Stutter\missfire at low RPM **fixed** Carbon build in inlet!

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iamcabaged
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 12:43 pm
I drive a: GT 2.0 TSI
In: Deep Black
With a: Manual box

Stutter\missfire at low RPM **fixed** Carbon build in inlet!

Post by iamcabaged »

Hi all,

I had been having trouble with my car for a few years now (2.0 tsi) , and its taken away all the enjoyment of owning the car.

The problem was a missfire\ stutter (especially when cold) at low RPM (1000 - 3000 rpm)
I had tried to find a solution for the problem before and fitted new spark plus, coil on plugs, and a new bypass valve.

Thankfully last week I solved the problem and now the car is running perfectly!!! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
The misfire is completely gone, the car feel like it has an extra 20hp and the mpg is up by 3-5 mpg.

The cause of the issue was a huge build up of carbon around the inlet valves and inlet manifold.
I decided to take the inlet manifold off and clean everything.
This was a huge job and took over 10 hours to complete, but it was well worth it!

I used this guide here.. http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20985

Thankyou very much to Steelcutain
I recommend jacking the car up and removing the sump guard, because alot of the bolts are very difficult to get to from the top. (I didnt do this and found it almost impossible :cry: )

Tools Needed

• Sharpie marker and plastic baggies to store screws / bolts and label where they came from
• 3/8’ inch ratchet with 90* adjustable angled head
• Socket that will hold torx bits
• #10 triple square (12 point)
• T-30 bit for all manifold related screws
• 9” ratchet extensions
• Protective gloves
• Respiratory mask for valve cleaning
• 17mm open wrench
• 10mm socket for disconnecting battery
• Sockets for hose clamps on throttle body, etc.
• GM Top Engine Cleaner, Part# 1052626 (aerosol can)
• Shop rags
• Wire brushes (cylinder bottle type)
• Metal pics
• Compressed air
• Vacuum cleaner
• Good ventilation


Manifold Removal

1. Lift front end of car
2. Disconnect fuel pressure sensor on top of fuel pump; turn on car and let idle for 10-15 seconds to lower fuel pressure from pump and rail.
3. Disconnect battery
4. Remove air intake (I have a Carbonio intake; I could have probably kept it on the car but it made it much easier to get to the fuel pump with it off)
5. Remove throttle body pipe
6. Disconnect PCV hose from manifold and PCV assembly on engine.
7. Disconnect sensor located on head beside PCV assembly.
8. Remove the 2 T-30screws that hold down the fuel rail and the 1T-30screw holding EVAP hose on top of mani. Use wire tie to suspend fuel rail out of the way. (I used the hood bracket and engine lift bracket to tie wire-ties around.
9. Remove 1 T-30screw on top of mani that is holding down fuel hard line .
10. Remove 2 T-30screws for wiring harness assembly that connects to the mani on the right side; remove sensors from assembly and take note of their orientation so you can assemble them into the wiring bracket later.
11. Remove 1 T-30screw located left of throttle body that holds the coolant line harness to mani.
12. Remove 1 T-30screw located on far left side of coolant harness (about 6” left of throttle body).
13. Disconnect spring clamp from purge valve and pull purge valve hose from valve. – store hose out of the way.
14. Place rags underneath bolt attaching fuel line to fuel rail assembly under intake mani , disconnect bolt using a 17mm open wrench then disconnect bolt under fuel pump using 17mm wrench. Use caution cause fuel will spill and may be under pressure if step # 2 wasn’t followed correctly. Use eye protection.
15. Disconnect vacuum actuator flapper sensor by sliding off of assembly mounted to mani and remove the vacuum line.
16. Disconnect fuel pressure sensor located underneath 1&2 runners.
17. Remove throttle body sensors.
18. Remove throttle body by unscrewing 4T-30bolts located underneath the throttle body assembly.
19. Disconnect EVAP hose from manifold located underneath runners 2&3
20. Remove the M10 triple square bolt for the intake manifold support bracket to the engine. This bolt is difficult to see. The location is below the intake manifold and behind the throttle body.
21. Remove the 5 upper T-30 bolts fastening the intake manifold to the cylinder head.
22. Remove the 2 additional lower T-30 bolts are accessible just above and to the left and right of the TB Module.
23. Remove the additional two M6 nuts located on the underside of the cylinder 1 and 4 intake runners.
24. Disconnect sensor on right side of oil filter / left side of mani; I believe this is the power source for the fuel injectors IIRC
25. Verify that all sensors are disconnected
26. Verify that everything has been disconnected then gently pull up on manifold making sure fuel injectors don’t stay connected to fuel rail assembly. It’s okay if the injectors stay connected but it will most likely leak fuel onto the engine.

