Hi Guys,

I have a 2001 Octavia VRS with around 115K, recently when at lights etc the revs are going all over the place dropping from the usual 900 or so to below 500 then just before stall kicking back up again. Ive also noticed sometimes when moving off it can cause trouble creating the effect of bad clutch control with the car lurching.

This does not happen all the time but often enough to be annoying as hell, any suggestions what might be causing it and can a car noob do a DIY job to fix it?

I have recently had the MAF sensor cleaned but it is possible that this has given up.

As the car is over 10 years old it is beginning to cause a few issues, recently had the alternator give up on me... im hoping this is a cheap problem!

Thanks for any help / suggestions you can give!

Fionn

Edited 29 March, 201115 yr by fionny

Clean the throttle body buddy, takes half an hour or so to do. Fairly easy to carry out use some carb cleaner to clean it :-)

Clean the throttle body buddy, takes half an hour or so to do. Fairly easy to carry out use some carb cleaner to clean it :-)

Cheers mate found a guide on how to do it so will try tonight and report back, hope its all it is.

Cheers mate found a guide on how to do it so will try tonight and report back, hope its all it is.

The guide I found (Here) indicates the need for a gasket can I get away without this? I found another guide that didnt show the need for this?

With Gasket Sealant on hand of course.

Cheers,

Edited 29 March, 201115 yr by fionny

Gah double post.

Edited 29 March, 201115 yr by fionny

Just get one from the dealers mate cost about 2 quid i got one a couple of weeks ago.

Just get one from the dealers mate cost about 2 quid i got one a couple of weeks ago.

Rang the local VW Dealers and the Skoda Dealer and none of them have it in stock here, VRS's aint so popular in Ireland. Ill get some gasket sealant should do the job... i think :p

This should do i think? http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_165466_langId_-1_categoryId_212519

Edited 29 March, 201115 yr by fionny

You're better off just re-using the old gasket, rather than smearing horrible sealant all over the place!

The gaskets can be ordered next day from a dealer and cost pennies. But if you don't want to do that then you can buy gasket paper and cut out your own one using the old one as a template.

The gaskets are common to any VAG 1.8T, so are readily available.

Well I pulled the hose off the throttle body today and had a gawk inside and behind the flaps and there was hardly any gunk, I reckon my mechanic mustve cleaned it not so long ago...

The rough idleing cleared up a few days before though im beginning to wonder did I have some dodgey petrol in the tank as it seems to have gone away since a fill.

Bleedin engine light came on again though... I have an OBD2 Bluetooth adaptor on order so ill see what the error is about then.

It could be your engine coolant sender that has caused the light to come on. When mine was goosed my car would idle irraticaly and be very hesitant and taking off. My gauge would sit at 90 though at all times though. Your diagnostic reader will tell you if the cts is at fault :-).

It could be your engine coolant sender that has caused the light to come on. When mine was goosed my car would idle irraticaly and be very hesitant and taking off. My gauge would sit at 90 though at all times though. Your diagnostic reader will tell you if the cts is at fault :-).

Got the OBD2 Connector

There error im getting is:

P0172

Powertrain

Bank 1

Im guessing this means the MAF is knackered? Also would it account for a reduction in fuel efficiency (i think)?

Or could it be fuel injectors being dirty? Would tie in with my theory of dirty petrol causing the bad idles (problem has not returned since last tank fill)

Edited 5 April, 201115 yr by fionny