Volkswagen Repair: 2002 VW Passat, crankcase breather hose, vw passat

Question
I just had my Passat in for servicing to replace the Pollen Air filter housing and I've immediately noticed that the turbo doesn't seem to create as much power as it once did.  Could they have been related?

Answer
Hey there, Mike;
Not normally.  The pollen filter, and housing are underneath the rain tray, at the base of the windshield.  All of the engine components are separated by a steel bulkhead, but I suppose when the pollen filter housing was changed something else could have been hit, moved, touched, squeezed, or otherwise changed.  1.8L power concerns are generally related to the turbo, so I guess I would want to know how my "combi-valve," turbo-recirculation valve, suction jet pump, and camshaft tensioning solenoid are.  There is also a crankcase breather hose (3-way) that is right on top of the engine, and all the way back against the bulkhead almost...is it new?  These get kind of "spongy," or soft.  See if yours is, or not.  Another source of possible power loss is any air leaks in the turbo circuit.  Why was your pollen filter housing replaced?  Was the car hit?  Check under the left front of the car to see if the intercooler is cracked, and leaking pressurized air.  Good luck, Mike.