Mk4 2000 GTI 1.8T engine shudder

[paulGTi1.8T]

Hi,
I am new to this forum, but have signed up in search of help regarding an engine problem I have recently developed in my Mk4 2000 Mk4 GTI 1.8T with 85K miles on the clock.

I have owned the car for 2 years and it has been absolutely fantastic until this recent problem. The problem feels like a complete lack of power, lumpy acceleration and an awful shudder to to the car. Sometimes its fine, other times its awful and feels like its gonna konk out. It's actually quite random in the sense that it can happen in low gear & idle and also in 4th/5th gear.

When I first noticed the problem I took the car into a garage who diagnosed the problem as an engine misfire but it was unusual as it didn't through up any error codes or show the engine warning on the dash. In the end, they recommended I took the car to a VW specialist as they couldn't say for sure what the problem was.

Having had the car at the VW dealer for a week, they first thought the problem was an air flow meter, but then decided it could be contaminated fuel & drained the tank. They weren't entirely sure this was the answer to the problem but recommended I try it on a new tank of fuel. I've got the car back now and the problem is very much still there, so I'll be taking it back.

Would be interested if anyone has heard of similar problems to this or has any suggestions as to what the solution could be?

Cheers
Paul

[GTI.T]

dodgy spark plug??

[paulGTi1.8T]

Thanks for the reply. The VW specialist did tell me they checked the spark plugs & "all the obvious things associated with engine misfire" & they seem to be scratching their heads on it a bit.

[Nino]

Right then VW garages are there just to take your money mate, i am extremely supprized to drained your tank. Im not garage or macannic but i would look more to cleaning your throttle body and check the timing.

A dirty TB will cause the bad ideling you have stated.

[asboGTI]

Did they change the mad or not cause that could cause it

[Nino]

Did they change the mad or not cause that could cause it

He means MAF

Speaking if which have you tried unplugging the MAF to see if it stops?

[markallen]

I changed my MAF sensor. Worked fine when I unplugged it. But then came back. Cleaned the throttle body and its fine now. Try cleaning before wasting money like it did ha ha

[paulGTi1.8T]

Did they change the mad or not cause that could cause it

He means MAF

Speaking if which have you tried unplugging the MAF to see if it stops?

Cheers for the replies. Yes, they did try replacing the air flow sensor unit, they said it improved it a bit, but then they put the old one back on as it didn't rectify the problem. So you reckon cleaning throttle body?

[Nino]

defo yes

[navmk4gti]

Just because there dealers dont mean they all knowing bud. As said they just want your money. There is loads diy things you can sort this. Its common on gti. Happenned me twice. Once was maf second time round was very dirty throttle body. Is it AGU u got?