Engine missfire

[don-tucker]

Every so often the engine will miss abeat,for no particular reason,I know it could be anything but wondered if it was common to these cars.
i have installed Vag- com 409-1 and was thinking of getting one of the cheepo cables from ebay,any good?would that show the fault up.
Don

[Shleng]

the fault codes would be your first port of call. a vw garage or retailer should be able to do this. alternatively to paying a garage to read your codes, you could buy an OBD II diagnostic cable if you have a laptop (or can move your pc to within 4 foot of your car) from an auction site such as ebay, download the dumb interface version of vag com and check the codes yourself. you can post them up here and somebody will tell you what they mean. this will cost you less than 15 pound. you cant delete the codes this way but you could upgrade the software by purchasing a licence from rosstech for about 50 quid. thats only two fault reads from a garage and it would allow you to do all kinds of adaptations and adjustments e.g. throttle body adaptations for all vag engines with the OBD II diagnostic connection (located behind a trim below your air con or stereo). you could then delete the codes when you believe that you have eliminated the problem and then see if they return. saves the numerous trips to the garage and 25 quid or so each time they read them for you.
i would purchase the lead and software for suture use but you man not want the hassle. i just think that it is economical. have a look at www.ross-tech.com (http://www.ross-tech.com/) at what the software can do for you

[Crasher]

Replace all four coil packs. What is the engine code?

[don-tucker]

Thanks for the replies boys,the engine code is BCB,it's really annoying as it only happens rarely,I think my next move is the vag-com interface and see what comes up.
I woudl think the coil packs are expensive.
Don

[Shleng]

4 coil packs will set you back about 100 quid if thats what you need

[Crasher]

036 905 715 E £30 each genuine, 2 year guarantee. If you are running this engine on normal 95RON unleaded fuel, they don't like it as they are designed to run on 98RON Super Plus unleaded but unfortunately we can't buy that in the UK so only Tesco 99 and Shell V Power are suitable. Even running it on 97RON Super Unleaded such as BP Ultimate will start to make it play up. If you open your fuel filler cap you will see it says Min Octane 98/95 and the actual VW quote from the workshop manual is "98 unleaded (in exceptional circumstances min. 95 RON, however with reduced performance)". In some cases I have even seen the continued use of Premium 95RON unleaded lead to burnt out exhaust valves.

[don-tucker]

You are right about the fuel Crasher,I'll have to try and find some.going to be a bit of a bugger.
Thanks for the info
Don

[Crasher]

I only use Shell V Power in my Octavia VRS and I use my Garmin Nav to plan my fuel stops if I go outside Nottingham.

[don-tucker]

Would it hurt to mix the fuels ,perhaps I would get 98 when I could.
Don

[Crasher]

Mixing just reduces the benefit and you can’t get 98RON in the UK, just 97 and 99. There are plenty of Tesco stores around the UK.

[don-tucker]

Thanks mate