when a fast wagon isn't

Our TDI has been sick lately. Really sick. It got to the point where we'd lose speed in third gear going up a hill. This was embarrassingly accompanied by lots of smoke. There was also a complete absence of the distinctively loud VNT turbo.

We looked through the vacuum lines running from the silent turbo and found two deteriorated lines. Yep, this little hole killed all the power from the engine.

End result: power is back. She still smokes more than usual, could be a dirt intake manifold or EGR system. For now, it's safe to drive again. Once the garage is built I might have time to address the more subtle issues.