Car stutters between 2k and 3k rpm

[drw8]

Hi all, 

 

Car is a 2011, 1.4 tsi estate. Recently the car has started stuttering/kangaroo'ing between 2k and 3k rpm. Once above 3k the engine pulls well. I'm just about to finish a full tank of shell super unleaded (with redex injector cleaner) which seems to have had no effect. Next I was going to replace the fuel filter as its an inexpensive part. There is no warnings showing on the dash. I don't have vcds near by, I only really have a generic fault code reader (which I'm assuming will show nothing) 

 

Any suggestions as to what would be my next step?

 

Thanks, Drew.

[drw8]

Changing the fuel filter has made no difference. I have noticed that it only stutters when the engine is up to temp.

[Anddenton]

I'd be thinking coil pack on its way out but at this stage really needs scanning to see which cylinder is at fault.

[Ootohere]

How many miles has it done.

Have the Spark Plugs been replaced or even checked?

 

If a plug is going a coil can prematurely, but look at all 4 plugs first, and when out you might as well fit new ones.

[drw8]

Just approaching 30k. Don't think spark plugs have been done, but I'll check.

[Ootohere]

Likely not as the service schedule / guidelines are at 40,000 miles. but some Dealerships do them at 4 years or the 2nd Major Service as they are part of the 'Offer' for those paying £279 at 2 years and not getting Spark Plugs or Air Filter, then paying the same at the 2nd Major Service and maybe still not getting the parts....

http://skoda.co.uk/finance-and-offers/service-and-maintenance/simply-fixed 

 

Air Filter!  Have you looked at that?

 

Who was the Servicing Dealership, Skoda Specialist cars John Clark or An-other?

Edited 17 July, 2018 by Offski

[drw8]

Checked air filter, it looked like new for being 9 months old. It was serviced at Mercedes which is an Arnold Clark (as that's where I bought it from and purchase price included 2 years service/mot)

 

Had planned to do a 'big' service on it in October including spark plugs and fuel filter anyway.

[xman]

Scan for error codes

 

Then check ignition components, Spark plugs (visual) highly likely imo. Check they are correct types fitted in case Arnold fitted the wrong ones.

 

A new pencil coil Pak can be had for less than £25 and as these are prone to failure I would buy one and try substitution to see if any difference. Always handy to have a spare.

 

Then it's on to the fuel system....

[drw8]

Spark plugs have made a difference, now it stutters randomly... So I guess the next step will be to get it scanned to track down what coil is at fault. The fuel filter I fitted, I had bought for a previous Octavia and was the same as fitted to the car and both stamped up 6.6 bar. I got one from ECP and it was stamped at 6.4 bar. Has ECP sent the wrong filter or was the wrong one fitted to the car?

[cheshire_cat]

for approx 3 psi I wouldn't worry

[drw8]

Forgot I had carista, so used that to scan. It found no faults. So took it over to the shell garage to fill up with some super unleaded and it didn't stutter once... With more use I guess we'll see if it comes back.

[Ootohere]

Just pull into Sainsuburys for 97 ron or Tesco for Momentum 99 and pay £2.50 or more a tank less than that Shell V-power Nitro + and your 1.4 TSI should be going just as well.

If it stutters it is not the petrol so best find what it is.

[drw8]

I had been using asda fuel (convenience of it being close) and when I pulled the plugs on the car they were gummed up with carbon. Hoping that the better fuel will maybe prevent it happening over the next 30k miles.

[drw8]

Back to the same symptoms again. Going to pull the plugs and try giving them a clean.

[Jevpls]

On 23/07/2018 at 18:16, drw8 said:

Forgot I had carista, so used that to scan. It found no faults. So took it over to the shell garage to fill up with some super unleaded and it didn't stutter once... With more use I guess we'll see if it comes back.

 

Carista won't be much help in such case. It might show the faults if there are any on the dashboard. There might be more in the history but not shown - Carista won't show them.

[drw8]

Cleaned up plugs and symptoms went away. And now they've started to come back. Still no warning lights/fault codes, so going to try some new spark plugs from ECP/GSF as the ones I got last year were bought on ebay.