misfire question...fuel quality?

1907 Views 19 Replies 10 Participants Last post by keithermadness, Aug 16, 2011

Yuhmama

Discussion Starter · Aug 3, 2011

Our 05 1.8t wagon began misfiring the other day and gave a p0300 code, multiple misfires on all cylinders. it was nearly empty on gas, and it had regular 87 octane in the tank. I filled it with 93 and reset the code so the CEL light went off and no problems thus far. Do you think it was the low octane gas? Thank you!

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GbRunner

· #2 · Aug 3, 2011

I wouldnt say it was the low octane. I run the regular stuff in mine (I knowww) and have never had that problem. Maybe a little water in the gas?

Yuhmama

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 14, 2011

OK folks, I could use a little help getting started here. This is my wife's wagon - 05 1.8t fwd tip-tronic. random flashing CEL. It cleared up the other day after she revved it slightly, only to about 1500 or so, maybe 2000. I'm really no tech, but sounds like somehting might be gummed up in the intake causing it to miss. any ideas? stuff like this makes me uber-paranoid about this being the family mover and them getting stranded. Thanks!
ps: anyone interested in a slightly used 05 wagon?

tdix2

· #4 · Aug 14, 2011

How many miles since you changed the plugs last? Any oil leaking around the coil packs?

zak99B5

· #5 · Aug 14, 2011

Have you had the coil packs replaced under the recall?

Yuhmama

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 14, 2011

The car has about 65k on it and the packs and plugs were changed probably about 20k ago. then they were recalled and I had one bad, and it was replaced. I'll check for oil leakage. thanks.

scotts13

· #7 · Aug 14, 2011

Yuhmama said:
ps: anyone interested in a slightly used 05 wagon?

If you're willing to let go a 2005 over a l'il ol' misfire, keep me in mind. Not all that uncommon, and usually not a serious issue.

- If you were really at the end of the tank, there's a lot of crud that builds up in the bottom. I usually try to stay out of the last couple of gallons.

- They may be newish plugs, but what kind are they? The 1.8T's are fussy.

- A misfire that clears when you rev it a bit could be another bad coil pack, especially if it was a wet day.

- A leaky valve cover gasket can drown the plugs in oil and cause misfires.

- Last time I had light and random misfires it was because the fuel mixture was off. Servicing the PCV and vacuum systems fixed that.

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Yuhmama

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 15, 2011

Thanks again.

I appreciate the feedback. Is a valve cover gasket something I could do in the drive way? Was looking yesterday and it doesn't look that bad. any idea what a shop would charge to replace it?

VAGguy

· #9 · Aug 15, 2011

a bad coolant temp sensor will cause a misfire on start up. Not always a code. Where in Virginia are you?

swcrow17

· #10 · Aug 15, 2011

seriously...who runs 87 in a 1.8T? You've gotta run 93 for optimum performance.

VAGguy

· #11 · Aug 15, 2011

swcrow17 said:
seriously...who runs 87 in a 1.8T? You've gotta run 93 for optimum performance.

hush you.

oke:

scotts13

· #12 · Aug 15, 2011

Yuhmama said:
I appreciate the feedback. Is a valve cover gasket something I could do in the drive way? Was looking yesterday and it doesn't look that bad. any idea what a shop would charge to replace it?

It should be; it's not particularly hard. That won't stop a dealer from charging you an hour and a half at $100/hr, though. But what you want to do is look in the plug wells to see if there's oil in there, before you consider it.

If that turns out to be a (note I didn't say "the") problem, there's a larger concern. The valve cover gaskets usually leak because the PCV system is clogged. Experience has shown that system needs to be serviced every 4 years or so. If it clogs, pressure will build up, ruining the valve cover gasket and sometimes the cam chain tensioner seal. So you should do both systems together, which is kind of a tedious mess.

swcrow17

· #13 · Aug 15, 2011

VAGguy said:
hush you. oke:

lol...read your email dude.