Valve Cleaning

1. Wear protective mask and gloves at all times. The GM cleaner is very strong and harmful to inhale and touch!! Use caution and common sense.
2. The GM cleaner works very, very well. It does most of the work for you. You just have to be patient mopping up the carbon soup it creates in your intake ports.
3. Remove intake flaps and soak in GM cleaner. Use wire brushes if necessary to scrape off the excessive amounts of carbon. Use rags to wipe away the carbon. Keep applying cleaner to areas that have the most build-up.
4. Hand turn the belt around alternator to turn the crank so it closes off valves on intake side. Once closed, spray GM cleaner into each valve one at a time. Let soak for 10 minutes then scrape with wire bottle brushes to loosen carbon. Tear apart 2” x 2” rags to use to soak up GM cleaner from each valve port. Use picks to move rags between the front and back of valves thoroughly cleaning all sides and “mopping” up the dirty cleaner. Keep repeating until valves are shiny silver. Use vacuum to suck out carbon bits. Use compressed air to assist with cleaning. Be careful not get bits of carbon in your eyes.
seamore
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2015 7:10 am
I drive a: GT 2.0 TSI
In: Pewter Grey
With a: Manual box

Re: Stutter\missfire at low RPM **fixed** Carbon build in in

Post by seamore »

I've just had the exact same problem, which started earlier this year and got more noticable as the weather got colder. As there were no codes stored, ruled out 'electrical' problem and thanks to iamcabaged's post took the plunge and removed inlet manifold, to find seriously clagged up valves!!
Question is - what causes this?? Has any one any ideas. Engine done 58,000 - will I have to do same again in another 50,000 miles?
Don't use same make of petrol all the time. Drive conditions what I would call average mixed. Oil changed every 6,000. If it happens to 'two' 2.0 TSI's does it happen to them all to some extent? Anyone else had same?
Any input welcome.....
greg7728
Posts: 350
Joined: Sat May 09, 2015 10:12 am
I drive a: 1.4 TSI 160
In: Viper Green
With a: DSG box
Location: Essex

Re: Stutter\missfire at low RPM **fixed** Carbon build in in

Post by greg7728 »

I think I have this issue on the 1.4tsi - not confident enough to be taking apart the engine bay, injectors are a pain to get to as well, mines only done 24k but is 2010 so thinking previous owner done lots of short journeys perhaps that didn't help. Going to ask my mechanic to cost this job up for me, as it really does take enjoyment out of the car. Mines on idle and I've done the sparks and coils, seems to improved a bit but still there, feeling the stutter through the seat. Is a shame.


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seamore
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Feb 14, 2015 7:10 am
I drive a: GT 2.0 TSI
In: Pewter Grey
With a: Manual box

Re: Stutter\missfire at low RPM **fixed** Carbon build in in

Post by seamore »

20 odd thousand miles does'nt seem like enough millage to have this problem, mine has done 58.000, but may be wrong. Have you checked for fault codes? There does seem to be a lot of posts about miss firing, but a lot come with related fault codes. Taking the inlet manifold off on the 2.0tsi is a bit of an undertaking - suspect similar on 1.4. I would say about 1/4 of the inlet throat diameter was clogged on my 2.0. Removing it has cured all the low throttle/cold running problems and made it fun to drive again.... :)
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Roy_01
Posts: 1700
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2014 6:51 pm
I drive a: 2.0 TDI 140
In: Sumatra
With a: DSG box

Re: Stutter\missfire at low RPM **fixed** Carbon build in in

Post by Roy_01 »

Im glad i have the tdi engine when i read all this. The should have used a combination of port and direct injection just like other car brands. Port injection for start up and then switching to direct injection when the engine is hot.
Keeping all of the intake ports nice and clean. And the overlapping valves during warm up isn''t also contributing to a clean intake system.
salsajoe
Posts: 407
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 12:54 pm
I drive a: 1.4 TSI 160
In: Salsa Red
With a: Manual box
Options: multifunction steering wheel, fogs, 18" alloys; DAB; XDS activated, DRLs reset, lock beep activated; indicator repeat set to 4; covered cup holder, rear seat 12v socket installed. metal pedals, 210 Golf GTi also in the stable. Scirocco gone - miss it. Polo GTI now.

Re: Stutter\missfire at low RPM **fixed** Carbon build in in

Post by salsajoe »

greg7728 wrote:I think I have this issue on the 1.4tsi - not confident enough to be taking apart the engine bay, injectors are a pain to get to as well, mines only done 24k but is 2010 so thinking previous owner done lots of short journeys perhaps that didn't help. Going to ask my mechanic to cost this job up for me, as it really does take enjoyment out of the car. Mines on idle and I've done the sparks and coils, seems to improved a bit but still there, feeling the stutter through the seat. Is a shame.


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I had to change the intake manifold on my 2.0TSI because of a faulty sensor. Cost 2 hours labour plus parts but the valves did not require much cleaning and of course had a new manifold so that was clean. I use shell nitro - not sure if this is a factor in carbon build up? I have noticed that there is less carbon build up around the tailpipe with nitro compared to other makes of fuel.
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