2003 VW Jetta 2.0 cylinder misfire

try spark plugs first, if that doesn't work have a mechanic diagnose it for you.

KravtZspark plugs / wires

or your distributor going bad...especially with 130k miles.

motor itself should be fine....just needs some routine maintenance.

Ok sounds good having a mechanic look at it tomorrow. Hoping its not a serious fix or else I might as well just trade it in for a new car.

Has anyone else had a cylinder misfire? Usually I find what you read on the internet is much worse than what the problem generally is...makes me worried. Iv had it at 3 mechanics over the years and they all say this engine / car condition will easily get to 200k.

have you tried unplugging it and plugging it back in?

yea, it sound go an easy 200k (if taken care of)

I had that code show up a couple months ago on my silverado. Run a tank of higher grade fuel with a bottle of fuel injector cleaner. It might just be a dirty injector.

pat_in_the_hatyea, it sound go an easy 200k (if taken care of)

I had that code show up a couple months ago on my silverado. Run a tank of higher grade fuel with a bottle of fuel injector cleaner. It might just be a dirty injector.

Yea oil change every 3k, fix anything that comes up usual maintenence, etc. Comes and goes never stays in 3 cylinders and when it warms up and runs for a while it stays in 4 much longer. So I think it could be a bad plug or dirt or a filter. Hopin its a cheap fix. Bought the car for 2250 with 50k miles on it. Only have spent 1000 on new tires, brakes, water pump, timing belt, new front exhaust...got hooked up through a family friend.

Have you tried checking if your blinker fluid is low?

KravtZYea oil change every 3k, fix anything that comes up usual maintenence, etc. Comes and goes never stays in 3 cylinders and when it warms up and runs for a while it stays in 4 much longer. So I think it could be a bad plug or dirt or a filter. Hopin its a cheap fix. Bought the car for 2250 with 50k miles on it. Only have spent 1000 on new tires, brakes, water pump, timing belt, new front exhaust...got hooked up through a family friend.

Misfire is really not a big deal. Seems like you got a good handle on it. You should run Seafoam through your car every 6 months. It cleans out your injectors and fuel system. Its good shit. And you might as well change out all four plugs while your at it. Check out vwvortex.com. Great wealth of knowledge in there.

Barefootin_Fiendor your distributor going bad...especially with 130k miles.

motor itself should be fine....just needs some routine maintenance.

Or try not driving a Jetta.


Maybe you can trade that in for a 03 Pontiac Sunfire.

gRAPEFRUITOr try not driving a Jetta.


Maybe you can trade that in for a 03 Pontiac Sunfire.

If you are serious you can go ahead and log out of newschoolers and never get back on.

KravtZNow I have 129xxx miles on my car, 5 speed manual that shifts great, engine turns on fine, so im pretty worried this could be the end of her.

Logic.


It is missing from this post.

I had the exact same problem with my 06 Jetta, I ended up replacing the spark plugs first but that didnt solve the problem. Then I found out there was a recall on the coils and got those done at a dealership and everything was fine after that.
I would check if you have any recalls and if not try replacing the coils and/or spark plugs. Should be around $100 each if you get it done somewhere. If youre pretty euro car saavy you could do it, parts are only like $10-50

UPDATE

I brought it to the mechanic and he told me that my catalytic converter is totally shot and had no materials left inside and that was causing the lack of power and some misfire. I think that sounded weird though because the cat doesn't serve an actual mechanical function. I thought it was only for efficiency.

Am I getting screwed over he said it would be 1000 to fix. He said nothing was wrong with the spark plugs, wires, coil,etc.

What does the car ppeople out there think? Should I take it for a second opinion or just get the cat fixed

KravtZUPDATE

I brought it to the mechanic and he told me that my catalytic converter is totally shot and had no materials left inside and that was causing the lack of power and some misfire. I think that sounded weird though because the cat doesn't serve an actual mechanical function. I thought it was only for efficiency.

Am I getting screwed over he said it would be 1000 to fix. He said nothing was wrong with the spark plugs, wires, coil,etc.

What does the car ppeople out there think? Should I take it for a second opinion or just get the cat fixed

i'd definitely get a second opinion without mentioning what the first guy said.

KravtZUPDATE

I brought it to the mechanic and he told me that my catalytic converter is totally shot and had no materials left inside and that was causing the lack of power and some misfire. I think that sounded weird though because the cat doesn't serve an actual mechanical function. I thought it was only for efficiency.

Am I getting screwed over he said it would be 1000 to fix. He said nothing was wrong with the spark plugs, wires, coil,etc.

What does the car ppeople out there think? Should I take it for a second opinion or just get the cat fixed

Barefootin_Fiendi'd definitely get a second opinion without mentioning what the first guy said.

This. The cat is essentially a resonator with platinum in it to meet emission standards. It would absolutely have nothing to do with a car misfiring. And 1000 to fix? Bullshit. If you can find someone to weld you could cut that thing out yourself and slap a new one in there. I fucking hate all types of mechs, rip off artists that their finest.

