Engine Stutter, poor acceleration.

[hod]

Dear All,
The exhaust emission warning lamp has suddenly started blinking, this co incides with the engine becoming lumpy with poor acceleration thro the gears and a lightweight rumble when the engine is idling.. It then cleared for a day but has now come back more permanently. Also on first start up the ignition feathers out but turn the key again and it starts straight away after, are these 2 things linked? I first thought dirt in the fuel,but do I need a tune up ?
any help appreciated,hod.

[passat 130 tdi]

try blocking off the egr hose and give the car a run , if its ok then the egr is full of tar and carbon build up and will require taking it off and cleaning it.

ps- i take it you own a diesel ?

[hod]

thanks for reply, my car is a passat 2.0 se petrol, does this make a difference?

[passat 130 tdi]

yes cos you have alot of electricals a diesel dont - id suspect a spark plug is down ,a plug lead breaking down .

do try blanking off the egr though , it wont cost you anything to try .

a vagcom fault code read would prove usefull also.