Golf engine problems

[Kaotik]

Hi guys,

I'm having some troubles with my car recently and was hoping for some advice. I drive a Mk4 Golf GTI, and have had some work done to it (APR tune, CAI and diverter valve) at Prestige & Performance. The car has been running great for a while, but recently during some driving around town, after starting the car when I went to accelerate the engine started shuddering and had a lot less power than usual. It struggled to accelerate and make it up hills, and if I tried to accelerate at all there was a lot of shuddering coming from the engine. I managed to limp it home (I wasn't far away) and after I got out of the car I noticed a strange smell from the engine bay. I'm not sure exactly what it is, it didn't smell like clutch or fuel, but I could be wrong. After a night's rest, the next day it was running fine without any issues. It ran fine for a few days, until just yesterday when the exact same thing started happening mid-drive. I pulled over and gave it an hour to cool down but the issue persisted. I was further away this time and didn't want to risk driving it without knowing what was wrong, so I got a tow truck to take it back home.

So this is where I'm at now. I have no idea what might be causing the issues, and I can't get it in to my mechanic until the 12th next month. I've had people suggest it could be anything from the fuel pump to the engine misfiring, to something wrong with one of the sensors.

I was wondering if anyone here could give me some idea of what might be wrong and how it might be fixed. Failing that, could anyone recommend a good mobile mechanic in the Brisbane area who could take a look? Otherwise I'll have to organise a tow truck to take it somewhere. If there aren't any good mobile mechanics what other places are good with VWs that might be able to fix the issue? Prestige and Performance have been good for me so far but I need to get my car fixed as soon as possible.

One thing I'm worried about is that since it doesn't seem to be a consistent issue it might be hard to diagnose and resolve. I haven't tried to run it yet today but for all I know it could run fine for now. But I can't risk driving it anywhere in case I get stranded again. Any advice would be appreciated.

[pat_ballam08]

I could be well off the ball park here, but one of my friends had an issue very similar to this when his alternator was on its way out. Sounds like a similar issue, but once again I could be well off.

Look up Jmac on here, he used to be mobile, but may have a shop now, I'm not sure, but he's one of the best VW mechanics in Brisbane.

[h100vw]

I could be well off the ball park here, but one of my friends had an issue very similar to this when his alternator was on its way out. Sounds like a similar issue, but once again I could be well off.

Look up Jmac on here, he used to be mobile, but may have a shop now, I'm not sure, but he's one of the best VW mechanics in Brisbane.

Which end of town are you. Jmac is South Side. I'd come and scan it for you but my lead is on loan. Could be a few things but google mechanics never works out great.

Gavin

[rokle]

I had a similar problem and it turned out to be coilpacks. Did you listen to the exhaust while the engine was running? It could tell you if the engine is misfiring. Best to to scan it like Gavin said above.

[Kaotik]

Yeah I'm southside too, in Yeronga. Thanks for the advice guys I'll send Jmac a PM

[leighaus]

could be:

afm latent fault
bad fuel
coil packs breaking down
intermittent grounding issues
02 sensor faults
etc
etc

you need it in a workshop, not a forum mate

[Jmac]

That is a top call, man after my own heart. Nice one.
For the OP ive returned your pm
Ta
Jmac

[Kaotik]

you need it in a workshop, not a forum mate

This is my main issue I want to take it in to a workshop to get it fixed now, but the soonest I can get it booked in is next month. I'm just too used to being able to drive anywhere anytime, because now that I can't I feel stranded.

In other news the car issue seems to be more consistent now. I went to start it this afternoon and the problem is still there, so it hasn't decided to fix itself like last time. I might be imagining things but I think it's getting worse too. It seems to shudder while idling more than it did before.

In any case thanks for all the advice guys. I'm probably just going to have to suck it up and wait until I can get it towed somewhere and fixed.

[leighaus]

Anytime Jmac.

you can quickly and easily try and isolate a coilpack or plug by yourself. With your car running, unplug each coilpack individually (meaning only 1 at a time). if the problem gets worse, the cylinder is in good health (plug it back in) if there is no change, expect your problem to be there.

fault finding can be expensive without a scan, and even then a scan isnt sure fire. but at least thats a free test you can do now. Basically your symptoms are the result of many possible problems.

[Golf Loon]

On a Gti can often be ignition control module on the air box. This will give you intermittent cylinder misfire. Hard to prove by swapping coilpacks around. Scanner and workshop, jmac will sort you out.