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View Full Version : Cylinder 1 misfire/Low compression and stuttering at 3,000rpm?(Intermittent)



JarraxCo
24-02-2016, 01:51 AM
Hey !

I'll start by saying I have a 2003 Golf 1.6 16v (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015A3ASNA), engine code is BCB!

I've been having an issue with my golf for just just under a year(The previous owner was aware of the fault but it seems like it has developed since I have owned the car), just wondering if anyone has known any similar issues with the 1.4/1.6 engine that fit the symptoms I am having!

Basically, I have a few issues that could be related or could be separate but starting with the most frequent fault:

The car seems to stutter at exactly 3,000 rpm at random intervals throughout the day/week, sometimes it won't do it, and others it will do it continuously so I can't give more specifics on when/why it does it... the only things I have noticed is that the engine lacks power when it is going to stutter, I can pull away in first and instantly know its going to stutter in second, third etc... and it seems to be a lot more noticeable the lower the gear is, so in first it feels like the engine drops a tonne of power between idle and 3,000 and then second gear will slowly rise up to 3,000rpm and stutter around 3-4 times quite viciously. Third isn't so bad, fourth is barely noticeable and fifth, nothing is felt... However, the lack of power is present in all gears if the car is going to stutter... I've had recommendations that it could be the MAF sensor (http://www.amazon.com/BBK-8016-Calibrated-Injectors-Calibration/dp/B003HII3I8), however, my engine code does not have a MAF sensor so I replaced the MAP sensor (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=map+sensor) inits place... the other issue that was suggested was a fuel pump issue or fuel pressure issue... would anyone second this as a cause?

My next issue that crops up twice or more times a month is an engine management light with the text EMISSIONS WORKSHOP, The engine management light will stay solid for around two days and then clear itself. I have had this code scanned three times and the only fault found is a misfire on Cylinder one... My friend did do a scan for me an found that most of the exhaust system (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=automotive&keywords=exhaust%2Bsystem&linkCode=ur2) was not okay, and advised replacing the pre-cat o2 Sensor... I recently completed a compression test on the engine after being recommended... I got these results across the board:

Cylinder 4 - 17bar
Cylinder 3 - 17bar
Cylinder 2 - 15bar
Cylinder 1 - 12bar

I used a Haynes manual (http://www.ebay.com/bhp/haynes-manual) for reference and read that the maximum difference between cylinders should be 3.0 bar, so could this be a factor in my issues as 17-12 equals a difference of 5bar?

I have heard that the 1.4/1.6 does have a common fault with burnt exhaust valve (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=automotive&keywords=exhaust%2Bvalve&linkCode=ur2) seats but it is an area I am not confident testing/inspecting and I'm not well informed on how such a problem would be fixed, however, I know that it requires removal of the head and thus would be quite costly!

I have already invested quite a bit:

-MAP Sensor
-Throttle Body(Has been cleaned/re-aligned)
-Complete Timing belt(Water pump and coolant renewal)
-Full service(Air, Oil, Fuel filters, and new plugs)


Really, Any information is helpful at this point! It's become sort of an obsession now, so making some progress wouldn't go amiss! :P

Thanks guys, And Sorry for the long post!

Rob69
24-02-2016, 06:21 AM
Sorry to say it looks like exhaust valves away with a pressure differential like that. Not a cheap fix unless you do the bulk of it yourself. The stuttering could be due to the ECU trying to compensate for the emmissions imbalance coming through from the misfiring cylinder, then finally logging an emmissions or misfire code. Depending on your viewpoint, It could be the tipping point for this car in terms of residual value / repair costs.

JarraxCo
24-02-2016, 04:15 PM
Thanks! and that is what I had feared! I do have contacts who wouldn't over-charge me to repair it and can do much of the labour myself with help from someone who has done similar jobs before.

The only thing I'm concerned about it having the work done and it causes more problems than it actually fixes, as much as I love the car, at this point I'm stuck between going ahead with the repair or selling it off and trying to find a decent Mk5 which I have wanted to do for a while!

Rob69
24-02-2016, 08:06 PM
Tough call to make, good luck!

niall campbell
24-02-2016, 09:22 PM
My boys Polo was £110 for a 3 cylinder head check, valves & stem guides from an engineering workshop

Usually its £ 400 ish for a head gasket

if that helps you decide.