 1.3 D with long screwdriver in hand I managed to budge the damned wastegate actuator and free it up nicely. Some precautionsry WD40 and Bob's your uncle I now have a nippy tubo diesel again! Fuel econ also improved from 4.4 litre/100km to 3.5 litre/100 km long flat journeys 80/100 km/h speed.

Great forum you have here.

This is a very good article that explains the wastegate/limp home mode scenario and the cleaning/precautionary measures that can be taken to address root causes of the problem (driving style, additives, fuel system issues). Can't post link as a noob so cut/paste..dubyadubyadubya oilem dot com Slash turbo-cleaning-and-turbo-cleaners

All sorted thanks OP......took a bit of force but worked

They get like this on engines that are used very gently - basically, the ECU drops fuel supply to control boost so the wastegate never pops off and eventually stick through lack of use.

My multijet 1.3 has similar issues, loses power around 2500 rpm. I had a hard time locating the turbo(and wastegate). Can anyone point to/mark the exact location I need to look at, attaching the pictures of the engine bay.

Also, when should be replaced (alternator, power steering etc) ?
Thanks.

its hard to see
maybe this will help

I think I got it now, this is shown from under the body. Will try and report back. The punto is fitted with a underbody guard (heavy metal sheet), might have to remove it first.

Thanks a lot Koalar

The wastage (or vanes in a more sophisticated turbo) need to be used. Always driving super slow will lead to the parts gumming up with carbon. Simply tugging on the control arm risks releasing a chunk of clag that can go into the turbo rotor causing permanent damage.
(1) you need the error codes (it might not be the turbo)
(2) you need the boost pressures (it is probably over-boosting so ECU cuts fuel to protect the engine)
(3) Turbos are tough when kept clean but allow any debris though air or exhaust side (the turn at 50,000 rpm or more) is asking for a large repair bill.
(4) When its sorted, periodically use the engine as designed - work it hard foot to the floor (no need to over rev) for a few miles. This will keep everything moving properly. Consider this a weekly maintenance exercise.

Can you pls take a look at the images below, and confirm if the actuator is located in the highlighted portion. The pictures are taken from under the engine bay, a little bit towards the passenger side. I did remove the air filter box, but unable to locate the turbo/linkage from above.

Off topic to the post, In the process noticed a dent on the oil sump (3rd image). Is this seriousDoes it need to be replaced or can i leave it be?

can't quite see from the photos

it looks like a treaded bar with a lock nut.

The actuator/servo is a mini version of a brake booster/servo. It's connected to the wastegate lever by a threaded bar. They are very reliable, but cannot shift a jammed release valve. Reading the codes should tell you if it's over-boosting. If it's not - its probably not the waste gate.

Somebody mentioned the EGR valve. These used to be purely mechanical but today they will also raise error codes when not operating properly and put the engine into limp mode. A clogged EGR can be a symptom of a clogged inlet manifold. I have not heard if the 1.3 is prone to this problem but it does afflict the 1.9 and 2.4 diesels. It's caused by too little airflow allowing soot (introduced by the EGR) to settle inside the manifold. Same cause - too much uber-slow driving. It needs a weekly hard drive to keep it clear.