VW Arteon: Sluggish Engine & Poor MPG Points to MAP Issue

Had similar issues with a 2017 VW Passat 2.0 TDI. The symptoms matched exactly, poor throttle response, high fuel consumption, and check engine light. Initial diagnosis pointed to the manifold pressure sensor, but further testing revealed a larger vacuum leak in the intake manifold. The pressure sensor failure was actually a secondary issue caused by the vacuum leak. The intake manifold had developed small cracks near the EGR connection points, causing incorrect readings from multiple car sensors. These faulty readings made the engine run rich and sluggish. The repair required replacing both the intake manifold and the associated sensors. This was not a quick fix, the entire front end needed to be opened up to access the manifold properly. The job took about 6 hours at the shop. This turned out to be a serious issue that needed immediate attention. Continuing to drive with these symptoms risks further damage to the engine management system and could lead to complete sensor failure. Would strongly recommend getting a proper diagnostic scan rather than assuming its just the pressure sensor. Sometimes these symptoms point to bigger underlying issues in the intake system.

Thanks for sharing your experience. This definitely helps since your symptoms match what Im seeing with my Arteon. Its good to know that the engine performance issues could be linked to the intake manifold rather than just a faulty sensor. Mind sharing what the total repair cost was for the manifold and sensor replacement? Also curious if youve had any similar issues pop up since the fix. Im planning to take it to a shop this week and want to have a rough idea of the expected costs. The vacuum leak situation you mentioned makes a lot of sense given how my car is behaving. Better to get it checked properly rather than just assuming its a simple automotive sensor issue.

Your concerns about costs were totally valid. Just got the car back last week and can confirm the main culprit was indeed a faulty manifold pressure sensor, along with a significant vacuum leak in the intake manifold system. The total repair came to 235€, which included fixing the large vacuum leakage. Since the repair, engine performance has improved dramatically. The sluggish response is completely gone, and fuel economy is back to normal. No check engine lights or other issues have appeared since the fix. The automotive sensor replacement and intake manifold repair really made a noticeable difference. The mechanic did a thorough job checking all related car sensors while the system was opened up, which gave good peace of mind. They explained that catching these issues early prevented more extensive damage to the engine management system. Going to a reputable shop definitely helped avoid the overcharging concerns you mentioned. They diagnosed the exact problem quickly instead of just throwing parts at it. The intake manifold vacuum leak could have caused more expensive problems if left unchecked.

I took your advice and got my Arteon checked out by a certified shop yesterday. The diagnosis confirmed what you experienced, a combination of MAP sensor issues and vacuum leaks in the intake manifold system. The repair bill came to 290€ total. The shop found cracks near the EGR connection points, just like in your case. They replaced both the manifold pressure sensor and fixed the vacuum leaks. The whole job took about 5 hours. Already seeing major improvements. The engine feels responsive again and the fuel consumption is back to normal levels. Really glad I didnt wait longer, as the mechanic showed me how the intake manifold damage was starting to affect other car sensors. The shop even gave me a detailed walkthrough of what they fixed. Much better experience than my previous mechanic who always seemed to hide information. They showed me the worn parts and explained how the vacuum leak was affecting the manifold sensor readings. Thanks again for pushing me to get a proper diagnosis rather than just assuming it was a simple sensor issue. The comprehensive fix was worth every cent.