Granite_StateThis. The cat is essentially a resonator with platinum in it to meet emission standards. It would absolutely have nothing to do with a car misfiring. And 1000 to fix? Bullshit. If you can find someone to weld you could cut that thing out yourself and slap a new one in there. I fucking hate all types of mechs, rip off artists that their finest.

Yeah... OP is getting swindled

hey man, Captain obvious here!
I had the same exact problem happen to me.
Just stop going to the gym right now.
If that doesn'T do it check the air pressure for tires, then (obviously) look for rust under the car.
If there isn't any sell it and buy a 125 2 stroke dirt bike
you're welcome bud!
sincerely
blowjob

Had a 02 passat wagon with the 2.8L but my cats went and the material inside was shattered and clogging the exhaust gasses from flowing freely. Your O2 sensor is right there, you actually have 2 that work together to balance and regualte the engines air and fuel mix. I replaced mine and the problem went away.

Coils on the 2.0Ts are a huge known issue and was addrese by VW through a recal. A halfway decent mechanic can diagnose that. For peace of mind get a 2nd opinion, but the 02 systems play a huge role on VAG cars.

japanadaHad a 02 passat wagon with the 2.8L but my cats went and the material inside was shattered and clogging the exhaust gasses from flowing freely. Your O2 sensor is right there, you actually have 2 that work together to balance and regualte the engines air and fuel mix. I replaced mine and the problem went away.

Coils on the 2.0Ts are a huge known issue and was addrese by VW through a recal. A halfway decent mechanic can diagnose that. For peace of mind get a 2nd opinion, but the 02 systems play a huge role on VAG cars.

Getting it checked out for a second opinion at another place. I don't have the 2.0 T though just the normal 2.0 Anyways bringing to another guy to see what he has to say.

My Cats have been shot for quite some time now..prob a year + and everyone has told me its more or less just an efficiency issue at this point with them...I paid a couple people off for inspection. This mechanic said my spark plugs, wires, coil is fine and said it was only a cat issue.

KravtZUPDATE

I brought it to the mechanic and he told me that my catalytic converter is totally shot and had no materials left inside and that was causing the lack of power and some misfire. I think that sounded weird though because the cat doesn't serve an actual mechanical function. I thought it was only for efficiency.

Am I getting screwed over he said it would be 1000 to fix. He said nothing was wrong with the spark plugs, wires, coil,etc.

What does the car ppeople out there think? Should I take it for a second opinion or just get the cat fixed

The cat is a common thing for mechanics to try to fuck you over with. Same thing happened to my girlfriend and she obviously didn't know any better. I would be very surprised if that is the issue and if that is what it costs to fix it, but I don't know that much

Also PM tronned, he used to work for a VW dealer and will probably know what's up

no_steezeThe cat is a common thing for mechanics to try to fuck you over with. Same thing happened to my girlfriend and she obviously didn't know any better. I would be very surprised if that is the issue and if that is what it costs to fix it, but I don't know that much

Also PM tronned, he used to work for a VW dealer and will probably know what's up

Appreciate it dawg. Been a member on this site for 8-9 years now always some good peeps out there with some knowledge of something. Gotta give it up to high north ski camp for getting me onto NS

KimJong-IllestIf you are serious you can go ahead and log out of newschoolers and never get back on.

What about that post was serious?

pretty sure your problem is that one of your cylinders is misfiring

wut?

So let me get this straight? Out of the blue your car started flashing the CEL and occasionally will run ok?

You took it to the mechanic and he said it was because your cat is hooped?

Having a clogged cat will without a doubt cause your issue and it is very common on 2.0 vw's. There is a 10 year warranty on them so call and check when the "in service " date was on your car and hope to jebus that it was sold late but most likely youre shit out of luck.

The quickest way you can verify this issue is to just lean under your car and bang your hand against the CAT of the car, if it rattles on the inside you are fucked.

If the cat is Clogged, run the car and feel how much exhaust flow is coming from the tail pipe, if it feels in any way odd, then you just confirmed it. The cat will eventually melt away from exhaust heat. The material in the Cat is a super fine honeycomb pattern made out of Platinum and palladium that adds or removes oxygen to the exhaust molecules to reduce emissions, over time they do get shit bagged.

sometimes cats can fall apart and not really cause a running issue, it just depends on luck if it clogs the outlet on the casing.

Personally, I think there are a couple underlying issues on your car that are causing the rough running, the most common on a 2.0 is plugs, wires, dist cap, or coil. The first thing you should do is verify if the cat has clogged the exhaust, if not.... plug a couple of the easy to access spark plugs to inspect the condition of the diodes on them.

Do you have the fault codes? when a check engine light flashes that indicates misfires that are damaging the exhaust ( cat)....the flash is meant to scare people to stop the car to prevent further damage to the cat.