Yuhmama

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 16, 2011

Thanks for the insight. This is why I am not thrilled to have one of these cars as a daily family mover wife-mobile. I don't remember having the constant worries with my Yota.

thing is...we have 2, an 04 and an 05. don't ask me why...

scotts13 said:
It should be; it's not particularly hard. That won't stop a dealer from charging you an hour and a half at $100/hr, though. But what you want to do is look in the plug wells to see if there's oil in there, before you consider it.

If that turns out to be a (note I didn't say "the") problem, there's a larger concern. The valve cover gaskets usually leak because the PCV system is clogged. Experience has shown that system needs to be serviced every 4 years or so. If it clogs, pressure will build up, ruining the valve cover gasket and sometimes the cam chain tensioner seal. So you should do both systems together, which is kind of a tedious mess.

scotts13

· #15 · Aug 16, 2011

Yuhmama said:
Thanks for the insight. This is why I am not thrilled to have one of these cars as a daily family mover wife-mobile. I don't remember having the constant worries with my Yota. thing is...we have 2, an 04 and an 05. don't ask me why...

Six of one... last Toyota I had was relatively trouble free for 150,000 miles, whereupon the engine exploded. It ran, but it was the most boring car I'd ever owned. My 2000 Passat, OTOH, required some fiddling. But I looked forward to getting in it every day, and it's still going strong past 250,000 miles.

zak99B5

· #16 · Aug 16, 2011

They should've replaced all 4 coil packs when they found the bad one. And they should've reimbursed you for the $$ you paid to have the coil packs changed before.

As stated, the VCG is straightforward and fairly easy. Servicing the PCV system is more of a PITA.

But first I'd go back to the dealer and make them put new coil packs on the other three plugs.

picklesnouts

· #17 · Aug 16, 2011

Yuhmamam......if ya wanna sell it.....

Lets us all know.............65k!!!! The car is still a virgin!!! I have 172k and going through a occasional misfire as well.............20k on plugs!!!! I would replace with good NGK NON platinums and see.......plus the valve cover gasket as others mention you should look at. Replacing cover gasket is easy if you are mechanical in nature:wrench:.........Do it yourself.....you will be rewarded by saving $$$$$$$$$ !!! Also look at other members with 1.8T's well in the 300k range..............its all about the LOVE, VW LOVE!!!

Henrys2001

· #18 · Aug 16, 2011

scotts13 said:
Six of one... last Toyota I had was relatively trouble free for 150,000 miles, whereupon the engine exploded. It ran, but it was the most boring car I'd ever owned. My 2000 Passat, OTOH, required some fiddling. But I looked forward to getting in it every day, and it's still going strong past 250,000 miles.

Just to add my .02 I had a Honda that decided not to start if it was parked in the sun and the outside temp was over 85. I lived with the problem for 5 years, trying to find parking under trees or underground as well as taking to every Honda mechanic and indy I could find a recomend for. Noone could find a problem. Turned out to be a diode in the ingnition system, $20.00.

Henry

Yuhmama

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 16, 2011

Maybe I'm simple, but I really enjoy the reliability of getting in and going... driving this thing today and it's sputtering at the last stop light before entering a busy tunnel. not very confidence inspiring. You're absolutely right...it's only a 2005 it IS a virgin...that's why I shouldn't have to worry about this crap.

And to the guy who said his Yota was boring...I had a 98 Tacoma 4wd w/v6 and 5speed. That thing was a sports car in a truck body...unstoppable and it was so much fun to drive - quick and go anywhere. Kids came and so did the need for a roomy ride and then gas prices rocketed, hence the 4cyl Passats...nice cars and not bad on gas...but now I'm finding them to be pretty finicky.

I bought both of these cars used and I'm still paying on them, 2 and 3 more years to go...so I don't want to be pestered with misfires and reliability issues. These things are too expensive to work on for a family man to have to plough $$ into every month. However, I really do like hearing you guys are getting 250-300k out of them. Maybe I just need to stick in it for the long haul.

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keithermadness

· #20 · Aug 16, 2011

My neighbors virgin Scion is in the shop for a tranny rebuild, so yeah, there are better options out there.

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